Getting around · Makalu
How to Get to Makalu
Fly to Tumlingtar, drive through Khandbari to Num and Seduwa, then trek — the routes and timing into the Makalu region.
The standard way to reach Makalu is to fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, then drive up through Khandbari to the road-end at Num, where the trek begins on foot. There are no roads into the high mountains, so every visit ends with walking — this guide covers your options for the journey in.
The short answer
Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, transfer by jeep up the Arun Valley through Khandbari bazaar, and continue to the Num and Seduwa trailheads. From Num the Makalu Base Camp trek starts in earnest. Budget travellers can swap the flight for a long overland journey.
By air (recommended)
Scheduled flights link Kathmandu with Tumlingtar in under an hour, saving days of rough road travel. The catch is reliability — the airstrip is weather-sensitive and flights can be delayed or cancelled, so build spare days into your itinerary at both ends. From Tumlingtar, a jeep takes you up to Khandbari and on toward Num.
Overland
A cheaper but far longer alternative is to travel by bus or jeep from Kathmandu, or from the eastern lowlands near the East-West Highway, up into the hills toward the Arun Valley. Expect a hard full day or more on the road, ending with the rough, slow track to Num. This suits travellers watching costs rather than time — see getting around Nepal for the bigger picture.
The final leg: road to trail
From Khandbari, jeeps grind up a rough road to Num, the end of the line for vehicles. Beyond it everything is on foot: a steep descent to the Arun river and a hard climb to Seduwa and the national park gate.
Good to know
- Buffer days: Always pad your schedule for Tumlingtar flight delays.
- Road quality: The Khandbari–Num road is rough and can be impassable in the monsoon.
- Permits: Sort national park permits and your TIMS card before leaving Khandbari.
- Season matters: Travel and flights are most reliable in the best time to visit Makalu; read the trekking guide before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Makalu from Kathmandu?+
The usual way is to fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, the airstrip in the Arun Valley, then drive up through Khandbari to the trailheads at Num and Seduwa. From there the Makalu Base Camp trek begins on foot; there are no roads into the high valley.
Is there an airport near Makalu?+
Tumlingtar has the nearest airport, with scheduled flights from Kathmandu. Flights are short but weather-dependent, so it is wise to build in buffer days in case of cancellations at either end of the trip.
Can you reach Makalu overland?+
Yes. You can travel by long-distance bus or jeep from Kathmandu or the eastern lowlands to the Arun Valley region, then continue up to Khandbari and Num by road. It is far slower than flying and used mainly to cut costs.
How long does it take to reach the Makalu trailhead?+
Flying, you can be in Tumlingtar within an hour of Kathmandu, then a few hours by jeep to Khandbari and on to Num. Overland from Kathmandu takes a long, hard day or more of bus and jeep travel before the rough final road to Num.
