Makalu Arun Social Trek
Makalu Arun Social Trek
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST) is a government registered and licensed Nonprofit distributing social trekking company established in Khandbari of Eastern Nepal in2010. Since its establishment the company has been offering community-friendly tea house social trekking as well as volunteering opportunities including internship and research program for interested guests around Makalu and valley region of Eastern Nepal. We are always ready to customize in our standard itinerary as per time, choice of trek route, place to visit and interest. Local well experienced porter guides, local tea houses or home stays or and camping accommodation, local organic food and drinks are our other specialties.
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Makalu Arun Social Trek
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Tanje03
Singapore, Singapore4 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
This wasn't my first time trekking in Nepal, my first was a trek to the Annarpurna Base Camp. This time we wanted a trek which also allowed us to be immersed in the cultural experience of the people, and eventually decided on a trek from Khandbari to Makalu Base Camp (MBC) with MAST. All I can say is that the trek was so much better than I expected. The service from the porters and guides were great, they were the ones that truly defined the trek! It was so much better than the agencies in Kathmandu. We had the opportunity to interact with locals and even children, and even got attached to quite a few of them. It was truly an emotional roller coaster for us.
Previously camping treks (carrying your own food and tents etc.) were indicated as the only way to get to MBC due to the lack of food and sleeping accommodation. However, the situation has changed and now there are facilities, lodges, the entire way up to MBC, including at the base camp itself. This means that independent trekkers can now do the entire trek without camping support. This vastly helps out the local community as well. Also small groups can use the lodges instead of camping---tea house trekking. This eliminates the need to carry food and tents, and the associated costs of porters and makes the trek available to many more people who otherwise would be unable to afford the cost of a supported trek. Another significant advantage would be that, you get to have great meals and lodging at an ultra low cost. My friend and I had feasts at every stop for less than USD 10.
The facilities vary greatly from location to location and each person should carry their own water container and water sterilizer, mattress, and sleeping bag. MBC is just short of 5000 meters and will be cold, a good sleeping bag, -15C is recommended. At this time there are no facilities, shops, hotels etc. between sleeping destinations, you are on your own during each day from lodge to lodge. Trekkers may want to have snacks such as chapattis prepared the night before for eating on the trail the next day. (Chapattis generally cost about 50RS each.) Also some peanut butter and jam is certainly useful for mid-day snacks with the chapattis.
Overall, Tejaneth had his wife were superb in planning the trip for us, and I'm so glad that I was able to do the trek with them, experiencing the genuine Nepal experience.
Previously camping treks (carrying your own food and tents etc.) were indicated as the only way to get to MBC due to the lack of food and sleeping accommodation. However, the situation has changed and now there are facilities, lodges, the entire way up to MBC, including at the base camp itself. This means that independent trekkers can now do the entire trek without camping support. This vastly helps out the local community as well. Also small groups can use the lodges instead of camping---tea house trekking. This eliminates the need to carry food and tents, and the associated costs of porters and makes the trek available to many more people who otherwise would be unable to afford the cost of a supported trek. Another significant advantage would be that, you get to have great meals and lodging at an ultra low cost. My friend and I had feasts at every stop for less than USD 10.
The facilities vary greatly from location to location and each person should carry their own water container and water sterilizer, mattress, and sleeping bag. MBC is just short of 5000 meters and will be cold, a good sleeping bag, -15C is recommended. At this time there are no facilities, shops, hotels etc. between sleeping destinations, you are on your own during each day from lodge to lodge. Trekkers may want to have snacks such as chapattis prepared the night before for eating on the trail the next day. (Chapattis generally cost about 50RS each.) Also some peanut butter and jam is certainly useful for mid-day snacks with the chapattis.
Overall, Tejaneth had his wife were superb in planning the trip for us, and I'm so glad that I was able to do the trek with them, experiencing the genuine Nepal experience.
