The trek to the fifth tallest peak on the planet, Mt Makalu, is a fascinating idea. The approximate two-week long trek, Makalu Base Camp (MBC) is one of the least trekked Himalayan base camps in Nepal.
MBC is equipped with good teahouses and hotels. There is good availability of accommodation and fooding along the MBC route. There are mainly 12 venues for accommodation along the trekking route. These teahouses have average quality for both food and accommodation for trekkers.
Num is the gateway to the Makalu Base Camp. The road connecting the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha, Khandbari to Num is the ultimate road that exists along the way to the MBC trek. It is located at an altitude of around 1500 meters. There are plenty of hotels and teahouses in Num. Kopila Hotel and Sherpa Guest House are some noted teahouses in the bazaar. The bazaar is also the entry point to two other important areas like the working site of the Arun-3 hydropower project and the Kimathanka border crossing. Num is the headquarters of the local government named Makalu Rural Municipality and the ward headquarters of ward number five. The walking starts from Num. Before Num, trekkers would have to trek from Khandbari via Chichila and Deurali.
Seduwa is the first camp after a half-day walk from Num. It is also at an altitude of around 1500 meters from sea level. Seduwa hosts an entry point of Makalu Barun National Park for climbers and trekkers of MBC. It has some good local homestays and other accommodation facilities. Six registered home-stays are given good accommodation and meals. Solar power is the only available electricity facility in Seduwa. In times of foggy days or heavy downpours, there might be woes of electricity just to charge a mobile phone.
This Himalayan hamlet is the last available village along the MBC route. It is reached after a day's walk from Seduwa while some fast-paced walkers can come directly from Num. Its altitude is 2200 meters from the sea level. Having been enveloped with Sherpa culture and traditions, Tashi Gaun has a tourist magnet to attract all visitors. There are six registered homestays in the hamlet. Tashi Gaun is the best Sherpa hamlet for a firsthand experience of the typical Sherpa community.
Danda Kharka for general trekkers is the venue to have lunch after a morning walk from Tashi Gaun. Some trekkers stay overnight also. It is located at an altitude of around 2800 meters from sea level. Two teahouses offer services to the trekkers.
Located at an altitude of 3500 meters from the sea level, Khongma is the first major stop after the nearest hamlet of Tashi Gaun. There are three teahouses in Khongma. Many trekkers having high altitude issues start feeling some symptoms of High-altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High-altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) feel it here.
This venue is located at an altitude of 4200 meters from sea level. Locals call it Thulo Danda but foreigners call it Shipton pass. Shipton pass is named after famous climber Eric Shipton. There are two teahouses in Thulo Danda. Trekkers do stay here for their daytime meals.
Dobato is located at around 3400-meter height. There is only a teahouse in Dobato. Trekkers generally come to stay here after a daylong trek from Khongma.
Fematang is located at an altitude of 3483 meters from sea level. Barun river flows through the edge of this location. There is only a teahouse in Fematang.
Yangle Kharka is not just the venue for the MBC trek; it is also the base camp of the famous Shiva shrine of Shiva Dhara. It is located at an altitude of 3600 meters. There are three teahouses in Yangle Kharka. Like Fematang, Yangle Kharka is also located on the bank of the Barun river.
Three-hour walk from Yangle Kharka, Tadosa is the lunchtime venue along the MBC trek. There is only a teahouse in this area. It is located at an altitude of 3800 meters.
It is the second last camp along the MBC trek route from Num. There is only a teahouse in this area located at an altitude of 4410 meters from the sea level. Trekkers return to this venue after reaching the MBC.
Makalu Base Camp is located at an altitude of 4870 meters. However, trekkers have to descend to the base camp from around 5000-meter altitude. There are three teahouses in the base camp. Mt Makalu is visible from the base camp. The Everest base camp does not have peak views. However, Makalu Base Camp does have clear views of the summit of Mt Makalu.
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