| Day
1 |
Fly
from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660 m)
You will be met at Gonggar Airport by
your Tibetan guide. After immigration
formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along
93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at
an altitude of 3650 meters. It’s advisable to rest
and take it easy for the remainder of the
day due to Lhasa’s altitude.
|
| Day
2 |
Sightseeing
in Lhasa
Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour
guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery
of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo
builds up while touring NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG
TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries
of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other
visits as you roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers
coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture,
custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return
to the comforts of your hotel.
|
| Day 3 |
Sightseeing
in Lhasa
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits
to POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers
an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama,
numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery
which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now
there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect
and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery. |
| Day
4 |
Free
day in Lhasa for acclimatization
You get an entire day free for acclimatization. After proper rest, you can either
indulge in sightseeing, shop or do whatever you fancy. You also get an option
of undertaking an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre,
Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this will incur extra costs. |
| Day 5 |
Drive
from Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief
halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud
at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m.
If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road.
After hours of driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become
visible as you enter the town of Gyantse. |
| Day
6 |
Sightseeing
and drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m)
90km
Gyantse prides on GYANTSE DZONG and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort
built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse
and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses
several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse,
you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900
meter, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. TASHILHUNPO
MONASTERY being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major
attraction of Shigatse.
|
| Day
7 |
Sightseeing and drive from Shigatse to
Xegar (4050m) 244km.
Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape
driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route
opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible
en route to Xegar where you will meet your trekking crew (cook and trek guide
from Nepal)
|
| Day 08: |
Drive
from Xegar to Kharta (3690m)
Ten kilometres after the town of Xegar we divert from the main highway and drive
south towards the Everest region. From the top of Pang La (5150 metres) we gain
views of Everest and the lie of the surrounding country. From the pass we descend
to the village of Phadhruchi where the jeep track divides - the track to the
west heading to the Rongbuk Valley - the one to the east leading to the (Phung
Chu) Arun Valley and the village of Kharta - the administrative headquarters
of the region. Your camping support team will pitch tent just on bank of glacier
and cook tasty three course meals.
|
| Day 09: |
Rest
day in Kharta for further acclimatization
Since the days that lie ahead are pretty adventurous, you can utilize this day
acclimatizing thoroughly. This will retain your adventure spirit and keep you
physically and mentally fit for the forthcoming venture. |
Day 10:
|
Trek
from Kharta to Lhundrubling (3990m)
As you head away from Kharta Valley, you will find a bridge over Lang Chu. On
crossing this bridge the trail progresses towards north bank of crystal-clear
Kharta Chu westward. Transversing past barley fields, you have to follow the
upper trail that ascends to Shao La. Few kilometers ahead the trail opens into
Lundrubling where you can camp for the night. |
| Day 11 |
Cross
Shao La (4970 m) and trek to Kaamo Tsangpo
valley
Starting early, you have to head along the trail past Shao La Pass at 4,970 metres
amid stunning views of Mount Everest [8,848 metres], Makalu [8,475 metres] and
Lhotse [8,501 metres]. The trail steeply descends along picturesque yak pastures
leading to the Kaamo Tsangpo Valley (4000m). It gets more sinuous as it cross
forests of rhododendrons, dwarf, birch and groves.
|
| Day 12: |
Trek
from Kaamo Tsangpo valley to Khangsung
valley (4300 m)
The trail skirts away from Kaamo Tsangpo Valley through conifer forest and ascends
steeply to 300 to 400 meter altitude. Herein, you can savor majestic view of
Arun valley and Nepal. Alpine ridges can be viewed along the trail. Yak herders
from Kharta village choose these ridges as their summer camps. The trail then
ascends crossing emerald green lakes. Along the route, you can view the Kangshung
Face of Everest. Camping at lush meadows of Khangsung valley provides an exceptional
experience. |
| Day
13 |
Trek
from Khangsung valley to Pethang Ringmo (4960m)
Sacred lake lies to the north from your camp. If you think you can deal with
moraines and landslides, then you can right away begin trekking along the trail
to this lake for 40 minutes. A sacred cave most popularly renowned as a meditation
place of Padmasambhava, the lotus-born Buddha, rests at the end of the lake.
