| Everest, Khanshung face & Kharta valley - 20 days |
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The trek to the east face of Everest known as the Khangshung face is one of the most gorgeous in the world. This trek is relatively unknown and it passes through pristine, untouched valleys and lakes.
In fact, the entire region from Kharta to the Kama valley extending to the Arun valley on the Nepal side is part of the blessed land of Guru Rinpoche called “Beyul Khembalung” or the Hidden valley. |
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The whole region abounds with holy lakes, mountains, and the sacred “Kharta Tsechu”, the long life water spring. Kharta and the Kama valley are characterized by magnificent alpine scenery and rich flora and contain the highest known forests in the world. Three of the world’s highest peaks Everest 8848 m, Lhotse 8501 m, and Makalu 8463 m overlook the valley.
We begin our trip by exploring the fabled city of Lhasa and head out to Nepal border through the rugged mountain terrain visiting places of interest en route. |
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Day 1: Kathmandu - Lhasa , 3650 m, 90 kms
Transfer to airport to connect SZ 408 KTM-LXA flight. Upon arrival you will be met by our Tibet representative & transfer to Hotel.
Day 2 & 3: Lhasa
We will have two full days in Lhasa to make excursions to the following places:
The Jokhang
The Jokhang is the principal and holiest Buddhist temple in Lhasa , as well as all of Tibet . It is the focus of devotion of hundreds of Tibetans from near and far who circle it to gain spiritual merit. The Jokhang was first constructed in the 7th century and has a large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha.
Sera and Drepung
Sera monastery, founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelugpa order. Its many white buildings sit at the base of a rocky hill. Gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschens grace the roofs of many of the larger buildings.
Drepung used to have 8,000 monks who were taught in the traditions of Vajrayana, Mahayana, and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism.
Potala Palace
The 13-story Potala Palace is reputed to contain 1,000 rooms and hundreds upon hundreds of brilliant thangkas, frescoes, and images built in an era when religious art was created anonymously as a means of gaining merit for future lives. It's one of the world's most extraordinary buildings and completely covers the mountain it stands upon.
Day 4: Lhasa - Shigatse
Drive to Shigatse. Visit Tashilunpo monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierarchy & Shigatse market.
Day 5: Shigatse - Sakya -Tingri, 4350 m
Drive to Shegar across Tsoula pass, 4500 m & Gyatso Ia pass, 5220 m. En route visit Sakya monastery.
Day 6: Tingri - Kharta, 12,300 ft
Drive five hours to Kharta , enjoying beautiful views from the Pang La, 17,000 ft toward Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, and Shishapangma (if clear). Drive down the Dzakaa Chu and then the Phung Chu valley toward Kharta. We’ll make camp past the boarding school on the banks of the Kharta Tsangpo river, the headwaters of Nepals ’ Arun river.
Day 7: Start trek , 14,000 ft
Hike up the Kharta Tsangpo valley past several villages. The trail to the Shao La leaves the Kharta valley and climbs steadily up a side valley to the south. We’ll camp either at the beginning of this climb on a ledge overlooking the valley and its villages, at approximately 13,000 feet or continue up the side valley following a small stream for another two hours to camp on a meadow by the stream.
Day 8: Shao La, 4 hrs
Ascend steadily over rocky ground to reach the Shao La, 16,300 ft in about two hours. Weather permitting; the views from here toward Makalu , Lhotse , and Everest are stunning. Once at the top of the pass we descend for about an hour and then plunge steeply to the valley below. At once the scene changes from barren rock slopes to lush rhododendrons, birch, and willow trees. Continue one hour down this valley to camp at Joksum, following a stream through thick fir and juniper forests.
Day 9: Trek, 14,500 ft , 5 hrs
Hike steeply through juniper and rhododendron forests to reach the high pastures above the Kama river. On clear days, we’ll see splendid views toward Everest and Lhotse . The high ridges south of the Kama River drip with hanging glaciers and in the spring are alive with bellowing avalanches. We continue to traverse alpine meadows and pass yak herders’ camps and a serene green lake to a campsite at on a large meadow with great views of the Khangshung valley .
Day 10: Pethang, 14,200 ft
Hike up a ridge affording a clear sight right up the Khangshung Valley, with views of Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Tshertse, Petangtse, Chomolonzo, Makalu, and a myriad of other great peaks. From this ridge we descend rather steeply down to the Kama river coming from the Langma La. After wading across the river we enter the Khangshung Valley , a wide valley drained by the Khangshung stream. A receding glacier has left behind wide undulating hillocks now covered by a thick growth of willow, rhododendron, juniper, and other shrubs.
Day 11: Pethang Ringmo, 16,000 ft , 4 - 5 hrs
Hike steeply up onto a large rockslide. The views of Makalu and the incredible upheaval caused by the Chomolonzo glaciers are amazing. After the rockslide the trail traverses around the mountainside to reach a beautiful glade, locally called Okpa. Continue hiking up meadows of lateral moraine with views of Everest, Lhotse , and Tserse to reach camp on the grassy knolls of Pethang Ringmo.
