About Makalu Expedition
Country
Nepal
Duration
53 Days
Difficulty
Extreme
Activity
Expedition
Best season
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Accommodation
Tented camp and lodge
Meals
Included
Start/End point
Kathmandu
Makalu, the world's fifth tallest peak, is located 19 kilometers southeast of Mount Everest in the Mahalangur Himalayas. Makalu, one of the eight-thousanders, is a detached pinnacle with a four-sided pyramid form on the Nepal-China border.
Mt. Makalu's primary climbing routes are the Southeast Ridge and the Northwest Ridge. Climbing the 8485m peak takes about 54 days on average. Makalu is accessible to most climbers in both the spring and fall seasons. Spring, on the other hand, is better for nice weather and snow conditions. Makalu is dealt with in a nice and exquisite manner. Where steep cascades tumble into deep chasms, jagged rocks rise from vast green forests, and vivid blooms grow beneath white snow peaks, the Barun Valley offers startling contrasts. This specific scenario protects some of the world's most pristine alpine settings.
The climbing is suitable for both experienced climbers and those attempting their first ascent of an 8,000-meter summit. Easy glaciers lower on the mountain, severe ice and snow climbing to the Makalu La, and the last rock ridge to the summit above Camp IV make up the ascent. Makalu is a steep and steady ascent with good snow covering and few dangers like as icefalls, rockfalls, and avalanches in the spring season.
Highlights of Makalu Expedition
Trekking
210 km
Stay
34 nights in tents, the rest in lodges
Mountains visible
Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Jannu
Altitude gain
1,500–4,870 m (4,921–15,978 ft)
Destinations
Preparation for expedition, Tumlingtar - camping, Tumlingtar - Kuwapani, Kuwapani - Chichila, Chichila - Num
Activities
Glacier travel and rope work, Acclimatisation rotations, Camp life with a Sherpa team
Seasonality for Makalu Expedition
The best months to go are shown in green and the months to avoid in red. Weather in the mountains can change at any time of year, so ask us about your dates.
- Jan (unfavourable)
- Feb (unfavourable)
- Mar
- Apr (best)
- May (best)
- Jun (unfavourable)
- Jul (unfavourable)
- Aug (unfavourable)
- Sep (best)
- Oct (best)
- Nov
- Dec (unfavourable)
Best seasons: Apr–May, Sep–Oct (shown in green color)
Unfavourable seasons: Jan–Feb, Jun–Aug, Dec (shown in red color)
Altitude Profile of Makalu Expedition
Detailed Itinerary of Makalu Expedition
What's included and excluded
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle
- Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Climbing permits and government royalties
- Experienced climbing Sherpa and base camp staff
- Full-board meals during the expedition
- Tents, kitchen and group climbing equipment
- Yak and porter transport of equipment to base camp
- Communication and first-aid kit
What's excluded
- Personal climbing gear and supplementary summit oxygen unless listed
- Summit bonus for climbing Sherpa
- Helicopter evacuation costs
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips for guides, drivers and staff
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Any costs caused by weather, strikes or other events beyond our control
Equipment and things you need
Clothing
- Down jacket (warm enough for below -10 °C)
- Waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Base layers and a fleece
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves and buff
Footwear
- Broken-in waterproof trekking boots
- Spare socks (wool or synthetic)
- Light shoes or sandals for the lodge
Gear
- Sleeping bag rated for the altitude
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection and sun cream
- Refillable water bottle and purification tablets
Health and papers
- Personal first-aid kit and your regular medication
- Travel and rescue insurance covering your maximum altitude
- Passport, spare photos and copies of your documents
Climbing
- Mountaineering boots, harness, crampons and ice axe (we can advise on what to bring or hire)
- Supplementary oxygen and a regulator are arranged for the summit push; confirm the details with us for your expedition
Frequently asked questions
You should be comfortable walking for several hours a day on uneven ground, with some steep climbs. Regular cardio and hill walking in the weeks before you travel makes a big difference. Ask us if you are unsure about a route.
Most mountain routes need permits and park or area entry fees. We arrange the ones your route needs; the quote lists what is covered.
Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and sleep lower than the highest point you reached that day. The itinerary includes acclimatisation time where the route needs it. Tell your guide straight away about headache, nausea or dizziness. If symptoms get worse, the safe response is to descend.
See the equipment list on this page for the essentials. We can also advise on what to hire in Kathmandu.
Yes. We build itineraries around your interests, dates and budget. Tell us what you would like to change and we will send a revised plan with the price.
Yes. Your trip is led by licensed guides. Chinese, Hindi, Spanish and English-speaking guides are available on request, so tell us your language when you enquire.
A booking amount (30% of the total) secures your trip and the balance is settled before departure. The full terms are in our Booking and Cancellation Policy. Read the policy
Pick any start date when you request a booking. We confirm availability for those dates before taking a payment.
Customer reviews
Tripadvisor
5.054 reviews · 5.0 rating
Perfect
Creative Adventure Nepal provides excellent service and truly professional support in the tourism industry. Their team is friendly, knowledgeable, and well-organized, making every trip smooth, safe, and memorable. From planning to execution, everything is handled with care and passion. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an amazing travel experience in Nepal!
1 / 54
5.042 Google reviews
- Anil GuptaOct 03, 2024
Service is very good
- Krishna BhusalJul 07, 2024
Awesome experience with the group. Thank you Creative Adventure team.
- Shyamala Narayanan (Shammu)Jun 02, 2024
It was an excellent and memorable trip arranged by creative adventure. We were 15 family members planned for pilgrimage trip but later combined adventures too for the sake of our kids. From the arrival and till departure, Ramesh Ji ‘s support was excellent. He was able to reach even at night for some emergencies. Excellent vehicles were provided and especially kind and experienced drivers were arranged. Because of the change in climatic conditions , our flight got cancelled and we were supposed to do road travel. We afraid a lot but the drivers were really experienced and helped us a lot in all aspects. Food arranged in hotels were really good. ( Only concern was they could have separated veg n non veg in different places n not on the same counters). Especially chef in landmark Kathmandu was so kind n prepared food specially for us. Cultural village in Janakpur also provided homely n decent food. We had a great n enjoyable trip all over. Thanks Ramesh Ji for arranging everything. We definitely recommend Creative adventure to everyone.
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Team did a great job in ensuring an enjoyable and memorable holiday for us despite the Dashain season. They accommodated itinerary changes as per our request. Provided best guides and drivers for the entire trip. All in all, a goto travel agency for the Nepal tours!
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I recently embarked on an exhilarating 8-day trip to Nepal with Creative Adventure Nepal, and I must say it was an experience of a lifetime. From the moment I arrived in Kathmandu until the final goodbye, every aspect of the trip was meticulously planned and executed, exceeding all my expectations. Overall, my experience with Creative Adventure Nepal was nothing short of exceptional. They provided a seamless and unforgettable adventure, showcasing the natural wonders of Nepal while ensuring our safety and comfort at every step. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking an authentic and thrilling adventure in this magnificent country. My heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Creative Adventure Nepal for making my trip truly extraordinary. I look forward to returning to Nepal with them in the future for another incredible journey.
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It was a very nice experience with Creative adventure during our tour in Nepal in June 2023. Special thanks to Mr.Ramesh for overall guidance which made us hassle free and memorable trip in Nepal.
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- Asia Explore AdventureNov 13, 2017
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