Kharta

[7][8] Nepali Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two people to climb Everest, said in his autobiography he was born in the Nepalese village of Thame near Namche Bazaar.

However, according to some commentators, including Ed Webster[9] and Tenzing's grandson, he was actually born in Tibet at Tse Chu[note 5] in the Kama valley near Makalu.

At the time, his mother had been visiting the monastery of Namdag Lhe Phodang at Ghang La, which is also in the Kama valley.

As a young child he lived at Moyun (Chinese: 木云),[note 6] in the Kharta valley, where his father herded yaks.

A track passable by four-wheeled drives leaves the Friendship Highway at Tingri from where tickets are available for the guarded Nature Preserve.

[12] The trek may either be by backpacking or after hiring yaks at the village[note 7] 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 return is made over Langma La back to Kharta Chu and then, passing through Lhundrubling, heads eastwards to the start.

A local guide is essential (required by the authorities except for organised tours) and the journey on foot or yak takes about 10 days.