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The Makalu Base Camp trek is a
classic hiking through an amazing cross-section
of the Himalayas, beginning at less than 1,000m.
elevation and peaking at over 5,000 m. From the
Tumlingtar airstrip, the path follows the mighty
Arun River, whose origins are located high on
the Tibetan plateau, to Num below to which a
giant dam is purposed. There the route turns
west and climb gradually to the Tashigaon. At
around 2500 m it is the last settlement, still
formed by the Sherpas. Above Tashigaon the
terrain becomes more challenging. One crosses
through two high passes, Khongma La and Shipton
La (4,500m) with another, Barun La to go before
reaching base camp. The view from high are
worldly; 360 degree panorama of Everest and the
Khumbu Himal, Makalu and Kanchenjunga and north
onto Tibet. Crossing through the forests of
birch, rhododendron and oak and you reach the
alpine meadow of the Barun Valley. |
