Trip Overview
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Trip Code: NHT452
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Destination: Tibet
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Trip Grade: Strenuous
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Max Elevation: 5420 m
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Total Duration: 8 days
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Best Time: April - November
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Group Size: Min. 2 People
Lhasa, the administrative capital of Tibet is a city of wonders! Its cultural richness and absolutely beguiling location and topography are beyond any words of description. Lhasa is the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining and, at an altitude of 3,490 meters (11,450 ft.), Lhasa is one of the highest located cities in the world. The city has been the religious and administrative capital of Tibet since the mid-17th century. Containing many culturally significant Tibetan Buddhist sites, Lhasa lies in the centre of the Tibetan Plateau with the surrounding mountains rising to 5,500 meters. The views of the mountains like Xixapangma, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Langtang from this place are spectacular. The Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour offers art, architecture and craftworks manifested in the monasteries of the city. It takes us back in time and lets us endeavor the peace that the Buddhist culture preaches about. The Lhasa River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra River), also runs through the southern part of the city. This river, known to local Tibetans as the “merry blue waves”, flows through the snow-covered peaks and gullies of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains, extending 315 km and empties into the Yarlung Zangbo River at Qüxü. The area of this natural topography forms an acreage of great scenic beauty.
The literal meaning of Lhasa is “the Place of Gods”. The place is considered holy as it has many places of cultural significance like the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the Norbulingka Palace, the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery. The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Norbulingka are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Placed upon the Red Hill, Potala Palace is an impressive palace that dominates the entire Lhasa city! This large palace is divided into two parts – the red palace and the white. The White palace, which was once the house of local Tibetan government, is now a living quarter of the Dalai Lama. It was constructed in the 17th century and features the Dalai Lama’s quarters and many vital chapels.
Jokhang Temple on the other hand, is the oldest temple in Lhasa and is well decorated with many Tibetan features. The temple is surrounded by the Bakhor Street. A visit to the Jokhang temple helps you get the unique taste of Tibetan culture. The Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet and the Sera monastery has been able to preserve the Tibetan culture very well. The Norbulingka Palace is a palace of the Dalai Lama that is grand and artistically phenomenal.
The Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour takes you to these highlighted places and lets you experience the sites in close proximity. You would be encountering many local people and will be subjected to experience Tibet’s beautiful sites and historical and cultural destinations to their fullest extent.
Itinerary Expand all
Day 01 - Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Upon your arrival in Lhasa, you will be received by our Tibetan guide at the airport. Then you will be transferred to your accommodation in Lhasa. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
Day 02 - Sightseeing Tour in Lhasa
We spend our day visiting several monasteries in Lhasa in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, a best-preserved monastery in Tibet within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs. After lunch we visit Norbulingka, a summer palace of the Dalai Lama and the Jokhang Temple, a most sacred shrine in Tibet. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor – a maze of narrow cobbled streets that is the central market of Lhasa. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
Day 03 - Second day sightseeing tour in Lhasa
We visit Potala Palace in the morning. It is a palace that dominates the city of Lhasa. It is a spectacular building containing private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a Palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present Palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, we visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century. It used to be the largest monastery in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days the number has fallen down to hundred. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
Day 04 - Lhasa to Shigatse (3900m/12792ft) 350 Km, 7 hrs
Our drive follows the Tsangpo River. We ascend up to 15,700-foot Khampa La. We see Yamdrok Lake below and in the near distance rises a great snow peak of Ningdzingzonka. We then head westward along the lake and drive toward Gyantse. In Gyantse, we visit the famous Pelkor Monastery. The Pelkor Chode Monastery also includes Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum has nine floors and each tier has unique chapels. It is considered the largest of the three Kumbums in Tibet. After one and half hour drive, we arrive in Shigatse. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
Day 05 - Shigatse to Xegar (4200m) 240 Km, 6 hrs
Morning Visit Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Monastery. Then Drive to Xegar crossing over Gyatchula (a pass of 5,200m). Overnight at Guesthouse, Breakfast included
Day 06 - Xegar - Rongbuk (4980m) – Everest Base Camp, 9-10 Hrs
We leave Rongbuk in the morning to visit the Everest Base Camp (5,250m/17,220ft). We drive to Everest base camp by local bus. On the way, we enjoy spectacular views of high mountains like Cho Oyu (8,201m/26,906ft), Shishapangma (8,013m/26,289ft) and, of course, the mighty Everest (8,848m/29,028ft) also known as Mt. Chomolongma in the Tibetan side. Today, we accomplish one of the major highlights of our trip, reaching the base camp of Mt. Everest. We make approximately a 16 km round trip around the Everest Base Camp. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the view of Everest is more than compensating. After spending some quality time at the base of the world’s highest mountain then we drive back to Xegar. Overnight at Guesthouse, breakfast included.
Day 07 - Xegar to Kerung (3700m) 315 km, 5-6 hrs
Drive to Kerung by over-crossing the high pass of Lulang La (5,050m) from where one can enjoy the magnificent view of the Mt. Xishapagma (8,212m) & Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m). Overnight at Guesthouse in Kerung, breakfast included.
Day 08 - Kerung to Kathmandu: 200 Km, 11-12 hrs
After necessary border formalities continue scenic drive to Kathmandu through the green lush countryside. The Road condition to the Nepal part is rough, unstable and often close due to the landslide and flood. Therefore, expect delay and long journey back to Kathmandu. Breakfast included.
Cost Includes
- All ground transportation by private vehicle including airport transfers
- Airfare from Kathmandu to Lhasa in economic class.
- Three star category hotels with breakfast in Lhasa and Shigatse as per itinerary.
- Best available Guest House with breakfast at Xegar, Rongbuk and Kerung.
- Tibet Travel permits and Chinese group visa.
- Highly experienced English speaking guide including his salary, foods, accommodation, insurance etc.
- Local bus transport from Rumbuk - EBC – Rumbuk
- All fees for sightseeing and visits to monasteries as per itinerary
- All applicable taxes and service charges
Cost Excludes
- Foods and accommodation in Kathmandu
- Lunches and dinners during the tours
- Travel insurance
- International airfare other than Kathmandu to Lhasa.
- Nepal entry and re-entry visa
- Personal shopping, laundry, WiFi internet, unless hotels provide free.
- Tips for guide and driver
Cost & Dates
Group tours are unavailable for this trip, however, you can opt for the private trip. The private trips are available on any date of your choice at any time of the year. Let us know about your preferred travel dates and we shall organize it as per your convenience. Get in touch with your query now.
