21-Days MAKALU BASE CAMP
Maximum Altitude : 5000m
Trek Grade : demanding
High in the heart of the eastern Himalaya, seven
valleys radiate from Mt Makalu, the world's fifth
highest peak. This trek follows the Barun which contains
some of the last remaining areas of pristine forests
and alpine meadows in Nepal. From the bottom of the
Arun Valley, near the start of the trek, the Himalaya
rise from just 435m above sea level to the snow capped
peak of Makalu at 8463m within a distance of only
40km. The trek thus passes through a great diversity
of ecosystems and cultures. Communities of Rai farmers
give way to Sherpa and Bhotia villages as altitude
is gained.These peoples live in isolated villages
much as they have for centuries. Their livelihoods
depend upon forest resources for animal fodder, fuel,
food, housing materials, fertilisers and medicine.
The
Makalu - Barun National Park and Conservation Area
was established in 1992 as Nepal's eighth national
park. Covering 2,330 sq km, Makalu - Barun is a remote
wilderness, with just two small settlements and seasonal
herding in high pastures. The area receives few foreign
trekkers due to its relative inaccessibility and a
journey to base camp is an unforgettable experience.
In the forests there are many varieties of orchids
and more than 3,000 species of flowering plants. The
area protects an abundant wildlife including the endangered
red panda, musk deer, Himalayan tahr and leopard.
There are more than 400 bird species, some of which
are extremely rare.
Then of course there are the mountains, Makalu, Everest,
Lhotse and Chhamlang that form a stunning backdrop
at the head of the Barun Valley. This is an extremely
rewarding trek and one for the connoisseur of wild
places that remains largely untouched by tourism.
Our itinerary has been carefully planned to allow
for acclimatisation to the altitude and to maximise
our time in the vicinity of base camp for further
exploration of this outstanding area. There are some
long days of 7 to 8 hours walking, some rough trail
sections and the effects of altitude will be present.
For trip cost, itinerary and other
relevant information please contact us.
Email : info@holidaynepaltrek.com
