Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour 8 Days

Trip Facts

  • Duration 8 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Destination Tibet
  • Transportation Flight/Car/Jeep/Van/Bus
  • Activity Cultural and Historical Tours
  • Best Season March - May and Sept -November
  • Group Size 2 -12 People
  • Trip Start/End Lhasa, Tibet
  • Max Altitude 5,250m/17,225ft

Highlights

  • World Heritage Sites, Potala Palace, and Norbulingka Palace
  • Sera Monetary and Drepung Monastery, are two great Gelug University of Tibet
  • Jokhang Temple, a sacred temple of Tibet
  • TashiLhunpo Monastery houses successive Panchen Lamas
  • Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in Tibet
  • View of the north face of Everest from the Everest Base Camp
  • YamdrokTso Lake, one of three holy lakes in Tibet
  • Visit popular Tibetan landmarks such as Potala Palace and Rongbuk monastery
  • Cross high passes like Karo La and Khamba La

Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour - Explore EBC Via Lhasa 

Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour captures the essence of Tibet in all its spiritual, historical, and natural aspects, leaving us with a treasure trove of memories and an indelible feeling of fulfillment.

Lhasa -Everest Base Camp Tour takes you from Lhasa,  a modern and spiritual city, to Everest Base Camp, The base of the highest mountain in the world. This road trip will take you from the bustling city of Lhasa to ancient monasteries and pristine lakes. You'll also see enthralling mountain passes, rivers, frozen glaciers, Tibetan valleys, and North Everest Base Camp. This overland Lhasa tour is a great way to see the magnificent Mt. Everest, one of your greatest achievements.

The Lhasa-EBC road trip starts and ends in Lhasa, the epicenter of Tibetan Buddhism. This tour covers three historical cities in Tibet: Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse. The 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour, which takes you from Lhasa down to the base camp of Everest, is a classic journey that will entice any traveler.

Explore the Barkhor Street old market and Potala Palace, the winter palace of Dalai Lama. You will also visit the Jokhang Temple, founded by the 33rd King of Tibet in the 7th century. A two-day tour in Lhasa will give you a glimpse into Tibetan culture and history. You'll also get to see the stunning highland Tibetan plateau. Although the city is modern, people still adhere to the traditional culture and lifestyle.

This trip includes visiting Drepung Monastery at the foot of Mt. Gephel. This is an important university monastery of Gelugpa Buddhism in Tibet. You'll visit Sera Monastery, located at the base of Tatipu Hill in the north of Lhasa. Sera Monastery's courtyard is a great place to watch the monks debate. They hold debates as part of their studies to better understand Buddhism.

Drive to Shigatse. It is the second-largest town in Tibet. You'll see the beautiful holy Yamdrok Lake along the Friendship Highway. It is one of Tibet's 3 great sacred lakes. You reach Gyantse after a long ride on the highway. You'll see the beautiful Gyantse Kumbum and Pelkor Chode Monastery. Continue to Shigatse and visit the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. This is another architectural wonder of Tibet. The Panchen Lama is also known to call it home. The dramatic statue of Maitreya Buddha is also known as Future Buddha.

Rongbuk Monastery is located at 5,000m/16.4000ft. On your way to Mt. Everest, you'll pass through several high passes, such as Gyatso La or Geu La (8.844m/29.002ft). You'll also enjoy the stunning scenery of Mt. Makalu (8.463m/27.825ft), Mt. Cho Oyu (8.188m/26.906ft), and Mt. Shishapangma (8.027m/26.289ft), from Geu La Pass.

Rongbuk is the highest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the world, located near the Everest base camp. It is, therefore, also known as the gateway for Mt. Everest, also known as Chomolungma or Chomolungma by Tibetans. This is the perfect place to see the sunrise and sunset over Mt. The monastery has also a round chorten and beautiful statues of Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava. There are also beautiful round chortens and statues of Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava. There are also old mural paintings that depict Tibetan religions and cultures. The next morning, after a great time at Rongbuk Monastery, you will travel early to Everest Base Camp. This is another highlight of the road trip. This North Everest base camp is renowned for its incredible beauty and mountainous landscape.

After exploring the base camp, you will drive to Shigatse. The same road will be followed through the Friendship Highway. You'll then go back to Lhasa via Yalong Valley and enjoy the scenery of the Tibetan plateau. Then, you will continue to your next destination. This eight-day Lhasa Base Camp Tour ends when you reach the end of the tour.

Passport and Visa Process for Tibet Overland Tour

You'll have to get a Chinese Visa and a Tibet Travel Permit to travel to Tibet. Both of these documents can be obtained in Kathmandu with the help of a travel agency. Even if you already have a Chinese tourist visa, you must still get a t travel permit. This rule applies when traveling to Tibet from mainland China too.

You must hire a guide for your entire trip and arrange private transportation in advance if you plan to go outside Lhasa. Additionally, you'll need extra permits for trips beyond Lhasa. The travel company you are using will organize these permits for you.

