Makalu Barun National Park, established 1992, covering total area of 1500 square kilometers excluding the buffer zone of 830 square kilometers, lies in the district of Sankhuwasabha , in province 1, Nepal. It is being run under the administration and management of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation together with the participatory approach of local communities. Local people protect special grazing areas and benefit from the park.
One unique feature of Makalu Barun National Park is that it is the park containing the Arun Valley, which has been measured to be one of the deepest valleys, around the depth of 5000 meters, on earth. The park offers you unrivalled opportunity of enjoying the lovely and bewitching sight of mountains such as Makalu, Chamlang, Mera Peak, Baruntse, etc.
Falling in the eastern Himalayan climatic region of Nepal, Makalu-Barun area is featured with early monsoon in June lasting till the month of September, unlike the western mountain zone of the country. Although the most rainfall takes place from June to September, vast variations of slopes, altitude and resultant temperatures cause precipitations at other times too.
Around 25 species of rhododendrons, 47 types of orchids and 56 sorts of rare plant species, with wild boars, musk deer, snow leopards and red pandas will keep visitors spellbound with the grace and wonder of the Park.
Murmidanda is the place where the park head office is located. Makalu Tourism Association supplies kerosene from a depot over there. The porters and visitors can purchase kerosene and hire kerosene stoves to cook their own food, blankets to keep themselves warm from the chilling cold inside shelters built over there.
There are regularly scheduled flights from Kathmandu and Biratnagar to Tumlingtar by which you can get to Makalu Barun National Park.
-Article written by: Bedu Khatiwoda for Land Nepal
