East and North Face of Everest Trek (Khangsung Valley) – 21 Days

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (3660m). O/N Hotel.

We enjoy an early morning drive through typical Nepalese rural landscapes (Approx. 5 hours) from Kathmandu to Kerung (1,873m/6,140ft). The Tibetan Guide will meet the Group on arrival at the check post and we drive on further road climbs and climb up to Kerung for an overnight. On the way, you will have fantastic views of deep valleys with some lovely overflowing waterfalls. We spend a night in guest houses

Day 2: Sightseeing in Lhasa. O/N Hotel.

After checking into our hotel & refreshing with some snacks, our foremost tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts us to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. An adventurous and exciting tempo builds up as we tour the Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site that unravels more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Our visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city taking in every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods which is an exhibition of Tibetan culture, customs, and traditions. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel for a well-earned rest. Overnight at a Hotel in twin-sharing rooms on a BB basis

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. O/N Hotel.

Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery are two of the "great three" Gelug University monasteries of Tibet, located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) north of Lhasa and about 5 km (3.1 mi) north of the Jokhang. Every day, hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups and practice their debating skills. As tourists, you are allowed to walk around the edge and observe the very dynamic and animated monks asking and answering questions. After visiting the monasteries we head back to your hotel.

Day 4: Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization. O/N Hotel.

Day 5: Drive to Gyantse (3950m). O/N Hotel.

Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meters with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-to 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 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 &drive to Shigatse (3900m). O/N Hotel.

Gyantse prides on GYANTSE DZONG and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of the entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a 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 meters, you find yourself at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse.

Day 7: Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km. O/N Hotel.

Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscapes driving past the small towns of Lhatse and Gyamtso La passing 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). We get friendly and prepare for a great trip

Day 8: Drive to Kharta (3690m)  drive 5 hrs. O/N Camp.

Ten kilometers 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 meters), 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 a tent just on the bank of the glacier and cook tasty three-course meals.

Day 9: Rest day in Kharta for further acclimatization O/N Camp.

Day 10: Trek to Lhundrubling (3990m)  4-5 hrs treks. O/N Camp.

As you head away from Kharta Valley, you will find a bridge over Lang Chu. On crossing this bridge the trail progresses towards the north bank of crystal-clear Kharta Chu westward. Transversing past barley fields, you have to follow the upper trail that ascends to Shao La. A few kilometers ahead the trail opens into Lundrubling where you can camp for the night.

Day 11: Cross shao La (4970m) & Trek to Kaamo Tsangpo Valley (4000m)  3-4 hrs trek. O/N camp.

Starting early, you have to head along the trail past Shao La Pass at 4,970 meters amid stunning views of Mount Everest [8,848 meters], Makalu [8,475 meters], and Lhotse [8,501 meters]. The trail steeply descends along picturesque yak pastures leading to the Kaamo Tsangpo Valley (4000m). It gets more sinuous as it crosses forests of rhododendrons, dwarf, birch, and groves. O/N camp.

Day 12: Trek to Khangsung Valley ( 4300m). 5 hrs treks.  O/N camp.

The trail skirts away from Kaamo Tsangpo Valley through conifer forest and ascends steeply to 300 to 400-meter altitude. Herein, you can savor the 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 in the lush meadows of Khangsung Valley provides an exceptional experience.

Day 13: Trek to Pethang Ringmoy ( 4960m). 4 – 5 hrs treks. O/N camp. 

The Sacred Lake lies to the north of 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. A 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 a few rock-strewn descents, you will enter the picturesque alpine camp of Pethang Ringmo at 4,550 meters beneath the impressive peak of Chomo Lonzo [7,790 meters] 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 Mt Everest.

Day 14: Pethang Ringmo to Hoppo (4800 m). 2 – 3 hrs.  O/N camp.

While heading away from Pethang Ringmo towards Hoppo, the trail crosses lush verdant meadows and then follows several ascents. Thereafter, Kangshung's Face of Everest zooms into the picture showcasing the towering Chomo Lonzo with its glistening glaciers. A few hours of more trekking bring you close to Hoppo at 4800 meters. Hoppo lies surrounded by rich yak pastures. It makes a perfect campsite.

Day 15: Trek to Khangsung base camp ( 5090m). 3 – 4 hrs treks.  O/N camp.

Kangshung Base Camp lies a few kilometers away from Hoppo at an elevation of 5090 meters. En route, you ascend grass-strewn ridges along the 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 nature on a spiritual level. Along the way, you get plenty of opportunities to witness the North East Ridge of Everest.

