Everest Khangsung Face Trek

Trip Highlights

Activities	: Trekking, Culture Tours, Sightseeing
Total Duration	: 21 night’s/22 days in total
Trek & Tour Duration	: 22 days
Grade	: Moderate to Adventurous
Max. Elevation	: 5000 m at Rongbuk monastery
Trekking & Tour Style	: Hotel/tented camp
Meal	: All main meals in trek, breakfast beside trek
Accommodation	: Hotel, Lodges & Camping while on Trek
Transportation	: Flight & private vehicle

Trip Introduction

Everest Khangsung face trek will be remarkable adventure in Tibet that will appeal to the avid trekker who is also seeking an appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. Essentially this expedition includes all the highlights. An enjoyable two days will be spent in Lhasa admiring historical places such as the Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, Jokhang temple, Barkhor Bazaar and the monasteries of Drepung and Sera. The next few days will be spent driving to Kharta via Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar then start our ten days trek towards the Khangsung valley. The actual walking begins from Kharta, where Yaks can be organized if required. Apart from the few arid ridges of the Dzakar Chu Valley, this region is fairly green due to rainfall received from Nepal's monsoon. Forests of scrub, juniper, dwarf rhododendron, and birch cover the higher ridges, and dense thickets of willows edge the creeks in the lower valleys. The most frequented route used by climbing expedition teams to reach the Kangshung face Base Camp takes 4 to 5 days over Langma La Pass at 5240m. This spectacular pass, if weather permits, reveals some of the grandest Himalayan scenery found in the entire range. A longer alternative trek to the Base Camp passes over the Shao La Pass (4,790m), a lower pass to the southeast of Langma La that approaches the Base Camp via the Karma Tsangpo Valley. Once you have reached the Base Camp and the exhilaration of doing so has died down you will make your way back to Kharta. After the trek we drive to the Rongphu Valley to appreciate the huge dimensions of the North Face of Everest before heading to the Kathmandu.

Trekking Itinerary

OutLine Itinerary

Day 01: Arriving in Lhasa (3650m/11,972ft)

Day 02: Sightseeing in Norbulinka, Sera and Jokhang Temple

Day 03: Sightseeing in Potala palace and Dreprung Monastery

Day 04: Drive Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950m/12,956ft)

Day 05: Drive Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900m/12,792ft)

Day 06: Shigatse to Shegar (4,050m/13,284ft)

Day 07: Shekar to Kharta (3,750m/12,300ft)

 Day 08: Kharta to meadows before Shao La (4,268m/14,000ft)

Day 09: Trek to Joksum

Day 10: Trek up to Yak Herders (4,421m/14,500ft)

Day 11: Trek to Pethang (4,330m/14,200ft)

Day 12: Pethang to Ringmo (4,878m/16,000ft)

Day 13: Khangshung Valley

Day 14: Trek to Raabka Chu (4,116m/13,500ft)

Day 15: Trek to Tso Tshuringma (4,878m/16,000ft)

Day 16: Trek to Troshay Meadow Camp (4,268m/14,000ft)

Day 17: Trek to Kharta (3,750m/12,300ft)

Day 18: Drive to Rongbuk Monastery(5,000m/16,400ft)

Day 19: Drive from Rongbuk to Zhangmu

Day 20: Zhangmu to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 21: Leisure at Kathmandu

Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu

Day to day Itinerary

Day 01: Arriving in Lhasa (3650m/11,972ft)
Upon arrival at Gonggor airport or rail station we’ll be met by our local Tibetan guide and assist you to transfer to hotel in Lhasa. On arriving in Lhasa it’s time to check in at the hotel and group meeting at hotel and we will inform you all about the program and the remainder of today is at leisure to relax and acclimatize at Lhasa. We’ll stay in standard hotel in Lhasa on twin sharing accommodation.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Norbulinka, Sera and Jokhang Temple
After acclimatize yesterday today we’ll take time to explore the heart of Tibet, the holy and known as Forbidden City of Lhasa. Explore Norbulinka Palace, in Tibetan ‘beautiful gardens’ and the summer palace home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama. At serene Sera Monastery, enjoy watching the monks animatedly debating the Buddhist scriptures and see the wonderful collection of ancient murals and statues as well as scriptures written in gold powder, wonderful scroll paintings, tapestries and Thangka that can be seen throughout. Join the medieval bustle of pilgrims, worshippers, performers and traders in and around Jokhang Temple, the most revered religious structure in Tibet. Follow the pilgrimage circuit along the ancient streets of the old town around Barkhor Bazaar and return back to same hotel for overnight.

Day 03: Sightseeing in Potala palace and Dreprung Monastery
Today, we’ll take time to explore the heart of Tibet, the holy and forbidden city of Lhasa. Explore the vast halls and chapels of impressive Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lamas and an awe inspiring lanadmark that dominates the skyline over Lhasa. After visit Potala palace enjoy the solemnity of holy Dreprung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world and now the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, founded in 1416 and a place of study for many of the most learned lamas and enjoy the day and return back to hotel for overnight.

Day 04: Drive Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950m/12,956ft)
Today we start our overland journey towards Everest kangshung face. Travelling by jeep about 261 Km. today 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.

Day 05: Drive Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900m/12,792ft)
This morning we have time 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.

Day 06: Shigatse to Shegar (4,050m/13,284ft)
Today we continue along the Friendship Highway up to Shegar about an 244 Km drive with marveling 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.

Day 07: Shekar to Kharta (3,750m/12,300ft)
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 08: Kharta to meadows before Shao La (4,268m/14,000ft)
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 13,000 feet) or continue up the side valley following a small stream for another two hours to camp on meadows by the stream.

Day 09: Trek to Joksum
Ascend steadily over rocky ground to reach the Shao La (4,970m/16,300ft) 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.

Day 10: Trek up to Yak Herders (4,421m/14,500ft)
Today, as our continuing walk we start with steeply path through juniper and rhododendron forests to reach the high pastures above the Kama River. On clear days, we’ll see splendid views toward Everest and Lhotse. The high ridges south of the Kama River drip with hanging glaciers and in the spring are alive with bellowing avalanches. We continue to traverse alpine meadows and pass yak herders’ camps and a serene green lake to a campsite on a large meadow and pass yak herders’ camps and a serene green lake to a campsite on a large meadow with great views of the Kangshung Valley.

Day 11: Trek to Pethang (4,330m/14,200ft)
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 about an hour’s walk uphill from the stream crossing and he total hrs about 5 hrs walk.

Day 12: Pethang to Ringmo (4,878m/16,000ft)
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.

Day 13: Khangshung Valley
This is an optional day hikes up the Khangshung Valley alongside the glacier to the base camp (17,000ft) used by expeditions attempting the east face of Everest.

Day 14: Trek to Raabka Chu (4,116m/13,500ft)
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 after 6-7 hrs walk. The camp on the grassy meadow across the river is a very pleasant place to spend the afternoon. 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 (16,200ft), then descends steeply to the lake.

Day 15: Trek to Tso Tshuringma (4,878m/16,000ft)
We 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 (17,500ft). The views of Makalu and Everest are great from here. We camp at Tsho Tshurigma.

Day 16: Trek to Troshay Meadow Camp (4,268m/14,000ft)
Climb steeply over rocky ground to reach the Langma La (17,500ft) 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, and then descend steeply four hours over rocky moraines and glaciated valleys. Camp is on a grassy meadow beside a clear stream at Troshay.

Day 17: Trek to Kharta (3,750m/12,300ft)
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 18: Drive to Rongbuk Monastery(5,000m/16,400ft)
Drive five to six hours to Rongbuk monastery, 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 acclimatized 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 19: Drive from Rongbuk to Zhangmu
Today we rejoin the Friendship Highway and drive 245 Km via 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 and then to Zhangmu, just before the Nepalese border. With dramatic suddenness, everything appears incredibly lush and green.

Day 20: Zhangmu to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
This morning we’ll drive back across the Tibet – Nepal border at Kodari and after the custom formalities and get across the Friendship Bridge, which spans the Bhote Koshi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border, where our Nepalese staff will meet us. We drive to Kathmandu through the beautiful Nepalese countryside takes (4-5 hours). After check in to the hotel remaining time rest and relax at the hotel.

Day 21: Leisure at Kathmandu
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure at your own or can be extends your extra trip with us on additional cost or time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping and evening company will meet you for the farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Extending your holiday
In Nepal, there are many choices and options if you’d like to extend your holiday before or after your main booking. Here are just a few suggestions of extensions available for this trip:

- Visit land of the thunder dragon known as Bhutan
- Take a memorable wildlife safari with Elephant back ride in the Chitwan National park
- White water River rafting in the Himalayan country of Nepal
- 1 hour amazing mountain flight closest to the Mt. Everest
- Visit Darjeeling/Sikkim tour to India.
- Extend your trek in different trekking areas in nepal
- Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, Mountain biking and many more. >>>

Service Includes:

• All land transportation by private vehicle (Land cruiser/Jeep/car) as per itinerary
• Twin sharing accommodation in tented camp & standard hotel in Tibet as per itinerary
• Special Tibet Travel Permit
• Major Entry permit/s & fees 
• Everest Permit & all ground camp charge
• Local Tibetan English speaking guide, all necessary payment
• Support truck/Yak, Yak man & all porterages costs
• Meals on full board basis during the tented camp and breakfast in hotel basis as per itinerary
• 2 night’s twin sharing hotel accommodation in 4 star hotel in Kathmandu
• Complementary farewell dinner in Kathmandu with cultural program in typical Nepalese restaurant
• All government and local taxes
• Intl. flight ticket re-confirmation
• Travel & Rescue arrangements
• Re-confirm your intl. flight ticket

Service does not Includes:

• Nepal re-entry visa fees
• All departure taxes
• Lunch and dinner in & Kathmandu
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters
• Tips for driver and guide
• Any extending trips
• Nepal entry visa fees
• Excess baggage charges
• Services doesn’t includes in service inclusive column

Enjoy the adventure with our Himalayan guides and take good memories away with you from Nepal.