Written March 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MickFingleton
Sunnyvale, CA1 contribution
Oct 2014 • Friends
If you are looking for adventure and to experience the real Nepal trekking with MAST is ideal.
I went on their teahouse trek to Makalu Base Camp.
It is like trekking to Everest base camp but without the throngs of tourists on that trail.
On our first night at Makalu base camp we were the only ones there (other than 2 Sherpa running the teahouse).
On the 2nd night there was one other group camping at base camp.
This is a remote area that has not yet been affected too much by tourism.
There is a road inching closer to the region every year so now is the time to experience this unspoiled region.
I went on their teahouse trek to Makalu Base Camp.
It is like trekking to Everest base camp but without the throngs of tourists on that trail.
On our first night at Makalu base camp we were the only ones there (other than 2 Sherpa running the teahouse).
On the 2nd night there was one other group camping at base camp.
This is a remote area that has not yet been affected too much by tourism.
There is a road inching closer to the region every year so now is the time to experience this unspoiled region.
Written March 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anticonti
Asheville, NC3 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
I cannot say enough good things about this company and trek!!! The organizer Tejaneth and our porter/guide "Strong Man" are top notch. This was truly the highlight of our 6 weeks traveling in Nepal we were able to immerse ourselves in a true cultural experience. Strong Man and Tejaneth were attentive to our needs and remained flexible to whatever we wanted to do. Strong man was very knowledgeable of the area and was informative, professional, courteous and helpful, and went out of his way to ensure we had a great experience. This is a great trek to get away from the hustle and bustle and experience the true Nepalese village way of life....and the views are unsurpassed!!
Written November 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
12 contributions
Nov 2022
This was my tenth trek in Nepal and my fourth trek this year as I am making up for lost time during Covid. In October 2002 I trekked in Dolpo with a group for a month and then wanted to do a shorter and cheaper trek in November 2002 before returning to the UK. The Makalu Base Camp trek seemed ideal as I wanted to have close up views of the mountains and trek somewhere that wasn’t too commercialised or busy.
Makalu Arun Social Treks (MAST) was mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide book and, after looking at their website and reading the good Tripadvisor reviews, I decided that the service they were offering was what I wanted. What I wanted was a good porter/guide at a reasonable rate and for someone to organise the required transportation and other aspects of the trek like the TIMS card.
MAST was set up to help fund an orphanage but no longer does this as the government has taken over this responsibility. MAST is run by Tejanath who is a retired English school teacher who lives in Khandbari. This year they haven’t organised many treks and mine was their fourth trek for the year. Tejanath was extremely helpful from the moment I contacted him and always promptly replied. He prefers Whatsapp so we soon switched to that and he is happy to talk on Whatsapp also.
Tejanath allocated me a porter/guide called Suk (aka Strong Man) who was very good and friendly, strong enough to carry all my gear and spoke some English. He also lives in Seduwa, which is at the start of the trek, so he knew the trek and the local people very well. I didn’t expect him to speak English and the only problem was that he thought his English was better than it was. As a result it was sometimes a bit difficult and frustrating trying to understand him.
Tejanath personally met me at Tumlingtar airport and brought me by tuk tuk to my hotel in Khandbari and also took me back to the airport. He and his wife were both very hospitable and looked after me very well whilst I was in Khandbari. The trek was very well organised and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending MAST for the Makalu Base Camp trek. It is much better and cheaper to use MAST than a Kathmandu based trekking agency. I also think that the Makalu trek is excellent and one gets very close up to so many 6,000 to 8,000 metre peaks. You can fairly easily get up to 5,738 metres on this trek, which is higher than on a lot of other treks in Nepal.
I have posted a trip report on the Tripadvisor travel forum:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293889-i9243-k14193957-Lower_Dolpo_and_Makalu_Base_Camp_Treks_Trip_Report-Nepal.html
Makalu Arun Social Treks (MAST) was mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide book and, after looking at their website and reading the good Tripadvisor reviews, I decided that the service they were offering was what I wanted. What I wanted was a good porter/guide at a reasonable rate and for someone to organise the required transportation and other aspects of the trek like the TIMS card.
MAST was set up to help fund an orphanage but no longer does this as the government has taken over this responsibility. MAST is run by Tejanath who is a retired English school teacher who lives in Khandbari. This year they haven’t organised many treks and mine was their fourth trek for the year. Tejanath was extremely helpful from the moment I contacted him and always promptly replied. He prefers Whatsapp so we soon switched to that and he is happy to talk on Whatsapp also.
Tejanath allocated me a porter/guide called Suk (aka Strong Man) who was very good and friendly, strong enough to carry all my gear and spoke some English. He also lives in Seduwa, which is at the start of the trek, so he knew the trek and the local people very well. I didn’t expect him to speak English and the only problem was that he thought his English was better than it was. As a result it was sometimes a bit difficult and frustrating trying to understand him.
Tejanath personally met me at Tumlingtar airport and brought me by tuk tuk to my hotel in Khandbari and also took me back to the airport. He and his wife were both very hospitable and looked after me very well whilst I was in Khandbari. The trek was very well organised and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending MAST for the Makalu Base Camp trek. It is much better and cheaper to use MAST than a Kathmandu based trekking agency. I also think that the Makalu trek is excellent and one gets very close up to so many 6,000 to 8,000 metre peaks. You can fairly easily get up to 5,738 metres on this trek, which is higher than on a lot of other treks in Nepal.
I have posted a trip report on the Tripadvisor travel forum:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293889-i9243-k14193957-Lower_Dolpo_and_Makalu_Base_Camp_Treks_Trip_Report-Nepal.html
Written December 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
splixer
Frankfurt, Germany17 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
I completed the Makalu Base Camp trek early October and had a great experience. The trek itself is a pretty hard one. Harder than Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Cicuit trek which I did back in 2016. But it is more rewarding. Still a pristine off-the-beaten path trail. Especially the Barun valley is heaven on earth. During 14 days I just met one foreign tourist. Besides him just friendly locals on the trail. On the lower section of the trail you will see mainly Hindu people. The higher you go the more Bhuddist people you will meet. This gives the trek a nice contrast. Accommodations and food a pretty basic on this trek (don’t expect deep fried chocolate bars). I recommend vegetarian food while hiking in order to prevent food poisoning.
With MAST you pay for the porter guide and transportation in advance. Your personal expenses on the trek you pay as you go. This consists mainly of food and accommodation. Sometimes I experienced some bigger price differences between the accommodations/food places. I recommend you confirm the price in advance at these places. In short this is a more cost-effective way to hike. If you go for a Kathmandu based agencies you could easily spend double the price.
My guide was a local from Seduwa village on the trail. He was very strong and helpful person. However I experienced a culture-shock sometimes 😉.
While hiking I recommend to get up as early as possible to experience clear conditions. Yes, it still rains a lot even during mid-September. Also you should bring good hiking sticks hence the trek can be quite technical at some points. Expect landslide areas and rough river crossings.
In a nutshell I recommend this trek to the experienced hiker. This is not a hike for rookies. But it is definitely worth the struggle. Your reward will be higher than on other treks in Nepal.
With MAST you pay for the porter guide and transportation in advance. Your personal expenses on the trek you pay as you go. This consists mainly of food and accommodation. Sometimes I experienced some bigger price differences between the accommodations/food places. I recommend you confirm the price in advance at these places. In short this is a more cost-effective way to hike. If you go for a Kathmandu based agencies you could easily spend double the price.
My guide was a local from Seduwa village on the trail. He was very strong and helpful person. However I experienced a culture-shock sometimes 😉.
While hiking I recommend to get up as early as possible to experience clear conditions. Yes, it still rains a lot even during mid-September. Also you should bring good hiking sticks hence the trek can be quite technical at some points. Expect landslide areas and rough river crossings.
