Kharta Khansung Valley Trek
Remote trek to Everest
Remote trek to Everest
Kharta Valley Trek takes you to a seldom visited side of Everest, the eastern face known as Khangsung face. Only a few people are aware of trekking in Kharta Valley and the Kangshung face, the Eastern face of the Mt. Everest. Hence it is also called the Everest Khangsung face trek. The Kama valley lies to the south, at its head being the Kangshung Glacier at the foot of the Kangshung Face of Everest.
The region is famous for its pristine wilderness, beautiful lakes and incredible views of Mt. Makalu, Changri (6289m) and the enormous Kangshung glacier hanging from the East face of the Mt. Everest. The trek passes through several valleys and alongside beautiful lakes.
During summer, the remote Kangshung Valley bursts into colour as
flowers bloom, which is why it is also known as the Valley of
Flowers. The trek entails extended days but the sights are well worth
every effort. This trek requires some stamina but it is well worth the
effort. The highest point on our trek is Langma La at 5320 metres.
A visit to the famous North base camp of Everest is another
highlight of this trip. The trail passes through alpine meadows, forests
filled with wildflowers, glaciated valleys, high mountain passes,
traditional Tibetan villages, ancient monasteries, rich barley fields,
picturesque yak pastures, Tibetan nomadic land, emerald green lakes and
so many other captivating sights.
Day-1: Kathmandu
Day-2: Kathmandu
Day-3: Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660m)
Day-4: Lhasa
Day-5: Lhasa
Day-6: Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m)
Day-7: Gyantse (3950m) to Shigatse (3900m)
Day-8: Shigatse to Shegar (4050m)
Day-9: Shegar to Kharta
Day-10: Begin Trek
Day-11: Shao La
Day-12: Trek
Day-13: Trek
Day-14: Pethang Ringmo
Day-15: Khangshung Valley
Day-16: Raabky Chu
Day-17: Rabku Chu to Tso Tshuringma
Day-18: Tso Tshuringma to Troshay Meadow Camp
Day-19: Troshay to Kharta
Day-20: Rongbuk Monastery
Day-21: Rongbuk[5000m] - Kirong
Day-22: Kirong - Kathmandu [1400m]
Day-23: Final departure
Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
Day-2: Full day Guided sightseeing around 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 Lhasa' 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 a Hotel at 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. Overnight at the Hotel. [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 at Hotel Quomolongma.[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
This morning we 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