Overview of Makalu Region

The Makalu region is within the Makalu-Barun National Park of Nepal. This is in the Eastern part of the country and lies next to the Kanchenjunga region then after that, there is the border with India. A trekking holiday or expedition to Makalu starts with a flight on a twin-propeller plane. It takes about one hour to fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar airport. Tumlingtar is at an elevation of 285m and from there we drive by jeep to the small town of Num at 1,500m.

Established in 1992, Makalu – Barun National Park covers 2330 sq km. Among the 16 mountains in the park, it is home to Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world (8463m/ 27,766ft).The world's fifth highest mountain. Formerly a restricted area, it spans five major ecological zones where can be found the lush, tropical Arun Valley, dense forests or rhododendron and fir and alpine meadows that lead to the mighty Barun glacier. From the base camp, anyone can view the spectacular Mt. Makalu.

Mount Makalu is a striking mountain and it is an impressive sight from all directions. Makalu has three prominent ridges: southeast ridge, west ridge, and northeast ridge.

On Trekking trips in Makalu region, you will see a wide variety of landscapes, from subtropical vegetation at lower elevations to rhododendron forests and up to the high alpine zone. There are traditional Sherpa villages like Tashigaon before crossing Shipton La. You will see the rhythms of daily Nepalese life focused around subsistence farming. Trekking in Makalu is like being in the Everest and Annapurna regions back in the 1970s. Due to the remoteness of Makalu Barun National Park, there are undisturbed ecosystems. In these places, there is a high diversity of flora and fauna especially due to the range in altitudes. There are snow leopards, red panda and wild boars, and musk deer plus many more wild animals.