Day 16: Trek to Base of Langma La (4800 m). 5 hrs treks. O/N camp.

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 the 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 meters] located at the base of Langma La.

Day 17: Cross Langma La (5390 m)& Trek to Lundrubling (3990 m). 3 – 4 hrs treks.  O/N camp.

It is advisable to make an early start while ascending to Langma La for about two hours. We Transverse amidst mesmerizing vistas of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, you will descend steeply from Langma La and 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 the Kanchenjunga massif nestled above the ridges beyond Kharta on the Nepal – Sikkim border. Further ahead, the trail advances towards the village of Lundrubling where you will set your overnight camp.

Day 18: Trek to Kharta (3690 m).  3 hrs treks.  O/N camp.

We trek along the trail turning away from Lundrubling towards Kharta for about 3 hrs and boarding the waiting van or tourist bus to drive back to Tashidzong. It’s a scenic drive as we drive back to our next destination.

Day 19: Drive to Rongbuk (5000 m), Trek to Everest North face base camp (5150 m).  2 hrs treks. O/N Guest House.

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 km 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 a tent, and food supplies will follow you to the base camp.

Day 20: Drive to Kerung ( 2300m, 350km Aprox 6 hrs drive) . O/N Guest House.

After catching the early sunrise in the morning we 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. As we cruise along the way, we relish the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse, and Gauri Shankar. You will finally arrive at Kerung after a highly scenic drive through a lovely highway.

Day 21: Drive to Kathmandu(1300m). 7/8 hrs Drive.

From Kerung, we 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 we will part with our Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where we 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 7-8 hours. It’s been a wonderful holiday after all and we down here at Tashi Delek Nepal will hope you will return home with lifetime memories of a great holiday in the true spirit of a lasting friendship of love, peace, and joy.

Visa Information

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa — entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if a visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

Weather Information

The weather in Tibet is similar to that of Mainland China, though with lower temperatures due to higher altitudes. Summers have warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights, but summer days can even be chilly at higher elevations. Winters are cold but there isn't all that much snow. Lhasa enjoys a lot of sunshine even in winter. Most Tibet experiences frost at least 6 months of the year. Some high lakes are frozen from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. Lhasa is an ideal destination because it is in a valley area of lower elevation.

Safety Guidelines

We recommend you go through our following safety guidelines and stay tuned with the latest happening.

• Have at least 2 copies of the Tibet Permit.

• Keep your belongings properly.

• When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have any troubles, report to your guide promptly.

• Never rush to visit attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa.

• Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.

• Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.

• Spend a few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when traveling to higher places to avoid altitude sickness.

• Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.

• Respect the religion, and customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.

• Pay special attention to the unique alpine climate (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)

• Keep necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.

• Never travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.

• In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and small changes.

• If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.

• Don’t carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or free Tibet.

• We also recommend not carrying any guidebook to Tibet.

1. Where is Tibet?

Tibet is situated toward the southwest of China, likewise bordering India, Nepal, Burma, and Bhutan. Tibet's three original provinces are U-Tsang, Kham, and Amdo. The general population in these locales all thinks about themselves as Tibetan, although everyone has a solid identity and diverse tongues of Tibetan is used.

Under China's occupation, Tibet has been partitioned up, renamed, and joined into Chinese territories, with little reference to the original borders between Tibet's areas. At the point when China refers to Tibet, it implies the Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR, which incorporates just U-Tsang and part of Kham. The rest of Kham was isolated amongst Sichuan and Yunnan Chinese areas. Amdo was partitioned between Gansu, Sichuan, and Qinghai territories. The region covers a region of around 1.22 million km2, which represents 12.8% of the aggregate of China. The pristine snow-capped view and inescapable Tibetan Buddhism environment and simple access to its neighboring nation Nepal make Tibet rank high on the movement travel bucket list. Its unmistakable geography and land area enable it to share the world's most amazing mountaineering and trekking asset with its neighbor nation Nepal.

2. What is the time difference in Tibet?

Tibet  Standard Time ( IST ) is 0800 hours (6 hours) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).

