Makalu Mountain: Height, Location, Meaning and How to Reach Its Base Camp

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday and third-generation Himalayan guide. TAAN Member #1586.

People search for "Makalu mountain" for all sorts of reasons. Some want the height, some want to know where it is, and some are quietly wondering whether they could walk to the bottom of it. I run treks in Nepal for a living, so I will answer all three. The first half of this page is the mountain itself. The second half is the trek to its base camp, with the honest details of what that trek is like.

Where is Makalu?

Makalu is in the Mahalangur Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It stands about 19 km (12 miles) south-east of Mount Everest. On the Nepal side it sits inside the Makalu Barun National Park, in Sankhuwasabha district, which is the far east of the country. Our trek package lists the location as Sankhuwasabha, Makalu-Barun National Park.

It is not in the Everest (Khumbu) region, even though it is close on the map. To reach it you fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar in the east, drive to the village of Num, and walk from there. The valleys are different and the trails do not join up with the Everest trails.

How tall is Makalu?

Fact	Figure
Height of the summit	8,485 m (27,838 ft)
World rank	5th highest mountain on Earth
Parent range	Mahalangur Himalayas
Distance from Everest	About 19 km (12 miles) south-east
Two neighbouring peaks	Kangchungtse (Makalu II), 7,678 m, and Chomo Lonzo, 7,804 m
Shape	An isolated four-sided pyramid

You will also see 8,463 m (27,766 ft) quoted, for example by the Nepal Tourism Board and Britannica. That is the older figure. The 8,485 m figure is the one used in the Government of Nepal's 2018 "Mountaineering in Nepal Facts and Figures" and in most current sources, so it is the one I use. Heights of big mountains get re-measured, so do not be surprised to see both.

What does the name Makalu mean?

The name is thought to come from the Sanskrit "Maha Kala", which means "Big Black" or "Great Black". Maha Kala is also a name for the Hindu god Shiva. The sources I found say "probably", so I would say the same: it is the most widely given explanation, not a proven one.

Who first climbed Makalu?

Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy, members of a French expedition led by Jean Franco, reached the summit on 15 May 1955. Franco, Guido Magnone and Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa summited the next day, and four more climbers on 17 May. The French team went up the north face and north-east ridge, and that became the standard route. Earlier teams in 1954, including an American team and a New Zealand team with Sir Edmund Hillary, did not get to the top.

Makalu is still regarded as one of the harder eight-thousanders. It was the last Nepalese 8,000 m peak to be climbed in winter, in February 2009.

Can you walk to Makalu Base Camp?

Yes. A trek leads up the Barun valley to Makalu Base Camp at 4,870 m (15,978 ft). This is trekking, not climbing. You walk on trails with a guide and sleep in simple lodges or a tent. Here is how we do it.

The trek, in short: it takes you from the Arun valley in east Nepal, over the Shipton La and up the Barun valley to Base Camp. It is far quieter than Everest. The lodges are basic, there are few villages after Tashigaon, and the walking is hard, so I recommend it to people who have trekked before.

Makalu Base Camp itinerary, 19 days

Day	Route	Overnight height
1	Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, jeep to Num	Num, 1,560 m / 5,118 ft
2	Num to Seduwa	1,500 m / 4,921 ft
3	Seduwa to Tashigaon	2,100 m / 6,890 ft
4	Tashigaon to Khongma Danda	3,500 m / 11,483 ft
5	Rest and acclimatisation at Khongma Danda	3,500 m / 11,483 ft
6	Khongma Danda over Shipton La to Dobato	About 3,500 m
7	Dobato to Yangle Kharka	3,557 m / 11,670 ft
8	Yangle Kharka to Langmale Kharka	4,410 m / 14,469 ft
9	Langmale to Makalu Base Camp	4,870 m / 15,978 ft
10	Rest and explore at Makalu Base Camp	4,870 m / 15,978 ft
11	Base Camp to Yangle Kharka	3,557 m / 11,670 ft
12	Yangle Kharka to Dobato	About 3,500 m
13	Dobato over Shipton La to Khongma Danda	3,500 m / 11,483 ft
14	Khongma Danda to Tashigaon	2,100 m / 6,890 ft
15	Tashigaon to Seduwa	1,500 m / 4,921 ft
16	Seduwa to Num	1,560 m / 5,118 ft
17	Jeep Num to Tumlingtar	Tumlingtar
18	Fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu	Kathmandu
19	Spare day for weather	Trail or Kathmandu

The highest point on our itinerary is Makalu Base Camp at 4,870 m. Some other operators quote a higher figure for base camp; I use the one on our own itinerary. We stop two nights at Khongma Danda and two at Base Camp, and we keep a spare day at the end for snow or a cancelled flight. Flights to Tumlingtar are weather dependent, so please do not book a tight international connection straight after day 18.

