Makalu Base Camp Trek - 23 Days

Clothing for Kathmandu:- Informal clothing is all that is required. Remember to dress in a modest fashion. Light clothing is usually all that will be required for most of the year. During the winter months, December to February, it will be chilly in the early mornings and evenings. A warm fleece or similar jacket will be required. Do bring along a swimming costume as our hotel in Kathmandu has a swimming pool.

General Gears you need During Trekking: -

• 4 seasons Sleeping bag (we provide one if you need but is to be returned after the trek)
• Duffel bag or Rucksack (70-80 liters) (we can provide one)
• Down Jacket (we provide one if you need one but is to be returned after the trek)
• Daypack (25-30 liters)
• Socks: 4 pairs of liner socks, synthetic or capilene, 3 pairs heavy weight socks (woolen) to be worn over liner socks
• Trekking Boots: 1 pair light trekking shoes or sneakers. Good for around the camp/lodges and in Kathmandu. Remember it is your feet that will be doing all the work. We recommend a good quality boot with a hard lug-cleated sole. Boots should be sturdy enough to tackle rough terrain. For this trek a mid-weight leather or Gore-Tex/Cardura style is an excellent choice. If you are buying boots for your trek, make absolutely sure that they are well broken in before leaving home.
• Gaiters (seasonal): 1 pair hiking gaiters, good for keeping dust and rocks out of your shoes / boots as well as keep your feet dry as necessary. Highly recommended for keeping snow from getting inside your boots. They will also help keep the bottom of trousers clean on muddy trails. They can be bought cheaply in Kathmandu.
• Sandals (optional): A pair of running shoes or sandals will be very useful for wearing around the lodge after the day’s trekking.

Lower Body: -

• Hiking Shorts (2): Quick drying type, not cotton!
• Trekking Pants (2), preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts
• Lightweight underwear – capilene or other synthetic.
• Soft shell pants – synthetic, full zip from top and bottom preferable.
• Hard shell pants. Waterproof / breathable, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best. Should zip from the top and bottom – this makes it easier to put on over boots without getting undressed should the weather change once you are underway for the day.
• Cotton pants or (loose jeans/khakis).

Upper Core Body

• T-Shirts
  For lower altitudes and on warm days a baggy cotton T-shirt or cotton shirt is a practical item. Highly recommended are synthetic T shirt styles that wick away moisture from the body. They are particular useful above 2500m when, even on warm days, you chill quickly when stopping for rests.

• Thermal Underwear
  Synthetic polypropylene long johns and long sleeved vests are essential for trips departing November through March. Highly recommended for other months. They also make ideal sleeping gear.

• Waterproof Jacket. Quality waterproof clothing is essential. A proofed nylon or Gore-Tex jacket with hood is required. Ensure that it is about mid-thigh length, with large pockets and has a full-length zipLight and expedition weight thermal tops.
• Fleece jacket or pullover.
• Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
• 2 women sports bras, Synthetic
• Swimsuit for women (optional)
• 1 pair liner gloves, thin wool or synthetic, useful alone on mild days or as a layer inside other gloves / mitts for additional warmth.
• 1 pair warm gloves (heavier fleece or wool).
• 1 pair shell gloves or mitts; Gore-Tex is preferred for keeping hands dry.
• Instant hand warmers are always nice in a pinch, but really shouldn’t be necessary on the trek. Bringing appropriate hand protection as recommended above, should be sufficient (optional).
• Shade hat or baseball cap – some people drape a bandana down the back of their head and then put a baseball cap on to hold it is place. This can be a flexible alternative while keeping the sun off your ears and neck.
• Warm wool Hat or synthetic hat that covers your ears.
• Balaclava – lightweight, thinner variety.
• Glacier glasses-100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (i.e. Julbo or Cebe). This is to protect your eyes from the stronger rays of the sun due to the thinner atmosphere which can cause a painful condition known as snow blindness. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient. If you wear prescription glasses, speak to your doctor about prescription glacier glasses, perhaps with transitional lenses.
• Headlamp: Black Diamond and Petzl both make several good ones. Make sure to bring extra batteries and that they are lithium batteries so that they will last in the colder temperatures. These are indispensable for getting around at night, reading, etc. so, don’t go cheap here.
• Ear Muffs (optional): Some people like ear-muffs; These are optional; a good hat, balaclava, and hooded jacket should really be sufficient, but this is a personal choice for some people.
• A neck warmer (optional): is another piece of gear for extra warmth if you feel you will need it

Medicines and First Aid Kits

Please note our guide will also carry the first aid kit bag during the trek. However, we still recommend you to bring your personal first aid kit as well.

• Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches.
• Ibuprofen for general aches and pains.
• Immodium or Pepto bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
• Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness. Please discuss with us before starting to take this medicine.
• 1 small personal sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as mole skin, band-aids, some waterproof tape, anti-infection ointments, etc. Your guides will have more extensive medical gear, but you should have the basics for general use.

Toiletries and personal Hygiene

• Quick drying towel (medium sized)
• Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multipurpose soap/handwash
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Feminine hygiene products
• Small mirror
• Wet wipes
• Sanitizers

Miscellaneous, but essential!

• Valid Passport
• Passport size photos (2 + copies).
• Airline ticket (Please make a copy and provide us one just in case if you need to change the date of your flight).
• Luggage Locks (2)
• 2 strong plastic garbage bags (for laundry and in case of rain) Refillable water bottle
  Durable wallet / pouch for travel documents, money & passport.
• Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks. A string taped to the stick is helpful, to hang around your neck and some are now being sold with a cord already attached. Handy as it avoids you from having to stop and look for it.
• Sunscreen. SPF 40 is recommended and should be relatively new since it loses its’ effectiveness over time.
• Pocket knife or small Swiss Army type.
• Water purification Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals.
• 2 bandanas.

Optional (Luxuries)

• 1 pair adjustable trekking poles. Although these are listed as optional, these can be of great assistance to people who may think of themselves and generally clumsy or with bad knees, ankles, etc, especially when going downhill
• Favorite snack foods, no more than 2 pounds
• Reading materials, games (cards, chess, backgammon, scrabble, etc) music and chargers (there are a couple of stops where you could recharge. Avoid players with moving hardware as it may not function. Remember, keep these items light weight
• Binoculars
• Camera, film/memory cards, spare batteries (you must keep the batteries warm when not in use)
• Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
• Trail Map/Guide book
• Journal & Pen, Pencils and small notebooks
• Extra contacts or glasses
• Pillow case (if use lodge provided pillows) or can use your own stuff sacks as pillow(s)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Hydration bladder with drinking tube and tube insulator
• A pee bottle for men and pee funnel for woman to avoid that chilly late night trip
• 1 small stainless steel thermos

The price per person for the Small group Journey is fixed as stated below. There is also the option of private and tailor made journey best suited for you, your family and friends. The discount is subjected to increase with the number of people in your group. Bigger the group better the discount so group bookings are highly encouraged.