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Namaste Nepal Treks

Mt. Everest Base Camp Tour In Tibet

Trip code NNTR-1200
Package name Mt. Everest Base Camp Tour In Tibet
Duration 10
Max. elevation 5200.00 m
Level MODERATE
Transportation Private tourist vehicle
Accomodation 3-Star Hotel
Starts at Kathmandu
Ends at Kathmandu
Trip route Kathmandu-Lhasa-Shigatse-Rangbuk-Everest Base Camp-Shigatse-Lhasa-Kathmandu
Cost USD 2,468 per person

Highlights

Overview

Mt. Everest base camp tour with Namaste Nepal, a great journey on top of the world. Adventure around the highest and largest plateau on this planet earth, truly a fascinating country to experience once in a lifetime. 

In the past, early days few past decades ago, traveling to Tibet was hard and difficult. Due to its rough rugged terrain and landscapes with a touch of high altitude, at present since a few years back. The road has been highly improved for visitors to enjoy its vast country, loaded with beautiful scenery of rolling hills and snow-clad peaks.

Mt. Everest base camp tour, an opportunity to immerse into Tibet’s immense culture of age-old heritage interwoven to Buddhism religion. Where tour takes you around great places of interest, visiting most of the highlights that the country has to offer.

The adventure begins taking a sweeping flight from Kathmandu on Air-China to land near Lhasa in Gongar, Tibet International Airport. During airborne, stunning panorama of Himalayan chain of peaks with views of Mt. Everest, Cho-Oyu, Shisapangma, and Mt. Makalu. 

On landing at Gongar airport, received by our Tibetan counterpart agents native Tibetan guide and drivers. Takes care of you and the group from arrival to departure, guiding and showing you the wonders of Tibet. 

While in Lhasa with a great tour of famous monasteries Drepung, Shera, and Jhorkang temple, observe interesting monks on prayer and religious activities. Visiting every chamber of holy shrines, with many idols of Sakyamuni Buddha and other gods, goddess, saints, and gurus related to Buddhism.  

Tour of magnificent, majestic Potala Palace and architectural wonders built-in 1645 A.D. During the time of Lozang Gyatso the great 5th Dalai Lama.
A former winter resident of Dalai Lama, at present, turned into a religious museum for foreign visitors and Buddhist pilgrims of all around Tibet.

Other places of interest while in Lhasa enjoy walk around the busy colorful Barkor market square and observe Tibetans. From different parts of Tibet comes for holy pilgrimage in Lhasa important monasteries, and interesting to see immense culture and custom.   

Around Barkor stands an ancient Jokhang Temple, one of the first Buddhist temple monastery. Where queen Bhrikuti, Nepalese wife of King Songsten Gampo of the early 6th Century presented the first Buddha statue on this temple.

From Lhasa after a pleasant and exciting time, our next adventure heads towards Everest base camp. An overland journey heading southeast towards high Khamba-la Pass at 4, 800 m high. From here enjoy a panorama of Tibetan wide landscape with snow peaks and beautiful Yamdrok Tsho, a turquoise lake down below. After a scenic moment drive downhill close to Yamdrok-Tsho to cross another high pass of Karo-La at 5,050 m. Grandeur views Nzongkhangsa peak and its massive glaciers.
 
Soon reach at Gyantse town with a tour of famous Kumbum Stupa and monastery, then reach at Tibet second-largest city in Shigatse. Here tour of Tashilumpo Monastery adorned with a golden pagoda, the seat of Panchen Lama second head of state after Dalai Lama.
 
After a wonderful time in Shigatse, then on the road to Everest base camp crossing the highest point of the journey. Crossing over Gyatsho-La at 5,220 m high to reach our destination at Rongbuk monastery to visit Everest base camp.
At Rongbuk enjoy close views of the towering North Face of Mt. Everest, takes a few hour hikes. With the option for a ride on local transport to reach our final highlight at base camp to stand beneath the world's highest Mt. Everest.
 
Enjoying a moment of lifetime experience achieving our goal on Everest Base Camp Tour, then head back to Lhasa for last overnight in Tibet. Next morning flight to Kathmandu on leaving Tibet and bidding farewell to our loyal Tibetan guide and drivers.