3. How can I obtain a Visa?

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

China Visa or Tibet Group Visa

To enter Tibet using Mainland China, right off the bat, you have to apply China visa for entry to China. Tibet is a part of China, under the Chinese Central Government's Sovereignty. Therefore to travel from China to Tibet, you need to acquire a China Visa at the first stage before all are followed up. Visas for individual travel in China are very easy to get from most Chinese embassies. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will issue a standard 30-day, single-passage visitor visa in three to five working days (an 'L' Visa means to travel). If you are lucky, some embassies abroad may give you 60 or even 90 days. However, in Hong Kong it is very easy to get a 90-day visa; most agencies can organize it in one day. If you need greater adaptability to enter and leave China a few times, most Chinese embassies will issue a double-entry visa. Indeed, for individuals who are to work, study or live temporarily in China, you may require other related China Visa, for example, an "F" Visa, "X" Visa, or "Z" Visa, and so on. All these sorts of visa holders can go to Tibet with Tibet entry permits and other travel permits which can be obtained by a neighborhood travel agency in Tibet with strict and serious procedures.

4. How to enter Tibet?

By Road: There are five main highways in Tibet, to be specific:

Sichuan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, and Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – it runs between Xining, the capital city of Qinghai, to Lhasa.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Yunnan territory and Tibet.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway – it runs crosswise over boundless deserts and lofty and steep peaks.

The China-Nepal Highway – it is the main international highway in Tibet

By Air: Flying to Lhasa dependably requires a stopover in either China or Nepal. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated around 98 kilometers (around 61 miles) toward the south of Lhasa City. The main international trip to and from Tibet is between Lhasa and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

By Rail: The Gormo to Lhasa railway extends for 1,142 kilometers (710 miles) and serves as a connection between the territory of China and Tibet.

5. How is the weather in Tibet?

Since the country expands at high elevations, usually difficult to predict the climate. It is cold for the most part. Lhasa and around it is a cool, bright day during the day time however evening, night, and morning will be cold. Need to bring sufficiently warm clothes.

6. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The Tibetan atmosphere isn't as harsh as we imagine it to be. Tibet's climate is ideal to travel from April to the start of November, and most perfect in August and September. In any case, Lhasa's climate is more clement than the rest of Tibet and is suitable to travel year-round. The sun radiation in Tibet is extremely strong. It's not for nothing that Lhasa is known as the Sunlight City. The months of May, June, and September are the primary tourist season in eastern Tibet.

7. What are the documents necessary for visiting Tibet?

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa —entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if a visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

8. Can I organize a Tibet visa myself? Can I travel alone in Tibet?

Sadly, because of China's extremely strict tourism policy for Tibet, you can't get a visa independent from anyone else and it isn't conceivable to not possible to travel Tibet on your own. As an authorized travel company we can organize everything; visa, allow to permit, and all other paperwork.

9. Is altitude sickness a problem?

As Tibet is known as the Roof of the World it is one of the highest places on the earth. Due to this many visitors from lower altitude areas may suffer from altitude sickness. Most people endure minor effects of altitude sickness only including loss of appetite, headache, and a propensity to have no vitality until the point when their bodies conform to the high landscape. This adjustment can take place for a few hours and in rare cases for a few days. If visitors do some simple preparations before going to Tibet, most of the symptoms of altitude sickness can be avoided. We recommend you talk to your local physician about AMS pills to help combat altitude sickness. Your guide will be there to assist you and help you throughout the trip.

10. Are there ATM counters in Tibet?

There are ATM facilities easily available in Lhasa and Shigatse; however, it might be difficult to find one in other small towns.

11. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?

The unit of currency is the Chinese Yuan. The Bank of China can exchange all foreign currencies. The bank in Tibet /China is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Traveler’s cheques and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks, especially outside Lhasa.

12. Is politics a problem? 

Most tourists, who stay with their tour and avoid getting engaged in the politics of the country, will not encounter issues.

13. What vaccination is recommended for Tibet travelers?

The suggested vaccination you should consider for this trip includes the following:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria & Tetanus Vaccinations
• Hepatitis A The vaccine for Hepatitis A (eg Avaxim, Havrix 1440, or VAQTA)
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza The flu vaccine
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• Pneumonia A vaccine
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

14.  Will the language barrier be there are problem?

Visitors to Tibet don't have to worry about the language barrier at all. Every visitor will have an English-talking visit guide, and most of the front work area staff in the big hotels can communicate in English. The main languages used in a part of Tibet are Chinese, Tibetan, English, and Nepali.

15. Is there internet access in Tibet for foreign travelers?

Certainly, there is web access for the foreign traveler in Tibet yet just limited areas like Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Tsedang where some bistro gives web offices. Moreover, hotels in some cities like Lhasa and Shigatse also provide internet facilities to their customers.