KHARTA VALLEY TREK TIBET

Fast Facts

Altitude: 5000m

Best: May to October

Tour: 23 Days

Hotels, Tents

Trek Grade: 2c (FP)

A combination of very long days with steep paths, boulders and mountain scrambling. Glaciers and snow may be encountered at high altitude. There is no need for technical climbing experience. Medium risk of altitude sickness. Altitudes up to 6000m. Good cardio vascular fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots of hill walking. Backpacks will weigh about 4-5kg and contain water, camera and essentials. Trek weight loss in the region of 4kg. Fully Portered

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1

Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.

Day-2

Full day guided sightseeing around of the Kathmandu valley.

Day-3. Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660m)

Transfer to the airport for the hour-long flight across the main Himalayan range. Afternoon at rest to acclimatise to Lassa' s high altitude.

Day-4: Lhasa

We will visit Lhasa' s many monasteries and sites, such as the Sera Monastery, and the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

Day-5: Lhasa

We visit the Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery founded in the 14th century, and once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. The afternoon, is a time to relax or further explore the area.

Day-6: Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m)

Travelling by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) and continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5045m) with incredible glacial views. We spend the night in Gyantse. [261km]

Day-7: Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m)

After an early morning tour of some of the Gyantse Dzong (14th Century fort) and the Kumbum, a large stupa, we head off on a short 90km drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. In the afternoon we will explore the area, local monasteries and market. [90km]

Day-8: Shigatse to Shegar (4050m)

We continue along the Friendship Highway, marveling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to the plains en route to Shegar and overnight. [244km]

Day-9: Shegar to Kharta

Drive five hours to Kharta, enjoying beautiful views from the Pang La (17000) towards Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Shisapangma (if weather is clear). Drive down the Dzakaa Chu and then the Phung Chu valley toward Kharta. We'll make camp after the boarding school on the banks of the Kharta Tsangpo river, the headwaters of Nepal's Arun River. Overnight in tents

Day-10: Begin Trek

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 or continue up the side valley following a small stream for another two hours to camp on meadows by the stream (14,000) (4 hours hiking). Camp

Day-11: Shao La

Ascend steadily over rocky ground to reach the Shao La. Once at the top of the pass we descend for about an hour and then descend 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. (4 hours hiking). 

Day-12: Trek

Hike steeply through rhododendron forests to reach the high pastures above the Kama River. On clear days, We'll see splendid views of Everest and Lhotse. We continue to traverse alpine meadows and pass yak herders camps and a serene green lake to a campsite on a large meadow with great views of the Khangshung Valley. (5 hours hiking). 

Day-13: Trek 

Hike up a ridge and then 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 hill now covered by a thick growth of willow, rhododendron, juniper, and other shrubs. 

Day-14: Pethang Ringmo 

Hike steeply up onto a large rockslide. The views of Makalu and the incredible upheaval caused by the Jhomalonzo glaciers are amazing. After the rockslide the trail traverses around the mountainside to reach a beautiful glade, locally called Opka. Continue hiking up meadows of lateral moraine with views of Everest, Lhotse, and Tserse 

Day-15: Khangshung Valley

Optional day hikes up the Khangshung Valley alongside the glacier to the base camp used by expeditions attempting the east face of Everest. 

Day-16: Raabka Chu

Retrace our steps down the valley along the Khangshung Glaciers, across the rockslide opposite the Jhomalonzo glacier, and past Pethang to a stream crossing at the Raabka Chu. The camp on the grassy meadow across the river is a very pleasant place to spend the afternoon. (4 hours hiking.)

Day-17: Raabka Chu to Tso Tshuringma

Hike steadily uphill, steeply at first 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. 

Day-18: Tso Tshuringma to Troshay Meadow Camp 

climb steeply over rocky ground to reach the Langma La  in just over two hours. En route we pass another Lake From Langma La we bid farewell of 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. (6 hours hiking). 

Day-19: Troshay to 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. 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-20: Rongbuk Monastery

Drive five to six hours to Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery in the world and a shrine dedicated to Everest. We spend a night here; this is a good place to read a book: just how often do you get a chance to sit and read at 5000m and with the stunning view of Everest's north face.

Day-21: Rongbuk [5000m] - Kerung

After arriving back at Rongbuk, we begin our drive towards Kerung. The return trip goes over the Kirong La (Kirong pass). Because of the earthquake in 2015, the border between Tibet and Nepal is now a little bit more to the west.

Day-22: Kerung- Kathmandu [1400m]

We arrive at the Chinese - Nepalese border, say goodbye to our Tibetan team, pass through customs and join up with our Nepalese staff. After the crossing of the border we will drive through Dunche and Trisuli in order to reach Kathmandu, a trip which takes about 9 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. [153km]

Day-23: Final departure

End of services

What's Included

Price includes

Airport transfers by private vehicle
Thamel Eco Resort in Kathmandu, twin sharing with breakfast
Kathmandu sightseeing tour, entrance fees, guide, private transportation
Tibet travel permit
Flights: Lhasa to Kathmandu
Teahouse trek arrangement (staying in lodges), breakfast only
Camping on trek
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on trek
Guide and porter (s) on trek; their wages, insurance and expenses
Welcome dinner with live Nepali cultural show
Duffel bag on trek

Price Excludes

International flights, departure taxes and any excess baggage charges.
Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Tips, baggage and porterage
Expenses of a personal nature such as bottled drinks, mineral water, morning and afternoon teas etc laundry etc.
Meals while staying at the hotels in Kathmandu (only breakfast is included along with accommodation).
Extra expenses and/of additional days caused due to unexpected events (such a flight delays, porterage because of land slides and other natural events.)
Entry Visa $40
Rescue and evacuation
Tips and gratuities
Costs incurred for returning to the hotel earlier than expected (From $35 per night)
Single supplements if applicable
Cost for giving up the trek (and any unused portions which are not refundable), additional hotel days in Kathmandu as a result or costs incurred for changing the itinerary, if applicable, extra costs incurred for landslides and delays beyond our control etc.

Route Profile Map