Food and Accommodation in Makalu Trek: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding trek in Nepal that takes you to the base camp of one of the highest mountains in the world? If yes, then Makalu Base Camp Trek is your perfect choice. Makalu Base Camp Trek is a 19-day adventure that takes you to the remote and pristine region of Makalu Barun National Park, where you can witness the majestic beauty of Mt. Makalu (8463 m), the fifth-highest peak in the world.

Makalu Base Camp Trek is different from a typical trekking route in Nepal. It is a less crowded and more off-the-beaten-path trek that requires reasonable fitness, stamina, and endurance. To reach the base camp, you must cross several high passes, steep trails, rocky terrains, and glacial moraines. But the rewards are worth it. You will see stunning views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Baruntse, Mt. Chamlang, and other Himalayan peaks along the way. You will also get to experience the region’s rich biodiversity, culture, and history.

But before you embark on this fantastic journey, you need to know some vital information about food and accommodation in Makalu Base Camp Trek. Food and accommodation are essential factors that affect your health, safety, comfort, and enjoyment during the trek. It would help if you were prepared for what to expect from them and how to choose the best options for your budget and preferences.

This blog post will give you a comprehensive guide on food and accommodation in Makalu Base Camp Trek.

Food in Makalu Base Camp Trek: What to Expect

Food in Makalu Base Camp Trek is more challenging and convenient than in other popular trekking routes in Nepal. You need to be aware of the challenges and limitations of food along the trek and how to overcome them.

Variety and Availability of Food in Makalu

Food in Makalu Base Camp Trek is more basic than the Everest and Annapurna trek. You won’t find fancy rooms, dining areas, or cuisines on these trails. The menu consists mainly of the following items:

• Daal Bhaat Tarkari: This is the staple food of Nepal, consisting of rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry. It is usually served with pickle, salad, and papad (crispy flatbread). It is a filling and nutritious meal in almost every trek teahouse.
• Noodles: This is another common food item that can be prepared in different ways, such as fried noodles, noodle soup, or mixed with eggs, vegetables, or meat. Noodles are a good carbohydrate and protein source that can energize you during the trek.
• Choices of Soups: Soups are a great way to warm up and hydrate yourself in the cold and dry weather of the trek. You can find various types of soups, such as tomato, garlic, vegetable, mushroom, or chicken. Soups are also good for your digestion and immunity.
• Prepared meats: Meat is rare and fresh in Makalu Base Camp Trek, as it is difficult to transport and store in remote areas. However, you can find some prepared meats, such as canned tuna, sardines, salami, or sausage. These meats can add extra protein and flavor to your noodles, rice, or bread.
• Boiled eggs: Eggs are another excellent protein source found in most teahouses along the trek. It is unclear whether the eggs will be available in the regions with higher altitudes as you trek.
• Tea: You can find black tea in most teahouses along the trek. You can also try some local drinks, such as masala tea (spiced tea), ginger tea (tea with ginger), or mint tea (tea with mint leaves).

These are some of the main food items you can expect to find in Makalu Base Camp Trek. However, you should only expect to find them in some teahouse or every day. The availability and variety of food depend on several factors, such as:

• The season: The food supply is more abundant and diverse in the peak seasons (spring and autumn) than in the off-seasons (winter and summer). This is because more trekkers visit the region during the peak seasons, which increases the demand and supply of food. However, this also means that the food prices are higher, and the quality may be lower due to overuse.
• The location: The food supply is more limited and scarce as you go higher and deeper into the region. This is because transporting and storing food in remote and high-altitude areas is harder and more expensive. Therefore, you may find less variety and quantity of food as you approach the base camp.
• The weather: The weather conditions can affect the availability and quality of food along the trek. For example, heavy rain or snowfall can disrupt the transportation and delivery of food to the region. Similarly, extreme heat or cold can spoil or freeze the food items, making them unsafe or unpalatable.

Therefore, you must be flexible and adaptable regarding Makalu Base Camp Trek food. You may only sometimes get what you want or like, but you should always try to eat what is available and healthy. It would be best to carry snacks and energy bars to supplement your diet and satisfy your cravings.

Quality and Taste of Food in Makalu

Food in Makalu Base Camp Trek is limited in variety, availability, quality, and taste. You may not find the food fresh, hygienic, or delicious in some places. This is because of the following reasons:

• The lack of refrigeration and preservation: Most food items must be refrigerated or preserved correctly in the region. This can affect the freshness and safety of the food, as well as the taste and texture. 
• The lack of personal preferences and allergies: You may need help finding the food to suit your tastes or allergies in some places. You may also have allergies or intolerances to food items like gluten, dairy, or nuts. This can make it hard for you to enjoy or digest the food.