Outline Itinerary

DayItineraryElevationDistance
1Transfer to Kathmandu airport for the scenic flight to Lhasa / Tibet with a short drive to Lhasa
3,656m/11,990ft
60 KM
2Full-day tour of Lhasa, Drepung, and Shera Monasteries visit Jhorkang Temple and Norbulingka summer palace
3,656m/11,990ft

3Tour of Potala Palace with afternoon free to explore around
3,656m/11,990ft

4Drive to Shigatse via Gyantse (3,950m) visit Phalkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa at Gyantse
3,900m/12,796ft
350 KM
5Morning visit Tashilumpo Monastery with a tour of the market in Shigatse
3,900m/12,796ft

6Drive to Rongbuk Monastery, Near Everest Base Camp
5,009m/16,434ft
335 KM
7Hike or Drive on the Local Vehicle to Everest Base Camp and back to Rongbuk
5,009m/16,434ft
8 KM
8Drive to Shigatse
3,900m/12,796ft
335 KM
9Drive to Lhasa on a short route from Shigatse
3,656m/11,990ft
274 KM
10Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel
1,400m/4,600ft

Accommodation and Meals in Tibet


For this tour you will be staying at 3-star category hotels In major cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, the hotels are all tourist standard with good facilities, large clean room with attached bath/toilets running hot and cold water, with room service 24 hours on request. But while staying at Rongbuk Guest-House, the accommodation are simple and Spartan but clean.

During this trip, you can enjoy traditional Tibetan food as well as many types of International (Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Continental, etc) foods. The food in Lhasa and Shigatse are up to the standard, for larger group a set of buffet meals of variation from continental, Chinese, and Tibetan as well for breakfast.
Breakfast and Dinner we will take wherever we stay and the Lunch we will take on the way to our Destinations. A farewell dinner will be served during your stay in Kathmandu. All breakfasts are included in this package.

Tibet Weather and climate: Best Time to visit Tibet


Many people in the world think Tibet is a cold of arctic zone climate. 
But it is not always cold with freezing temperatures, depends upon the seasons of visit and the region of visit.

Tibet with four main seasons, spring (March to May), summer (June to August), 
Autumn/fall (September to November), and winter begins from December to February months. Due to high altitude and thin air above 3,000 meters high, summer is warm with bright sun-lights of strong UV (Ultra Violets). 

Where travelers’ needs sun-glass, sunblock creams, wearing long sleeves shirts and trousers with sun hat for the day. Morning and late afternoon can get colder and the wind chill factor adds more freezing temperatures, from mid-afternoon till dusk can get very windy.

Late spring and summer till mid-autumn of October will be the best time to travel, when most days are crystal clear. With blue sky for excellent views of snow-peaks and their amazing landscapes. Tibet gets very little rain as the southern monsoon heavy dark clouds blocked by the mountain range of the Himalayas. 

That is why Tibet a dry and arid country, but can get heavy snow during the winter and early spring seasons.
In late spring and summer temperatures can reach a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius with a minimum of 0 to 5 degrees. That is in the morning and nighttime as well in shades away from sun lights. September to November clear and sunny most of the days, can be very cold morning and in late afternoon till night time.

But one can enjoy the bright starry night sky, and with full moon nights reflecting on snow mountains.

Health and Safety measures against AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)


For travel to Tibet, where all visitors must be in good sound health and most important getting acclimatized. Tibet is located at an average altitude of 3,000 meters high above sea level. No wonder it is known as the Roof Top of World, most areas of Tibet are arid with dry landscapes. With very little vegetation and forested areas, and yet the native have survived for thousands of years settled on this harsh terrain. 

With less air to breathe, if one is not careful adjusting with its environment and high altitude. Travelers require at least a minimum of two overnights, staying in the same place and heights of above 3,000 meters. 

One of the best ways for acclimatization is to climb higher and then rest and sleep in a low place. Actually, there is no medicine to avoid the AMS, except taking advice from your doctor and local guide or group leader.

