Beginning in Lhasa we acclimatise and warm up on several runs near Lhasa. We then drive through Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery 7km from Everest base camp. After exploring around base camp, we put on the Rong Chu at around 5000m (which may be the highest put-in anywhere in the world). We then spend the next 5 days paddling class 3 and 4 whitewater to the village of Kharta and the entrance to the infamous Arun River Gorges. This partial circumnavigation of Everest by kayak is a truly amazing journey.
We spend a day exploring the spectacular landscape around Kharta before driving towards Nyalam and the Nepali border. The monsoon season is the best time for this expedition as we are paddling on the dry side of the Himalayas. You need to be a confident class IV kayaker to undertake this expedition.
Please contact Wind Horse directly for an itinerary on this trip. You will need to present us with a CV of your paddling experience before undertaking this expedition.
The first three days in Lhasa and the drive through Gyantse and Shigatse is along the same schedule outlined in the first “Cultural Tours” options. We then drive deep into the Himalaya and the starting point of our trek in the Kharta valley. Our trek crosses the Shao-la into the uninhabited Kama valley, an ecological wonderland formed by the warm, moist air flowing up the Arun valley from Nepal and collecting in the glacial basins of the high Himalaya. We walk past alpine meadows, juniper and rhododendron forests, and mountain tarns to reach the outlet of the Kangshung glacier.
Here we walk beneath the soaring faces of Chomolonzo and Makalu into the lap of Chomolungma and Lhotse and make high camp in the meadows beside the glacier. With nothing but snow peaks towering above us while we relax in the idyllic meadow of Pethang Ringmo it is easy to imagine how this is the secret northern entrance to the fabled “Hidden Land” of Khembalung. This is an unforgettable location far from any road and nestled amongst the world’s highest peaks.
We return to our vehicles by another route over the Langma-la and enjoy a final camp before driving out via Tingri. We will be able to reach the Nepal border late afternoon of the 20th day.
