This is the route followed by the British pioneers including George Mallory on the 1921 Reconaissance Everest expedition in Tibet. It is an outstanding high altitude trek with magnificent views of Himalayan giants like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Chomolonzo to name a few. The verdant valleys of Kharta and Kama situated east of Everest are rich in the summer with flowers, plants and gushing streams - completely different to the barren high altitude desert of Tibet. The last part of our journey takes us by jeep to the monastery of Rongbuk to see the famous view of the spectacular north face of Everest. As per present regulations, trekkers are not permitted to go beyond Rongbuk to the Everest Base Camp 3 km ahead - neither are they allowed to trek upto Advanced Base Camp at 6500 metres which was possible earlier. For those of us who are fascinated with Everest history and the climbs of the early British pioneers from 1921 to 1938, this is one adventure that should not be missed.
Who should join this trek?
A good choice for experienced hill walkers, high level of fitness required. Prior experience on treks above 5000 metres desirable.
1) Walking times: average 6-7 hours walking per day (with some longer days - the route also crosses some 5000 metre passes which can be snowbound.)
2) Altitude: up to 5,320 metres
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky conditions. There is a steep ascent to some of the passes which could be across rocky scree slopes and can be snow covered.
4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area and a long distance from the roadhead and the nearest cities. However mobile phones may work on some days depending on location of the camp. This is a full support camping trek with tents.
5) High altitude insurance including emergency evacuation insurance by helicopter is recommended for this trek.
Trek Leader - The trek will be led by Sujoy Das along with an experienced local guide from Tibet.
Preparing for High Altitude
As the trek crosses 5000 metres it is necessary to read and prepare for high altitude. Some of the best information on high altitude is here:
Base Camp MD website: http://www.BaseCampmd.com/expguide/highalt.shtml
High Altitude medicine website: http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com
Medex Travel at High Altitude: http://www.medex.org.uk/v26%20booklet.pdf

ITINERARY
Day 01 Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and rest day at Lhasa 3650m/11,990 feet Day 02 – Acclimatization day in Lhasa 3650m and sightseeing – the Potala Palace, Drephung monastery etc. Day 03 Drive from Lhasa via Gyantse to Shigatse 3860m / 12,660 feet 360 km 7 hours drive We drive along the Friendship Highway to Gyantse and after visiting Shaylu monastery reach Shigatse in the afternoon. Day 04. Drive from Shigatse to Sakya monastery (4,050m/13285 ft )- 3 hours driving. Today we drive over one high mountain pass called Tso La at 4,500m and pass through traditional villages along the way. We will visit Sakya monastery built in 12th century by Khon Konchok Gyelpo from Sakya clan. The monastery was originally built for the schools of Sakya tribe and later on it was expanded to the present size by Dogon Chogyel Pakpa. Day 05 Drive from Sakya monastery to Kharta 3,700m/12,000ft 4 to 5 hours drive Drive to Kharta which typically takes and along the way there are beautiful views from the high passes of Gyatso La at 5,220m and Pang La at 5,000m. On a clear day to Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, and Shishapangma can be seen from the summit of these passes. The road descends the Dzakaa Chu and then the Phung Chu valleys towards Kharta. We camp on the banks of the Kharta Tsangpo river known as the headwaters of Nepal's Arun River.> Day 06: Kharta to Landrubling (4,260m/13,975ft): 4 - 5 hours Trek Begins 12 days We begin our trekking today by walking along the banks of the Kharta River. The trail provides us with amazing views of the local villages and barley fields. After a few kilometers, the trail splits. We follow the upper trail that leads to Shao La Pass. As we climb steadily up, we pass through rhododendron and highland conifer forests. We arrive at Landrubling and camp on a shelf above the Kharta River. Overnight in Landrubling. Day 07: Landrubling to Jorpokhari (4,268m/14,000 ft): 3 - 4 hours On our journey from Landrubling to Jorpokhari, we will be walking along a ridge on moraines. This is a short trip that will help us to become properly acclimatized to the higher altitude. After walking on the moraines we reach twin lakes, also called Jorpokhari. The twin lakes are located below the Shao La Pass. Day 08: Jorpokhari to Joksum 4040m across Shao la pass (4,800m/15,700ft): 6 - 7 hours We ascend steadily over rocky grounds to reach the Shao La Pass (4,800m/15,748ft). From the top of the pass, we get to enjoy mesmerizing views of Mt. Everest (8,848m/29,029ft), Cho Oyu (8,201m/26,906ft), Makalu (8,481m/27,825ft), and other high Himalayan peaks. We descend down again through the rocky slopes and notice the change in the scenery as it changes from barren, rocky slopes to lush rhododendron, birch, and willow trees. We walk further down the valley through thick fir and juniper forests and reach Joksum. Day 09: Joksum to Sumthang (4,420m/14,500ft): 5 - 6 hours We hike on a steep trail through juniper and rhododendron forests to reach high pastures above the Kama River. From here, we have splendid views of Mt. Everest and Lhotse; and of high ridges south of the Kama River. We continue with our trail and pass through alpine meadows, yak herders’ camps and a serene green lake. We then reach Sumthang, a large meadow with great views of the Khangshung Valley. Day 10: Sumthang to Pethang (4,240m/13,907ft): 5 - 6 hours We climb on a ridge up the Khangshung Valley. Then, descend down through rhododendron and conifer trees. We enjoy the wonderful views of Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar and other high mountains. As we climb higher, the vegetation starts getting increasingly thinner and we come closer to the Everest's Kangshung face. We enter the Kangshung Valley, drained by the Kangshung stream and cross it. We ascend further more until we arrive at our campsite in Pethang. Day 11: Pethang to