Take things slowly, enough rest, and drinking much water, for slight headaches, one can take aspirin or paracetamol pills. To get relief from headache and fever, some travelers take Diamox a brand name for Acetazolamide a "water pill" (diuretic). Used as preventive measures to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, but it depends on how and where you take it. Best before entering Tibet or high altitude continue till the end, even though you feel better. Side effects are like nibbling of fingers makes you pee a lot, for travelers in doubt can buy portable oxygen. Available in town and cities big shops and stores in Tibet, where your local Tibetan guide will help you.

Information regarding altitude mountain sickness or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), the worst symptom is HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema). 
This means water in the brain, similarly HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), a symptom of water in the lungs.

Travelers with the above symptoms should descend to the lower level with an accompanying guide, staff and close friends or relatives. To reach back to Kathmandu or the nearest Tibetan city, towns with good hospitals.

Flights to Tibet


Whether you fly from cities of China or from Chengdu, a Tibetan city close to the mainland, where Air China. As well China South Airlines fly almost daily flights to Lhasa city airport at Gonggar, Tibet International Airport.

From Kathmandu to Tibet or vice versa Air China flight departs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Kathmandu. Which is Nepal Tribhuvan International Airport (flight code KTM). Lands at Lhasa Gonggar, Tibet International Airport (flight code LXA). Flight duration of 1 hour 15 minutes covering an aerial distance of 570 km, flies over great Himalaya range. 

During air views of the world most highest peaks with Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, and Shisapangma. On reaching Tibetan soil at Lhasa Gonggar airport, received by Tibetan guide and drive for an hour or less to enter the fabled city in Lhasa.

AC Power to charge your electronic device and gadgets


In Kathmandu / Nepal capacity 609 MW in Integrated Power System, of 230 volt in A.C. single phase and 400 volt in three phases for general.
 
Electricity in Tibet / China is 230 volts AC, 50 cycles. We do have two pins & 3 pins power sockets, you better have two Pin travel plug adapter which will be useful to charge your batteries.

Time zone and currencies used in Tibet


In the whole Tibet like in mainland China use Beijing Standard Time. Which is 8 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) 2 hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal Standard Time Zone. 
 
In Tibet use Chinese currency which is about US $1 equals 6: 50 Chinese Renminbi Yuan, which is the official currency of the People's Republic of China, and translates to “people's money.

 Entrance Fees of Monastery, Temple, and Parks in Tibet

Name and placeCost in CNY/RMB (1 USD=6.45CNY)
Potala Palace, Lhasa
200
Genden Monastery, Lhasa
50
Summer Palace, Lhasa 
65
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
85
Sera Monastery, Lhasa
50
Drepung Monastery, Lhasa
60
Yamdrok Lake, Shannan city
60
Karola Glacier, Gyantse
50
Palcho Monastery, Shigatse
60
Sakya Monastery, Sakya
45
Tashilhunpo Monastery,  Shigatse
100
Rongbuk Monastery, Shigatse
30
Pelkor Chode Monastery, Gyantse
50
Everest Base Camp
90
Mapangyuntso Lake or Lake Manasoravar
150
Namtso Lake
120
Yangpachen Hotspring
98
Everest National Park Vehicle Fee
400 (Land Cruiser), 600 (minivan)

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Fly to Gongar and Drive to Lhasa (3,656m/11,990ft)

Morning transfer to Kathmandu and Nepal International airport for the scenic flight to Lhasa / Tibet with a short drive to Lhasa.

Arriving at Kathmandu a few days earlier with a pleasant time, get ready for an exciting journey for Mt. Everest base camp tour. After a good breakfast then transfer to Kathmandu and Nepal international airport for a scenic flight of an hour to reach Tibet soil. On flight boarding in Air China, enjoy a sweeping panorama of Himalayan peaks, with Mt. Everest and other world's highest mountain range.

Soon plane flies over the Himalayas to land at Gongar, in Tibet international airport, after going through immigration with visa formalities, and the head outside of the air terminal. Namaste Nepal Tibetan counterpart tour agent native Tibetan guide and driver receives you. Then take a short smooth drive to reach Lhasa city and then check into a nice Tibetan style hotel with well-furnished rooms.

The hotel is located in the old part of Lhasa near Barkor square a great place populated mostly by Tibetans. Time in the afternoon after checking into your nice room for a leisure walk around the market square around busy Barkor. 

