A thorough exploration of the northern and remote eastern approach to Everest. Whilst thousands toil to the southern (Nepalese) side of Everest, it is from the Tibetan side that Everest reveals her true majesty. We begin our expedition with a flight across the Himalayas to the ‘forbidden’ city of Lhasa. After two days of sightseeing and acclimatization we drive across the Tibetan plateau – the world’s highest country – to the village of Kharta. The approach to the Kangshung Face is close to the northern end of the Arun River gorge. This beautiful valley lies east-west across a 5000m pass set in subtropical forest with Makalu, the world’s 5th highest mountain, as a backdrop. We then spend twelve days trekking up the KangshungValley. On our return to the vehicles we drive around to the famous Rongbuk Monastery and the stupendous North Face of Mount Everest. Finally we overland towards Friendship Bridge and Kathmandu.

Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu

Today is your arrival day we welcome you upon your arrival at Kathmandu’sTribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu or your choice of Hotel in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur).Arrival city briefing follows after Hotel check in concerning the necessary formalities on your tour and trek program. Depending upon your arrival time you may spend free time visiting nearby historic/Countryside areas or resting.

Day 02 - Half Day Cultural Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu World Heritage sights where your guide will accompany you on a tour of UNESCO enlisted Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kapan Monastery and the unique fusion shrines of Newari architectural Hinduism and Buddhism reflecting ancient golden era of the glories. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest with your guide or in your own or take a rest. Our Trek Leader/Guide meets you in the afternoon for the trek briefing while we finalize your VISA. In the evening sample a delicious traditional Nepali Welcome dinner in authentic Nepali Restaurant with the cultural dances that represents different customs and music instruments of Nepal. Private vehicle is there for you to pick up and drop in Hotel with our staff. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03 - Kathmandu - Lhasa (3950m) Flight

The flight across the Himalayas passes between Makalu and Kanchenjunga (the world’s 3rd highest mountain). This is a rare opportunity to cross the Himalayas so keep your camera handy! On arrival in Tibet we drive to Lhasa and transfer to the Himalaya Hotel. The city’s streets are narrow, with whitewashed stone houses whose walls slope inwards as they rise. Windows are framed in black trapezoids, with protruding fan-shaped eaves above. Many houses have brightly painted woodwork. In contrast ‘New Lhasa’, the Chinese-built district, was constructed in the last thirty years around the base of the Potala. It is characterised by straight, broad streets and utilitarian buildings that house Chinese-style department stores and all kinds of government houses. The ‘Revolutionary Museum’ below the Potala displays evidence of the economic and social change that China has brought about since her invasion. In spite of its forced pace of modernisation, Lhasa has not yet lost its soul. It remains a friendly city where a Tibetan will always return your smile.

In the afternoon we visit Jokhang Square, the heart of old Lhasa to see people engagaed in the ‘Evening Prayer’ - circumambulating Barkhor or Linkhor, the inner and outer street circles.

Day 04 - Sightseeing in Lhasa

We visit the Potala Palace. This architectural wonder - a spectacular edifice whose gold roofs soar high above the town and rise more than 300 meters above the valley floor - can be seen from in all directions for miles around. The present Potala was built mainly in the Fifth Dalai Lama’s reign between 1645 - 1693. Until recently it remained the centre of political and religious power for the Dalai Lamas. With over one thousand rooms, it contained the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas while they lived, and their magnificent golden tombs when they died. Tegents, tutors and other high lamas had apartments. A huge printing house and a seminary was run by the elite order of monks in order to train the government officials. Hundreds of elaborately decorated chapels and shrines, halls and corridors contain thousands of gilded statues - Tibet's pantheon of Buddhas, Boddisattvas, saints and demons. Today the Potala is a state museum with 35 caretaker-monks, but to many thousands of Tibetan pilgrims it remains a beloved shrine.

