Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, and its base camp at 4,870 m sits in one of the wildest cirques in the Himalaya. The approach walks through the Barun Valley — a roadless, helicopter-only zone protected as part of the Makalu-Barun National Park.
Why this trek
- Direct views of Makalu's east face from base camp, plus Chamlang and Baruntse.
- 14 days, fly in to Tumlingtar, walk to base camp and back.
- Barun Valley is biodiverse — primary forest, red pandas, snow leopard habitat.
- Max altitude 4,870 m, no high-pass crossing required.
Makalu BC is hard because of the remoteness and the long days, not because of altitude. Trail conditions vary year-to-year — landslides are common in the lower sections. We send Sherpa guides who know the current route status.
