Kharta Valley & Everest Khangshung Face Trek

Overview of Kharta Valley & Everest Khangshung Face Trek

Kharta Valley is a region in Tibet lying to the east of Mount Everest and centered on the Kharta Valley & Everest Khangshung Face Trek. The Kama valley 40-kilometer (25 min) Kharta valley starts at the col at Lhakpa La at the head of the Kharta Glacier.  From here, Kharta Chu River flows east to join the Phung Chu just beyond Khata village. Nearby to the south, the Kama valley starts at the Kangshung Glacier at the foot of Everest’s Kangshung Face. And Kama Chu flows southeast to the Phung Chu. The 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition discovered Kharta when reconnoitering ways to climb Mount Everest. Then they managed to reach the North Col via the Lhakpa La. Before this, Kharta has not used as a way to approach the summit of Everest. But now, these two valleys are popular are for trekking.

The Kharta and Kama valleys are within the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve. It provides a quieter area for trekking than Everest Base Camp in the Rongbuk valley. The Kama valley and the Kangshung Face tend to be the focus of the treks. However, the approach is from the Kharta valley and we can reach return back here after a round tour.

Many organizations offer trekking holidays and these are often part bookings on a larger organized expedition. A track passable by four-wheeled drives leaves the Friendship Highway at Tingri.  From Tingri, the tickets are available for the guarded Nature Preserve. The track leads to the village of Kharta. The trek may either be by backpacking or after hiring yaks at the village.

Kharta Valley & Everest Khangshung Face Trekking Routes

A route typically taken (see map) goes up the valley via Yuluk and Yulba and then heads south over Shao La and descends to Kama Chu. The trail ascends the Kama valley with Chomolonzo and Makalu to the south and eventually reaching the Kangshung Glacier to see the Kangshung Face – the glacier has retreated considerably since the 1921 expedition. We will return back from Langma La back to Kharta Chu then pass through Lhundrubling and head eastwards to the start. During the time, we recommend to accompany a local guide (required by authorities for organized tours). It takes 10 days to finish the journey on foot or yak.

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