KHARTA VALLEY TREK - 24 days

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel

Day 02: Full day Kathmandu sightseeing. Evening on welcome dinner with live Nepali cultural program

Day 03: FLIGHT: KATHMANDU - LHASA [3660] Hotel overnight

Day 04: 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 05: In LHASA

Today we will visit the famous 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 06: DRIVE LHASA - GYANTSE [3950M] 261 KM

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 a Hotel at Gyantse. [261km]

Day 07: DRIVE GYANTSE [3950M] - SHIGATSE [3900M] 90KM

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. Overnight at the Hotel. [90km]

Day 08: SHIGATSE [3900M] – SHEGAR [4050M] 244KM

We continue along the Friendship Highway, marvelling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar and our overnight accommodation at Hotel Quomolongma.[244km]

Day 09: SHEKAR – KHARTA (12300)

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. Camp

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). Camp

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). Camp

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 a wide undulating hill now covered by a thick growth of willow, rhododendron, juniper, and other shrubs. Camp at the meadow called Pethang

Day 14: PETHANG RINGMO

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 Opka. Continue hiking up meadows of lateral moraine with views of Everest, Lhotse, and Tserse to reach camp

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. Camp

Day 16: RAABKA CHU

Retrace our steps down the valley along the Khangshung Glaciers, across the rockslide opposite the Chomolonzo 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: RABKA 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. Camp

Day 18: TSHO TSHURIGMA 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). Camp

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. Camp

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.. Camp

Day 21:  DRIVE RONGBUK [5000M] - NYALAM 215KM

After arriving back at Rongbuk, we begin our drive towards Tingri, cross another two high passes, and begin our descent from the Tibetan Plateau to Nyalam just 30 km before the Nepalese border. [215km]

Day 22:  DRIVE NYALAM - KATHMANDU [1400M] 153KM

Today we arrive at the Chinese - Nepalese border, say goodbye to our Tibetan team, pass through customs and join up with our Nepalese staff. We then head back into Kathmandu, a trip which takes about 5 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. [153km]

Day 23:  FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU

Day 24:  FINAL DEPARTURE

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Cost: Prices are quoted in USD per person sharing and are subject to change until paid in full

Per person for 4 people : $3195.00

Prices for larger groups on request

Note: US Nationals are required to pay an additional $60 for an increased Tibet visa fee

Services Included:

01. All ground transfers by private vehicle.

02. Five star Hotel De L' Annapurna in Kathmandu (including breakfast).

03. Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu (including all entrance fees).

04. Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet visa fee

05. Airfare: Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu.

06. Tibet Tour arrangement.

07. Transportation in Tibet private land cruiser

08. Hotel in Tibet (including breakfast).

09. Guide and staff as necessary for the tour.

Services Excluded:

01. International airfares and airport Taxes.

02. Re-entry Visa Fee to Nepal.

03. Meals (Lunch & Dinner) while staying in Hotel (only Breakfast is included).

04. Expenses of personal nature such as Bar Bill, Laundry, Telephone, and etc.

05. Personal Medical & Travel Insurance.

* Price is valid for tours taken between between 1 August and 31 October 2008

* Tour must be booked and paid for in full when booking.

* Price only applies for a minimum of two people per person sharing.

* Price subject to availability and subject to change until paid in full

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