Makalu Barun National Park Birding Trek 18 Days - Private Tour

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Trip Grading:
Moderate to Challenging
Max Elevation
Varies, potentially reaching over 5100 meters at Makalu Base Camp.
Major Attractions
BIRD WATCHING, stunning Himalayan scenery, diverse flora and fauna.
Best Season
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October and November).
Meals
Provided during the trek, typically including local Nepali cuisine and international options.
Accommodation
Teahouses along the trekking route.
Transportation options
Typically involves a combination of domestic flights, private vehicles, and trekking on foot.
Trip Start/End
Begins and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Overview

High in the heart of the eastern Himalayan, seven valleys radiate from Mt. Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak. These valleys, particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining pristine forest and alpine meadows of Nepal. From the bottom of the Arun valley, at just 435 m above sea level, the Himalayas rise to the snow-capped tip of Makalu 8463 m within a 40 km distance. Within this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of the richest and most diverse pockets of plants Birds and animals in Nepal, elsewhere lost to spreading human habitation.
Nestled in the lower reaches of these valleys are communities of Rai, Sherpa, and Shingsawa (Bhotia) farmers. Though economically poor and isolated, they retain a rich cultural heritage. They hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and cultural treasures of the Makalu-Barun area.
The Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area was established in 1992 as Nepal’s eighth national park and the first to include and adjacent inhabited conservation area as a buffer zone. A new park management approach encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon which their lives depend, and in conserving their own rich cultural heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community-controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened and low-level technologies introduced where appropriate. Working in collaboration with an American NGO, Woodlands Mountain Institute, His Majesty’s Government, Nepal is striving to improve local living standards through infrastructure, educational and income-generating activities.
Covering 2330 sq. km Makalu-Barun is a vital component of the greater Mount Everest ecosystem which includes Nepal’s 1,148 sq. km Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park to the west and the 35000 sq. km Chomolungma Nature Preserve in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north.

This trek will offer you most adventure and best experiences of trek in remote virgin and not spoiled forests with many rarities like: Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Wallcreeper, Silver-eared Mesia, Black-crowned Scimitar Babbler, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Broadbill, Crested Bunting, Scarlet Finch, Grosbeaks, Gold-naped Finch, Bull Finches, Rose Finches, Accentors, Mountain Finches, Upland Pipit, Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Parrotbills, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Gould’s Shortwing, Himalayan Rubythroat, Yuhinas, Fulvettas, Minlas and Shrike-Babblers, Wren-Babblers, Blue-winged and many other Laughingthrushes, Tesias, Thrushes, Minivets, Magpie and treepies, Woodpeckers, Raptors and many more.

Photo/Visual Gallery

What’s included?

  1. Birdwatching in Makalu Barun National Park
  2. Stunning Himalayan scenery
  3. Diverse flora and fauna
  4. Moderate to challenging trekking grade
  5. Spring and Autumn seasons
  6. Local Nepali cuisine and international options
  7. Teahouse accommodation
  8. Combination of domestic flights, private vehicles, and trekking
  9. Starting and ending in Kathmandu, Nepal

(Golden Triangle Tour) Kathmandu – Chitwan – Pokhara

Your Bird Guide will meet you at the airport to welcome you with garland and take you to your hotel with private vehicle

Guide you brief you the detail of forth coming trip a head.

Remaining of the day is free for you to maintain jetlag.

One of the city guides will take you to Bhaktapur City, Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa.

Also, preparation for trekking.

Early morning Scenic Mountain flight to Tumlingtar (about 35 minute) then interesting drive through mountain road along some small villages and forest with birds which takes about 5 to 6 hours to Num village for 45 km distance plus some birding stops on the way. if time permits then do some birding at Num Forest.

Today we commence our proper trek, after breakfast we trek down to Riverbed and long climb up hill to Seduwa village along nice forest and Cardamom farms on terraced field where we can expect many species of birds.

 

Gradual ascent through terraced fields and traditional villages, the forest along the roadside with fern and other bushes offers good chance to see some eastern Nepal rarities. we will be walking approcx. 8 km plus birding back and forth.

We take Lunch wherever suits us in between 12 to 1 pm as every day as possible.

Challenging ascent through dense Rhododendron and bamboo forest, entering alpine terrain with increasing altitude but slow walk with plenty of birds to look for.

Rest day with optional hikes to nearby ridges to help the body adapt before crossing high mountain passes, as well as for searching of rare species of birds around.

Trek through Alpine rugged terrain on high altitude crossing Shipton La and Keke La passes makes this day more physically demanding, and equally good for birds as you go higher.

Gradually descent into the upper Barun Valley with stunning alpine scenery and open yak grazing lands, Wildflowers and Alpine birds are amazing to enjoy

12 km walk

8 km walk

Approx 7 km walk to explore around to see some missing species of birds.

Long descent retracing the trail through alpine landscapes back to Yangri Kharka with eyes open if anything could have been missing on the way up.

Gradual ascent back towards Dobate about 8 km trek with search of birds for better pictures

Uphill trek crossing familiar high terrain, requiring steady pacing and endurance.

Long descent through forests back into lower altitude villages and warmer climates. really good forest for many interesting species of birds

about 8 km walk, comfortable downhill walk-through farmland, settlements and forest

Approx. 8 km downhill and uphill to Num village through nice, terraced farmland and forests for missing species of birds to look for.

if time allows then go birding around nice forest area of Num village.

As we will have some afternoon time around Tumlingtar to search of Birds to Sabha khola.

You will have morning flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu, remaining of the day is for rest and maybe for couple of hours walk in the shopping areas.

What’s Excluded?

  1. Luxury accommodations during the trek
  2. anything not mentioned in the itinerary
  3. Any international flights and insurance
  4. anything causes from natural reasons

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