How hard is it?

Hard. Base Camp is not as high as Everest Base Camp, but you do not get an easy trail and a village with a bakery every night. There are few villages after Tashigaon, the days are long, and Shipton La can hold snow early and late in the season, which is one reason for the spare day. You walk over Shipton La both going in and coming out. If you have never done a multi-day trek, start with something like our Everest Base Camp trek, then come here next.

Lodges, honestly

The lodges are simple, and the ones at Dobato, Langmale and Base Camp are small and seasonal. We confirm them before each departure, and at Base Camp you may sleep in a tent. We tell you before you book. There are no ATMs after Tumlingtar and Khandbari, so bring Nepali rupees from Kathmandu for drinks and tips.

Best time to go

Most trekking companies suggest September to November or March to May, and avoid winter snow and the summer monsoon. I agree with that general pattern. Since the route crosses Shipton La, and the pass can hold snow at the start and end of the season, ask me on WhatsApp about your exact dates.

Permits

We arrange everything and the price includes the Makalu-Barun National Park permit, the Makalu Rural Municipality fee and your TIMS card, which our agency issues. A licensed guide is required on this route. For reference, the official park entry fee for Makalu-Barun National Park is NPR 3,000 per foreign visitor (Nepal Tourism Board) and the TIMS card is NPR 2,000 (Nepal Tourism Board).

What it costs, per person, 2027

Group size	Budget	Standard	Luxury
1 (solo)	USD 2,345	USD 4,260	USD 7,395
2 to 4	USD 1,450	USD 3,345	USD 5,795
5 to 8	USD 1,135	USD 2,975	USD 5,655
9 to 12	USD 1,100	USD 2,900	USD 5,460
13 to 20	USD 1,075	USD 2,850	USD 5,455

Prices include VAT and our service charge. Kathmandu hotels are not included. A single room in a group costs USD 270 extra on Budget, USD 290 on Standard and USD 870 on Luxury. Deposit is 10%, and you pay the rest in Kathmandu.

Budget gives you a licensed guide, shared rooms and shared jeep seats. You carry your own bag and buy your own food. Standard adds breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea or coffee at each meal, fruit at breakfast and 2 litres of hot water a day, private rooms where the lodge has them, one porter for every two trekkers, and a private jeep. A solo Standard trekker has no porter, and the guide carries up to 10 kg. Luxury gives each person a porter, a guide for every two trekkers, more food and drinks carried for you, the best room each lodge has, and a private jeep. There is no helicopter in the Luxury price and no deluxe lodges exist on this route.

All tiers include the Kathmandu to Tumlingtar flights for you, your guide and porters, and the permits above. Not included: Kathmandu hotel nights, travel insurance (buy it at home and check that it covers trekking to 5,000 m and helicopter evacuation), the Nepal visa, hot showers, laundry and charging fees, international flights, tips and personal spending.

The full details are on the Makalu Base Camp Trek package page.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Makalu located?

In the Mahalangur Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border, about 19 km south-east of Everest. The Nepal side lies in Makalu Barun National Park in Sankhuwasabha district, in east Nepal.

What is the height of Makalu in feet?

8,485 m is 27,838 ft. The older figure of 8,463 m is 27,766 ft.

Is Makalu harder than Everest?

For climbers, yes by most accounts. The Nepal Tourism Board describes it as one of the harder eight-thousanders and one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb, with steep pitches and technical rock near the top. I am talking about the summit here. The base camp trek is a walk, and a hard one, but it is a different thing.

How long does the Makalu Base Camp trek take?

Our itinerary is 19 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, including 2 acclimatisation and rest days and 1 spare day for weather.

How high is Makalu Base Camp?

4,870 m (15,978 ft) on our itinerary.

Is Makalu Base Camp crowded?

No. It is far quieter than Everest. That is part of the appeal, and it is also why the lodges are basic.

Do I need a guide?

Yes. A licensed guide is required on this route, and we send one with every group.

Can I do it solo?

Yes, with our guide. The solo price is in the table above. Group sizes run from 1 to 20.

Ready to plan it?

If you want to see Makalu, the best way is to walk to the foot of it. Have a look at the Makalu Base Camp Trek, 19 days, or message me on WhatsApp with your dates and your trekking experience, and I will tell you honestly whether it suits you. If you want another quiet, remote route, see our Manaslu Circuit and read how difficult the Manaslu Circuit is.

Updated 12 November 2026.