Makalu

Makalu (8,485m) is the world's fifth highest mountain, located in the Mahalangur Himalayas approximately 20 km southeast of Mount Everest on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Its remarkable four-sided pyramid shape makes it one of the most visually striking peaks in the Himalayas.

First climbed on May 15, 1955 by Jean Couzy and Lionel Terray of a French expedition led by Jean Franco, Makalu is notable for the expedition's remarkable achievement — all eight climbers in the summit team reached the top over three days (May 15-17, 1955). The mountain is considered one of the more difficult eight-thousanders due to its steep pitches and exposed ridges on the normal route via the Makalu La.

The Makalu Base Camp trek is a challenging but rewarding journey through the remote Makalu Barun National Park, one of Nepal's most pristine wilderness areas. The trek typically takes 12-16 days round trip from Tumlingtar and passes through lush rhododendron forests, crosses high passes, and offers close-up views of Makalu's dramatic east face. The area is rich in biodiversity, home to snow leopards, red pandas, and hundreds of bird species. The best seasons are spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November).

The Makalu Barun Valley is one of the few places in the Himalayas where the landscape transitions from subtropical forest at 1,500m to arctic conditions at 8,000m+ within a short horizontal distance.