Pethang Ringmo (4,880m/16,000ft): 4 - 5 hours We climb the Kangshung Valley glacier rim along the moraines. This is one of the steepest sections of the climb. The huge faces of Mt. Everest and Lhotse now appear to dominate the sky. Mt. Chomo Lonzo (7,790m) also appears very close. At the end of the lake, there is a cave believed to be the meditation retreat of Padmasambhava. Ascending further higher, passing the bend of Orga, we arrive at our next campsite. Day 12: Discover Pethang Ringmo and Khangshung Valley Today is set aside for acclimatization and looking at the views. We hike along the glacier and discover the Kangshung base camp (5,185m/17,000ft) from where Everest is climbed from the eastern side – the sheer Kangshung face. The place is surrounded by Himalayas and the view of Kangshung face and Lhotse appear spectacular. Towards the north of camp, there are two lakes on a ridge overlooking the Kangshung Valley. We may even take an excursion to this place which is on the Nepalese side of the border overlooking the Makalu base camp area. Day 13: Buffer Day for Contingency We keep a day in reserve for any contingency. There is no such guarantee of favorable weather; therefore, this day is set aside in case we are unable to complete our schedule. However, if the trip does go smoothly, this day will most likely be skipped. Day 14: Pethang Ringmo to Rabka Chu: 6 - 7 hours Retracing our steps down the valley along the Kangshung Glaciers, we cross a rock slide opposite the Chomolonzo glacier, and pass Pethang to a stream crossing at the Rabka Chu. The camp (4,120m/13,500ft) on the grassy meadow across the river is a pleasant place to spend the afternoon. With 4 hours of 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 (4,940m/16,200ft), then descends steeply to the lake. Day 15: Rabka Chu to Tso Tshuringma (4,880m/16,000 ft): 4 - 5 hours We return via Opka Rabka Chu. We can climb uphill to a small meadow. Crossing the great moors of Mt. Karma Changri and glacier in the background, we camp at Lake Tso Tshuringma. The horizon in the south is still blocked by the mass of Makalu. There is a possibility that we also may get to see nomad camps in the area. We 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 (5,320m/17,454ft). Day 16: Tsho Tshurigma to Troshay (4,270m/14,000ft): 6 - 7 hours We climb over steep rocky grounds to reach the Langma La Pass (5,320m/ 17,454ft), the trail leading a climb between slabs of rock. Huge prayer flags hang on the cliffs overlooking the pass. They are hung in memory of the spirits and deities of the Bon people living in the area. From Langma La, we bid farewell to the Khangshung Valley and the impressive panorama of some of the world's highest mountains. We plunge ahead through a moraine and glaciated valley. We descend steeply for a few hours on the trail and encounter repeated passages of nomadic yak caravans. Our camp is on a grassy meadow beside a clear stream in Troshay. Day 17 Troshay to Rongbuk (5,050m/16,564ft): 4 hours Trek and 2 hours drive Trek ends From Troshay we trek back to Kharta then drive to Rongbuk. . The trail is a steep descend to the village of Lhundupling. We cross the river below Yulba village and are back to the place we started our trek. We then drive towards Rongbuk. We enjoy the mountain landscape on our drive as the valley gets wider and the settlement thicker. At one bend, the huge north face of Everest suddenly appears in the horizon. After checking in at our hotel in Rongbuk in the afternoon, we visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery is the world. Day 18: Rongbuk to Zhangmu (2,300m/7,544ft) with a visit to the Everest Base Camp: 257 km, 5 hours We leave Rongbuk in the morning to visit the Everest Base Camp (5,250m/17,220ft). On the way, we enjoy spectacular views of high mountains like Cho Oyu (8,201m/26,906ft), Shishapangma (8,013m/26,289ft) and, of course, the mighty Everest (8,848m/29,028ft) also known as Mt. Chomolongma in the Tibetan side. Today, we accomplish one of the major highlights of our trip, reaching the base camp of Mt. Everest. We make approximately a 16km round trip around the Everest Base Camp. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the view of Everest is more than compensating. After spending some quality time at the base of the world’s highest mountain, we make Zhangmu our next destination. Day 19: Zhangmu to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft) - 123 km, 4 hours A few kilometers drive from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge over the Bhote Koshi River brings us to immigration control in Kodari where we are expected to complete some custom formalities. We then depart with our Tibetan guide and walk across the river where a Nepalese staff will be waiting for us. After around 4 hours of driving through deep valleys, we reach Kathmandu.
Dates for this trek will be intimated
COSTS
USD 3600 per person Kathmandu to Kathmandu
The cost is per person Kathmandu to Kathmandu as per the itinerary given.
Costs given above are at current rates of 2025 and may change without notice in case park fees, other costs go up.
Costs include:
- All transport including airport pick up, drop, to the start and from the finish of the trek all internal transport in Tibet from Lhasa to the trek and then to Kathmandu by road.
- All hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis from Lhasa to the start of the trek ( Days 1 to Day 5) and again Days 17 to 19.
- Tents on the trek on twin sharing basis.
- All meals on trek.
- Cost of guides and yaks/ porters for your duffle bag on the trek. Please keep the duffle bag within 11-12 kgs as possible.
- All per day park fees, porter and guide fees, and other permit costs are included.
Costs not included
- Chinese visa and Tibet permit not included.
- Lunch and Dinner not included in Lhasa – meals included in the rest of the trek.
- Alcohol, cold drinks (coca cola, sprite, beer), juices, ice cream, bottled water etc not included.
- Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation insurance and costs if needed.
- Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
- Kathmandu to Lhasa one way air fare not included.
- Air Fares from resident country to Kathmandu and back.
- Tips to porters and guide at the end of trek</