"The Great Black One"
Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,485 m — an isolated, four-sided pyramid of rock and ice standing about 19 km southeast of Everest on the Nepal–Tibet border.
Named after Maha Kala, 'The Great Black One', the mountain is as demanding as it is beautiful — among the most technically difficult of the 8,000 m peaks. Below it, the pristine Barun Valley threads through Makalu Barun National Park, a living museum of forest and glacier visited by only a fraction of Nepal's trekkers.
Route, acclimatisation and permit notes for Makalu from the Nepal Side side, plus practical safety advice.
Makalu takes its name from Maha Kala — 'The Great Black One' — a fierce Tibetan Buddhist manifestation of Lord Shiva.
The official elevation stands at 8,485 m (27,838 ft), on the border between Nepal's Sankhuwasabha District and Tibet, about 19 km southeast of Everest.
Ecological Fact: The Barun Valley below the peak drops from glacial ice to subtropical forest in barely 40 km, making Makalu Barun National Park one of the most biodiverse places in the Himalaya.
Makalu has no easy side: its climbing routes are serious undertakings, while the approach through the Barun Valley is one of Nepal's great remote treks.
The standard season on Makalu is Spring & Autumn (Mar–May / Sep–Nov). Logistics: The trek starts with a flight to Tumlingtar, which is often weather-delayed. Build in buffer days, and walk with a licensed guide.
Approaches to Makalu begin from Nepal Side in Sankhuwasabha District, where the main objective is the Northwest Face Route. Confirm current permit, insurance, and national park requirements before departure.
Plan for road travel to the Nepal Side trailhead, then several days of walking before you reach the foot of Makalu. Gain height gradually, take a rest day before moving to high camp, and keep a spare weather day in reserve during Spring & Autumn.
Summit day on a 8,485 m objective is long, so start early and set a clear turn-around time. If the Northwest Face Route is crowded or the snow is unstable, waiting a day is almost always better than pushing on.
Makalu "The Great Black One" stands at 8,485 m in Sankhuwasabha District, Barun Valley. The figures below summarise the mountain for trip planning.