TREKKING IN TIBET

Yes, the Himalayan Railway of Darjeeling which is more than 150 years old is still functioning. Visitors can take a short ride on toy train (steam engine) which is about 14 kms to and fro journey from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back. Those who are interested for a long ride can board on toy train (Diesel engine) which goes to N.J.P station - one way journey 87km 6 - 7 hrs which is near Siliguri.

"Many people in the west think Tibet is like the Jhang Thang - A Desolate, cold, windswept desert on the roof of the world - but an unusually diverse and strikingly beautiful landscapes of snowcapped summits, lush rhododendron and conifer forests, and fertile agricultural valley also lies beyond the Himalayas" wrote Gary McCue in his trekking guide book Trekking in Tibet giving the true picture of Tibet.

Tibet enjoys some of the greatest and least spoiled trekking country on Earth. The Himalayas stretch for almost 1,900 miles (3,000 km) along its southern border and the Karakoram stretch along its western borders. You can find all fourteen of the world's tallest mountains between these two mountain ranges. Northern Tibet is high and arid and is known as the Chang Tang or "Northern Plains." Eastern Tibet is home to three of Asia's largest rivers and is bound by a succession of mountains.

With an unusually diverse and strikingly beautiful landscape of snowcapped summits, lush rhododendron and conifer forests and fertile agricultural valleys, Tibet has some of the world's most interesting country-side to explore.

When to trek in Tibet?

The best season for trekking in Tibet is from May through the end of October. Among it, August/September is consider to be the superb. Especially Mt. Kailash is good to visit at this time. The weather during these months is surprisingly mild, with warm days and cool to chilly nights in the mountains. The monsoon season is July to August when more than half of Tibet's annual precipitation occurs. This is also when the mountains come alive with greenery and the alpine areas become lush with wildflowers and blooming bushes. In September the days are cooler and the willow and poplar leaves begin to turn yellow. October and November brings sunny days and clear crisp nights with temperatures often near freezing. The coldest time of the year is December through February, but this is also a time when Tibet experiences extended periods of clear sunny weather. In the high mountain areas the snowfall is generally too high to consider winter treks.

RTK 01 SHISAPANGMA BASE CAMP TREKKING (07 Nights/08 Days)

Grade: moderate to fairly strenuous

Best Season: May through end of September

RTK 02 MT. NAMCHE BARWA & TSANGPO GORGE TREK (12 Nights/13 Days)

Grade: moderate

Best Season: Late May to September

RTK 03 GANDEN SAMYE TREKKING (13 Nights/14 Days)

Grade: moderate

Best Season: Late April to late October

RTK 04 SHALU-NARTHANG TREK (13 Nights/14 Days)

Grade: moderate to fairly strenuous

Best Season: May through end of September

RTK 05 EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK (15 Nights/16 Days)

Grade: moderate

Best Season: May, August and September

RTK 06 LAPCHI REGION (15 Nights/16 Days)

Grade: moderate to fairly strenuous

Best Season: May - September

RTK 07 LAKE NAMTSO TREK (16 Nights/17 Days)

Grade: moderate to fairly strenuous

Best Season: late May to Mid of October (Except July, August)

RTK 08 KHANGSHUNG FACE AND KHARTA VALLEY TREK (17 Nights/18 Days)

Grade: moderate to fairly strenuous

Best Season: May through end of September

RTK 01 SHISAPANGMA BASE CAMP TREKKING (07 Nights/08 Days)

Shisapangma means "the big grassy field" in Tibetan, and is the only 8000 meter peak that lies wholly within Tibet's borders. For a very long time it was relatively unknown as it is mostly hidden from Nepal by the Jugal Himal Mountain Range. The first summit attempt was made in 1964 by a Chinese expedition group on the north side of the mountain. Today Shisapangma is one of the easiest 8000-meter peaks to visit. It towers impressively near Nyalam Thong-La Pass.

Fifty kilometers west of the Friendship Highway is the North Shishpangma Base Camp. We begin our trip overland from Kathmandu to Nyalam where we spend a day to acclimatize. We continue by road to the high pass of Nyalam Thong-La (Lablung-La, 5100m). After crossing this pass we turn west toward our destination, Shisapangma Base Camp.

