Kharta Valley Trek

Trip Features

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  • Total Duration : 26 Days
  • Transportation : Flights & Touristic Vehicle
  • Max Elevation : 5,320m
  • Trek Grading : Diffficult
  • Best Seasons : Summer & Autumn
  • Journey Starts/Ends : KathmanduKathmandu
  • Accommodation : Hotels & Guest Houses
  • Note: Kharta valley starts at the col at Lhakpa-La at the head of the Kharta Glacier

Trip Highlights

  •  Grandeur of mountain views of Makalu, Everest and Lhotse
  • Distinct aura of spiritual existence
  • Devout pilgrims completing prostration
  • Langma La pass, offering splendid natural sights

Trip Overview

Kharta valley is a classical and unique adventure trek with spectacular landscapes, unexplored tiny valleys and alpine yak pastures along the way that is embraced with high glacial lakes. The trekking is undoubtedly exceptional with few people hiking this region of hidden gem. The isolated region is bordered by Mt. Everest in the western side and with Himalayan ranges of Mt. Makalu in the southern side. To the north and east lies the dry Tibetan plateau. Incredibly famous for its opulent wilderness and striking views of pristine lakes, this trek offers an exploratory solace to every traveller.

Besides this, the trek requires stamina as it is strenuous and encompasses elevated passes with careful acclimatization but people with good fitness can complete the trail without any complications. The highest point on this trek is the Langma La Pass (5320m), complimenting trekkers with beautiful views of Makalu, Everest and Lhotse.

The medieval atmosphere of the city with its prehistoric architecture, turquoise lakes and pilgrim’s circumnutating at each phase of their religious kora stirs a mystical brew that wanderers cannot resist.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,300m) and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 02: Catch an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Arrive in Gonggar Airport and proceed to your Hotel.

Day 03: Visit two of the most famous monasteries of Lhasa, Drepung and Sera. The rest of the day is free for shopping.

Day 04: Admire the Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and enjoy a leisure walk to the colorful Barkhor Bazar.

Day 05: Drive to Gyantse (3,950m).

Day 06: Appreciate the beauty of Gyantse Monastery and later in the afternoon, drive to Shigatse (3,900m).

Day 07: Visit the Tashilomphu Monastery in Shigatse and subsequently, drive to Xegar (4,350m).

Day 08: The whole day is kept for acclimatization in Xegar.

Day 09: Hike up to Kharta valley.

Day 10: Trail follows to a camp below Shao la Pass (4,790m).

Day 11: Explore Shao la Pass.

Day 12: Trek continues through narrow and steep paths and if weather permits, we can appreciate the magnificent views of Mt. Everest.

Day 13: Continue hiking to a spot called Sakyetang, where we can gaze admiringly at the three of the world’s highest mountains.

Day 14: Trek to Pethang Ringmo (4,900m).

Day 15: Explore the Pethang Ringmo region.

Day 16: Hike up to Kangshung, also known as East Face of Mt. Everest if weather is preferable.

Day 17: Descend to a point near Sakyetang and camp.

Day 18: Trek to Langma La Pass (5,320m).

Day 19: Descend to Kharta.

Day 20: Drive from Kharta to Rongbuk basecamp.

Day 21: Explore Mt. Everest base camp and drive to Lhatse.

Day 22: Drive back to Gyantse.

Day 23: Drive to Lhasa and rest at the Hotel.

Day 24: Transfer to Gonggar Airport for flight to Kathmandu.

Day 25: Full day Kathmandu sightseeing.

Day 26: Trip concludes and transfers to the airport for onward journey.

Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,300m) and transfer to your Hotel.

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport. Be received by our staff that will help in assisting you to get transferred to the hotel.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu with BB Plan.

Day 02: Catch an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Arrive in Gonggar Airport and proceed to your Hotel.

Take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, which will take approximately 90 minutes of flight time. Arrive at the Gonggar airport. Be received by our staff that will assist you in getting transferred to the hotel. The whole day is kept for acclimatizing. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lhasa with BB Plan.

