Dreaming of an adventure trek into one of the most isolated and unspoiled regions of the Himalayas in Nepal? Then the Makalu Base Camp Trek is an absolute adventure into the unknown. And before you head into the unspoiled Barun Valley of Nepal, you absolutely need to know the costs and what's in the package.
This Comprehensive Makalu Base Camp Trek Package and Cost by Visit Himalaya Treks takes you through every single expense incurred during the Makalu Base Camp trek, ranging from guide and porter charges to accommodation and domestic flights. This guide can help you plan your budget, no matter whether you are trekking alone, with a companion, or even with your group.
The Makalu Base Camp Trek generally takes about 21 days, which is quite remote and a challenging experience as compared to other treks, thereby directly impacting the trek's cost. But the experience is just unmatchable as it passes through virgin landscapes, passes, valleys, and culture. Let us break down the costing structure so that you can plan your Makalu adventure accordingly.
Introduction to Makalu Base Camp Trek.
Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of the most adventurous and least trodden treks in Nepal, taking trekkers into a very remote region of Makalu Barun National Park at the base of Mount Makalu (8485 m). This is a special trek for trekkers who look for a secluded adventure in a real Himalayan setting and a challenging experience at a high elevation away from popular treks.
This trekking experience begins in a plane to Tumlingtar, then continues to isolated villages like Num, Seduwa, and Tashigaon, followed by high points like Shipton La and Keke La, eventually culminating in Makalu Base Camp at a height of 4,870 meters. Owing to inaccessibility, increased planning, and longer trekking, a Makalu Base Camp Trek is more planning-intensive than others.
Visit Himalaya Treks has put together a Makalu Base Camp Trek Cost Guide for trekkers who are eager to understand what constitutes a typical Makalu Base Camp trekking package and what affects the price of such a unique Himalayan adventure.
Visit Himalaya Treks group heading to Makalu Base Camp with breathtaking views of Mount Makalu.
How Costly Is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
The normal cost for the Makalu Base Camp Trek is around USD 1950-4,000 per person for the standard 21-day package, land cost only. You will need to arrange your international flight ticket, like from your home country to Nepal and out of Nepal. Compared to classic treks such as the Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, it is more expensive, as Makalu lies in a much more remote place, takes more time, has less infrastructure, and requires additional logistics.
Your final cost depends on several factors: the group size, season of travel, type of accommodation, mode of transportation, and service level. Unlike the more teahouse-heavy tracks, parts of the Makalu Base Camp Trek may require camping assistance, which increases the cost of staff, gear, food, and porters.
A standard Makalu Base Camp Trek package with Visit Himalaya Treks includes domestic flights, private ground transport, all necessary trekking permits, and experienced guides and porters, lodging, meals on the trail, and government taxes. This all-in-one setup lets trekkers focus on the adventure without worrying about surprise expenses in such a remote region.
Compared to the other, more commercial treks, this would be a great value for serious trekkers in solitude, wild landscapes, and dramatic views of the Himalayas. It is costlier, but exclusivity, pristine scenery, and the real sense of exploration make it worth investing in once in your lifetime.
Inclusions in the Makalu Base Camp Trek Package
If you are trekking with Visit Himalaya Treks, this is a typical Makalu Base Camp trek package that is tailored to include everything you will need for a comfortable and well-organized trip to one of Nepal’s remote regions. This package is meant to save you from any headaches that might arise during this trip.
What's Included:
- Pick up & drop off at the airport in Kathmandu.
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu–Tumlingtar–Kathmandu).
- A full-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, visiting world heritage sites with a city guide and necessary land transport.
- Private road transfers to and from Num.
- Entry permit to Makalu Barun National Park.
- An experienced trekking guide licensed by the government.
- Porter support (2 in shared porter), with weight limitations)
- Accommodations for trekking (teahouses or tents as per clients' requirements, Tea house trek or Camping Trek.
- Three meals a day throughout the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Camping equipment (tent, kitchenware, and a dining tent) when going on a camping trek.
- Cooking crew during camping sequences.
- Accommodations in Kathmandu, 3* to 5* Hotel as per the client's requirements.
- All government taxes and our service charges.
This one-stop solution will make sure you are well taken care of from the moment you arrive in Nepal to the end of your trek. Considering the inaccessibility of Makalu, having a professional company like Visit Himalaya Treks organize it will help a lot in making it safe, comfortable, and a success.
Exclusions on Makalu Base Camp Trek Package
Although it is true that the package deal offered by Visit Himalaya Treks to the Makalu Base Camp is complete, there are some personal and additional costs that are not included in the package deal. Such costs vary.
