Kharta Valley Trekking
This great trek takes you from Lhasa to the base camp of Everest in Rongbuk. There are fascinating views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks, such as Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse. Besides visiting the grand shrines and fabulous palaces around Lhasa, the trek also takes you through fascinating landscapes across this vast country.
This great Himalayan trek offers extraordinary views of Makalu, Lhotse, and Everest, three of the most impressive peaks over 8000 m of the Himalayas. Probably one of the most beautiful treks in Tibet, it takes you through lost farming villages, glacial lakes with sparkling peaks, and especially the majestic Everest range. For two weeks, we walk, live, and sleep in the heart of the high mountains, at the foot of the world’s most beautiful 8000m summits. The trek passes through the vast grassy plateau of Pethang Ringmo, dominated by Everest and Lhotse. Our camp in Makalu is one of the most picturesque sites. Some may want to remain here contemplating, while others might brave the 5-hour walk to the Kangshung-Everest Base Camp. We will reach an altitude of 5000m, the Rongbuk Monastery, and the Everest West Base Camp
- Tibet Country
- Hiking and trekking Thématique
- Easy Difficulté
- 16 days Duration
- 5 300 m Max. altitude
- Yes Guide
- Camping, Hôtel, Lodge Hébergement
- Lhassa Departure / Arrival
Itinerary
Arrival in Lhasa. Check-in and acclimatization stroll in the old town.
We visit the most famous cultural places of the ancient Tibetan capital: the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple (the most sacred temple of Central Tibet and an important pilgrimage site), the Barkhor market, a one-day trip to Ganden and a 2-3 hour stroll around.
We visit the most famous cultural places of the ancient Tibetan capital: the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple (the most sacred temple of Central Tibet and an important pilgrimage site), the Barkhor market, a one-day trip to Ganden and a 2-3 hour stroll around.
We head for the pristine turquoise Lake Yamdrok(4,441m) in the mountains where yaks and sheep graze freely. We have a picnic lunch by the lake. Then it’s time to cross the Karo La Pass (5,200m). We travel at the foot of the magnificent Noijin Kangsang glacier. On the way, we come across an incredible site: the forgotten Monastery of Ralung. We spend a few hours walking at ease to get a feel of the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. We then drive to Gyantse. It is one of the most beautiful villages in central Tibet where farmers and breeders meet in a picturesque market. We visit a monastery with astonishing frescoes and the famous Kumbum stupa with 72 chapels. One gets a spectacular view of the Tibetan Plateau from here
Duration of drive: 6 ½ hr ; Distance: 260km
We drive on to Shigatse for 1 ½ hr and make a quick dash to the Tashilhunpo Monastery built-in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. We cross some high passes: the Yalung and Gyatso. Then, we continue on to Shega and visit the ancient fort of Shekar Dzong.
Duration of drive: 5 hr
We leave the road that leads from Lhasa to Kathmandu and head for Kharta. We cross the Pang La Pass (5,200m). Kharta is the starting point of our trek. From this village, the first attempts to climb Everest were organized between the years 1915 and1922. From here it’s an easy walk to Yuepa.
Duration of drive: 4hr
We leave Yuepa from the South. After the bridge on the Lang Chu River, we follow the Kharta River and make a gradual ascent to Yuba, birthplace of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. We set up camp a bit further up in Dhampu.
We climb up to the Shao Tso Lake and cross the Shao La Pass (4,900 m) from where you get a great view of Makalu. Beyond that, it’s an easy descent to our camp.
You experience a change of scenery today. We find a more alpine atmosphere with beautiful mountain vegetation all around: We also come across a forest of pines and rhododendron and a large number of ferns and wildflowers. On our way, we often come across shepherd camps and yak herds too.
We are now at high altitude. There are superb views of the east side of Everest, Lhotse, and Chomo Lonzo. After a 3 ½ hr walk, we reach Thangsum, located on a peak overlooking three valleys. Then, we climb up the Karma Chu Valley to reach Pethang, a beautiful pasture at high altitude.
We climb steadily up a moraine for 1 ½ hours to reach Orka and the view of Everest and the Kangshung Glacier from there makes it all worthwhile. Pethang Ringmo, where we camp, is a vast grassy plateau dominated by the giant peaks Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
Today, we have a long trek of 8 hours on the trail. From Pethang Ringmo, we reach Thangsum Tso, then we go up to Tso Shorima Lake at 4,700m.
From the lake, we start a long climb of 3 to 4 hours to reach the Langma La Pass (5,300m) from where on a clear day we get one of the most magnificent views of the Himalaya. Then we make an easy descent of 3 hours in three stages to Shomaling. From there we drive for 3 to 4 hours back to the Rongbuk Monastery near the Everest North Base Camp.
In the morning we hike up to Everest North Base Camp which takes us 1 ½ hours from the car park, then drive back to Sakya, “The Black Ground”, where a big monastery is located. The Sakyapa school emphasizes learning and thus the monastery has the largest collection of manuscripts in Tibet.
It’s a beautiful drive back to Lhasa from Sakya. From Shigatse, we drive along the mighty Brahmaputra River.
Duration of drive: 6hr
Free time in Lhasa Then, transfer to the train station or the airport for departure. End of our services.
Practical Info
What is included
- Transfers and transport by private vehicle, according to the program: a logistic support truck if more than 2 participants
- Stay in hotels and guesthouses on a B&B basis, and full board while trekking.
- An English-speaking Tibetan guide for the stay in Tibet
- Camping team: Cook, assistants, yak men and yaks for the Kharta trek
- Collective camping and cooking equipment (except sleeping bag).
- Authorizations, drive and camping permits, national parks entrances...
- Entrance to the visited sites in Tibet
- Oxygen available, if necessary, in Tibet
- Visa for China (not the August-September extra) and hand-to-hand permit delivery in your Chinese transit city.
What is not included
- Lunch and dinner in guest houses and hotels
- International flights
- Domestic flights and trains
- Extra fees for visa in August and September
- Stay in China
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Personal expenses and equipment,
- Tips (about 8 dollars/day /person for the entire team), drinks...
FAQ
This Kharta valley trek in Tibet offers extraordinary views of three of the most impressive 8,000 m peaks: Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. The vast grassy plateau of Pethang Ringmo, facing them, is one of the finest campsites of the journey.
From Pethang Ringmo, the most energetic walk 5 hours to the Kangshung face base camp, on the east side of Everest. The journey then reaches the north base camp, at over 5,000 m, from Rongbuk monastery.
Remote farming villages, glacial lakes reflecting the peaks, passes such as the Langma La (5,240 m): for two weeks you walk, live and sleep in the heart of the Tibetan high mountains, on one of the most beautiful treks in Tibet.
In a very little-visited region, the trek is a camping trek accompanied by a yak caravan carrying the equipment. An authentic way to travel, to the rhythm of the animals and Tibetan herders.