Day 03: Visit two of the most famous monasteries of Lhasa, Drepung and Sera. The rest of the day is free for shopping.

Today, we visit two major monasteries namely, Drepung and Sera. The rest of the day is left for personal shopping at Barkhor Bazar. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lhasa with BB Plan.

Day 04: Admire the Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and enjoy a leisure walk to the colorful Barkhor Bazar.

The whole day is kept for sightseeing in Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace, one of the Tibetan architectural wonders that are famous for holding the relics of precious statues, scriptures and religious jewelry. The following afternoon is spent touring the Jokhang Temple, the fundamental pilgrimage destination of Tibetan pilgrims. It is considered to be one of Tibet’s holiest shrines.

Day 05: Drive to Gyantse (3,950m).

After breakfast, we will drive to Gyantse with scenic views across the Khamnba –La & Kora–La passes, along the shores of Lake Yamdrok Tso. Once an “important trading town”, Gyantse reorients an ambiance of old Tibet. Overnight stay at a hotel in Gyantse.

Day 06: Appreciate the beauty of Gyantse Monastery and later in the afternoon, drive to Shigatse (3,900m).

Early in the morning, we will visit Gyantse Monastery – Pelkor Choede and the reasonably renowned Khumbum Stupa, within the same complex. We will also stopover at the Dzong fort that towers above the town of Gyantse. In the afternoon, we drive along the valley to Shigatse that will take approximately 2 hours. Overnight stay at a hotel in Shigatse.

Day 07: Visit the Tashilomphu Monastery in Shigatse and subsequently, drive to Xegar (4,350m).

After breakfast, we will wander around Shigatse city including the Tashilhunpo monastery, the seat of revered monk, Panchen Lama, second in importance to Dalai Lama. Later in the afternoon, we will drive to Xegar, which is close to Kharta Valley. Overnight stay at a hotel in Xegar.

Day 08: The whole day is kept for acclimatization in Xegar.

The whole day is taken for acclimatization. In the late afternoon, we will walk around the small hills of Xegar.

Day 09: Hike up to Kharta valley.

After a hot breakfast, our trekking begins with a gentle hike up the Kharta Valley, passing prosperous farmhouses and fields. After Lunch, we turn south and ascend to our camp.

Day 10: Trail follows to a camp below Shao la Pass (4,790m).

We walk up to the chain of Alpine Lakes to our camp below the Shao La. From here, if the weather permits, then we have a chance to view of the awe-inspiring Mount Everest and Makalu.

Day 11: Explore Shao la Pass.

Today, we reach the Shao – La Pass and as we descend on our way, we come across exquisite green, gold and pastel red vegetation. We make the camp near the mouth of a splendid side valley that plunges a thousand feet to the Kama River. Overnight in the camp.

Day 12: Trek continues through narrow and steep paths and if weather permits, we can appreciate the magnificent views of Mt. Everest.

Today our trek begins with a steep zigzag climb through a Japanese wood-block forest. We outline above the Kama Valley, through the Rhododendron and the Blue Premolar, looking down into Nepal, across the looming mountain walls, dripping with hanging glaciers and our first view of Mt. Everest.

Day 13: Continue hiking to a spot called Sakyetang, where we can gaze admiringly at the three of the world’s highest mountains.

After breakfast, we continue to sketch a route towards Sakyetang. From here, we gaze at the Kangshung Valley and three of the world`s five highest mountains. The summit of Mt. Everest is only 18 miles away. From Sakyetang, we descend down and hike into the Kangshung, camping in dispersing dense vegetation. Overnight in the camp.

Day 14: Trek to Pethang Ringmo (4,900m).

After breakfast, we ascend gradually on a pleasant trail through willows and windflowers, and then steeply up and across a landslide – caused a decade ago by the slow collision of the Kandongshung Glacier. After few hours, we reach our camping station, Pethang Ringmo. Overnight in the camp.