The camp is wedged between a ridge and the river that gets its water from Shisapangma's Yambukangala Glacier (the main ice flow in this side of the mountain). We will then hike to the Advanced Base Camp and the nose of the glacier, following the crest of the ridge to provide excellent views of the entire Shisapangma and Peiku Lake region. The base camp is so far from the glacier that most people can not reach the Advanced Base Camp and return the same day.

Day 01: Drive, Kathmandu - Zhangmu (2230 m)

Day 02: Drive, Zhangmu - Nyalam (3750 m) / acclimatization day

Day 03: Drive, Nyalam - Shisapangma Base Camp (4700 m)

Day 04: Trekking around Shisapangma Base Camp

Day 05: Trekking around Shisapangma Base Camp

Day 06: Shisapangma Base Camp - Peiku lake

Day 07: Peiku Lake - Nyalam (3750 m)

Day 08: Drive, Nyalam - Zhang-Mu then continue to Kathmandu

RTK 02 MT. NAMCHE BARWA & TSANGPO GORGE TREK (12 Nights / 13 Days)

After several unsuccessful attempts, Mt. Namcha Barwa (7756 m) was eventually summitted on the 30th of October 1992 by a joint Chinese-Japanese expedition team. Located in the lush forested valleys of southeastern Tibet, its bulk causes the east-flowing Tsangpo River (the highest flowing river on Earth) to loop around the mountain and flow south towards India where it becomes the mighty Brahmaputra.

Beginning in Lhasa and taking a preliminary route through Samye and Tsedang, we follow the course of the Tsangpo close to the disputed Indian border area to arrive at the village of Lusha near a big bend in the river. Passing through villages of the Loba people, a Tibetan minority group, we make our way through the forested region of Pei to the Namcha Barwa Base Camp. The relatively low altitude of the base camp (1600 m) affords us an incredible view of the vertical snowcapped peak of Namcha Barwa (7756 m). After a circumambulation of the holy mountain of Atsom Neh, we continue to the Gyala monastery before making our return to Lhasa via Gongbu Jiangda and Ganden.

Day 01: Arrival in Chengdu

Arrival in Chengdu airport, meet our local representatives and transfer to the hotel. Free day. Overnight stay in Chengdu.

Day 02: Chengdu - Lhasa.

Breakfast in Hotel and transfer to the Chengdu airport to catch the flight towards Lhasa. Arrival in Lhasa airport, meet our local guide and transfer to Lhasa city. Free day to relax and acclimatize yourself. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Day 03: Lhasa.

Day 04: Lhasa.

Day 05: Lhasa - Bayi. (464km)

After breakfast drive to military based town Bayi which is currently become the capital of Nyingchi district. Bayi is a base for wool and timber production in Tibet Autonomous Region. North of Bayi, Bajie village lies on the edge of a dense forest of Rhododendrons and 2500 years old cypress trees. Around in May, we can enjoy the rhododendron forest in full bloom. Overnight stay in Bayi

Day 06: Bayi - Pailong.

After breakfast drive to Pailong, a Menba minority village. The Menba minority has a population of approximately 7500 in Tibet. Their history was recorded on the stone inscription of early 9th century which was erected in front of the Jokhang temple of Lhasa. Menba people are basically mountain herders and also depend upon agriculture and hunting. Their way of life, culture and language are similar as Tibetan and are Lama Buddhists. We stop our driving journey at the end of the village and do camping and preparation for trekking. Overnight stay in tented camp.

Day 07: Pailong - Tsaqu.

After breakfast we depart from Pailong village towards Tsaqu. Following Palong Zangpu River, Enjoying virgin forests and landscapes, crossing Menba minority village of near of great turning of yarlung Zangpo River and Palong Zang pu river,crossing hanging bridges, enjoying the hot spring near of Yumei village and finally we reach in Tsaqu. Overnight stay in tented camp.

Day 08: Tsaqu.

Today after breakfast we start our trekking excursion around in bent of great canyon. Back to Tsaqu for overnight stay.