Important Information for Tibet Overland Tour From Nepal

According to new rules from the Chinese embassy in Nepal, if you want a Tibet group visa, you need at least 5 people in your group. To apply for the visa in Kathmandu, you have to give your real passport, and it might take 4-5 working days to finish the process.

If you want a Tibet group visa, you must go to the China visa application center in person and give your biometric information. Please note that visa regulations and requirements can also change often. Please check with Adventure Club Trek to confirm the latest visa regulations and requirements for Tibet before booking your tour.

The Best Time to Tour Everest Base Camp from Lhasa. 

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp via Lhasa is from April to November. This is the best time to visit because it's warm and sunny, with little to no rain. The tour can be done in Winter, such as December, January, and February. However, it will be very cold. Temperatures drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius.

Accommodation at EBC

The accommodations at EBC are pretty basic due to the harsh environment and high altitude (5200m). There are only Tibetan yak tents run by local Tibetans and the Rongbuk guesthouse. The sunrise view from the summit of Mt. Everest will make you forget the challenging times. The lack of water in EBC may make it difficult for Westerners to maintain the cleanliness of their lodging. Consider bringing your sleeping bag.

Food at Everest Base Camp

Rongbuk Guesthouse or the Tibetan yak tents offer basic food such as Instant noodles, Tibetan noodles soup, dried yak, pork soup, egg fried, rice, Tsampa with cabbage, chili potato curry, etc. Before you depart from Tingri or Shigatse, stock up on some light snacks or bread.

Packing list for Everest Base Camp Tour

Remember that the most important things are to stay warm and comfortable and travel light. You should bring a down jacket, thermal underwear, and warm headwear as gear. Sunscreen, sun hats, toiletries, and personal medicines (to ease mountain sickness, cold relief, or diarrhea) are all necessary. Our guide will give you a warm apron that covers your knees.

Itinerary

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You can reach Lhasa via a direct flight from Nepal or mainland China. But, if you decide to take the one-and-a-half-hour flight from Kathmandu, Nepal, you can experience what is considered one of the world's best air routes, catching glimpses of Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and other mountains in the Himalayan ranges. Other options include flying from any major city in China or taking the train to Lhasa, the world's highest train route. Upon your arrival at Lhasa, you will be received by a representative of Adventure Club Trek and taken to your hotel. Today we rest and acclimatize. Overnight in Lhasa.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsNo Meals
  • Max. Altitude3,650m/11,976ft

After breakfast, we will visit two of the main attractions of Lhasa, both listed as World Heritage Sites- Potala Palace and Norbulingka Palace. Located on Red Hill, Potala Palace was the home of the Dalai Lamas. Also called the Winter Palace, it has over 1,000 rooms, more than 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. You get the full panorama view of the city of Lhasa from here. Also listed as a World Heritage Site, Norbulingka Palace was the summer home for the Dalai Lamas. Norbulingka means Jewelled Park; it is surrounded by a park known as the largest park ever made by man in Tibet. We then make our way to the Tibet Traditional Hospital, China's biggest traditional medicine production center. Overnight in Lhasa.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3,650m/11,976ft

We start the day by visiting Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery, two of three Gelug University Gompas of Tibet. Built in the 14 century, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet and housed more than 10,000 monks in the past, but the number has decreased in recent days. Spectacular with its Whitewashed walls and golden roofs, Sera Monastery holds the debate between monks every day from 3-5 pm except for Sundays. Our next destination is the Jokhang Temple; it is the most sacred temple in Tibet and holds the history of Buddhist beliefs and culture. The temple has a statue of a twelve-year-old Buddha, Sakyamuni, inside. We then make our way into Barkhor Bazaar, which lies on the streets surrounding the Jokhang temple. The place is filled with open stalls and shops, and the site is packed with pilgrims. Overnight in Lhasa.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3,650m/11,976ft

After breakfast, we leave for Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Heading west of Lhasa, we pass Nimu Valley and follow the Brahmaputra River'sRiver's trail to reach our destination. Our day in Shigatse will be spent visiting the TashiLhunpo Monastery, which means "all fortune and happiness gathered here," the first Dalai Lama founded it; GendunDrup is Located in the center of the city; the monastery houses the successive Panchen Lamas. Overnight in Shigatse.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3,900m/12,796ft

Breakfast at Shigatse, and then we head towards Rongbuk. Passing through some villages, we get to Gyatso La (5220m), a high pass from where we'll get the first peak of Mt. Everest. En route, we'll visit Sakya Monastery or PelSakya, an ancestral temple that provides access to Buddha's teachings. We continue our journey and cross the Lalung La before reaching Rongbuk. There, our day will be spent visiting the world's highest monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, at the foot of Everest. This place provides a majestic view of the north face of Everest. Overnight in Rongbuk.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude5,150m/16,897ft