Day 2 : Full day tour of Lhasa, Drepung, and Shera Monasteries with visit Jhorkang Temple and Norbulingka summer palace (3,656m/11,990ft)

The morning after breakfast our native Tibetan guide takes you for a short drive west of Lhasa. The city with modern buildings and wide road, and yet retaining the age-old glory of past centuries cultural heritage.

Drive leads uphill to Drepung Monastery complex, the largest and important monastery of Tibet, built as a university for Tibetan Buddhism learning in the early centuries. The word Drepung means a heap of rice, as you look from the distance with the whole monastery washed in white paints of lime.

Drepung with religious history as well a resident of many high priests till 5th Dalai Lama, then shifted the residence after Potala Palace was completed. 

Enjoy a tour of Drepung Monastery interior and prayer main hall, and then head towards Jokhang Temple the first Buddhist religious building built, during the time of King Songsten Gampo. Situated in the main center of Lhasa, within busy Barkhor market. 

Visit the Buddhist temple of historic importance and tales of ancient times, 

 tour of temple interior with color religious painting, visit the scenic terraces, for the scenic photograph of colorful busy Barkhor Market surrounding with close views of Potala Palace. 

Afternoon tour a short drive to the southwest to reach Norbulingka, a summer palace of the semi-modern interior with lovely large garden and tall trees, our guide will explain the history and story behind this summer palace.

Our tour ends continues towards another important Shera monastery and watch young monks students practice debates of great interest.

From here ends the day tour and time for refreshing rest and a short stroll around the happening areas of Barkor.

Please Note:

The above tour at places of interest is just a guideline, can change from one place to another as time permits, and your guide will inform visiting first of important sites.

As for the guide for Tibet, we use a local native Tibetan guide who knows the country best than other foreign guides, but in a larger group, we sometimes assign Nepalese group escort throughout the tour from Kathmandu to Kathmandu 

Day 3 : Tour of Potala Palace with afternoon free to explore around (3,656m/11,990ft)

The morning tour takes you to the most important site at majestic Potala Palace located on a red hill, in the center of Lhasa dominating the whole city within Kyuchi valley.

 Out of 100 rooms, visitors are allowed to enter few main halls and prayer rooms, including the meditation cave of King Songsten Gampo, magnificent Potala Palace, which was built in early 640 A.D. over the cave during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama.

A beautiful palace holds as a landmark of Tibet, after an interesting visit with a free afternoon for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. 

Day 4 : Drive to Shigatse (33,900m/12,796ft) via Gyantse, visit Phalkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa at Gyantse

Start early morning having breakfast, depart from the hotel for a long scenic drive beyond Lhasa city reaching around rural farm areas with nice villages. As ride leads on winding uphill to Khamba-La pass at 4,800 m high. The top offers a breathtaking panorama of Tibetan plateau beautiful landscapes with distant snow peaks, and of Yamdrok Tsho the turquoise holy lake.

After a wonderful moment with dramatic views, a downhill drive close to Yamdrok Tsho Lake to reach Nagarktse town for warm lunch in nice Tibetan restaurants.

 

The journey continues crossing another pass of Kara-La at 5,050 m high facing incredible views of Nzongkhangsa peak with massive ice-fall and glaciers close to the road. Drive then heads to the flat country with nomads camps and yak grazing on a vast field of meadows to reach Gyantse town.

Here, as time permits tour of the famous Gyantse Dzong (fort) Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, and then a few hours’ of good drive brings you to Tibet second-largest city in Shigatse for two overnights stop.

Day 5 : Morning visit Tashilumpo Monastery with market visit in Shigatse (3,900m/12,796ft)

After breakfast, a short drive to the outside of the famous Tashilumpo huge monastery complex adorned with a shining golden rooftop.

Our guide leads you inside the main monastery visiting prayer rooms and big main halls. This monastery, the seat of his holiness Panchen Lama, the second head of state after Dalai Lama.

Enjoy an interesting tour and witness, a tall bronze statue of Maitreya the future Buddha stands at 21 meters. After a pleasant visit to the monastery with lunch in a local nearby restaurant with tourist standard food served including typical Tibetan cuisine.

