Locked away in its Himalayan fortress, Tibet has long exercised a unique hold on the imagination of the West: 'Shangri-La', 'the Land of Snows', 'the Rooftop of the World', Tibet is mysterious in a way that few other places are. Following virtual closure after the Chinese annexation of the Buddhist kingdom, Tibet was opened to foreign tourism in 1984. Closed to all but tour groups in 1987 after an uprising by Tibetans in Lhasa, and reopened in 1992.

Trekking in Tibet
The most extensive jumble of mountains found on any continent surrounds Tibet, the highest and largest plateau on earth. Trekking in the valleys, over passes and trough arid open landscape of the Tibetan plateau is an experience that you can't get anywhere else on earth. Two of the most famous mountains in Tibet are Everest and Shishapangma, a trek to the base camp of one of these two mountains will give you an experience of a lifetime.

Major Trekking Sites of Tibet

Kharta Valley Trek
This trek requires some stamina but it is very worthwhile, it is a spectacular walk along steep-sided valleys and glacial lakes, and if the weather allows, some of the grandest Himalayan scenery to be found. In the summer, spectacular grassland flowers are in bloom in the remote Kangshung valley, famed as the valley of flower.

The highest point on this trek is Langma La [5320 meters]. On a clear day the view south from Langma La is outstanding. We see Makalu, which dwarfs all the other peaks from this angle, including Everest. The big trio at the far west end of the Kangshung valley, from left to right, are Lhotse Shar, Lhotse and Mount Everest. The valleys and ridges below the snowline are richly covered with grasses and thick vegetation nurtured by the monsoon rains that manage to sneak behind these mountains.

Shishapangma Base Camp
Shishapangma [8046 meters] is probably the least known of the world's fourteen 8000-meter peaks, despite being only 80 km. north east of Kathmandu. The mountain is hidden from Nepal, tucked behind the Langtang Himal and the main Himalayan ridge. The round trip to Shishapangma takes us five days, it is one of Tibet's best kept trekking secrets, and it is also one of Tibet's finest high alpine walks. This trek is one of the few treks that does not involve pass crossing, which makes it a bit easier than our other treks in Tibet, but none the less rewarding.

Tingri to Everest Base Camp
Nowhere in the Himalaya can the immense height of Mount Everest, the highest peak on earth, be appreciated as it can from Tibet. The northern part of this grand mountain is unobstructed by neighboring peaks or ridges, allowing excellent views of the entire massif from Rongbuk Base Camp. A good portion of the summit is even visible from several points along the Kathmandu - Lhasa highway, particularly from the Tingri plains.

Trek to Heavenly Lake
In Tibetan, Namtso means "sky or heavenly lake," and at an elevation of more than 15,000 feet, this vast inland sea on the Tibetan plateau seems to float close to heaven. Surrounded by spectacular snow-covered mountains, it is a place of desolate beauty and the site of a holy hermitage that draws pilgrims from all over Tibet. On this exceptional trek, you'll cross the glaciated valleys and mountains of the Nyenchen Thanglha range to the pebbled shores of the lake, visiting sacred spots, holy shrines, and passing nomadic herdsmen along the way.