Tibet: The World's Highest Trek

Above the ice-clad realm of Camp III on the North Face of Everest unfolds one of world’s most spectacular mountain panoramas: the huge rock palisades of Everest’s Northeast Ridge, the wind-blown snows of the North Col, and most compelling of all, the instantly recognizable rock summit of Everest, or Chomolungma in the Tibetan language. The top of the world appears very close from here—and it is, only a little more than 8,000 feet above the high point of our trek. The surreal world of Camp III at 21,100 feet is the destination of The World’s Highest Trek—the closest that non-climbers can get to the roof of the world.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-5
Kathmandu, Nepal / Nyelam, Tibet

After exploring Kathmandu’s colorful bazaars, we drive across the Himalayan crest into Tibet and acclimatize with two days of hikes to holy lakes and hermitage sites.

Days 6-12
Shishapangma Trek

A seven-day warm-up trek brings us through beautiful high country to the south base camp of Shishapangma (26,397'), the world’s 14th highest peak. Our pace allows time for day hikes into beautiful remote side valleys. Shishapangma, just 50 miles north of Kathmandu, was the last of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks to be climbed and is the only one entirely within Tibet.

Day 13
Rongphu Monastery

We drive to Rongphu Monastery (16,450'), spectacularly situated below the northern base of Mount Everest. Dza Rongphu is acclaimed as the highest monastery in the world; it may well have provided some of the inspiration for James Hilton’s classic novel, Lost Horizon.

Days 14-21
Everest Base Camp to Camp II

Following the main Rongphu Glacier and the East Rongphu Glacier, we trek to Camp I (18,050') on Mt. Everest. To assure proper acclimatization, we camp at least two nights at an interim camp (19,000') between Camp I and Camp II (19,900'), spectacularly located below the glaciers spilling off Everest’s North Peak. Conditions allowing, we hike to our highest camp, Camp III (21,100'), below the mighty rock palisades of Everest’s Northeast Ridge.

Days 22-24
Descend to Rongphu / Shigatse

Descend to Rongphu and drive across the wild Tibetan Plateau to Shigatse, Tibet’s second city.

Days 25-27
Lhasa, Tibet’s Holy City

Continue to Lhasa to visit the Potala Palace, explore the massive monasteries of the Lhasa Valley and mingle with Tibetan pilgrims in the Jokhang Temple.

Days 28-30
Return to Kathmandu

A beautiful overland drive brings us back to the warmth and greenery of Nepal, and we depart via Kathmandu on Day 30.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 7, Most Strenuous. Previous camping and trekking experience at 15,000 to 18,000 feet is highly recommended. Participants must be in excellent physical condition and must submit a medical approval form signed by a doctor. The most difficult aspect of this trek will not be the trail conditions, but the altitudes we encounter. Trekking to 21,000 feet is a very strenuous endeavor. We spend more than half the trip hiking to help the group acclimatize for our final trek to Camp III.

In general, the trail conditions are no more difficult than those in other parts of Tibet or in Nepal. Our entire route, both on the warm-up trek to the Shishapangma region and on the trek to Camp III of Mt. Everest, can be negotiated by loaded yaks; there is no need to use crampons or ice axes on this trek. An average walking day will be 4 to 6 hours, not including a break for lunch. The maximum altitude gain or descent on any given day will be about 2,000 feet, and all hiking is at altitudes of at least 12,200 feet and much higher. If you are very fit and healthy, have successfully trekked above 18,000 feet and are willing to participate in the various exploratory hikes offered during this trek, your chances of reaching Camp III and beyond will be much greater.

However, every participant must understand that this trek is truly challenging—you should be in excellent physical condition. Even though trip members carry only a daypack (with camera, jacket, rain gear, water bottle, and other small necessities you may need while on trek), we recommend that you make a special effort to get in top physical shape for the trip.

There are also dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote wilderness regions, especially when they involve travel to high altitude. These dangers include everything from rock falls to the possibility of a serious fall, accident or sickness without access to the means of rapid evacuation. The availability of medical supplies or the adequacy of medical attention, once provided, cannot be guaranteed and cannot be expected to measure up to western standards. Each trek is an expedition. Although we are accompanied by a support crew staffed by experienced veterans of the Nepal Himalaya, it takes cooperation and flexibility from each participant to ensure a successful trek.

Explanation of Trip Levels