Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
Drive to Everest Base Camp and see the mighty North Face from Rongbuk monastery. Take in all the sights and sounds of Lhasa, Shigatse and Gyantse - this tour has it all!
We fly to Lhasa the cultural, spiritual and historic capital of Tibet dominated by the massive Potala Palace, once the Dalai Lama’s seat of government. We then have three days to explore this great city; the Jokhang temple, the Barkor market, Norbulingka, Chakpori (Iron Hill), and the nearby beautiful monasteries of Sera and Drepung.
As time is limited we will also try to get to the Tibet National Museum and sample some uniquely Tibetan nightlife! Then on to Shigatse to visit the Tashilhumpo, the seat of the Panchen Lama and the dramatic Shigatse Dzong (fort) ruins that offer great views over the city. We then head on to Gyantse which is one of the most authentic towns in Tibet and the Palkhor Monastery which contains the superb Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa and is a deeply spiritual place. Towering above the city, the Gyantse dzong (fort) stands sentinel over the town and offers excellent views.
Our tour continues with the incredible drive along the Friendship Highway across the Tibetan Plateau to Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk monastery for some amazing views of the mammoth North Face before finally heading back to Nepal.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-18410-P) |
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Airport pickup and drop |
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All ground transportations |
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Tibet visa fees |
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All ground transportation in Tibet |
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All food during the trek |
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All Trekking equipments tents, tables, chairs, mattresses, pillows, hot water bags and kitchen crews |
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Hyperbaric chamber bag |
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All staff wages and insurance |
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Sightseeing in Lhasa |
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Price Excludes |
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* Personal expenses bar bills, laundry and tips
* International air fare and travel insurance
* Emergency rescue if you needed
* Alcoholic drinks and cold drinks |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Theme |
Activity Days
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
14 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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NOTE: This tour can be run in reverse and sightseeing itineraries are flexible.
Day 1 - Arrival Kathmandu transfer to Hotel
Meet with our representative at the airport. Drive to hotel.
Day 2 - Kathmandu - Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa on China Southwest and transfer to hotel.
Day 3 - Lhasa
Sightseeing of Lhasa as time permits:
Sera Monastery - established in 1419 Sera Monastery is not only famous for it's remarkable relics but also the monks' debating practice which is open to tourists. However, please make sure you are not watching the enforced Comprehensive Propaganda Education which is designed to enhance 'patriotic education' - check with your operator for details.
Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar - The Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex, founded in the 7th century, it is the spiritual centre of Tibet. Although its buildings and decoration reflect the high quality of Tibetan art in the 7th century and again in the 15th-16th centuries it is the absolute devotion of the pilgrims in and around the temple that capture your attention. Around the Jokhang is the Barkhor market which is full of Tibetans from every corner of the country as well as an amazing assortment of goods from false teeth, to scriptures, to works of art and day-to-day merchandise.
Norbulingka - built in the 1740's during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama it was later renovated and enlarged and became the Dalai Lama's summer palace. Essentially a park with a number of palaces it is an ideal place to see Tibetan folk singing and see where Heinrich Harrer lived.
Day 4 - Lhasa
Sightseeing of Lhasa, as time permits:
Potala Palace - the first structure on Marpo Ri hill was built in 637 by Emperor Songtsen Gampo, although the current building started to take shape in 1645 with successive Dalai Lamas adding sections, until now at 13 stories high it dominates the landscape. Not only the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama it was also the seat of government of Tibet with over 1,000 rooms and a monastic centre of learning. The oldest section is within the White Palace where there are two small chapels, the Phakpa Lhakhang and the Chogyal Drubphuk dating from the seventh century. There are also many other shrine rooms and the mortal remains of 13 previous Dalai Lamas, along with countless thankas, frescos, and works of art.
Drepung Monastery - once the largest and richest monastery in Tibet it was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. At its peak it had a registration of more than 10,000 thousand monks many of whom could get into the main prayer hall!
Day 5 - Lhasa
Sightseeing of Lhasa, as time permits:
Norbulingka - built in the 1740's during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama it was later renovated and enlarged and became the Dalai Lama's summer palace. Essentially a park with a number of palaces it is an ideal place to see Tibetan folk singing and see where Heinrich Harrer lived.
Chakpori (Iron Hill) - once the site of the Tibetan Medicine College it was bombed during the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Now only a few rebuilt stupas remain. It is a poignant reminder of the past.
The Tibet Museum - houses many of the artefacts 'liberated' by the Chinese during their invasion of Tibet. Despite the appalling assertions it has some excellent pieces which one day might make it back to where they belong.
Day 6 - Lhasa - Gyantse
We leave early today to complete the fairly short drive to Gyantse past one of the sacred lakes of Tibet, Yamdrok Tsho. The lakes crystal clear waters always produce some amazing reflections of the surrounding mountains and it will be hard to avoid many photo stops. Gyantse is one of the most authentic towns in Tibet and home to the magnificent Palkhor Monastery. Within the monastic compound is the superb Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa and is a deeply spiritual place. Built in 1414 the Kumbum is 5 storied pagoda containing 108 images of Buddha and 77 chapels, all finely decorated. Towering above the city, the Gyantse dzong (fort) stands sentinel over the town and offers excellent views for those feeling energetic.
Day 7 - Gyantse – Shigatse
An even shorter drive today brings us to Shigatse and the Tashilhumpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. The monastery complex was started in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama and includes some important relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, an impressive 26m high statue of Maitreya Buddha, and an incredible collection of thankas, frescoes and statues. If the weather is clear we can climb up to the dramatic Shigatse Dzong (fort) ruins that offer great views over the city, alternatively we can visit the lively market where you can buy local handicrafts decorated with coral and turquoise.
Day 8 - Shigatse – Shegar
Today is a long drive to the village of Shegar (New Tingri). We follow the Friendship Highway through sparsely cultivated valleys which form a patchwork upon a kaleidoscope of coloured hills. As the day wears on and the arid rolling hills fringed by snow-capped mountains approach we cross two high alpine passes adorned with prayer flags. These photo opportunities provide respite from the rough dusty road.
Day 9 - Shegar - Rongbuk
First we pass through a check point and then turn off the Highway onto a very rough track. Amazingly we can drive all the way to Everest Base Camp! Our destination is the Rongbuk (Dza Rongphu) monastery which is thought to be the inspiration for James Hilton's Lost Horizon. There were once seven monasteries and nunneries nestled beneath the immense wall of rock that is Everest's north face - the size of which is stupendous! We will be staying nearby the monastery tonight so that we can catch sunset and sunrise views. This is such awesome spot!
Day 10 - Rongbuk - Tingri
After sunrise views we have a little time to explore around Rongbuk monastery which was almost totally destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. There is now a small community of monks and nuns who reside here and slowly the monastery complex is growing again. Then it is back into the jeep for the long and dusty drive to Tingri and our last night in Tibet!
Day 11- Tingri -Nyala
Today we spend most of the morning approaching and crossing the China/Nepal border before driving on to Kathmandu where we can relax and reminisce on our fantastic Tibetan odyssey.
Day 12 - Nyala- Zhangmu
Day 13 - Zhangmu- Kathmandu
Day 14 - Kathmandu free day shopping
Day 15 - Departure from Thamel |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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4 days hotel, 29 days camping. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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