Everest base camp trekking – Tibet
Day 1 Lhasa ArrivalWelcome to the roof of the world! You will be picked up by local tour guide at the airport hall or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city in a private vehicle.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the top of the world.
Tips of today: 1. Go for some walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2. You’d better not have bath; 3. Drink more water, and have some fruit; 4. Have a good rest.
Day 2 Lhasa ( B )
Continue your tour to Jokhang Temple, which is within walking distance from Potala Palace. It is considered the spiritual center of Tibet. You will see many pilgrims worship within or nearby the temple. Enter the first floor of the temple and absorb the religious atmosphere, you will see pilgrims are donating butter oil to keep the lights burning for the Buddha. While learning about more Buddhas and Lamas than you can possibly remember you will gain a feeling for the vast history of Tibetan Buddhism. You might also hear red-robed Lamas praying. Walk up to the roof of the temple, take some pictures of the gold roof and enjoy the beautiful sunshine of Lhasa while observing pilgrims praying in front of the temple.
Finally, join locals in a traditional pilgrimage route by taking a relaxing walk in a large circular path around Jokhang Temple at Barkor Street. The street is filled with pilgrims taking part in religious activities and street venders selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods and religious items. If you like you can also ask your tour guide take you to visit a Thangka workshop to marvel at the fabulous Thangka art work. There are cafes along the street as well. You can relax and enjoy the life in Lhasa in a lazy afternoon.
Tips: As you climb up to the Potala Palace, you might experience slight shortness of breath due to the exertion. Take your time and rest when needed. Please try not to disturb pilgrims; you can take pictures from a distance. In Barkor Street, you will have a chance to pick a few unique souvenirs for your friends and do remember to bargain and compare the price in different shops. If you still have energy in the evening, you can go to the square on your own in front of the Potala Palace around 8:30pm to enjoy the 2-hours music fountain for free. Alternatively, enjoy looking at all the beautiful pictures you took during the day and make sure to get enough sleep! On this day, you will be mainly outside, please bring plenty of water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses.
Take the challenge of climbing up to Potala Palace (3,650m above sea level) and get a great view of Lhasa’s urban areas. Great photographic opportunities along the way up as you will have a great view of the traditional Tibetan architecture. Hear the story of the Dalai Lamas and see chapels that the Dalai Lamas studied, rested and worked in. Pass former Dalai Lamas’ graves which are decorated with treasure beautiful treasures.
Day 3 Lhasa ( B )
Tips: Today, you will be driven to the outskirt of Lhasa City. The drive is not long, all within half hour. The road condition is good. A little walking or climbing is involved. Please pack plenty of water with you. Don’t forget about your sun glasses and sun-cream.
After breakfast, you are driven to visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the most holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come toDrepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.
Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!
Day 4 Lhasa – Shigatse ( B )
Today you will be transferred from Lhasa to Shigatse (6.5-hour drive).
En route, you’ll stop to see Yamdrok Lake, one of three most famous holy lakes in Tibet. For Tibetans, it is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and the home of the “wrathful deities”. The scenery of turquoise blue water in the lake with the reflection of surrounding snow-capped mountains is awesome. After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Pelkor Monastery to admire fancy frescoes, statues and sculptures.Overnight at Shigatse.
Tips: The road condition from Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake is rough road around mountains. Feel free to ask your driver to stop and have a rest on the road.
Day 5 Shigatse – Old Tingri ( B )
After breakfast, you will be driven from Shigatse to Old Tingri (6 hours). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet and the seat of Panchen Lama. Admire the beautiful frescoes, statues and sculptures. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest one of its kind on earth, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. Proceed to a Tibetan market to experience the distinctive local life. Then drive to the Old Tingri. The rest of the day is for the preparations for the trekking. Stay overnight at Old Tingri.
Day 6 Trek from Old Tingri to Lungthang ( B )
Trek: 5 hours, 12km
Your trekking begins in Old Tingri. Hike through the Tingri Plain. Along a part of the Ra-chu Valley, you’ll see the beautiful valley scenery with extensive meadows and herds of sheep and goats.
Overnight in a comfortable camp site in Lungthang.
Day 7 Trek to Lamna La ( B,L,D )
Trek: 7 hours, 12km
Today you’ll have a challenging trek, because you’ll go up into the mountains. There is a lot of walking uphill as you climb towards the top to the Lamna La. Be sure to take breaks and rest if you are feeling fatigued.
Camping at beyond Lamna La tonight.
Day 8 Trek to Zommug ( B,L,D )
Trek: about 5-6 hours
In the morning, you’ll descend into an area with lush vegetation. The only other people you may encounter are yak herders and their families. Camp will be made in the small village of Zommug. Truly amazing views can be seen as the sun sets in this barren town.
Day 9 Trek to Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp (B, L, D)
Tips: If you stay overnight near Rongbuk Monastery either in a tent or guesthouse, it takes about a 2 hour trek from the monastery to the first base camp. Obviously, it can be quite cold there, so pack warm clothes. If you take a shuttle bus from Rongphu monastery to the Everest base camp (8km) it should take about 15mins. At night, visitors can get up to take photos of Mt. Everest surrounded by the moon and stars. Be sure to get up early to see the sunrise over Mt. Everest.
On your last day of trekking, you’ll wind your way to the end destination of Rongbuk Everest Base Camp. Along the way you can also visit the Rongbuk monastery and gompas. They are truly ancient sites and exude a religious aura. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in the world. Camp at Everest Base Camp.
Day 10 Mount Everest – Tingri (Shegar) – Lhtase ( B,L,D )
After viewing the sunrise of Mt. Everest, drive about 4 hours to Tingri (Shegar). After lunch, drive back to Lhaste. You can have a fun night here after visiting the stunningly beautiful Mt. Everest. Stay overnight at Lhtase.
Day 11 Lhatse – Lhasa ( B )
Travel back to Lhasa today (8-9 hours). Feel free to ask your guide to stop regularly so you can take pictures of the beautiful scenery and stretch your legs.
Tips: Be sure to bring snacks and plenty of water or other drinks. Make sure to take pictures of the beautiful scenery!
Day 12 Lhasa Departure ( B )The day is free until you are escorted to the airport or train station.
** Imp: all our program’s are 100% tailor made and can be modified as per the requirements.