Makalu Base Camp Trek: Cost, Difficulty, Permits & Itinerary (2026 Guide)

Since Nepal's Prime Minister showcased the Makalu Base Camp Trek to hundreds of thousands of people, searches for this once-obscure route have surged. If you are one of the trekkers now wondering how to actually do it, here is the complete, honest 2026 guide — cost, difficulty, permits, timing and the route to the foot of the world's fifth-highest mountain.

From the trail · Everest

How hard is it?

Makalu is a genuine wilderness expedition, tougher than Everest Base Camp in feel if not in altitude. You face big daily ascents (the climb to Khongma gains over 1,400m), long days, and basic accommodation in the upper valley. There is no Lukla-style quick exit and far fewer lodges — which is exactly why it stays pristine. You need solid fitness, good acclimatisation and a sense of adventure, but no technical climbing skills.

Cost, permits & access

Access begins with a flight to Tumlingtar in eastern Nepal, then a drive to the Num trailhead. You will need a Makalu Barun National Park entry permit and a licensed guide (mandatory on Nepal's trails). A fully supported trek — guide, porters, permits, lodging and the domestic flights — typically starts around US$2,500. Because the region is remote, going with an organised operator is not optional; it is how you stay safe and supplied.

Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal operations; trek facts per our published itinerary.

Cover photo: mckaysavage [3] via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).