Kharta Valley Trek in Tibet – 20 days

Rest Day at Nyamlam for acclimatization. This day will be spent resting and acclimatizing before we travel even higher. If desired there is a temple nearby named Nyalam Pelgye Ling, once used by the eleventh and twelfth century poet-lama Milarepa, so it is also called Milarepa Cave.

Drive to Kharta. Our third day begins with a spectacular drive to Lalung La. The entire North side of the Himalayan range can be seen from here on a clear day! After this we will continue driving across the Tibetan plateau, through a series of ancient Tibetan villages.Upon reaching the Tingri plains Cho Oyu and Mt. Everest come into view for the first time. Around midday we will begin heading south towards the Everest region. Along the way we will take a short break on the Pang La pass, where we discover views of Everest and much of the surrounding countryside. Descending from the pass we will drive through the village of Phadhruchi before finally reaching our destination of Kharta.

Rest day in Kharta for further acclimatization. This fourth day will once again allow for resting and further acclimatization before beginning our trek. It is advised that participants spend at least part of the day exploring in and around Kharta to get their legs ready for the start of trekking.

Trekking to Lundrubling. To begin our trekking adventure we will walk along the banks of the Kharta River. The beautiful yet well defined trails provide us with views of widespread barley fields below. Numerous settlements inhabit these barley fields. After a few kilometers the trail splits. We will follow the upper trail which leads to the Shao La. The challenge of the hike will all be worth it in the end as you are surrounded by wondrous views of valleys below and snow capped peaks to the east. If you appreciate mountain scenery you will be thrilled by this trip. Overnight camp will be made in the welcoming village of Lundrubling.

Trek to Kaamo Tsangpo Valley. Finally Everest will come into view as we climb the Shao La pass! What a sight it is to see these massive Himalayan peaks. The traditional Tibetan scenery of Yak pastures and meandering valleys can be appreciated along the way. On our way to Joksam camp we pass through impressive birch groves and dwarf rhododendrons. This camp is surrounded by pine and fir forests and is one of the most beautiful we will see.

Trek to Khangsung Valley. Leaving the valley we will ascend through a wondrous conifer forest ridge line. Our climb will once again be rewarded with unparalleled views stretching all the way to Nepal. A string of alpine lakes and Yak herder communities will be passed as well. The day will end with clear views of the Kangshung face of Mt. Everest. Prepare for amazement! It will be easy to sleep in one of the surrounding meadows after such an amazing day of trekking.

Trek to Pethang Ringmo. Today will be a more relaxed day with less trekking. It will give you a chance to truly appreciate and soak in the beauty which surrounds you. Camp will be made in one of the meadows of Pethang Ringmo. Participants can choose whether to simply bathe in the beauty of our camp or venture to the sacred lake and cave. It is easy to feel the ancient spirituality of this area as you explore sacred shelters and prayer rooms found in the cave. The silence of this area is truly amazing.

Trek to Hoppo. Before entering back onto the comfortable shepherd trails we will pass through beautiful meadows and steep slopes. It is a challenging hike for both the yaks and us so be prepared. The hiking gets much easier along the shepherd trail as we are led up another hillside. Once again Everest and the glaciers of Chomo Lonzo come into view. These wondrous sites never get tiring. Camp will be made amid yak pastures once again.

Trek to Kangshung base camp and back to Hoppo. After only a few hours of hiking we will be given the rare opportunity of staring up at this daunting peak. While cowering under the Kangshung face it is easy to see why so few climbers have attempted this feat. The impressive yet less daunting North East ridge can also be seen. For many this day is a dream come true. We will spend the night back at our Hoppo camp.

Trek to Langma La. The well defined trail leads us down another valley and then diverts North to Langma La. Gradually and comfortably we pass through a string of yak pastures on the way to the pass. Makalu can be seen nearly the entire trip. It is an amazing experience to camp at the base of such a large pass.

Cross Langma La and continue on to Lundrubling. We will begin the day with a challenging ascent and descent of the Langma La pass. Even more views of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu surround us. While en route to the confluence of the Kharta Valley we pass through another string of Yak herders camps. The locals are quite welcoming and friendly! Towards the end of the day we gain views as far as the Nepal-Sikkim border, home to the Kangchenjunga Massif. Camp is made once more in the wondrous village of Lundrubling.

Trek to Kharta. Our last day of trekking is a somewhat relaxing one as we make our way to Kharta and take in the local sights and sounds. We suggest participants take it easy today and get a good rest.

Drive to Rongbuk. On our drive to Rongbuk we pass through the village of Phadhruchi. We will camp near Rongbuk Monastery, only 15 kilometers from the Everest base camp. Rongbuk Monastery has been restored to its past beauty after widespread destruction. Seeing this impressive monastery and camping with the backdrop of Everest surrounding them is another highlight for many!

Explore Everest base camp and drive to Lhatse. What an awe-inspiring day this is! Participants are given the rare opportunity of seeing both the views of Everest and the start of the ascent for many. Taking in the sights of the highest mountain in the world is a memory which will last for years to come.
Sadly, we drive away from the Himalayan range in the afternoon and head to Lhatse. The last wondrous views are experienced atop Pang La. The Friendship highway ends our fifteenth day.

Drive to Gyantse. Lonely monasteries and nomadic herds are passed along the friendship highway. Gyamtso La, the highest pass of our journey, is ascended before we enter the barren plains. This night is spent in the traditional Hotel Gyantse.

Sightseeing in Gyantse and drive to Lhasa. In the morning we explore the Gyantse Kumbum and the Pelkore Chode Monastery. The Kumbum, more than a simple stupa, is surrounded by many chapels and wondrous Tibetan murals.

On the way to the Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake we will ascend the Karo La pass. The impressive turquoise lake is still largely undeveloped. However, this may end soon. Our day is completed with an ascent of the Khamba La and crossing of the Yarlong Tsangpo River. It is such a relief to finally enter the wondrous city of Lhasa.

Exploring Lhasa. Haven’t you always dreamed of visiting the ancient Tibetan monasteries? Our knowledgeable English speaking guide will show you everything there is to see in some of these renowned sights. First off we will explore the beautifully preserved Sera Monastery. Many of the pictures you see of Tibet are of these buildings with their white washed walls and golden roofs. To this day several hundred monks live and study in this architecture. The afternoon will be spent exploring the Jokhang temple and Norbulingka. The Norbunglinka is another astounding piece of architecture and was once the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple will provide you one of your first sights of devout Tibetans, as hundreds visit this sacred shrine each day. The central market of Lhasa, the Barkor, surrounds the Jokhang Temple. In these cobbled streets you can experience more Tibetan culture and even purchase some amazing crafts.

Further Exploration of Lhasa. To explore some of the ancient quarters of the Dalai Lama we will visit Potala Palace in the morning. Be prepared for astonishment as this grand palace has been around since before the 17th century. To add even more history and culture we will also visit Drepung Monastery. Once home to over 10.000 monks, the Drepung Monastery is still a beautiful sight to see. Miraculously it was one of the few sights to escape the Cultural revolution without widespread damage.

Fly to Kathmandu. This remarkable flight last only an hour while crossing the Himalayan range. As you may expect the striking mountain views surround you the entire time. An amazing way to end a life-changing journey!