The following items are excluded from the package:
- International airfares to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fee.
- Travel insurance (must include high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation)
- Personal trekking equipment.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu before and after the trek.
- Entrance fees for sightseeing spots in Kathmandu.
- Alcoholic drinks, bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks, during the trek
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging for battery use at tea houses
- Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
- Guides, porters, and staff tips (recommended but not required)
- Extra Costs because of Itinerary Changes, Weather Conditions, or Personal Reasons.
These exclusionary provisions allow trekkers to manage their financial expenditures and at the same time, maintain transparency levels for overall expenditures. Visit Himalaya Treks maintains transparency regarding both exclusionary and inclusionary provisions so that trekkers can budget for these far-off Himalayan treks in Nepal.
Visit Himalaya Treks group's Camp at Langmale Kharka en route to Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal.
Permits for Makalu Base Camp Trek.
The Makalu Base Camp trek is conducted in a protected area in remote eastern Nepal, and it is essential to have permits for conservation and environmental purposes. Unlike other restricted trails, such as Manaslu Circuit Trek, Upper Mustang, or Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Makalu Base Camp doesn’t require a restricted area permit; however, there are still a few permits required.
Visit Himalaya Treks organizes all the necessary permits well in advance to ensure a hassle-free experience.
Entry Permit for Makalu Barun National Park.
This will allow the holder to enter Makalu Barun National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected regions in the country, replete with rare species of plants and wildlife.
- Cost: NPR 3,000 per person (approximately USD 23-25.
- Validity: Valid throughout the trekking duration.
- Where Issued: Seduwa village, entrance point of Makalu Barun National Park.
- Who It Applies to: All foreign trekkers.
- This fund directly finances conservation work as well as protecting flora and fauna in the region.
Visa and Travel Documents Requirements.
Each foreign trekker must have a valid Nepal Tourist Visa before embarking upon a Makalu Base Camp trek. Visas can be acquired through:
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
In advance from a Nepalese embassy or consulate.
Tourist Visa Fees:
- 15 days – USD 30
- 30 days: $50
- 90 days – $125
A 30-day tourist visa would actually be adequate for the 21-day Makalu Base Camp Trek.
Important Permit Observations.
- Permits will not be transferable nor refundable.
- The hard copies of the permits should be carried along during the trek.
- Permits are verified at various checkpoints along the road.
- Trekking through a licensed company, such as Visit Himalaya Treks, will ensure that the permits are secured legally and on time.
Makalu Base Camp Trekking Cost & Detail.
As you prepare to undertake the trek to the base camp of Mount Makalu, it is not an option, but rather an imperative, to hire a guide and a porter to accompany you along the trekking routes. The trekking routes to other trekking sites, unlike those to Mount Makalu, have not only villages but also relatively clear markers and well-equipped emergencies to address health and injury concerns, respectively.
Visit Himalaya Treks is assisted by experienced, licensed guides and reliable, well-equipped porters who are familiar with the region of Makalu Barun and high-altitude trekking.
Cost of a Trekking Guide.
It is important that a professional guide be available for safety, correct acclimatization, and proper coordination.
- The Trek Guide daily rate is about USD 35 - 40 per day.
- The total guide cost for the Makalu base camp trek is about USD 595 to 680.
All our guides at Visit Himalaya Treks are insured, first aid trained, and experienced in high altitude treks.
Thulo Pokhari, also known as Kalo Pokhari, is situated between Tutu La Pass (Shipton Pass) and Keke La Pass, along the route to Makalu Base Camp.
Porter Hiring Cost.
The Porters are a significant relief in carrying the backpacks, thus reducing the physical strain associated with hiking on a route like Makalu Base Camp.
- Carrying capacity: 25-30kg. To be shared between two clients.
- Daily rate: between USD 20-25 per day per porter.
- The total Porter cost for the Makalu base camp is approximately USD 340-425 per porter.
The use of porters is helpful to trekkers in conserving energy, maintaining a steady pace, and reducing fatigue/injury risk.
Camping Staff (As Needed)
In regions of Makalu, teahouse availability is very limited; additional camping arrangements are required for traveling with large groups in the Makalu trek, and additional staff and supporters, such as a cook, Kitchen helpers, and additional porters.
- Cook, USD 30-35 per day.
- Kitchen helper 25-30 per day.
- More porters for carrying food and equipment.
These expenses will usually be included in the full board packages that are offered by "Visit Himalaya Treks when booking a camping trek.