In the afternoon we visit Norbulingka and Jokhang monasteries. Norbulingka - theJewel Park - contains the summer palaces of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas and is characterised by its spacious walled garden, the main throne hall, an audience hall, the Dalai Lama's private apartment and his mother's apartment. Jokhang, the spiritual centre of Tibet, is a most holy place and has been a focal point for millions of Tibetan pilgrims. The oldest part of the building dates back from the 7th century AD. Legend says that Songtsen Gampo, who built the temple, threw his ring into the air, promising to build a temple wherever it landed. The ring fell into a lake and struck a rock whereupon a white stupa miraculously appeared - an auspicious sign. Even today a pool exists under the Jokhang's main courtyard.

Day 05 - Sightseeing in Lhasa

We visit Drepung monastery which lies a few kilometres west of Lhasa. Drepung means ‘Rice Heap’, so-called because of the jumble of white buildings piled up against the slope of Mount Gyengbuwudze. Drepung was the biggest and richest monastery in Tibet and housed the ‘Nechung’, the State Oracle. Founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa it had over ten thousand monks and governed seven hundred subsidiary monasteries. The monastery was divided into four Tantric Colleges which, at the highest level, specialized in different branches of knowledge. Each had its own chanting hall, dormitories, kitchens and offices. The entire monasticcommunity assembled only for special ceremonies. Murals decorate many of the walls. Today, about four hundred monks and novices live there, and their orchards turn a reasonable profit.

In the afternoon we visit Sera monastery. Sera meaning ‘Merciful Hail’ and lies on the northern edge of Lhasa. Its name denotes its rivalry with the Drepung since hail destroys rice. Founded in 1419 by one of Tsongkhapa's eight disciples, it became famous for its tantric teachings. The warrior monks of Sera, the ‘Dob-Dobs’, were admired as athletes but also feared. A central lane and fairly simple layout make Sera easy to explore. A long driveway leads up to the monastery. Sera had three colleges but the chanting halls and chapels seem dark and more demonic. Today it houses some three hundred monks and some of its buildings include farms.

Day 06 - DriveLhasa - Gyantse (3950).

A long drive across two 5000m passes is necessary before we catch our first sight of Gyantse in the afternoon. Gyantse is a small bustling town steeped in history. In the 15th Century it served as a capital of a small kingdom, and was the focal point for Younghusband’s British Expedition to Tibet in 1904 when his soldiers defeated 5000 Tibetans. The fort was destroyed by cannon fire.

Day 07 - Drive Gyantse - Xigatse (3900m).

This morning we settle back for the short drive to Xigatse. In the afternoon we visit the Tashi Lumpu Monastery and its attendant 26m-high temple of the future Buddha. There is the market and old town to explore, too. The nearby Tashi Lumpu Monastery was the seat of the Panchen Lama until his death in 1989.

Day 08 - Drive Xigatse - Xegar (4350m).

Road conditions permitting, we may be able to detour to one of Tibet’s oldest and most important Bon Po monasteries at Sakya. We pass through Lhatze around lunchtime and after another 5000m pass is crossed, Xegar (Shegar) is reached in the afternoon.

Day 09 - Drive Xegar - Kharta (3750m).

From Xegar the road turns south and crosses the 5000m Pang La. If the weather is good, this pass provides one of the finest mountain vistas on earth. Spread out in front of us is the long crest of Himalayas, including Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang, Cho Oyu, and finally Shishapangma. The road snakes down to theZakar River Valley and branches off southwest to the Rongbuk Valley (which we will be visiting in a couple of weeks’ time) and southwest to the village of Kharta. We head through alpine desert, past some stunning sharp peaks, to the village headquarters where we finalise our arrangements for yaks and yak drivers. A short drive up the Kharta valley brings us to a riverside camp. The air here is more moist than it has been on the high plateau, as warm air is being sucked from the nearby valleys in Nepal. (One of those valleys is the Arun, which contains one of Nepal's great rivers).