Day 12: Khangshung Valley
Optional day hikes up the Khangshung Valley alongside the glacier to the base camp, 17,000 ft used by expeditions attempting the east face of Everest.
Day 13: Raabka Chu, 4 hrs or 7 hrs
Retrace our steps down the valley along the Khangshung Glacier, across the rockslide opposite the Chomolonzo glacier, and past Pethang to a stream crossing at the Raabka Chu. The camp, 3,500 ft on the grassy meadow across the river is a very pleasant place to spend the afternoon. We can also reach this campsite from Pethang Ringmo by taking a side trip to Guru Rinpoche cave at Tse Chu lake. The trail climbs high above Okpa meadows, crosses Lamtsho, 16,200 ft, and then descends steeply to the lake.
Day 14: Tso Tshurigma, 1 6,000 ft, 4 hrs
Hike steadily uphill, steeply at first for an hour to a shelf above the river, then another hour across relatively flat ground to a small meadow called Pangboche, where we have lunch. Continue to hike steeply over alpine slopes for another couple of hours to a small but beautiful lake at the base of the Langma La, 17,500 ft. The views of Makalu and Everest are great from here!
Day 15: Troshay meadow, 14,000 ft, 6 hrs
Climb steeply over rocky ground to reach the Langma La, 17,500 ft in just over two hours. En route we pass another lake, and the views of Makalu become more impressive as we climb upwards, while Everest and all the other attendant peaks are visible all the way to the pass. From Langma La we bid farewell to the Khangshung Valley and the impressive panorama of some of the world’s highest mountains, then descend steeply four hours over rocky moraines and glaciated valleys. Camp is on a grassy meadow beside a clear stream at Troshay.
Day 16: Kharta
We follow the stream from camp down the Kharta Tsangpo valley along a well defined trail. We’ll hike across grassy hillsides used for grazing animals and past villages with barley and potato fields ringed by willows and birch. After two hours we reach the fork of the trail where we climbed to Shao La at the beginning of the trek. Cross the river below Yulba village and reach our riverside campsite where we started the trek.
Day 17: Rongbuk Monastery
Drive five to six hours to Rongbuk monastery, 16,400 ft, the highest monastery in the world and a shrine dedicated to Everest, is the last sign of habitation before commencing the trek to Everest via the north face.
Day 18: Everest Base Camp
Hike along the Dza Rongphu Glacier, the main glacier flowing from the northern flanks of Everest or just relax and take in the marvelous views from camp.
Day 19: Nyalam
After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Nyalam.
Day 20: Nyalam - Zhangmu - Kathmandu
Drive to Zhangmu and on to Kathmandu. En route visit Milarepa cave. We descend from the high arid Tibetan plateau into the lush greenery of Nepal. |
| Tour code / Name |
Tour cost |
Everest, Khanshung face & Kharta valley
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US$ per person |
| Single room supplement |
US$ per person |
| Airfare extra |
Kathmandu - Lhasa
Chengdu - Lhasa
Beijing -Lhasa |
US$ 356 per person
US$ 254 per person
US$ per person |
| Note: All tour costs based on twin share basis. Individual (single) travel is also possible. Please contact us for details and costs. |
Departures:
2010 May 4, 18 Jun 1, 15 Sep 7, 28 Oct 5
2011 May 3, 17 Jun 7, 21 Sep 6, 20 Oct 4 |
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Cost Includes |
- Tibet visa authorization
- Tibet travel permits, monument, parks entrance fees and conservation fees
- Hotels on twin share basis with all breakfasts
- Guided tours in Tibet as per the itinerary
- Transportation by 4WD Land Cruiser with support truck
- Airport transfers
- Fully catered camping trek supported by Nepalese (Sherpa) crew & Tibetan guide
- All meals during trek portion of tour
- Required yak, yak herder and porters during trek
- Staff & equipment transportation
- Portable Altitude Chamber, first aid medical kit and other life saving equipments
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Cost Excludes: |
- Tibet Visa Fee
- Nepal visa
- Airport tax
- Insurance coverage against all eventualities
- Any international flights
- Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due to any reason
- Kathmandu hotels
- Meals during hotel stay
- Kathmandu sightseeing tours
- Tips, and expenses of personal nature
- Any other expenses not specified in our includes column
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Note:
°Clients should reach Kathmandu at least two days before trip departure dates.
°Rates are subject to change without prior notice
°Also during the monsoon season the Arniko Highway linking Nepal-Tibet border is often disrupted by landslides. In such an eventuality any additional porter or transport charges incurred, shall be borne by clients’ themselves. |
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| Our Hotels |
- In Lhasa using the Lhasa Hotel or similar
- In Tsedang using the Tsedang Hotel or similar
- In Shigatse using the Shigatse Hotel or similar
- In Gyantses using the Gyantse Hotel or similar
- Best available hotels in other areas enroute
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| ± Standard hotel and budget hotels packages are also available. Please email us at info@abcsikkim.com |
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