Tipping in Nepal.
Tips are not obligatory; they are only a gesture of appreciation for the efforts of the trekking staff.
The amount you choose to tip should reflect your satisfaction, your budget, and your personal connection to your guide. We recommend budgeting at least 10% of your total trip cost for tips, which can be distributed to your guide and Porter. Tips are generally given after the trekking journey in a mini closing party.
Food and Accommodation Cost on the Makalu Base Camp Trek.
The cost of food and accommodation constitutes a large part of the overall cost for the Treks in Nepal. This is because it is a remote area and there are very few infrastructure facilities. In contrast to other trekking trails, there are not many teahouses for the Makalu region; it even has to rely on simple lodges and camping facilities, consequently increasing costs.
Stays at Teahouses and Lodges.
In the villages at the end of the trek, Seduwa and Tashigaon, you stay at basic tea-houses. When you move up into the Barun Valley, the accommodation becomes more limited and basic.
The normal teahouse rooms include:
- Twin beds with mattresses and pillows.
- Shared toilets (mainly squatting toilets; Western toilets are not available on the Makalu base camp trekking route)
- A communal dining space.
- Electricity/power or solar lights.
Further up in Dobate, Yangri Kharka, and Langmale Kharka, Makalu Base Camp, there are even simpler facilities. In certain seasons or at certain locations, you might have to camp in tents because there will not be any permanent accommodation. At such times, equipment for camps and manpower will be arranged by Visit Himalaya Treks.
Accommodation Costs:
The higher you fly, the higher the price of accommodation too, as the supply becomes relatively limited.
- Lower area: approximately USD 5-10 per room.
- Mid region: Approximately USD 15 to 20 a night for a room.
- Higher region/camping areas: either included in the price or USD 20 to 25 US per night.
- Camping, per tent about USD 5 per night.
- Camping, dining tent costs about USD 10 per night.
- Kitchen Tent costs about USD 10 per night.
Typically, guests are expected to have their meals at the same lodging facility where they are staying.
Food during the trek.
The price of food increases as one climbs because it is ported up by porters and/or animals from lower villages.
Average daily food cost: approximately USD 35 to 45 per day (if meals are not included in a package deal)
Common dishes are:
- Breakfast: Tibetan Bread, Porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, Tea/Coffee.
- Lunch: Dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, pasta, soups.
- Dinner: Dal bhat, curries, soups, and/or rice/noodle dishes.
In mountainous regions, options are restricted to high-energy and light-to-eat foods. With regard to drinks and additional foods, both applicants.
- Bottled water: $1 to $3 or more per liter.
- Boiled water: USD 1-2.
- Soft drinks: 3 to 4.
- Snacks and Energy Bars: $2-$5 per unit.
- Because of the risks associated with both dehydration and high altitudes, it is advised to consume boiled and purified drinking water.
A tea house where trekkers will spend the night is located at Khongma Danda, en route to the Makalu Base Camp Trek.
Total Estimated Cost for Food and Accommodations.
If you choose not to go for the full-board package, you will have to estimate around USD 700 to 800 for meals and accommodation for the Makalu Base Camp Trek per person.
With the full board options offered by Visit Himalaya Treks, all those expenses are taken care of, which will help you with the budgeting aspect as well.
Makalu Base Camp Trek Complete Pricing Guide Summary.
Trek to the Makalu Base Camp is much more than an expedition, as it leads to one of the unexplored areas of Nepal, and this Himalayan trek has been found to be costlier than other trekking trails. However, this difference in cost also stems from the fact that this experience with Makalu offers something unmatchable.
With a budget estimated to be between $1950 and $4,000, trekkers can expect an organized and fully-supported experience that includes all the costs of permits, transportation, guides and porters, and other logistical necessities based on staying at a tea house or full Camping arrangement treks. Other costs that are to be incurred by each trekker can be estimated to be affordable.
What makes the Makalu Base Camp trek completely worthwhile is the reward of virgin routes, landscapes of rugged beauty, pristine valleys, mountain passes, and the sight of the majestic Mount Makalu and the Barun glacier. From the perspective of a trekker looking for adventure and a sense of uncharted territory, this experience has very little match.
Planning your adventure with experienced operators like Visit Himalaya Treks ensures safety, transparency, and expert handling of every detail so that one can concentrate fully on the journey itself. If you are ready to explore one of Nepal's last hidden Himalayan gems, the Makalu Base Camp Trek is an investment that offers unforgettable returns.