Day 09: Tsaqu.

Today after breakfast we do excursion around in the villages of Menba minority village. Back to Tsaqu for overnight stay.

Day 10:Tsaqu - Pailong.

Early morning after breakfast we start trek back towards Pailong village where our car and truck is waiting. Overnight stay in tented camp at Pailong village.

Day 11: Pailong - Bayi.

Day 12: Bayi - Lhasa.

Day 13: Final departure or extend the tour.

RTK 03 GANDEN SAMYE TREKKING (13 Nights/14 Days)

This trek is one of the most beautiful trek in Tibet which makes it the busiest trekking route. The Trek starts from the Ganden Monastery area, some 60 kms from Lhasa. We arrive Gonggar airport either from Kathmandu or Chengdu. Or even we have option of going overland to Lhasa from Kathmandu. After reaching Lhasa we spend at least 2-3 days in Lhasa for acclimatization doing local sightseeing before heading to Ganden Area where we spend another 2 days for acclimatization purpose with short day hikes.

Even though the route is very popular the walking is very tough. We start our trek from 4250m at Ganden and head toward the Samye Monastery. The average trekking period is 5 days walking 5-6 hours each day. The highest pass we cross is Shogu La at 5240m. Our overnights halts in between are, Hegu, Jookar, Rockey Junction, Nenggong, Chimpu, Samye and to Tsedang or Gonggar for flight back to Kathmandu or to China.

Day 01: Upon arrival to Kathmandu. We will meet you and transfer you to hotel.

Day 02: Tibet visa preparation day and half day sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa. On arrive Lhasa our Tibetan guide will transfer you to Lhasa hotel. free day for acclimitazation.

Day 04: Lhasa sightseeing to Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Jokhang temple

Day 05: Lhasa sightseeing to Drephung and Sera Monastery and Bakhor Square.

Day 06: Drive to Ganden Monastery / Distance=45km, Altitude= 4350m / camping

Day 07: Trek to Yamdo Time=5-6 hours, Distance= 17km / Camping

Day 08: Trek to Tsotup-chu valley Time=5-7hours, Distance= 10km / camping.

Day 09: Trek to Herder camp Time= 5 hours, Distnace= 14km / camping.

Day 10: Trek to Samye Monastery Time=10hoursDistnace= 39km (we can stay one more day)

Day 11: Explore Samye Monastery and drive to Tsedang

Day 12: Sightseeing in Tsedang to visit Yumbulakhang Palace,Tradruk Monastery

Day 13: Drive to Gorger airport flight to next destination. Or fly to Kathamandu

Day 14: Free day or drive to international airport to fly back home or next destination.

RTK 04 SHALU-NARTHANG TREK (13 Nights/14 Days)

Shalu –Narthang Trek is one of the most popular trek which falls on north of friendship highway. We cross two passes Showa La and Cha La pass while trekking. At the begging we start with Shalu Monastery and almost to the end of trek we visit Narthang Monastery.

Day 01: Upon arrival to Kathmandu. We will meet you and transfer you to hotel.

Day 02: Tibet visa preparation day and half day sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Arrived Lhasa and drop to hotel and free day

Day 04: Lhasa sightseeing to Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Jokhang temple

Day 05: Lhasa sigthseeing to Drephung, Sera Monastery and Bakhor square.

Day 06: Drive to Gyantse via Yamdrok lake Distance= 260km, Altitude= 3950m

Day 07: Drive to Shalu Monastery and rest day

Day 08: Trek to Upper Lungsang /Time: 5-6hours, Distnace=14km

Day 09: Trek to Ngor monastery/ Time: 4hours, Distance= 8km

Day 10: Trek to Narthang Monastery and drive to Sigantse/Time: 5hours, Distance= 18 km.

Day 11: Drive to Shegar via Shakya Monastery. / Distance=240km, Altitude= 4250m

Day 12: Drive to Rongbukm Monastery / Distance=102 km, Altitude=4900m

Day 13: Trek to Everest Base Camp and drive to Zhangmu Distance=240m, Altitude= 2600m

Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu 123km 1300m

RTK 05 EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK (15 Nights/16 Days)

Trekking to base camp of the world’s tallest peak, the Mt. Everest (8,848m) is a thrilling experience in itself. Starting from Kathmandu with a flight to Lhasa, the aerial views of some of the highest mountains Langtang, Jugal Himal, Gaurishankar, Melungtse are spectacular.