Day 10 - Start Trek From Kharta Valley to The Valley of the Lakes (4200m)

Our first day of trekking begins with a gentle hike up the Kharta valley until we leave the prosperous farmhouse and fields behind. After lunch we turn south and ascend to our camp in The Valley of Lakes.

Day 11- Valley of the Lakes to Field of the Marigolds (4590m).

We follow the chain of alpine lakes before beginning the climb to the Shao La (4800m). Weather permitting we will have a stupendous view across to Makalu and Chomolonzo. We then descend to an expansive camp, known as the ‘Field of the Marigolds’ by the Tibetans.

Day 12- The Field of the Marigolds to Kasho Ri Camp (4350m).

As we descend the tundra gives way to greens golds and pastel reds of juniper, silver fir, mountain ash, and rhododendron. At the end of this short day we make camp near the mouth of a side valley

That plunges a thousand feet to the Kama River. Across the Kama Valley, wonderfully foreshortened, is a soaring buttress called the Kasho Ri, and above that,Makalu.

Day 13 - Kasho Ri Camp - Lake Camp (4350m).

We begin this day with a steep winding climb through a Japanese woodblock forest. We contour above the Kama Valley, through dwarf rhododendron and coquettish blue primula. Looking down the valley we can see Nepal, whilst across from us looms a mountain wall, dripping with hanging glaciers. Ahead of us is our first view of Everest. We camp by a pretty lake; just over a rise peek the summits of Chomolonzo, Lhotse, and Everest.

Day 14 - Lake Camp to Kangshung Valley camp (4200m)

We continue contouring to a spot called Sakyetang. From here we look directly into the Kangshung Valley, named after the glacier that begins at the foot of Everest. From this spot three of the world’s five highest mountains can be seen. From Sakyetang we drop down to the meeting place of the Kangshung and Kama valleys, cross a bridge, and hike into the Kangshung Valley proper, camping in a clearing surrounded by dense foliage.

Day 15 - Kangshung Valley Camp to Pethang Ringmo (4900m)

We ascend gradually on a pleasant trail through willows and windflowers. After crossing a landslide - caused a decade ago by the slow collision of the Kandongshung Glacier with the mountainside we're walking on - we reach a meadow moraine shelf above the tumbling grey mass of the Kangshung Glacier. A little further on is our high camp, Pethang Ringmo. Pethang Ringmo was discovered by George Mallory and G.H. Bullock on the first reconnaissance to the region in the 1920’s. Everest from here fills the head of the valley with a most formidable circle of cliffs overhung by hanging glaciers.

Day 16 - Pethang Ringmo - Rest day.

The more energetic can push forward closer to Everest and climb the high ridge to the north, which overlooks the Kangshung and Upper Kharta Tsangpo valleys.

Day 17 - Pethang Ringmo - River Camp (4100m).

We retrace our steps down the valley to a leafy riverside camp.

Day 18 - River Camp - Lake Camp (4890)

We climb steeply to a point near Sakyetang, then contour northward, the whole Everest extravaganza behind us, and ascend to a camp next to a lake.

Day 19 - Lake Camp - Langma La (5190m) - Rock Glacier Camp (4500m)

We climb the Langma La for final views of Everest, and then descend to camp, passing a rare rock glacier on the way.

Day 20 - Excursion Day in Rock Glacier Camp

Day 21 - Rock Glacier Camp to Kharta - Rongbuk Glacier (5200m)

We walk back the last few kilometres to Kharta and then jump in the vehicles for the drive to the famous Rongbuk monastery. It’s a bumpy ride but well worth the discomfort as the entire North Face wings into view. A tour of the monastery is sometimes possible.

