Makalu Base Camp and Shipton Pass

Trip Overview

Makalu Base Camp and Shipton Pass trekking itinerary has been planned to allow for sufficient acclimatization to the altitude and to maximize our time around Makalu Base Camp. Mt. Makalu at (8,481m.) is the fifth highest mountain in the world and located in the far east Nepal-Tibet border. The extensive views of all Nepal's major peaks to the east of Mt. Everest ranges are the main highlights of this difficult and fascinating trek through seldom traveled terrain. This trek passes through the wild and remote Makalu Barun national Park and the continuous Makalu Barun Conservation Area, which forms a protective buffer zone in the inhabited to stem the growing human pressure around the base camp area and preserve what, is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Nepal's Himalayas. We cross Shipton La at 4,216m into the remote and beautiful Barun River valley before arriving at Makalu Base Camp. Along the trail there are superb views of the south face of Makalu as well as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang and Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Makalu Barun National Park was established in 1992 as Nepal’s eighth national park covering 2,330 sq km. This area is a remote wilderness containing some of the last remaining areas of pristine forests and alpine meadows in Nepal. The area receives few foreign trekkers due to its relative inaccessibility. After flying from Kathmandu to Biratnagar we will take Jeep drive to Hille and next day Khandbari where we meet our trekking crews, make approach to valley. This Arun river rises in Tibet and consists of snow melt waters from the Northern flanks of the Everest and the Kanchanjunga, before it beaks through the Himalayan chain at a height of only 1,200 meters, 35 km. East of the Makalu. To avoid the oppressive heat and humidity of the lower Arun Valley, take a ridge top detour via the beautiful Newari Bazar, town of Chainpur.

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