Makalu-Barun National Park, a virtually uninhabited 1500 km2 area of eastern Nepal, is very close to virgin wilderness. This remote terrain stretches east from Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, between the high plateaus of Tibet and the deep subtropical gorge carved by the Arun River.
There are spectacular views of rugged Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Makalu (8463m), fifth highest in the world, Mt. Chamlang (7319 m) and Mt. Baruntse (7129m). Within 40 kms, these high peaks descend to the Arun river at 670m.
The Makula Barun Valley treks provides stunning contrasts, where high waterfalls cascade into deep gorges, craggy rocks rise from lush green forests, and colorful flowers bloom beneath white snow peaks. The area is situated on the lap of Mt. Makalu in the Sankhuwasabha district of eastern Nepal. Most of this valley falls under the national park with same name.
Barun Valley provides stunning contrasts, where high waterfalls cascade into deep gorges, craggy rocks rise from lush green forests, and colorful flowers bloom beneath white snow peaks. This unique landscape shelters some of the last pristine mountain ecosystems on earth. Rare species of animals and plants flourish in diverse climates and habitats, relatively undisturbed by human kind.
Recognized for its tremendous diversity of plants, animals and people, the area contains over 3,000 species of flowering plants, including 25 species of rhododendron, 47 types of orchids, and 56 rare plants. 440 species of birds, and 75 species of mammals, including the endangered clouded leopard (Snow leopard), red panda, musk deer, wild boar, have been recorded.
87 Himalayan medical herbs including Yarsa Gompa and Panch Aule are found here. Panch Aule is a fingered root plant (five fingers max) where fingers indicate the age of the plant in years. This Makula Barun Valley treks lies along the trekking route to Makalu Base Camp.
This somewhat difficult yet extremely rewarding trek offers a true wilderness experience in the rugged uninhabited terrain of Makalu-Barun National Park. Because there are no lodges above Tashigaon one needs to take camping gear and enough food and fuel for at least two weeks.