After an early breakfast, we will head towards Everest Base Camp (5,250m/17,220ft.). On the way, we catch glimpses of Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and Mt. Everest, famously called Mt. Chomolungma, on the Tibetan side. We will get to see the Rongbuk glacier at Everest’s base camp, and after spending some time there, we will head out to Gyantse for an overnight stay. Overnight in Gyantse.
Note that on rare occasions, due to bad weather or political riots, the local government may close down the road to the Everest base camp for safety reasons and without prior notice.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude5,250m/17,220ft

After breakfast, we visit Palchoe Monastery (also known as Pelkor Chode Monastery or Shekar Gyantse), Kumbum Pagoda Stupa (hailed as the “king of pagoda“), Phalkot Monastery, and Gyantse Dzong, which is one of the best-preserved dzongs in Tibet. After sightseeing, we drive to Lhasa. On the way, we can see huge glaciers tumbling down the road and some excellent mountain vistas. Soon, we come across the Karo La Pass (5,045m) on the roadside with its beautiful glaciers, including the Karo la glacier. We cross the Khamba La Pass (4,794m) with a brief stop to savor the beauty of the Yamdrok Tso Lake (Turquoise Lake), also known as Yamdrok Yumtso, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, and the beautiful Nazin Kang Sang glacier (7,252m). Overnight in Lhasa.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude5,045m/16,553ft

Today your tour is finished, and fly out from Lhasa to Kathmandu or any other city in mainland China; we can manage the air or train tickets for you in advance. We make an early drive to Gonggar airport for our departure flight to Kathmandu or your onward destination.

Note: If you still have a few days after the Tibet Tour schedule, you might be interested to experience other adventurous activities like jungle safari, Rafting Bungee jumping, and paragliding. You may contact the Adventure Club Trek for the arrangement.

  • AccommodationN/A
  • MealsN/A
  • Max. AltitudeN/A

NoteYour safety is of the utmost concern while traveling with Adventure Club Trek. We will make every effort possible to follow the original itinerary, but we reserve the right to change that itinerary if a segment of it becomes a safety issue. Certain mountain regions are remote, natural disasters can happen, weather conditions can decline, and illness or injury can occur. To avoid dangerous situations, we may occasionally change the itinerary to ensure everyone’s safety. That being said, Adventure Club Trek will strive to provide you with the best possible Tibet Tours and Trekking experience and keep your safety our number one priority. We thank you for your understanding.

Cost Details

Price Includes

  • All Pickup and drops from the airport and hotel
  • Everest National Park admission fee and Grass dame charge
  • All the necessary Tibet travel permits
  • Transportation on the private vehicle(s) (van or Hiace or bus)
  • Accommodation in Tibet on twin sharing basis with breakfast
  • Sightseeing by an experienced Tibetan English Speaking guide
  • All fees for sightseeing and visits to monasteries as outlined in the itinerary
  • All applicable taxes and office service charges

Price Excludes

  • Nepal visa (USD 30 for 15 days and USD 50 for 30 days, and USD$125 for 90 days)
  • Accommodation in Nepal or mainland China
  • Lunch and dinner during the Tibet tour. it cost about USD 3-15 per person for one meal in Tibet.
  • Chinese visa fee
  • Accommodation and Tour in Kathmandu and Mainland China.
  • Airfare or Train tickets to any destination ( Flights and Train Tickets are arranged on Request)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guide(s) and driver(s)

Useful Info

Visa Information

Traveling to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit, which can be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid passport for China is different from a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will, at present, need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permits, you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The journey outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits, which the travel agent arranges for you are going with.

 Passport

  • All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passports.
  • Passport - valid for 6 months
  • Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)
  • Group Visa — entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.
  • Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for a group visa (if a visa is in the passport)
  • Tibet Entry Permit — the Tibet Tourism Bureau issues it, and it is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.
  • A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain the following:
  • Travel Permit — it is required when planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.
  • Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

Weather Information

The weather in Tibet is similar to that of Mainland China, though with lower temperatures due to higher altitudes. Summers have warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights, but summer days can even be chilly at higher elevations. Winters are cold, but there isn't all that much snow. Lhasa enjoys a lot of sunshine, even in winter. Most Tibet experiences frost at least 6 months of the year. Some high lakes are frozen from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. Lhasa is an ideal destination because it is in a valley area of lower elevation.

Safety Guidelines

We recommend you follow our safety guidelines and stay tuned for the latest happenings.

  • Have at least 2 copies of the Tibet Permit.
  • Keep your belongings properly.
  • When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have troubles, inform to train staff promptly.
  • Take your time visiting attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa.
  • Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.
  • Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.
  • Spend a few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when traveling to higher places to avoid altitude sickness.
  • Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.
  • Respect the religion and customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.
  • Pay special attention to the unique alpine climates (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)
  • Keep the necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.
  • Only travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.
  • In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and make small changes.
  • If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.
  • Don't carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or feel Tibet.
  • We also recommend not carrying any guidebook to Tibet.

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