Day 01: Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650 m) / transported to hotel / Free time in Lhasa

Day 02: Lhasa tour

Day 03: Lhasa tour

Day 04: Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (3950 m)

Day 05: Gyantse - Shigatse (3900 m), via Shalu Monastery

Day 06: Shigatse - Lhatse (3050 m) via Sakya (3950 m)

Day 07: Lhatse - Xegar (4500 m)

Day 08 - 11: Trek to Everest Base Camp via Pang La and Phadhruchi

Day 12 & 13: Trek around Everest Base Camp

Day 14: Everest Base Camp - Old Tingri (4310 m)

Day 15: Tingri - Nyalam (3750 m)

Day 16: Drive to Zhangmu, cross the border then drive back to Kathmandu

RTK 06 LAPCHI REGION (15 Nights/16 Days)

Southwest of Tingri and east of Nyalam lies the sacred Lapchi, also known as Milarepa's Hermitage. Milarepa, a famous Tibetan yogi, poet and singer, lived in this region, thus making it the most sacred destination in Tibet after Kailash and Tsari. There are many cave hermitages in Lapchi; the most famous belonged to Milarepa.

Our trek begins in Pelgyeling (near Nyalam) along the Friendship Highway. From here we trek to Tashigang, where we will see the cave of Sang Phuk and a chapel founded by Dhuldzin Rinpoche, via Jamgang La (Kang-La) to Lapchi. We'll spend a day exploring Lapchi and then return to Nyalam by retracing our steps.

You could also begin this trek in Kodari as Nyalam is only 35 kilometers from this Nepalese border town. You will need five hours to drive from Kathmandu to Kodari if you choose this route. It is also possible to fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu (as indicated in our sample itinerary) or mainland China and then travel to Tashigang via Gyantse and Shigatse by 4WD.

Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650 m) / Overnight in hotel

Day 02: Lhasa tour

Day 03: Lhasa tour

Day 04: A full-day sightseeing trip to Ganden Monastery / Overnight in Lhasa hotel

Day 05: Drive to Tsurpu Monastery / Overnight in guesthouse in Yangpacheng or Tsurpu

Day 06: Tsurpu Monastery

Day 07: Drive back to Lhasa / Free time in the afternoon

Day 08: Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (3950 m) via Yamdrok Lake

Day 09: Gyantse - Shigatse (3900 m)

Day 10: Shigatse - Tingri (4330 m)

Day 11: Tingri - Nyalam (3750 m)

Day 12-14: Commence trekking from Nyalam-Tashigang-Jamgangla-Lapchi, visit Milarepa's Caves / Overnight camping

Day 15: Back to Nyalam

Day 16: Drive to Zhangmu, cross border then drive back to Kathmandu

RTK 07 LAKE NAMTSO TREK (16 Nights/17 Days)

Situated 190 km north of Lhasa, Nam Tso Lake is one of Tibet's most famous pilgrimage lakes. In Tibetan language its name means 'sky lake.' It is a sanctuary for many migratory and local bird species. This is the second largest saltwater lake in China, measuring approximately 70 kilometers long by 30 kilometers wide.

Trekking across the Menace Thanglha Mountains to the pebbled shores of the holy Nam Tso takes 6 to 7 days. The trek commences and ends at Damzhung Valley, which is situated 160 km north of Lhasa on the Tibet-Quinghai Highway. The spectacular trek climbs out of the Damzhung Valley via Largen-La (4970 m) then descends to the mystical environs of Tashi Do hermitage and the vast Nam Tso. From Tashi Do, we trek back to the Damzhung Valley via the remote region of Nyenchen Thanglha and the Kang-La (5150 m) pass. The best season for trekking in Nam Tso Lake is late May to Mid-October, however you must be prepared at all times for wet weather, snow and cold winds. The summer rains can be quite persistent during July and August; occasionally snowfall blocks passage at Largen-La.