Day 15: Explore the Pethang Ringmo region.

Today, we spend the entire day exploring around Pethang Ringmo. The area gives us incredible views of Mt. Everest with a most intimidating circle of cliffs overhung by hanging glaciers.

Day 16: Hike up to Kangshung, also known as East Face of Mt. Everest if weather is preferable.

Depending on the weather and other factors, our trip leader will decide if its possible to hike to Land`s End. The walk takes a couple of hours along the grassy shelf that ends up overlooking the glacier at just over 17,000 Ft. Only the daunting glacier separates us from the immense Kangshung wall. The summit of Mt. Everest is just over eight horizontal and two & a third vertical miles away. Now we are nearly encircled by the mountain Khartse, the mass of Mt. Everest.

Day 17: Descend to a point near Sakyetang and camp.

Today we climb steeply to a point near Sakyetang and ascend to a camp next by a lake at 16,385 Ft. The sunrise from this camp can be immensely spectacular. Overnight in the camp.

Day 18: Trek to Langma La Pass (5,320m).

Today, after Breakfast, we descend a couple of thousand feet from Langma La, passing a rare rock glacier on the way, back down to the camp (14,000 Ft).

Day 19: Descend to Kharta.

We descend back to the Kharta Valley. Overnight in the camp.

Day 20: Drive from Kharta to Rongbuk basecamp.

Today, we drive from Kharta Valley to Rongbuk Base Camp (Mt. Everest Base Camp). Overnight in tent or local Guest House.

Day 21: Explore Mt. Everest base camp and drive to Lhatse.

After Breakfast, we explore Mt. Everest base camp & drive back to Lhatse. Participants are given the rare opportunity of seeing both the views of Mt. Everest and the start of the ascent for many. Taking in the marvelous vision of the highest mountain in the world is a memory, which will last for years to come. Sadly, we drive away from the Himalayan ranges in the afternoon and head to Lhatse. The last wondrous views are experienced atop Pang – La.

Day 22: Drive back to Gyantse.

We start our drive to Gyantse. Secluded Monasteries and nomadic heard are passed along the friendship highway. Gyamtso –La, one of the highest passes of our journey, is ascended before we enter the barren plains. This night is spent in the traditional hotel at Gyantse.

Day 23: Drive to Lhasa and rest at the Hotel.

We start our drive to Lhasa. On the way back, we stop at the Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake. Our day is completed with an ascent of the Khamba-La and crossing of the Yarlong Tsangpo River. We then enter the phenomenal city of Lhasa. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lhasa with BB Plan.

Day 24: Transfer to Gonggar Airport for flight to Kathmandu.

Drive to Gonggar Airport for your flight to Kathmandu.

Day 25: Full day Kathmandu sightseeing.

The whole day is kept for sightseeing at all the major highlights of Kathmandu city. In the evening, guests are free to shop at their convenience.

Day 26: Trip concludes and transfers to the airport for onward journey.

Catch a flight for final departure back home.

Date and Price

Note Regarding Dates:

Although this trip is currently unscheduled, Richa Tours is keen to prepare the necessary arrangements for the group or yourself. Feel free to contact us. The best months to travel this destination are between March to May and October to November.

Note Regarding Price:

Contact us with your needs and we will put forward the best feasible price for you.


Service Include and Exclude

Includes

  • Transportation bus /jeep as per group size
  • Tibet travel permit
  • English speaking Tibetan guide
  • Accommodation on twin sharing room basis
  • Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per our itinerary
  • Daily breakfast
  • Hotel-airport-hotel transfer in Lhasa and Kathmandu
  • Yak and yak men
  • Camping gears (Double ten,Kitchen tent and Dining Ten,Table and chairs)
  • Full board During the Trek section

Excludes

  • Client and travel insurance
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Personal expenses such as a drink, tips& etc
  • Nepal re- entry visa fee