Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world at an elevation of 8,463m, located southeast of Mt. Everest. The Makalu Barun valley is a Himalayan Glacier valley that spreads at the base of the hulking black giant Makalu, where high waterfalls cascade into deep gorges, craggy rocks rise from lush green forests, and colorful flowers bloom beneath white snow peaks. Rare species of animals and plants flourish in diverse climates and habitats, relatively undisturbed by humankind.

Perhaps because Makalu is one of the most difficult eight thousand meters peaks to climb, it has fewer mountaineers and trekkers than most other peaks. The trek to the base camp itself is more difficult than most, following a trail that begins from Tumlingtar, the deepest valley and biggest plain land near a hill in Nepal. All the effort exerted is rewarded with the exhilarating natural world that you are surrounded by: you travel through vibrant forests in the lower regions that are splashed with rhododendrons colored from blood crimson to immaculate white and the higher regions have imposing granite cliffs capped with snowy white glaciers and gushing waterfalls that take your breath away. But what really makes of for every ounce of pain you went through is when you reach the summit of this giant. On top of the lonely and isolated Makalu, when you can see the tall and proud Mt. Everest, the beautiful jagged Lhotse, and the majestic Kanchenjunga range, you will be filled with a sense of real accomplishment and contentment.