Kharta Valley & Everest Kangshung Face Trek

Kharta Valley

Kharta Valley & Everest Kangshung Face Trek is a region in Tibet lying to the east of Mount Everest and centered on the Kharta Valley & Everest Khangshung Face Trek. The Kama valley 40-kilometer (25 mi) Kharta valley starts at the col at Lhakpa La at the head of the Kharta Glacier from which the Kharta Chu River flows east to join the Phung Chu just beyond Khata village. Nearby to the south, the Kama valley starts at the Kangshung Glacier at the foot of Everest’s Kangshung Face, and the Kama Chu flows southeast to the Phung Chu.

The 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition discovered Kharta when reconnoitering ways to climb Mount Everest and managed to reach the North Col via the Lhakpa La. Since that time Kharta has not been used as a way to approach the summit of Everest but the two valleys have become a popular area for trekking.

The Kharta and Kama valleys are within the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve and provide a quieter area for trekking than Everest Base Camp in the Rongbuk valley. The Kama valley and the Kangshung Face tend to be the focus of the treks but the approach is from the Kharta valley which is returned to after a round tour.

Many organizations offer Kharta Valley & Kangshung face of Everest trek holidays and these are often part bookings on a larger organized expedition. A track passable by four-wheeled drives leaves the Friendship Highway at Tingri from where tickets are available for the guarded Nature Preserve. The track leads to the village of Kharta. The trek may either be by backpacking or after hiring yaks at the village.  

A route typically taken (see map) goes up the valley via Yuluk and Yulba and then heads south over Shao La and descends to Kama Chu. The trail ascends the Kama valley with Chomolonzo and Makalu to the south and eventually reaching the Kangshung Glacier to see the Kangshung Face – the glacier has retreated considerably since the 1921 expedition.

The return is made over Langma La back to Kharta Chu and then, passing through Lhundrubling, heads eastwards to the start. A local guide is essential (required by the authorities except for organized tours) and the journey on foot or yak takes about 10 days.


Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu.
Day 2 Full day (6 hrs) guided sightseeing
Day 3 FLIGHT: KATHMANDU - LHASA [3660M]
Day 4 SIGHTSEEING IN LHASA
Day 5 SIGHTSEEING IN LHASA
Day 6 DRIVE LHASA - GYANTSE [3950M] 261 KM
Day 7 DRIVE GYANTSE [3950M] - SHIGATSE [3900M] 90KM
Day 8 SHIGATSE [3900M] – SHEGAR [4050M] 244KM
Day 9 SHEKAR – KHARTA (12300)
Day 10 BEGIN TREK
Day 11 SHAO LA
Day 12 TREK
Day 13 TREK
Day 14 PETHANG RINGMO
Day 15 KHANGSHUNG VALLEY
Day 16 RAABKA CHU
Day 17 RABKA CHU TO TSO TSHURINGMA
Day 18 TSHO TSHURIGMA TO TROSHAY MEADOW CAMP
Day 19 TROSHAY TO KHARTA
Day 20 RONGBUK MONASTERY
Day 21 DRIVE RONGBUK [5000M] - NYALAM 215KM
Day 22 DRIVE NYALAM - KATHMANDU [1400M] 153KM
Day 23 Free day in Kathmandu for shopping
Day 24 Onward departure to your destination
Day 1 Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu. Welcome with bunch of flower assistance at the Airport and meet with our staff (One of our company staff will be waiting you at the Airport with display your name ".................." which is print on our company white board and pick up by our private car and than 20 minutes drive to the Hotel. After few minutes rest in hotel, Visit in our office and have hot/cold drinks (Tea/Coffee) waiting to serve and have join together, One of our staff will brief you regarding the trip and introduction with your trekking guide. O/N at hotel.
Day 2 Full day (6 hrs) guided sightseeing in Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Patan Durbar Square. Overnight in Hotel. (B)
Day 3 FLIGHT: KATHMANDU - LHASA [3660M] Hotel overnight
Day 4 Today will be spent visiting several of Lhasa's many monasteries in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, one of the best-preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. After lunch we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets that is the central market of Lhasa. Kharta valley trekking
Day 5 Today we start our overland journey towards Kathmandu. Travelling by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La [4794m] from which there is stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa [7252m]. We continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La [5045m] where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Our overnight accommodation is at the Gyantse Hotel.
Day 6 Today we start our overland journey towards Kathmandu. Travelling by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La [4794m] from which there is stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa [7252m]. We continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La [5045m] where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Our overnight accommodation is at the Gyantse Hotel.
Day 7 Before leaving Gyantse we have time this morning to visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. Overnight at Hotel Mansarowar.
Day 8 Today we continue along the Friendship Highway, marvelling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar and our overnight accommodation at Hotel Quomolongma.
Day 9 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 past the boarding school on the banks of the Kharta Tsangpo river, the headwaters of Nepal's Arun River.
Day 10 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 (at approximately 13000 feet) 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).
Day 11 Ascend steadily over rocky ground to reach the Shao La (16300) in about two hours. Weather permitting, the views from here toward Makalu, Lhotse, and Everest are stunning. Once at the top of the pass we descend for about an hour and then plunge 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 at Joksum, following a stream through thick fir and juniper forests. (4 hours hiking)
Day 12 Hike steeply up onto a large rockslide. The views of Makalu and the incredible upheaval caused by the Chomolonzo 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 to reach camp on the grassy knolls of Pethang Ringmo (16000). (4-5 hours hiking.)
Day 13 Hike up a ridge affording a clear sight right up the Khangshung Valley, with views of Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Tshertse, Petangtse, Chomolonzo, Makalu and a myriad of other great peaks. From this ridge we descend rather steeply 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 Valley, a wide valley drained by the Khangshung stream. A receding glacier ahs left behind wide undulating hillocks now covered by a thick growth of willow, rhododendron, juniper, and other shrubs. Camp at the meadow called Pethang (14200), about an hour's walk uphill from the stream crossing.
Day 14 Hike steeply up onto a large rockslide. The views of Makalu and the incredible upheaval caused by the Chomolonzo 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 to reach camp on the grassy knolls of Pethang Ringmo (16000). (4-5 hours hiking.)
Day 15 Optional day hikes up the Khangshung Valley alongside the glacier to the base camp (17000) used by expeditions attempting the east face of Everest.
Day 16 Retrace our steps down the valley along the Khangshung Glaciers, across the rockslide opposite the Chomolonzo glacier, and past Pethang to a stream crossing at the Raabka Chu. The camp (13500) on the grassy meadow across the river is a very pleasant place to spend the afternoon. (4 hours hiking.) We can also reach this campsite from Pethang Ringmo by taking a side trip to Guru Rimpoche's cave at Tse Chu lake. The trail climbs high above Okpa meadows, crosses Lamtsho (16200), then descends steeply to the lake. (6-7 hours hiking.)
Day 17 Hike steadily uphill, steeply at first for an hour 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 (17500). The views of Makalu and Everest are great from here! Camp at Tsho Tshurigma (16000) (4 hours hiking.)
Day 18 Climb steeply over rocky ground to reach the Langma La (17500) in just over two hours. En route we pass another lake, and the views of Makalu become more impressive as we climb upwards, while Everest and all the other attendant peaks are visible all the way to the pass. 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 (14000). (6 hours hiking.)
Day 19 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 with barley and potato fields ringed by willows and birch. 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 Drive five to six hours to Rongbuk monastery (16400), the highest monastery in the world and a shrine dedicated to Everest, is the last sign of habitation before commencing the trek to Everest via the north face. 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. It is very important that we take our time and gets very well acclimatised before we go to the ABC. To day we will explore the surroundings of the Rongbuk Everest base camp, just to get started working a little.
Day 21 Today we rejoin the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri. Upon leaving Tingri, we cross another two high passes, the Lalung La [5124m] and the Shung La [5200m]. Once more we are rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Now we begin our descent from the Tibetan Plateau to Nyalam just 30 km before the Nepalese border. With dramatic suddenness, everything appears incredibly lush and green.
Day 22 From Nyalam we drive the last 30 kilometres to the Friendship Bridge, which spans the Bhote Koshi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border. We say goodbye to the Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where our Nepalese staff will meet us. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the drive to Kathmandu, which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5 hours.
Day 23 Free day in Kathmandu for shopping. Join us for the farewell dinner at Nepali typical restaurant in the evening at 07:00 PM with culture program. (B, D)
Day 24 Onward departure to your destination by our private vehicle. 3 hrs before you have to be airport (B)
Abbrebiations: B, L, D means : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Price Includes

- Airport Pick up and drop off by our private vehicle
- Kathmandu/Nepalgunj/Pokhara hotel room on bed and Breakfast (B) basis
- Fluent English speaking license holder sightseeing tour guide
- Sightseeing tour guide fee
- Sightseeing entrance fee
- Airfare from Kathmandu to Lhasa
- Tibet entry visa fees
- Accommodation and 3 meals a day such as Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (B, L, D) while on the trek in tent camp
- All kitchen crew, tent, mattress, cook, helper cook
- Fully escorted trek with an English speaking license holder local sherpa trekking guide and necessity porters.
- All program according to itinerary on full board.
- All land transfer as per above itinerary
- Skyline Company T-shirt
- Farewell dinner at Nepali typical restaurant with culture program
- Wage, equipment, insurance and other facilities to staff.

Price Excludes

- Nepal tourist visa fee US$ 30, with multiple entries for 15 days, you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu. (it will be ready within few minutes) You will require each 2 passport size photos.
- Kathmandu hotel Lunch and Dinner (L, D)
- Personal Spending money and all kind of drinks (Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks) bar bill, Int'l Telephone bill, hot shower, batteries charge, laundry etc. Tips for guide, porter and driver. (Tipping is expected).
- Travel Insurance and medical evacuation in case of emergency

Quick Facts

  • Best Season: March to may and September to December is finest.
  • Duration: 24 days.
  • Trekking Days: 20 days.
  • Grade: Moderate.
  • Rating: Moderate carry out to a bit strenuous.
  • Maximum Altitude: 3950 m
  • Commences At: Kathmandu
  • Ends At: Kathmandu
  • Code: kveft75

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