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(22 days)

List of our expeditions in Nepal and Tibet

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(Xang Dong Feng) mountaineering expedition gives you an impeccable mountain

climbing experience amidst the richly varied landscape.c

(Xang Dong Feng) towering
over Tibet mountain range at an elevation of 7,045 meters, divides the upper East Rongbuk
glacier and upper Kharta glacier. It lies in proximity to mighty Mt Everest boasting mesmerizing
sights of NyonnoRi range in eastern Tibet, the north faces of Chomolonzo, Makalu and
Pethangtse, Shartse, Kangshung (east) face of Everest, east face of Lhotse, the north east ridge of
Everest, the North Col, Changtse, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma as stunning backdrops.

The ascent up this mountain is regarded as the easiest 7000+ peak ascent. You make the ascent
via the Everest Advance Base Camp.

You start your c

 mountaineering expedition with a leisurely stay in Lhasa. During your
stay in Lhasa, you will visit the legendary Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang
Temple, Barkhor Market, Drepung Monastery etc. The journey continues further along
Friendship Highway, with an adventure-packed leisurely 4WD drive via Lhasa- Shigatse- Xegar-
Rongbuk. En route, you encounter monasteries, several 5000+ meter high mountain passes,
nomadic settlements, pristine hamlets and nomadic herdsmen. Throughout this tour, the
magnificent backdrop of the mighty Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Shisapangma and many
other numerous peaks surround you.


Trip length: 22 Days
Grade: Strenuous (Peak Climbing)
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel and camping
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser
Maximum altitude: 7045m

Testimonials

LHAKPA RI CLIMBING
"We had a very good experience. Everything was well planned. Our guide Namgyal Sherpa was
very experienced and helpful!"

 Bo Belvedere Christensen
Denmark

LhakpaRi / Tibet

 September - October, 2009

LHAKPA RI EXPEDITION

"I came to know to know about Explore Himalaya from the internet. Tibet was incredible. Most
friendly people and a perfect tourism!"

JürgMerz
 Switzerland

LhakpaRi

 May, 2009
Read the interview with the LhakpaRi climbers in our blog

"I had a wonderful experience with Explore Himalaya and would highly recommend them. All
the hotels they used getting to base camp were wonderful. The main guide for non-climbing who
was with us in Tibet was incredible and totally went out of his way to make everything run
smooth. And the climbing guides where great -- very accomplished and strong and good cooks
too.

I did the full climb including LhakpaRi. I am actually a middle aged woman, with
mountaineering experience, and didn't have any trouble with the climb up. I had eaten some beef
jerky from my own stash the night before and wound up with some food poisoning from it and
was totally weak on the way down -- it took me forever to get down, not up, and the climbing
sherpa was more than patient. They Sherpas at base camp noticed how slow going it was for me -
I had to stop and throw up every ten minutes, and they sent the yak herders up the bottom of the
glacier with tea and soup and to help out. It would have been an extra hour or two without their
help as sick as I was. But even in that condition, which was totally my fault, the climb was
beautiful and very doable. I'd say to bring some warm gloves if you are doing LakpaRI. I had my
regular mountaineering gloves that I had used on many high peaks, but the wind factor made it a
bit colder and I had to borrow more gloves from the Sherpas, who can climb it with thin liners --
they are amazing. It is very beautiful up there and you'd find it quite an accomplishment.

So all in all I would very much recommend the trip -- the cultural aspect of visiting China/Tibet
and then the accomplishment of the climb to either ABC or LhakpaRi are a great combination.
Good accommodations in the cities, great food all around.

We were done and back in Kathmandu early so I took advantage of the rate at the Yak and Yeti
hotel that Bimal can get you and it is pretty nice to treat yourself to a couple of days of that kind
of luxury after the trip.
I recently heard for another couple, who I have never met, but who went to ABC in October of
last year with Explore Himalaya. They had contacted to ask some questions and to send some
documents with me for Bimal when I went over. They emailed me when they got back, and they
too had a fantastic trip and were very happy that they went with Explore Himalaya On my next
trip to Nepal, I would certainly choose them again.

Hope you go and Have Fun. Cheers, Sheilah."

Sheilah Bryan
Country: USA
Trip: Lakpari& Everest Advance Base Camp

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Day 01 - Arrive Lhasa (3660m)
Day 2-3 - Sightseeing in Lhasa (3660m)
Day 04 - Free in Lhasa (3660m)
Day 05 - Drive Lhasa ± Gyantse (3950m)
Day 06 - Drive to Shigatse (3900m)
Day 07 - Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m)
Day 08 - Drive Shegar - Rongbuk (5000m)
Day 09-10 - At Everest Base Camp (5200m)
Day 11 - Trek to Camp 1 (5460m)
Day 12 - Trek to Interim Camp (5760m)
Day 13 - Rest day at Interim Camp (5760m)
Day 14 - Trek to Camp 2 (5970m)
Day 15 - Trek to Camp 3 (6400m)
Day 16 - Rest day at camp 3
Day 17 - At camp 3
Day 18 - Climb LhakpaRi (7045m.), return to ABC
Day 19 - Spare day for weather etc
Day 20 - Trek to Base Camp
Day 21-22 - Drive back to Kathmandu

DATES
7th May 2011 - 28th May 2011
3rd September 2011 - 24th September 2011

OUR EXPERTISE
More than 100 summiters


USD 7500 per person on twin sharing (min 4 persons)

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‡ Sherpa climbing guide, Cook, kitchen hand
‡ Liaison officer, all required permit
‡ Tibet permit
‡ Expedition permit fees
‡ Jeep for members, truck for staffs & baggage (one jeep for 4 members)
‡ Liaison officer and interpreter
‡ All accommodation on full board basis on route in Tibet
‡ Guided sightseeing tour
‡ Yak and yak driver as per the rules and regulation of CTMA
‡ Gammov bag (altitude chamber)

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‡ Any airfare
‡ Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
‡ Hotels and tours in Kathmandu, airport tax
‡ Tibet/Chinese visa
‡ Personal climbing equipments
‡ Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation /road blockage
‡ Your insurance.