In a nutshell I recommend this trek to the experienced hiker. This is not a hike for rookies. But it is definitely worth the struggle. Your reward will be higher than on other treks in Nepal.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sham Tatkare
2 contributions
Oct 2019
Makalu (27,820 ft.) is worlds 5th highest mountain. It is located at 20 km southeast of Mount Everest, Nepal. Our journey and trek route was, Pune - Delhi - Kathmandu - Biratnagar – Dharan – Khandbari - Num – Seduwa – Tashigaon - Danda kharka – Khongma – Dobato - Yangle kharka - Shiv Dhara - Langmale Kharka - Makalu Base Camp. Trek route is initially through Arun valley and then we enter in to Barun Valley. Due to lack of basic facilities & development, this region of Himalaya has been preserved in its best form. Quality of air, water and vast variety of fauna & flora are really exceptional. Barun valley has many Rudraksha trees and medical plants (Jadi-Buti). As per local belief, people living in Barun valley never have any disease and look much younger than their age. Recently (April 2019) Yati foot prints were reported by Indian army expedition team near Langmale Kharka.
Tashigaon is the famous village of high altitude specialist mountaineers i.e. “The Sherpas”. At Danda Kharka, near Tashigaon, we had a tea break. The hotel owner Sherpa Mr. Lakpa Gylzen, 22 years age, casually told us that he had climbed Mount Everest twice and few more peaks. I felt ashamed that Everest climber was serving tea to an ordinary trekker like me. . .
Shiv Dhara is a 500 feet tall waterfall, on the mouth of a huge dome shape cave. It is believed that God Shiva using his Trishul made a hole in the cave (top side) to solve water scarcity problem in this region. Guide asked me to stand at about 8 feet away from main stream of water fall and then we started praying God Shiva. After about 5 minutes, the water fall changed its position and water started falling on our heads. Guide informed that we are blessed by the God. Of course, there is a scientific reason for this natural phenomenon. However, such incidents help to strengthen one’s belief in God and inspire us to follow the path of righteousness & virtues. . .
No words will be enough to Thanks my brave guide Mr. Shuka Bahadur Ghimre & the respected school teacher, Mr. Tejanath Pokharel, Chairperson, Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST) & his family for organizing such a wonderful trek and all the help. We are also thankful to Mr. Mohan Kumar Kafle, Chairman (MAST) for the coordination & arranging necessary trek documents.
Tashigaon is the famous village of high altitude specialist mountaineers i.e. “The Sherpas”. At Danda Kharka, near Tashigaon, we had a tea break. The hotel owner Sherpa Mr. Lakpa Gylzen, 22 years age, casually told us that he had climbed Mount Everest twice and few more peaks. I felt ashamed that Everest climber was serving tea to an ordinary trekker like me. . .
Shiv Dhara is a 500 feet tall waterfall, on the mouth of a huge dome shape cave. It is believed that God Shiva using his Trishul made a hole in the cave (top side) to solve water scarcity problem in this region. Guide asked me to stand at about 8 feet away from main stream of water fall and then we started praying God Shiva. After about 5 minutes, the water fall changed its position and water started falling on our heads. Guide informed that we are blessed by the God. Of course, there is a scientific reason for this natural phenomenon. However, such incidents help to strengthen one’s belief in God and inspire us to follow the path of righteousness & virtues. . .
No words will be enough to Thanks my brave guide Mr. Shuka Bahadur Ghimre & the respected school teacher, Mr. Tejanath Pokharel, Chairperson, Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST) & his family for organizing such a wonderful trek and all the help. We are also thankful to Mr. Mohan Kumar Kafle, Chairman (MAST) for the coordination & arranging necessary trek documents.
Written December 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sham Tatkare
Namaste!
Thank you very much for your review with excellent English words. We are all very much grateful to you for your fever for our company. We also hope you will again make plan to visit the sacred palace with your family and friends again in the future.
Warm regards
Tejanath
Written December 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gillgill999
Exeter, UK38 contributions
Dec 2018
We did the Makalu Base Camp trek in November 2017. This was our ninth trek, organised through different agents in Nepal. For this trek we chose a local agent rather than one based in Kathmandu because the route is still relatively undeveloped and we wanted the benefit of local knowledge and contacts. We have no hesitation in recommending Tejanath. He always answered our email queries promptly and fully, gave us wonderful hospitality before and after the trek, found us an excellent porter and guide, and efficiently organised all the paperwork and land transport before and after the trek. Our guide was related to the extended family that runs all the guest houses on the trek, which enriched our experience. Makalu Base Camp is a beautiful and relatively uncrowded trek, well worth the extra hassle and expense of the flight into Tumlingtar. But you need to be prepared for quite basic food and accommodation, and be aware that once over the Shipton La communications (and hence rescue, should it be necessary) are difficult. Best for trekkers who have some experience.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ejeebee
Whitehorse, Canada10 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I did the trek in April 2019. MAST was very helpful in helping organizing the trek in general. Tejanath coordinated a porter guide for my solo trip and also arranged accomodation in Khandbari. He also helped me get a seat on a plane back to KTM, thank you again! My guide Suk Bahadur was very knowledgeable about the trail and did speak some english. I also stayed at his house and his family was very welcoming. He helped arrange accommodation in tea houses and was regularly asking other sherpas for trail updates along the way.
I would just recommend anyone who does this trek in general to bring lots of snacks - past Shipton La expect a diet of rice and potatoes. I got really hungry on the way down.
If you do the trek with MAST specifically, be aware that not all porter guides are equipped equally. All i had for my guide was a duffle bag, which he ended up carrying in a very uncomfortable way for 16 days because he didn't like to use straps or baskets like most porters across Nepal. So i would recommend that you ask in advance who your guide will be and what kind of equipment they have or don't have. In doubt, bring a backpack for you and for your porter.
The trail conditions were unexpectedly snowy last April (several meters of snow and warm T up and down Shipton La). Nepalese people have no training/awareness of avalanche risks. Use your best judgement and speak up if you feel uncomfortable.
I would just recommend anyone who does this trek in general to bring lots of snacks - past Shipton La expect a diet of rice and potatoes. I got really hungry on the way down.
If you do the trek with MAST specifically, be aware that not all porter guides are equipped equally. All i had for my guide was a duffle bag, which he ended up carrying in a very uncomfortable way for 16 days because he didn't like to use straps or baskets like most porters across Nepal. So i would recommend that you ask in advance who your guide will be and what kind of equipment they have or don't have. In doubt, bring a backpack for you and for your porter.
The trail conditions were unexpectedly snowy last April (several meters of snow and warm T up and down Shipton La). Nepalese people have no training/awareness of avalanche risks. Use your best judgement and speak up if you feel uncomfortable.
Written November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hugo m
3 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Nepal best 's trek, very remote, very wild, lots of different scenery. If you want to trek in a place that is still very authentic you should go for it.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mola k
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
Makalu Base Camp trekking is definitely not for the faint-hearted. It's a challenging route that requires a lot of experience and good physical condition. You'll pass through snowfields such as Shipton La & Keke La, which are located above 4000m and covered in deep snow, making it difficult to trek. The snow blizzards and strong winds add to the challenge. You'll also encounter big boulders before reaching Yangle Kharka, which requires good balance and experience to navigate. The trek involves constant ascent and descent between 3500m to 4200m, and you'll climb (and descend) 8500m overall, including the viewpoint at 5900m elevation. However, all the hard work pays off when you witness the breathtaking mountain, river and lake sceneries that are unlike anything you've ever seen before. One of the most striking things about this trek is that you'll rarely see other hikers on the route. This gives you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and see firsthand how the Sherpa people live their everyday lives. We highly recommend using a local company like Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST) and local guides/porters like Mr Suk Bahadur Ghimire and Mr Ratna Bahadur Rai, who have extensive knowledge of the area and are incredibly helpful.
Written May 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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