This cave has prayer rooms and shelters pilgrims. Few kilometers ahead you will
approach a bend, known as Orga, beyond the Kangshung Glacier and at this spot
Mt Everest [8848 m] becomes distinctly visible. Then you have to transverse to
the right ascending to a 150 m ridge that overlooks the Karma River and glacier.
3 hours of trekking will take you to Kangshung Face base camp at 5000 m. After
few rock-strewn descents, you will enter picturesque alpine camp of Pethang Ringmo
at 4,550 metres beneath the impressive peak of Chomo Lonzo [7,790 metres] and
Makalu. Several stone huts can be seen lying scattered which are commonly used
by yak herders as summer camps. You may even trek westwards along the glacier
to a 5950 m ridge. You need to trek along another 5 km to reach up to Mt Everest. |
| Day
14 |
Trek
from Pethang Ringmo to Hoppo (4800 meters)
While heading away from Pethang Ringmo towards Hoppo, the trail crosses lush
verdant meadows and then follows several ascents. Thereafter, Kangshung Face
of Everest zooms into picture showcasing towering Chomo Lonzo with its glistening
glaciers. Few hours of more trekking bring you close to Hoppo at 4800 metres.
Hoppo lies surrounded by rich yak pastures. It makes a perfect campsite. |
| Day
15 |
Trek
from Hoppo to Kangshung base camp (5090 meters)
Kangshung Base Camp lies few kilometers away from Hoppo at an elevation of 5050
meters. En route, you ascend grass-strewn ridges along magnificent Kangshung
Glacier. While journeying along this trail, you will not only get enlightened
on the topological features of the surrounding places but will also bond with
the nature on spiritual level. Along the way you get plenty of opportunity to
witness North East Ridge of Everest |
| Day
16 |
Trek
from Kangshung Base Camp to Base of Langma
La (4800m)
On this day you trek along the trail that leads to a valley from Pathang Ringmo
and then skirts northwards to Langma La pass. Savoring the majestic sights of
Himalayan range, you walk past yak pastures. Shortly after hours of adventurous
and fun-filled transverse, you will spot an ideal campsite at Shurimo [4,800
metres] located at the base of Langma La. |
| Day
17 |
Cross
Langma La (5390m) and trek to Lundrubling
(3990m)
It is advisable to make an early start while ascending to Langma La for about
two hours. Transversing amidst mesmerizing vistas of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu,
you will descend steeply from Langma La pass to the valley. On entering the valley,
you may encounter yak herders from Kharta at their camps. Several pristine villages
are beautifully landscaped in the vicinity. Along the trail, you will meet up
with the confluence of the Kharta Valley. You can also view Kanchenjunga massif
nestled above the ridges beyond Kharta on the Nepal- Sikkim border. Further ahead,
the trail advances towards village of Lundrubling where you will set your overnight
camp. |
| Day
18 |
Trek
from Lundrubling to Kharta (3690m)
You trek along the trail turning away from Lundrubling towards Kharta for about
3 hrs and board the waiting 4WD Land cruiser to drive back to Tashidzong. |
| Day
19 |
Drive
from Kharta to Rongbuk (5000m), trek to Everest
North face base camp (5150m)
Less than an hour after leaving Tashidzong you reenter the Chomolungma Nature
Preserve and have to change Landcruisers for reasons the authorities cannot satisfactorily
explain. So a local Landcruiser/bus takes us up to Rongbuk Monastery and from
here we trek the 9 kms to Everest Base Camp (horse carts are also an option).
The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate
for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the
highest mountain in the world towering above you. A truck carrying tent, food
supplies will follow you to the base camp. |
| Day
20 |
Drive
from Rongbuk to Nyalam
After catching the sunrise in the morning you will trek back to Rongbuk to board
land cruisers to drive past
Tingri across Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the
enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse
and Gauri Shankar you will finally arrive Nyalam. |
| Day
21 |
Drive
from Nyalam to Kathmandu
From Nyalam, you drive to the border town
of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it’s
a short drive to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and
marks the Chinese - Nepalese border where
you will part with your Tibetan guide and
driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where you will be
met by our Nepalese staff. After completing
the re-entry formalities we continue the
drive to Kathmandu which, depending on
road and weather conditions, should take
about 5-6 hours. |