According to your time frame, we can customize the trekking program to take between 2 to 7 days or more. You can combine the Nam Tso Lake Trek with a Lhasa Tour (as indicated in the sample itinerary below) or any other Tibet tour that ends or commences in Lhasa.

Day 01: Upon arrival to Kathmandu. We will meet you and transfer you to hotel.

Day 02: Tibet visa preparation day and half day sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Arrive Lhasa and drop to hotel and free day

Day 04: Lhasa sightseeing to Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace, Jokhang temple

Day 05: Lhasa sigthseeing to Drephung and Sera Monastery and Bakhor Square.

Day 06: Drive to Largen la ad star the trek

Day 07: Trek to Namtso lake

Day 08: Trek to Namtso lake

Day 09: Trek to Namtso lake

Day 10: Trek to Largen and drive back to Lhasa

Day 11: Rest day at Lhasa

Day 12: Drive to Gyantse 280km 3950m via Mindroling Monastery and Yamdrok lake.

Day 13: Drive to Shegatse 90km 3900m via Shalu Monastery. Day 14-Drive to Shegar 240km 4250m via Sakya Monastery

Day 15: Drive to Rumbuk Monastery 102km 4900m

Day 16: Trek to Everest Base Camp and drive to Zhangmu 240m 2400m

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu 123km 1300m

RTK 08 KHANGSHUNG FACE AND KHARTA VALLEY TREK (17 Nights/18 Days)

This region, greatly isolated, contains the Himalayan Range of Makalu to the north and the arid Tibetan Plateau to the east. The region is famous for its pristine wilderness, beautiful lakes and superb views of Mt. Makalu, Mt. Karma Changri (6289m) along with the enormous Khangsung Glacier hanging from the east face of Mt. Everest.

The starting point of this trek is Kharta Valley, which is situated 140 kilometer south-east from Xegar. Xegar, known as a gateway to the Everest Region, is found on the Friendship Highway. We trek to the Khangsung face via the Kama Valley, which offers amazing views of Makalu, Chomo Lonzo, Pethangtse, Lhotse and Mt. Everest itself. This is approaching the highest trekking territory on earth, with passes reaching up to 6000 meters.

The Kharta Valley and Khangsung face trek can begin in Zhang-Mu (a Tibetan border town), a mere 4.5-hour drive from Kathmandu. Alternatively, we can begin our journey in Lhasa itself. Both of these option enable travelers in mainland China to participate. Due to its isolation the accommodations on this trek must be camping. The best time to schedule this tour is between May and September. This trek can be combined with our Lhasa tour at your request.

Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, o/n in a hotel

Day 02/03: Sightseeing tour of Lhasa, o/n in a hotel

Day 04: Excursion to Ganden Monastery. (120 Kms, 3hrs, 3650m) o/n in a hotel

Day 05: Drive to Gyantse (275Km, 6hrs, 3790m) o/n in a hotel

Day 06: Sightseeing in Shigatse. via Shalu monastery, (110Km, 2hrs, 3800m) o/n in guesthouse

Day 07: Drive to Yuba (275Km, 6hrs, 3990m) o/n in camp

Day 08: Trek to Lhundrubling (3990m, 21km, 6hrs) walking o/n in camp

Day 09: Cross Shao La (4970m) & trek to Kaamo Tsangpo valley (18kms, 7hrs walking)

Day 10: Trek to Khangsung valley (4300m, 25km, 6hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 11: Trek to Pethang Ringmo (4960m, 24kms, 7hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 12: Pethang Ringmo to Hoppo (4800m, 21km, 5hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 13: Trek to Kangshung base camp (5090m, 18.5km, 5hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 14: Trek to Base of Langma La (4800m, 23Km, 6hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 15: Cross Langma La (5390m) & trek to Lundrubling (3990m, 21km, 7hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 16: Trek to Kharta (3990m) Yuaba camping (19 km, 7hrs walking) o/n in camp

Day 17: Drive to Zhangmu (242km, 5hrs, 1800m) o/n in guesthouse

Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu (5hrs) o/n in a hotel