This trek is quite special with only a few people trekking this region in a year. A journey through the Kharta Valley, passing through several other verdant tiny valleys along the way which are dotted with beautiful lakes on a journey to the Kangshung face, the Eastern face of the Mt. Everest.
This isolated region borders Mt. Everest in the West, to the South lies the jagged Himalayan range of Makalu. North and East lies the arid Tibetan Plateau. The Karma Valley, at 4300m, is characterized by magnificent alpine scenery and rich flora and contains the highest known forests in the world. Three of the world's five highest peaks-Everest(8848m), Lhotse(8501m), and Makalu(8463m)- overlook the valley.
Airport Pickup; Rest in the Hotel
Taking the flight into Tibet. Upon your arrival, local guide will meet you and transfer you to Lhasa. On the way, you can enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Lhasa River. The rest time is free for relax and adjustment.
Today's Highlights:Potala Palace; Jokhang Temple
Today, our highlights are Potala Palace and Jokhang temple. The cardinal landmark of Lhasa, Potala Palace, is a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. Potala Palace is a place where you can appreciate the Tibetan culture, religion and art of architecture as well.
Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple to pray for their now and future. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Around the temple is the Barkhor Street, the oldest street in a very traditional city in Tibet. We can have a visit after the Jokhang visit. Out there, we can visit a handcraft product store.
Today's Highlights:Norbulinka; Sera Monastery
Norbulingka used to be the Summer Palace for the Dalai Lamas where they handled political affairs, and practiced religious activities. The whole park has more than 370 rooms of different sizes, and lawns, shaded by green trees and embrided by various flowers. With the clear water, and the flowers and trees around, it is known as the "park within the park".
Sera is one of the greatest Gelugpa monasteries. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, It was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Choje, one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect, covering an area of 114,964 square metres. The structure is imposing, picturesque in disorder, and splendid in green and gold. It is a typical Tibetan architecture. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous.
Today's Highlights:Drive to Shigatse; Yamdroktso Lake; Palkhor Monastery
Today we will drive to Shigatse. Make a tour to Yamdroktso Lake on the way. Yamdroktso Lake is a coiling, many-armed body of water shaped like a scorpion. It doubles back on itself on the western side, effectively creating a large island within its reaches. For Tibetans, it is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet.
Also, we will go for the tour of Palkhor monastery, built in the 15th century, is situated in the west of Gyantse Town with mountains enclosing form three sides of the east, west and north. Its uniqueness is that its three sects of Buddism-Shaja, Ningma and Guolu stayed harmoniously under one roof. We will stay in Shigatse tonight.
Tashilumpo Monastery; Free Market
After today's visits to Tashilumpo monastery and the local free market in Shigatse, we are heading to the town of Shegar, we might call it the gateway to Mt. Everest area. On the way, you are going to pass two high mountains named Gyula and Gyatsola.
Today's Highlights:Drive to Yueba; Prepare for the trekking
Drive from Shegar to Yueba via Kharta. Yueba sits on a small rise above the Khara Chu (Kharta River). After settle down, our priority is to hire yaks and yak handlers (sometimes we could only get porters) for next few days trekking. O/N camping.
Trekking begins from Day 7
Time Chart
Day Place hours
1 Yurba-Base of Langma La 6
2 Base of Langma La-Cave 5
3 Cave-Pethang 4
4 Pethang-Pethang Ringmo 5
5 Pethang Ringmo-Pethang 5
6 Pethang-Sharlung 5
7 Sharlung-Sharo 5
8 Sharo-Yueba 6
Today's Highlights:Trek to Base of Langma La
Trek west along the Kharta valley passing the villages of Yarbu, Lhundrubling. Go through Lhundrubling village to walk up to the tip of a ridge that constitutes the east wall of the valley leading up to the Langma La. Mountains with snow and ice are all around. The Langma La is a rocky cliff with sheer sides. O/N camping.
Today's Highlights:Trek to the Cave
This difficult day crosses the steep, three-tiered Langma La Pass. On the top of the Langma La, you can get a truly magnificent view of the Himalayas. To the left (southwest) rises Makalu (8,463m), while to the right (west) rises Mt. Everest. From this viewpoint, Mt. Everest is less impressive than Makalu. To the west is a wonderful amphitheater of jagged peaks and glaciers. From the pass, descend southward through grassy uplands and a couple of small lakes. Probably 2 in hours, you are reaching a substantial cave beneath a huge boulder. O/N camping
Today's Highlights:Trek To Pethang
Head down the valley from the cave to a long, narrow terrace from the bottom of the Karma valley. A cave called Tangshum situaes near the edge of a bluff overlooking three valleys: the Langma La, the Karma, and the Chog La to the east. Near the valley confluence, a path leaves the terrace to descend to the Langma Chu and crosses to is righ bank, a pretty area with grassy meadow and meandering streams. Turn right here up the Karma Chu valley to Pethang, a grassy plain with stone huts for herders. O/N camping
Today's Highlights:Trek to Pethang Ringmo
Go west up the Karma valley, in about 2 hours, Mt. Everest comes in eyes for the firs time. On the left, a few kilometers away, is Chomo Lonzo (7,815m) and behind it, the multi-peaked Makalu. In about 3 hours, we reach Kangshung Face base camp (5,000m). This large, grassy area with stunning views of Mt. Everest (8,848m) and Lhose (8,516m) to he left is known as Pethang Ringmo. O/N camping
Trek back to Pethang
Return to Pethang
Today's Highlights:Trek to Sharlung
Trek back to a point below the Tangshum cave. Turn right along a ridge that overlooks the river valley, on the right, which extends to the northeast and the Chok La. Continue to the endof the ridge to its end and descend for a short distance to another cave called Sharlung. O/N camping
Today's Highlights:Trek to Sharo
From Sharlung, we turn north and cross two ridges to reach a wooded valley. The abundant moisture of Karma valley derives from Makalu. Turn left a the valley and begin the ascent towards the Shao La. Makalu's eastern glacier appears and all around the path are sheer, black cliffs. At the foot of the pass, on he left, is Sharo cave. O/N camping
Today's Highlights:Trek to Yueba
From the cave to the Shao La pass (5,030m) is an easy 2-hour ascent. Descend northward o an open area next to a lake. The trail continues north to the Kharta valley at Yarbu. Turn right along the right bank of he Kharta River to get back to Yueba O/n in camping.
Today's Highlights:Drive to Rongbuk Monastery
Drive from Yueba to Rongbuk monastery (5,200m), which is the highest monastery in the world. It takes 6 hours drive to Rongbuk to view the North face of the Mt. Everest (8,848 m).
Drive to Lhatse
Drive back to Lhatse.
Back to Lhasa
Today we will drive back to Lhasa city, other time is free for you, and you can buy some presents for your friends or your family.
Tour Ends
Today, we will transfer you to the airport/railway station. Say bye-bye to Tibet.
1. The weather is changeable, as well as the temperature;
2. Lots of places are damp, so equipped with the waterproofed camera;
3. No food supply after Kharta, make sure you have enough stuffs for eating, wearing, and taking. 8 days is comparatively long for trekking, a professional cook is necessary;
4. Although it is possible to trek here for most of the year, May to October being the best bet (expect rain in July and August in the lower regions);
5. Respect the people here (mostly Sherpa) and respect their local custom;
6. Drink lots of water before departure;
7. No alcohol;
8. Avoid catching cold and bring some medicine;
9. Cold in night, bring enough clothes to keep warm;