You first travel to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and then to Lhasa in Tibet. The trek in Tibet is for 10 days to the Everest and Cho Oyu Base Camps with the opportunity to trek to 6061 metres.
Only experienced trekkers with a good physical condition may choose to go for the Balung RI Adventure. Though strenuous in nature, the experience is really a rewarding one with the magnificent views of the Cho Oyu and other Himalayan giants.
After a two night stopover in Kathmandu, you will depart for Lhasa on China South-West Airlines. This one-hour flight flies between the world’s highest mountain, the Mount Everest and the world’s third highest mountain, Kanchanjungha offering excellent views. On arrival at the Gongar airport in Tibet you will be transferred to Lhasa, the capital town for a three night stay which will also help with acclimatization. A full programme of sightseeing will be arranged including the Potala Palace, the residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, Sera Monastery and the Jokhang Monastery, the most important Buddhist centre in Tibet. You will then travel to Shigatse and visit the Tashilumpo Monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama and stay overnight in Shigatse at a Hotel.
Kharta, from where the 10-day trek starts is a drive of a day from Shigatse. Kharta, your first camp itself offers the magnificent views of Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Everest right from the tents. Trekking through small villages with brown, stony houses surrounded by green meadows; along the river rich in bird and wildlife as well as yak grazing fields and tents of nomads in the widening valley; magnificent views to the surrounding 8000 meter mountains from Doya Ri with Kanchanjungha and Makalu towards the east & Everest and Lhotse in the front together with Cho Oyu westwards are simply breathtaking. The hike to the Rongbuk Glacier from where there are magnificent views of the 8848 meter summit of Mount Chomolungma, the Tibetan name for Mount Everest and from where the first ascent of the mountain was made 1922 by British mountaineers, Mallory and Irving, who were lost close to the summit of the mountain are one of the highlights of our trek to this unique area. A hike of about five hours to the Base Camp of Cho Oyu at 5450 metres and the opportunity for those who wish to climb up to the Balung Ri at 6061 metres or a rest day for those not wishing to climb exploring the area around Base Camp itself are just marvellous.
The trek is followed by a drive back to Kathmandu via Zhangmu, the Nepal –Tibet border. There are two more nights in Kathmandu, allowing you a free day for self-exploration, souvenir hunting or just for relaxing in this beautiful ancient town. |