Therefore, you must be careful and selective regarding Makalu Base Camp Trek food. You should always check the food’s quality and hygiene before eating it. 

Dietary and Nutritional Aspects of Food in Makalu

Food in Makalu Base Camp Trek is limited in variety, availability, quality, and taste and dietary and nutritional aspects. You may not find the food very balanced and healthy in some places. This is because of the following reasons:

• The need for more diversity: Most food items are based on carbohydrates and starches, such as rice, noodles, bread, and potatoes. These food items can provide you with enough energy and calories for the trek, but you may need more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber for your health.
• The lack of protein and fat: Protein and fat are essential macronutrients that can help you build and repair your muscles, bones, and tissues during the trek. They can also help you regulate your body temperature, hormones, and metabolism during the trek. However, you may need more protein and fat sources in the region, especially animal-based ones, such as meat, eggs, cheese, or milk. This is because these food items are scarce, expensive, or unhygienic in the region. You may rely on plant-based protein and fat sources, such as lentils, beans, nuts, or seeds. These food items can provide protein and fat, but you may need more or more complete for your needs.
• The lack of hydration and electrolytes: You may have to drink boiled or filtered water from the streams or taps along the trek. You may also have to drink tea from the teahouses along the trek.

Accommodation in Makalu Base Camp Trek: What to Expect

Accommodation is another important aspect of any trekking adventure. It provides you with the comfort, safety, and rest you need to complete the trek successfully. It also gives you a chance to experience the local hospitality and culture of the region you are visiting. However, Makalu Base Camp Trek accommodation is more challenging and convenient than in other popular trekking routes in Nepal. You need to know the challenges and limitations of accommodation along the trek and how to overcome them.

Types and Facilities of Accommodation along the Trek

Accommodation in Makalu Base Camp Trek is more straightforward and more essential than the Everest and Annapurna trek. You won’t find luxury hotels, resorts, or lodges on these trails. The main types of accommodation available along the trek are:

• Teahouses: Teahouses are small guesthouses run by local families that offer basic rooms and meals for trekkers. They are the most common and affordable type of accommodation along the trek. You can find them in almost every village or settlement along the trek. However, you should not expect too much from them, as they may vary in quality, comfort, and cleanliness. The rooms are usually small, simple, and shared with other trekkers. They may have single or twin beds with mattresses, pillows, blankets, or quilts. They may or may not have windows, electricity, heating, or ventilation. They may or may not have attached or shared bathrooms with toilets, showers, or sinks. They may or may not have hot water, soap, towels, or toiletries. The meals are usually served in a common dining area with a fireplace or stove. The teahouse owners or their family members typically cook the food using local ingredients and recipes. The menu is usually limited and repetitive, consisting of dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, bread, tea, or coffee.
• Lodges: Lodges are larger and more comfortable than teahouses offering better trekkers rooms and meals. They are less common and more expensive than teahouses along the trek. You can find them in some major villages or towns along the trek, such as Num, Tashigaon, Khongma Danda, Dobato, Yangle Kharka, or Shershong. However, you should not expect too much from them either, as they may still be modest and rustic compared to other trekking routes in Nepal. The rooms are usually bigger, nicer, and more private than teahouses. They may have double or single beds with mattresses, pillows, blankets, or quilts. They may have windows, electricity, heating, or ventilation. They may have attached or shared bathrooms with toilets, showers, or sinks. They may have hot water, soap, towels or toiletries. The meals are usually served in a separate dining area with a fireplace or stove. 

You should expect them to be different and consistent in some places. The types and facilities of accommodation may vary depending on the season, location, weather, demand, supply, and quality of the service providers.

Comfort and Cleanliness of Accommodation along the Trek

• The lack of maintenance and sanitation: Most of the accommodation providers in the region need more resources or staff to maintain and sanitize their places correctly. They may not have enough water, soap, detergent, or disinfectant to clean their rooms, bathrooms, bedding, or utensils. They may also lack time, money, or motivation to repair or replace their broken or damaged equipment or furniture. 
• The lack of insulation and ventilation: Most of the accommodation providers in the region do not have enough insulation or ventilation to regulate their temperature or air quality. They may not have enough windows, doors, fans, heaters, or fireplaces to keep their places warm, cool, or fresh. 
• The lack of privacy and security: Most of the accommodation providers in the region do not have enough privacy or security to protect their guests or belongings. They may also not have enough walls, partitions, or curtains to separate their guests from each other or the owners. Therefore, some accommodations may be too noisy, crowded, or unsafe.

Therefore, you need to be cautious and tolerant regarding accommodation in Makalu Base Camp Trek. You should always check the comfort and cleanliness of the accommodation before you book or stay in it. You should also bring some items that can improve your comfort and cleanliness, such as earplugs, eye masks, sleeping bags, pillowcases, towels, or toiletries.