Afternoon tour of interesting Shigatse market on the main Tibetan shopping and bartering area, a good place to witness Tibetan culture and traditions.

After the tour back to the hotel, with time to relax or for a short stroll around the streets of Shigatse city.

Day 6 : Drive to Rongbuk Monastery (5,009m/16,434ft)

Early morning start for another long and exciting drive to Rongbuk Monastery and Everest base camp. On leaving Shigatse city outskirt enjoy looking around the rural country village and farm life. A drive takes you to Larze town, located on the junction of Mt. Kailash and Kathmandu-Lhasa highway.

From Large drive climb to reach on top the highest point of the adventure at Gyatsho-La of above 5,220 m / 17, 126 feet, festooned with prayer flags and religious objects. Enjoying views from the pass head down to Shegar town, as our route diverts from the main highway to enter Chomolungma National Park (a name for Everest in Tibetan). Drive continues heading up to another scenic Pang-La Pass at 5, 200 m. Enjoy the tremendous panorama of the Himalayan range that presents the borders with Nepal, views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu with the last 14th world highest Mt. Shisapangma. 

After a grand panorama downhill to Tashi Dzong town, where the route of Makalu and Kharte, Everest base camp diverts. An hour of good drive following Rongbuk River reach you at Rongbuk Monastery area for an overnight in a simple and nice guest-house.

Here the rooms and accommodation are very basic, with fewer facilities for tourist standard, where travelers should understand the nature of the area of high altitude, including cold, harsh weather conditions, but rooms are clean and tidy with simple food served of a local standard.

Here visit, the world's highest and old Rongbuk monastery with super views of Mt. Everest / Chomolungma. A great place out of this world and this was the original route used by early mountaineers for a climb of Mt. Everest Expedition.

Famous climber Adrian and Mallory used this route and stayed at Rongbuk before they got lost on the climb to Mt. Everest summit in early 1924.

Day 7 : Visit Everest Base Camp (5,150m/16,900ft) on local vehicle or hike for few hours

Today the main highlight of the adventure in Tibet, with an option taking a local transport like horse-cart, motorbike taxi or hike for few hours.

As vehicles are not allowed from Rongbuk Monastery to enter Everest base camp, without special permission of related Chinese Government department. Where only Mountaineering expedition lorry, trucks, and four-wheel drive are allowed.

Whether you take the comfort of local transport or walk, finally reaches you at Everest base camp at the height of 5, 200 m high, as mention on the pillar at base camp. Enjoy majestic glorious views of Mt. Everest with Rongbuk glaciers.

After an exciting and rejoicing moment head back to Rongbuk with time for a leisure tour of the monastery interior and around the shelter for meditation, in the early days, it was a place for deep long meditation and a nunnery. 

Day 8 : Drive to Shigatse (3,900m/12,796ft)

Today, another long day drive but interesting after completing our hard effort to Everest base camp, drive on the same scenic route to reach Shigatse in the comfort of a nice hotel. A luxury after an overnight in Rongbuk guest-house.

Day 9 : Drive to Lhasa on a short route from Shigatse (3,656m/11,990ft)

Our last day in Tibet, from Shigatse to Lhasa taking another short route following Brahmaputra River, Tibetan call as Yalung Tsangpo which flows from Mt. Kailash, around South West Tibet. Drive finally reach you at Lhasa on the good time of the afternoon with time for lunch or on the way.

On the final day in Lhasa and Tibet enjoy the rest of the afternoon with individual activities and shopping souvenirs.  

Day 10 : Fly back to Kathmandu (1,400m/4,600ft)

As per time for the flight to Kathmandu, enjoy breakfast, and depart from the hotel for an hour good drive to Gongar airport.

Here before entering the airport terminal bid farewell to our cheerful Tibetan guide and driver, and then through immigration and security check as you board in a big airplane of Air China Airlines. After a little more than an hour landing at Kathmandu, after a memorable experience in Lhasa / Tibet and great adventure Everest Base Camp Tour. 

At Kathmandu airport, transfer to your respective hotel, with the rest of the day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs in Kathmandu. 

Inclusions

What is included?

What isn't included?

Complimentary

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