If you wish to join in Kathmandu arrive 2 days prior to departure dates.

DETAILED ITINERARY


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We can arrange your arrival in Lhasa from anywhere. You can either join the trip from
Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any
nearby hub. You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration
formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3660 meters). It takes around an hour to reach the old
city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of
fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa¶s high altitude.

 There is no fixed program arranged for today.


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After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day¶s program. An experienced guide will take you on
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famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism.
You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the
handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple
provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to
stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day¶s tour, you will
be escorted back to your hotel.


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After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The
imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through
the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see the best of Tibetan art. The Potala Palace has a
vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs
of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung
Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious
discourses. After the day¶s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned
rest.
: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala Palace each day,
the guide will decide upon the order of sightseeing places.



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This day is for you to spend it as you wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old
city, revisit a favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting in the busy local market at Barkhor
Square, or simply sit in a café and watch the pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang .
There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre,
Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will incur an extra cost.


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treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down, within a few hundred meters of
the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the
town of 2
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Friendship Highway to Shegar, marveling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of
Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso
La (5220m). From here we descend to the plains, passing along lonely monasteries and the
camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar.


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Shortly after leaving Shegar, turning away from the Friendship Highway, we head south over the
Pang La (5150m) towards the main Himalayan range. The sight from the top is incredible with
uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, initially Everest
is hidden from view, but as we turn to the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more
impressive than ever.


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Trekking the surreally sculpted Rongbuk Glacier, you walk away from Everest Base Camp to
Camp I for two and half hours or more. Camp I lies amidst moraine hills under picturesque
yellow-orange granite cliffs. In the beginning, the trekking route skirts the east side of the
Rongbuk Glacier and opens into a flat area at 5270m. On the Southwest, Pumori at 7145
m,comes into picture. After arriving at Camp I, you may explore the snout of the East Rongbuk
Glacier lying just 20 minutes away from the camp.


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The trail overlooks glacier-topped mountain as it rolls from gravel mounds, mud plain to rocky
moraine. Lying directly across from Far East Rongbuk glacier, Interim Camp can prove very
beneficial for further acclimatization and superb vantage point prior to trekking up to Camp II.


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You may either rest, or prepare yourself for the climb or explore around.


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It takes about three and half hours or more to ascend from Interim Camp to Camp II. You will
approach Camp II at 5970 meter as you near the south side of the glacier at the eastern end of the
Changtse Glacier junction lying below huge cliff. Along the trail to Camp II, you get to capture
huge seracs rising up to 50 feet above the surface of the glacier and endless array of mountain
scenery.


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As you march towards Camp III; you trek along moraine following the glacier to the right around
the eastern flank of Changtse. Further ahead, you ascend a succession of hills as the glacier
softens into smooth snowy ice fields, carpeting the approaching ridges. En route you may spot
several tent sites and discarded oxygen bottles. 1480 meter straight up from Camp III lies the
Pinnacles, challenging trekkers to explore its mystiques. Its complexity has kept the northeast
Ridge unclimbed for a long time. North Col lies at 7066 meter in the West connecting Everest¶s
Northeast Ridge and Changste. Through binocular you can see spectacular sight of striated rock
summit of Everest extending above the Pinnacles to the southeast, little more than 8000 feet
(2400 m) higher than Camp III. Beyond Camp III there are gravel hills beside the glacier and
you may trek along this trail for one hour provided that you are fully acclimatized. Finally, you
conclude your trek by either journeying back to Camp II from Camp III for 2 hours or stay
overnight at Everest Advanced Base camp.


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Five days of complete acclimatization keeps you physically and mentally fit for ascent
uptoLhakpaRi. You may indulge in exotic sightseeing at Raphu La situated at the foot of the
remote north east ridge of Mt. Everest. This gives you a perfect vantage point to capture
panoramic views of the north faces of Makalu, Pethangtse and the Kangshung face of Everest.
Amid this enchanting alpine environment, you will continue climbing LhakpaRi. From the
technical point of view, this ascent is quite easier and involves lesser risks. After six hours of
safe mountain climbing, you reach at an elevation of 7,045m, where you can view the
mesmerizing LhakpaRi towering above the Tibet mountain range.


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After ascending the LhakpaRi, you retreat to the Base Camp.


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You have to take a 215 km drive from Base Camp to Nyalam along the Friendship Highway
traversing past Pang La pass. On the way, you can halt at Tingri for lunch. Further away amidst
the stunning view of Everest, Cho Oyu and other mountain peaks, you accelerate past Lalung La
pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. The trail further commands far-reaching views of
enchanting Shishapangma, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, as you leave behind arid Tibetan
Plateau. The route then progresses towards the pristine and fortified town of Nyalam, where you
can find a suitable accommodation at a hotel.


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Heading away from Nyalam, drive for one hour to the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu
at 2300 meter. Few kilometers drive follows Friendship Bridge along BhoteKoshi River to
Immigration Control in Kodari where you part with your Tibetan guide and handle the re-entry
formalities to return to Kathmandu. After a 5 hours drive of 123 km, you finally arrive in
Kathmandu.
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