kharta and the two base camps of everest
KHARTA AND THE TWO BASE CAMPS OF EVEREST
This great trek takes you all the way from Lhasa to the base camp of Everest in Rongbuk. There are fascinating views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse. Besides visiting the grand shrines and fabulous palaces around Lhasa, the trek also takes you through fascinating landscapes across this vast country.
This great Himalayan trek offers extraordinary views of Makalu, Lhotse, and Everest, three of the most impressive peaks over 8000 m of the Himalayas. Probably one of the most beautiful treks in Tibet, it takes you through lost farming villages, glacial lakes with sparkling peaks, and especially the majestic Everest range. For two weeks, we walk, live, and sleep in the heart of the high mountains, at the foot of the world’s most beautiful 8000m summits. The trek passes through the vast grassy plateau of Pethang Ringmo, dominated by Everest and Lhotse. Our camp in Makalu is one of the most picturesque sites. Some may want to remain here contemplating, while others might brave the 5-hour walk to the Kangshung-Everest Base Camp. We will reach an altitude of 5000m, the Rongbuk Monastery, and the Everest West Base Camp.
- The 8000m summits seen from the North: Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
- 2 Everest Base Camps of Tibet.
- Pastures of Tibet, mountain lakes, and glaciers.
- A great Himalayan trek in a less frequented region with caravans of yaks.
Gallery
Itinerary
For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...
- Accommodation: Hotel Tibet Heritage or similar on a BB basis.
- Accommodation: Hotel Tibet Heritage or similar on a BB basis.
- Accommodation: Hotel Tibet Heritage or similar on a BB basis.
We head for the pristine turquoise Lake Yamdrok(4,441m) in the mountains where yaks and sheep graze freely. We have a picnic lunch by the lake. Then it’s time to cross the Karo La Pass (5,200m). We travel at the foot of the magnificent Noijin Kangsang glacier. On the way, we come across an incredible site: the forgotten Monastery of Ralung. We spend a few hours walking at ease to get a feel of the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. We then drive to Gyantse. It is one of the most beautiful villages in central Tibet where farmers and breeders meet in a picturesque market. We visit a monastery with astonishing frescoes and the famous Kumbum stupa with 72 chapels. One gets a spectacular view of the Tibetan Plateau from here
- Duration of drive: 6 ½ hr
-Distance: 260km
- Accommodation: Hotel Yeti * * * on BB basis
We drive on to Shigatse for 1 ½ hr and make a quick dash to the Tashilhunpo Monastery built-in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. We cross some high passes: the Yalung and Gyatso. Then, we continue on to Shega and visit the ancient fort of Shekar Dzong.
- Duration of drive: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Tibet Roof of The World Hotel on BB basis
- Duration of drive: 4hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
- Ascent: + 600m
- Duration of hike: 4hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
We climb up to the Shao Tso Lake and cross the Shao La Pass (4,900 m) from where you get a great view of Makalu. Beyond that, it’s an easy descent to our camp.
- Ascent: + 600m
- Descent: - 150m
- Duration of hike: 5-6 hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
You experience a change of scenery today. We find a more alpine atmosphere with beautiful mountain vegetation all around: We also come across a forest of pines and rhododendron and a large number of ferns and wildflowers. On our way, we often come across shepherd camps and yak herds too.
- Ascent: + 300m
- Descent: - 400m
- Duration of hike: 4-5 hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
We are now at high altitude. There are superb views of the east side of Everest, Lhotse, and Chomo Lonzo. After a 3 ½ hr walk, we reach Thangsum, located on a peak overlooking three valleys. Then, we climb up the Karma Chu Valley to reach Pethang, a beautiful pasture at high altitude.
- Ascent: + 100m
- Descent: - 240m
- Duration of hike: 4-5 hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
We climb steadily up a moraine for 1 ½ hours to reach Orka and the view of Everest and the Kangshung Glacier from there makes it all worthwhile. Pethang Ringmo, where we camp, is a vast grassy plateau dominated by the giant peaks Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
- Ascent: + 600m
- Duration of hike: 3-4 hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
Today, we have a long trek of 8 hours on the trail. From Pethang Ringmo, we reach Thangsum Tso, then we go up to Tso Shorima Lake at 4,700m.
- Ascent: 480m
- Duration of hike: 8 hr
- Accommodation: Bivouac on full board
- Ascent: 1,030m
- Descent: 1,050m
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Accommodation: Guest House on a BB basis
- Duration of hike: 1 ½ hr
- Accommodation: Hotel Manasarovar on a BB basis
- Duration of drive: 6hr
- Accommodation: Hotel Tibet Heritage on a B&B basis
End of our services.
What's included
- Stay in hotels and guesthouses on a B&B basis, and full board while trekking.
- An English-speaking Tibetan guide for the stay in Tibet
- Camping team: Cook, assistants, yak men and yaks for the Kharta trek
- Collective camping and cooking equipment (except sleeping bag).
- Authorizations, drive and camping permits, national parks entrances...
- Entrance to the visited sites in Tibet
- Oxygen available, if necessary, in Tibet
- Visa for China (not the August-September extra) and hand-to-hand permit delivery in your Chinese transit city.
What's not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights and trains
- Extra fees for visa in August and September
- Stay in China
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Personal expenses and equipment,
- Tips (about 8 dollars/day /person for the entire team), drinks...
