Tibet: The World's Highest Trek
Hike To Camp III on the North Face of Everest
with Gary McCue
Repertory Trip
This is one of our special Repertory Trips offered every three to five years. We currently have no departures scheduled, but please contact us if you would like more information.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.
Highlights
- Trek to Camp III (21,000'), the highest point non-climbers can get on Everest!
- Our experienced Sherpa support staff from Nepal
- Seven-day warm-up trek with fantastic exploration days at magnificent Shishapangma Base Camp
- Holy City of Lhasa, ancient monasteries of the Lhasa Valley
Details
- 30-day trip begins and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal
- 8 nights in hotels, 21 nights full-service camping
- All meals included except 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Moderate to steep hikes, 5-8 hours a day, altitudes between 12,000-19,000 feet, optional hike to Camp II at 21,000 feet
Suggested Reading
Reading list, click here.
Itinerary at a Glance
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 13th 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.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure