1 612 869 8502 

Tibet Everest Base Camp Trek


14 days 13 nights

Code TTT60

Category Tibet Trekking

  • Group Size 2-10 Persons
  • Difficulty Level 3
  • Rating Popular
  • Highest Altitude 5,200m (17,056m)
  • Trip Starts From Lhasa
  • Trip Ends At Lhasa
  • Accommodation Hotels and camps
  • Type Trekking
  • Destination Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Tingri Rongbuk Monastery Everest Base Camp
Dates & Prices
Please, contact us for the price and the dates for this trip

Overview

Everest Base camp trekking through Tibet is quite different from the one on the Nepal side. From the Tibet side, you will be able to see unobstructed views of Mount Everest- the highest peak on earth- from top to bottom, which is impossible from the Nepal side. 

This trip begins with a spectacular flight into Lhasa, where you will get to explore the monasteries and palaces of the Dalai Lama while getting well acclimated to the altitude. Then you will head out on the Tibet-Nepal southern Friendship Highway. It will take you over several high passes offering stunning views of the Himalayas as well as the Tibetan plateau. The drive along the banks of the holy Yamdrok Tso Lake often proves to be one of the most significant journeys in one's lifetime.

The trek begins from the plains of Tingri and goes through the Ra Chu valley to a region used by herders and their livestock, and eventually crosses Nam La (5,250m). These passes offer breathtaking views of Cho Oyu, Mount Everest, and many other majestic peaks. The trail then descends onto the isolated Dzombuk valley and then further onto the Rombuk Monastery. The views of Mount Everest from Rongbuk are purely amazing, and if one chooses, it’s possible to go further on to the base camp of Mount Everest. It is a leisurely one hour walk, and you are also able to take the journey by going on a pony cart. From the base camp, you will receive a ride back to the friendship highway and continue your drive with overnight stays in Tingri and Zhangmu.

  • 4 Days trekking, and the rest of the trip is by a 4WD vehicle.
  • Tour starts in Lhasa and concludes in Kathmandu.
  • 07 Nights at 3-star standard hotels, 02 nights in basic hotels, and 03 nights camping.
  • Local Tibetan guides and crews.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01~Flight to Lhasa

Flights to Lhasa arrive from Kathmandu (Nepal), Chengdu, Beijing, and other major Chinese cities.

Upon arrival at the Gonggar Airport in Lhasa, Far & High's local Tibetan guide will greet you and then transfer to the hotel in the city (75km/47 miles, 1 hr. drive). About 17km (11 miles) before reaching Lhasa, you will stop to see a small but significant monastery of the Drolma Lakhang. This monastery is associated with Bengali scholar Atisha (known as Jowo Je by Tibetans). The temple is full of ancient relics and hidden treasures. About 6 km from Drolma Lakhang, you will stop briefly to see the rock engraving of the Medicine Buddha at the base of a cliff. Upon arrival, you will check into the hotel and take rest for the rest of the day to get acclimated and to cope with any symptoms of altitude sickness.

 

Overnight: Dekhang Hotel or similar (3*).
Day 02~In Lhasa, Visit Potala Palace, Norbulingkha Palae, Jorkhang Temple and Barkhor Street

Today, you will have a full day to explore the many highlights of Lhasa. Begin the day at Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace-the principal attraction of Lhasa, which was residence and power center of Tibet until the Dalai Lama’s departure from Tibet in 1959. From here, you will head to Norbulinkha Gardens to see the summer palaces of the Dalai Lama. Of all the palaces, the current Dalai Lama, the 14th’s palace, is a major attraction. Visit his private chambers and audience hall. In the afternoon, head to Barkhor and have a lunch break while there. After lunch, you'll visit the ancient Jorkhang Temple. This temple was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo to house the image of Buddha brought to Tibet as part of a dowry of his Nepalese wife, Bhrikuti. After that, you will take a stroll on the pilgrimage path of Barkhor that surrounds the Jorkhang Temple. Barkhor area is truly Tibetan, with Tibetan shops lining up on both sides of the street. And they are packed with Tibetan devotees with prayer wheels spinning or bead counting with an utterance of sacred mantra and some in prostration.

Meals: Breakfast.

Overnight: Dekhang Hotel or similar (3*).
Meals : Breakfast
Day 03~In Lhasa, Visit Drepung Monastery, Nechung Monastery, Sera Kora, and Pabonka Monastery

In the morning, you will drive about 5 miles to visit the Drepung Monastery. It is the largest, richest, and most potent of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet. Drepung commanded the administration of Tibet before the establishment of the Potala Palace. At Drepung, visit the Ganden Palace, the main assembly hall, and some colleges dedicated to Buddhist studies. From Drepung, you will descend to Nyechung Monastery, which is about a 10-minute walk downhill. It was the seat of state oracle until the Dalai Lama’s departure in 1959.
From Drepung, you will head to Sera Monastery and other major Gelugpa monasteries of Lhasa. If you are a hiking enthusiast, you may take a 1 hour long Sera Kora pilgrimage path around the Sera Monastery. Along the trail, you will see the rock paintings and hermitages of Tsongkhapa (Founder of Gelugpa sect). After Sera Kora, you will enter the Monastery and visit its main assembly hall, as well as several Buddhist colleges. You may also be able to attend the monks debating session. You will also have the option of hiking to Pabonka Monastery, which takes about 1 hour from Sera Kora. Pabonka Monastery is one of the most ancient Buddhist sites in the Lhasa region and is unfrequented to travel to by tourists.

Meals: Breakfast.

Overnight: Dekhang Hotel or similar (3*).
Meals : Breakfast
Day 04~Drive Lhasa-Gyantse (13467 ft., 176miles, 6 ½ hrs. driving)

Today, you drive to Gyantse town, which still maintains many of the old Tibetan characteristics. This journey involves the crossing of two high passes, the Kamba La (15,700 ft.) and the Karo La (16,500 ft.), and then follows the banks of the Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes in Tibet and has beautiful turquoise green water. As we leave the lakeshore behind, the road climbs to the Karo La (16,500 ft.), once again offering breathtaking views of the mountain and vast Tibetan plateau. Arrive at the Gyantse town will be late in the afternoon. Gyantse perhaps is the only major town in Central Tibet that has been able to maintain its Tibetan characteristics. You will check into the hotel, and the rest of the day is for your leisure.

Overnight: Gyantse Hotel or Yeti Hotel, 3*.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 05~Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (12,785 ft., 57miles, 2 ½ hrs. driving)

After breakfast, you will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery. These are the main highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is a landmark in Gyantse, and you can spot from quite a long distance. If you are a hiking enthusiast, you may also attempt hiking the historical fortress of Gyantse. The view from the fortress overlooking the city is just superb. From Gyantse, it's less than 2hr drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city of Tibet. About 13 miles (20 km) before Shigatse, you will take a 4 km side trip to Shalu Monastery. It was the first of the major monasteries to be built by the noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism, as well as an important center for the Sakya tradition. Upon arrival in Shigatse, check into the hotel, and later you may want to take a relaxing walk through Shigatse's flea market. It is an excellent bargain place for buying Tibetan souvenirs.

 

Overnight: Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 06~Drive from Shigatse to Tingri (4300m/14,104 ft., 232km/145miles, 6-7 hrs. drive)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and then visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery before hitting the highway for Shegar. Tashilunbo Monastery is the principal seat of Panchen Lama, who was the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet after the Dalai Lama. Tashilunbo is one of the six major Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet. The journey from Shigatse to Tingri involves the crossing of two high passes the Tropu La (16,236 ft.) and the Gyatso La (17,122 ft.). The road passes through many villages with a continuous mountainous view. Upon arrival in Tingri, check into the hotel and take some rest for the remainder of the day.

 

Overnight: Snow Leopard Guesthouse.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 07~Trek from Tingri to Lungthang (4,510m)

The first day of the Himalaya trekking tour takes you across the Tingri plain as you make your way south towards Cho Oyu. In the village of Chholung, there is a small Gompa you can visit. Not far from Chholung, you will arrive at the campsite in Lungthang, which is the last village in this part of the Tingri plains. It is a bleak region surrounded by barren flats, yet the people still manage to harvest barley. Most villagers here are also animal herders.

 

Overnight: Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08~Trek from Lungthang to Lamna La (5,150m/16, 892 ft.)

Today you start trekking as you are heading up into the mountain towards the top of the Langma La [5,150m]. It is a hard day trekking with a lot of uphill walking, but it is even more rewarding as the views of the Himalayas gets better the higher you go. Tonight you will camp near the top of Langma La.

 

Overnight: Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09~Trek from Lamna La to Zommung (4,790m/15,711 ft.)

Start the day with a steep descent from Langma la, towards Zommug, the destination for the day. The vegetation here is considerably lusher than on the Dingri side of the pass, capable of supporting hundreds of yaks as well as a few herders' families. As you get closer, you can see the whitewashed walls of Zommug village. This is the highest permanent settlement in the Everest region. Zommug is set high above the valley in a moonscape of barren hills with unobstructed views of Mount Everest and Gyachung Kang. Because crops cannot survive at this elevation, all of the families residing here rely upon animal husbandry.

 

Overnight: Camping.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10~Trek from Zommung to Rongbuk Monastery(4,980m/16,334 ft.)

To the south of Zommug is the famed Rongbuk Monastery reached by either a spectacular high route or a more natural low path. Once a flourishing retreat center, it was built by Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu in the early 1900s. The majestic Everest stands towering high above it in full glare.

Overnight in the guest house.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11~Trek from Rongbuk to the Everest Base Camp (5,200m/17,056 ft.)

The Everest Base Camp and the Rongbuk Glacier are approximately 1 ½ hrs above the monastery. The route passes retreat caves, the ruins of the nunnery of Sherab Chholing, and the fast-flowing Dzaka Chu. Just before the terminus of the Rongbuk Glacier is Everest Base Camp. Across a creek, is an ocean of ice that composes the Rongbuk Glacier, with views of the Himalayan range that are among the most spectacular imaginable. This afternoon, we drive to Shegar for an overnight stay.

Overnight at a 2-star hotel by local standard, basic services.

Overnight: Shegar Qomolongma Hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 12~Retrace drive to Shigaste

Retrace our drive back to Shigatse.

Overnight: Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel or similar 3*.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 13~Drive to Lhasa

(260 km/163 miles, 5-6 hrs.)

Drive to Lhasa via Northern Friendship Highway that follows the Yarlungdzangbo River. En route, we may visit Yungdrungling Monastery of Bön-the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet. Before we arrive at Lhasa, we may also stop to visit Drolma Lakhang Temple and Blue Rock Carving of Buddha.

 

Overnight: Dekhang Hotel or similar 3*
Meals : Breakfast
Day 14~Depart Lhasa
Meals : Breakfast

Trip Map

Trip Info

Cost Includes

  • Accommodation on twin sharing as listed in the cities and tented camping during trekking.
  • Meals: Breakfast only during hotel/guesthouse stays and full board during trekking.
  • All transfers and sightseeing by a private vehicle.
  • Entrance fees in sightseeing places.
  • English speaking Guide /Leader.
  • Tibet Travel Permit.
  • All camping gears that includes tent, mattresses, sleeping bags.
  • Kitchen utensils.
  • Supporting truck for group size four pax or more.
  • Cook and Sherpas.
  • Pack animals.

Cost Does Not Include

  • International and internal airfare.
  • Airport Taxes.
  • Chinese visa fee.
  • Lunch and dinner except as indicated.
  • Drinks, tips, and other expenses of personal nature.
  • Travel & Health Insurance. (We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance which covers, trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage, medical, emergency evacuation, etc.).
  • Medical Immunizations.
  • All extra expenses caused due to nature or unforeseen events.
  • Excess baggage charges.
  • Optional tipping to local staff, guides, drivers, etc.
  • Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone, etc.

Chinese Visa and Tibet Permits

Chinese visa and Tibet Permits are not that complicated as they sound to be. If your travel begins in Nepal, we will have to pre-process your visa application, but we will do the final visa work in Kathmandu upon your arrival. We will take care of all the visa works. If your travel begins in Bangkok or Hong Kong or any mainland Chinese cities, all you have to care about is obtain a Chinese visa on your own. You can do it from the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate in your come country and provide us a copy of it about a month before your travel. Then, leave the rest of the things to us.

Trip Difficulty Level

This is a medium to difficult graded trekking with altitudes ranging between 4400 m (14, 432 ft.) and 5300m (17, 384 ft.). We walk 5-6 hours on average, but some days can be longer. Subfreezing temperatures can occur even in summer at higher elevations and, hot, gusty winds in May and June can make walking tough due to sweating. The itinerary allows enough time for acclimatization, and trekkers should not feel the symptoms of altitude sickness. But trekkers are recommended for training exercises at least a couple of months before the trip date.

Accommodation

Lhasa has some choices for accommodation, but we use Tibetan managed mid-range hotels located in the Barkhor area. We use Denkang or Gyangyen hotels, which are new additions of Lhasa. Other hotels of our choice are Dhod Gu, Kyichu, Gorkha, and Yak hotels. In Gyantse and Shigatse, there are very few choices of tourist standard hotels, and obviously, we pick the best one. We use the Gyantse Hotel in Gyantse and Manasarovar in Shigatse, which are 3-star standard properties. These hotels promise private bathroom with hot and cold water, but at times, it is common that the hot water supply will disrupt due to an electric outage. As we leave Shigatse behind, we have basic accommodations in Shegar (New Tingri), Everest Base camp, and Tingri. Guesthouses provide very primitive facilities. We will try to get you a private room with two beds. We will have to use the shared toilet, which is a Tibetan style squat toilet, and we may miss hot showers in guesthouses. If they do have one, we may end up paying extra as; usually, the room rent does not include that extra cost.

During trekking, we provide complete camping gears that include two persons sleeping tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, camping chairs, and tables. There will also be mattresses and kitchen utensils. On request, we can also provide sleeping bags, but usually, we recommend bringing your own.

Meals

Our tour features breakfast only when you are in the cities. Breakfast can be western or Chinese or Tibetan style. There are choices of restaurants in the cities serving western, Chinese, Indian, and Nepali dishes. You can expect to spend US$ 8 -10 per meal in regular restaurants. Meals in hotels can be expensive.

During trekking, there will be a special cook and some helpers (depending on group size). They will prepare three tasty, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. At the start of the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli, and cereal, followed by omelet, fried, or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta, and traditional foods. After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3-course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetables, meat, rice, and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. There will also be tea, coffee, and hot chocolate provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible, and our cooks and kitchen crew maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and food preparation hygiene. They can always cater to special dietary requirements, if any. Besides, it's advisable to bring on your own some dry fruits, energy bars, chocolates, supplement vitamins, etc. to eat on the way.

Guide and Crews

Right upon arrival at Lhasa airport, you will meet your guide who will accompany you throughout the trip. We pick knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible guides who are also recommended by our former clients. The guide, besides working as an interpreter and giving a valuable insight into the Tibetan way of life, he helps you check in the hotel, co-ordinates with drivers, and other crews. And the guide also deals with local bureaucracies as and when required. Your guide carries all necessary vouchers and documents needed in connection to your trip. On trekking trips, besides guides, there will be a special cook and additionally helps depending on group size and animal drivers. The crews are responsible for setting up and breaking down camps. We do use pack animals (Yaks or ponies) to transport the gears and supplies during trekking. The drivers and animal drivers do not speak English, but you will be impressed by their sense of hospitality and service.

Transportation in Tibet

Roads in Tibet are now better. They are well paved, and 4WD vehicles are no longer required. We provide an excellent conditioned van or minibus depending on the group size. For larger groups, there will be an additional support vehicle for supplies and gears.

About our Trekking Trips in Tibet

Our qualified and experienced crew from Tibet fully caters to all our trekking trips. Depending on group size, we may also hire professional Nepali Sherpa Crews who are well renowned for organizing trekking trips. We hire English speaking Tibetan Guide for all our trips. But on large expeditions, there will also be a Nepali Leader who will be responsible for controlling the trekking arrangement part.

A typical trekking day begins with a hot cup of tea or coffee served at your tent early morning. You are provided a bowl of hot water for washing. You will pack up your stuff and appear in the breakfast table by 7 or 7.30 am. We leave the campsite usually from 8 to 8.30 am for days trekking. Porter or pack animal carries your luggage. And all you need to take is a small day pack containing a water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain-jacket, and a warm jumper, just in case. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter, and we arrive at camp in time for a nice cup of tea. You can spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the nearby villages, doing a bit of washing, or simply relaxing with a good book. Or give hands to the kitchen crews to add your taste. You will have your dinner usually between 6 and 7 pm, and after dinner, the evening is often spent playing cards or talking with the crews. If it’s a large group, the crews might take the initiative in singing and dancing before turning into the tent for a well-earned sleep.

Health Concerns

There are no mandatory vaccinations required to travel to Tibet. But you may consider vaccination against rabies, and Hep A. Travelers with cardiac-pulmonary issues or any other medical conditions are recommended to consult their physician before you sign up a trip to Tibet. The primary health consideration in Tibet is altitude-related illness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea, and sleeplessness, but these should lessen within a few days. We also carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) on all our Tibet treks. We also carry basic first aid kit, but it’s good to bring your own as well. Doctors will also be available on call.

Based on our experience, less than 1% percent of our clients got altitude sickness, but that was nothing serious. In case of a severe illness or a casualty, which generally does not happen, a land cruiser shall drive you to the nearest Nepal border or flown out of Lhasa. We recommend that you bear valid travel insurance covering emergency medical transportation.

You should start some physical exercises like jogging, swimming, cycling, hiking, and aerobics about several weeks before the trip. It helps you keep fit and lessen the chance of getting altitude sickness. You should have a good sleep the night before you fly to Lhasa and take complete rest on the first day. It's also advisable to drink 3-4 liters of water daily and consume liquid food.

Best Time to Trek in Tibet

You can undertake trekking trips from April through late October, May, June, September, but early October is the best period. High Himalayas blocks the monsoon cloud, and Tibet is generally dry, but there is still some chance of rain during July and August. Trekkers must be prepared for the extremes in climate, even in the middle of the summer. Weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly. Night temperatures at 4500m (14,760 ft.) and above can fall below freezing even in July and August, and it's very much windy on high passes.

Clothing

During the day, a light shirt or jumper and lightweight pants will be suitable, but we recommend a warm fleece or down jacket for the evenings. Below are the general clothing and equipment list for trekking in Tibet.

  • Down jacket or warm fleece top.
  • Thermal underwear (top and bottom).
  • Cotton shirts (short and long-sleeved).
  • Warm and cotton trousers.
  • Sun polarized sunglasses.
  • Beanie or warm woolen hat and gloves.
  • Scarf (to keep out dust as well as cold).
  • Sandals (flip-flops).
  • Towel.
  • Sleeping bag (for camping/trekking).
  • Rain jacket.
  • Potent sun cream and lip protector.
  • Moisturizer.
  • Water bottle.
  • Camera (and plenty of films and spare batteries).

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Booking and Payment Schedule

When you are sure of traveling, it will be wise to initiate reservation in time so that we can ensure preferred hotels, guide, and transport for you. We request a deposit of US$300 on land along with completed trip application form and passport copies. If you need us to book the airfare into and out of Lhasa, we will give you the exact quote after the booking reservation. And you can charge the airfare on your credit card.

Balance payment is due 90 days before the trip date. The balance of payment by credit card attracts an additional 3.5% fee.

Cancellation and Refund

  • Ninety days prior departure: Administrative fee US$ 150 per person.
  • Sixty-Eighty-nine day's prior departure: US$ 250 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
  • Forty-five days to Fifty-nine days before departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher.
  • Thirty days to Forty-four days before departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
  • Less than Thirty days: 100%.

The cancellation of the airfare will be as per the concerned airline's policy.

Travel Protection Plan

We plan and do our best to make your trip smooth and seamless. But there still may be chances of unforeseen events and conditions such as illness, accident, inclement weather, and flight cancellation or missed connection or loss of baggage, etc. It may cause interruption or delay or total cancellation of your trip, putting your hard-earned travel investment in jeopardy. It’s also possible that you may need medical assistance, emergency evacuation, or medical transportation when you are traveling in remote areas. Far & High’s Tour cost does not cover any of these expenses or losses. So we strongly recommend you that you should protect yourself and your travel investment against those unfavorable conditions.

Review

  • There is no any review on this trip.
Write Review

Trip Map

Any Question? Feel free to call our travel experts.

 1 612 869 8502

Quick Inquiry Form

If you have any quick questions about this trip, please submit this form and you will get our response within 24 business hours.

Please type your full name.
Invalid email address.
Invalid Input
Invalid Input