Day 22 - Rongbuk Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5200m)

The views from here are simply astounding. Everest completely dominates the surroundings, yet she is still 21km away! On the right-side of the mountain is the long snowy arm of the West Shoulder; the West Ridge is in profile. On the extreme right-hand edge of the North Face is the Hornbein Couloir, followed almost directly below the summit by the Great Couloir. The rocky ridge skylined running to the summit is

The infamous Northeast ridge, whose ‘pinnacles’ were first cracked by Harry Taylor and Russell Brice in the 1980’s. The entire ridge all the way to the summit was siege to oblivion by a successful Japanese team in the spring of 1995. The most popular route of ascent, the North Col & North Ridge (which join the Northeast Ridge just below the pinnacles), is hidden from view by mighty Changtse, Everest’s Northern Peak which stands in front and to the left of her higher sister. We enjoy a day of trekking in the area, looked after by Mountain Travel Nepal Sherpas and cooks.

Day 23 - Everest Base Camp to Old Tingri

This is the short Drive out to Old Tingri from Everest Base Camp via the Rongbuk Monastery.Old Tingri is the famous wet land valley where one can see the colourful Birds and the Holy Stork.

Day24 - Old Tingri to Nyalam or Zhangmu

One more exciting day of overland driving across the world’s highest country eventually deposits us in the shanty border town of Zangmu. After a final night in a Chinese ‘hotel’ we cross the border at the Friendship Bridge for the half-day drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 25 - Drive to Kathmandu

We will leave Zhangmu in the morning and head to the Nepalese border. TheFriendship Bridge lies at the Border of China and Nepal and is only a few kilometers from Zhangmu. It spans the impressive Bhote Koshi River. Sadly we must say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver at this point. Our Nepalese staff will meet you at the immigration Control in Kodari and help with all the reentry formalities. The city of Kathmandu, our end destination, lies only five hours to the south.

Day 26 - Leisure in Kathmandu

Leisure Time in Kathmandu. It’s indeed time for the souvenir hunting around Kathmandu’s noted places having optional trip to tranquil historic Heritages in your own or with us or  with our versatile guide. We provide extra drive and drop services anywhere.

Day 27 - Depart Kathmandu

Our Tour officer meets you in Hotel for the Departure Transfer to Kathmandu’sInternational Airport. We will be always welcoming you back to Nepal for various other stunning Trekkings or looking forward to serving you in our other country travel arrangements.

The Tour Cost Includes:

-All the International Arrival and Departure Transfers

-Pre and Post Tour 4 Star Hotel Accommodations in Kathmandu

-Three Star and Equivalent Hotel Accommodations in BB in Tibet, Guest

Houses and Camping Accommodations.

-Domestic Flight To Nepalgunj and Simikot and the Airport Taxes

-Lhasa - Kathmandu Flight

-Half Day Guided World Heritage Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Entrance

Fees and Transportation

- Full Service Camping Mt. Kailash Trekking, Twin sharing Tent Accomodation

with Sleeping bag,Foam mattresses,  Full Board Meals, Required Equipments,

Shower Tent and Toilet Tent Included, Yaks and Yak men, Cook, Staff  and

Trekking Equipment Truck

-Authentic Nepali Welcome Dinner in Kathmandu

-All the Tour, Trekking and Monastery, Palace, Travel Permits and

Entrance Fess in Tibet

-Expert English Speaking Guide in Tibet and in Nepal, 4WD Land cruiser

everyday in Tibet.

-Tibetan Experienced Guide with Nepali Camping Trek Supporters

-Field staff Insurances

-Down Jackets, Sleeping bag, duffel bag, facilities on loan

-Quick Rescue supporting services in case of Emergencies

- Communication services in case of Emergency / Satellite Phone can be

used in Loan

-Tibet VISA processing arrangement in Nepal

-Applicable government Taxes

-Himalayan Eco Trek Team Management

-Tibet Agent Management Services

The Trek cost excludes

--All the personal expenses like Alcoholic beverages, Bottled drinks etc.

--Medical and Travel Insurances

--International Airfare and taxes to / from Nepal

--Nepal and Tibet Visa Fees

--Photography permits inside the Monasteries in Tibet

--Gratuities / Tips

--Emergency Helicopter Rescue charges

--Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and in Tibet Tour