Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour

After the flight and getting refreshed in respective hotels, a rendezvous in Kathmandu with other members for trip orientation, where our guide/leader will inform and brief regarding the journey to Tibet, hotels, do and don’ts with evening group dinner.

The morning after breakfast as time set for the sightseeing tour, our city guide will lead you for a few hours on our fascinating heritage and cultural tour around places of interest, a tour of holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, old historical Palaces, courtyard; and then back to the hotel after the wonderful tour, afternoon free for individual activities and preparation for the journey to Tibet.

The morning after breakfast depart from the hotel to Kathmandu International airport for the flight to Lhasa city, a scenic flight with panoramic views of the high Himalayas including the soaring Mt. Everest. On reaching Gongar airport near Lhasa our Tibetan guide and driver, from our counterpart agent in Tibet receive you for a short drive of an hour to reach the main Lhasa city.

Lhasa city is a mixture of old and new, our hotels are situated in the old parts of east Lhasa around Barkor market square, which is the hub of Lhasa, where one can observe the Tibetans from all parts of Tibet with their colorful costumes and deep root in Tibetan Buddhism.
Here in Lhasa with two days of the interesting tour, the visit around monastery Drepung monastery, which is one of the largest and oldest monastic complexes, in the olden days over 7,000 monks, the priest used to reside, at present about 200 -300 monks, Dalai Lama used to reside here, before Potala Palace was built.
Driving means a heap of rice, as this building washed with white lime paints perched on a hilltop above Lhasa or Kyuchi valley.
Afternoon visits Sera Monastery, one of the most important and old monasteries of Tibet as well as a school for Tibetan Buddhism, interesting to watch young monks in heavy debate, from here visit Jokhang Temple is another interesting place as it boasts a lot of historic importance and tales of old days. Conclude the day tour by visiting Barkor market square.
The next morning tour of magnificent Potala Palace, originally built in 640 A.D, the 13-storied palace stands at 117.19m high with 1000 rooms, visitors are allowed only 10 -12 main and important rooms and shrines.

Afternoon visit Norbu Linka a summer palace of most recent Dalai Lamas, which is quite modern with an immaculate garden, after an enjoyable time afternoon free at leisure for last-minute shopping souvenirs.

Morning departure for Gyantse, drive leads towards the west and then south of Lhasa crossing the Brahmaputra River (Yalung Tsangpo) which flows from
Mt. Kailash remote southwest of Tibet, and then heading over Khamba-la pass at 4,795 meters high with an awesome panorama of Tibetan plateau with snow-capped peaks and turquoise Yamdrok Tsho (lake), heading downhill towards the turquoise lake to reach another pass after Nakartse town, drive leads on the vast Tibetan plateau crossing over Karo- La Pass 5,010m, with stunning views of Nzongkhansa peak which is over 7,000 meters and icefall, the glacier can be seen just next to the roadside, around here settlement of Drokpa (nomads) with Yaks grazing around the grassy meadow, as the ride continues reaching Gyantse city, check into a nice hotel, afternoon tour of Khumbum terracotta stupa and its huge Dzong (Fort).

Today one of the shortest drives of this trip with just about 3 hours drive to Tibet’s 2nd biggest city of Shigatse, drive leads southwest through farm villages and small towns and with first views of the famous and beautiful Tashilumpo monastic complex and its golden rooftop.

Upon reaching the middle of Shigatse city check into a nice hotel where our guide will take you for a tour of Shigatse, honored by the famous Tashilumpo Monastery; the seat of Panchen Lama.

The most interesting places are the Tashilumpo monastic complex and the ruined fortress which dominates the city’s skyline. A high wall surrounds the red and gold buildings which make up the Tashilumpo Monastery. The route around the wall circumambulates the monastery which also includes small shrines, significant rock inscriptions, and many prayer wheels. A visit to the market concludes our stay at Shigatse.

After a wonderful time in Shigatse, leaving the city behind, towards vast windswept terrain of typical landscapes heading south on the Lhasa / Kathmandu Friendship highway reaching at Large town, located on route to Mt. Kailash also, after a small break here continue to drive leading towards the highest pass of this journey at Gyatsho -la pass 5,220 meters high, and then to Shegar town, after a short rest here, continue to drive on leaving the main road, reaching another high Pang-la pass 5,200 meters with spectacular views of a snow-capped mountain range from far east Mt. Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu towards Shisapangma with another array of peaks.

After a fabulous moment heading towards Rongbuk River and the on the winding uphill reaching at Rongbuk Monastery for overnight stop with the close and classic view of Mt. Everest (Chomolungma in Tibetan), here visit the small monastery, actually a nunnery in early days.
In Rongbuk, there are few lodges, guesthouses, stores, and classy modern Chinese government hotels, which do not blend with the surrounding landscapes looking odd in this wild beautiful setting.

Afternoon visit base camp which is just 40 minutes drive from the monastery, ride leads over moraine dunes and icy rivers, at base camp marvel at the closest North Face views of Mt. Everest and then return to Rongbuk for overnight.

Goodbye to this wonderful spot and great Chomolungma / Everest, here driving either on the same route towards Pang-la or taking a short rough road via Lungja village on route Cho Oyu peak, either way, brings at Old Tingri with the last view of Mt. Everest and then on the Lhasa / Kathmandu highway all the way reaching the frontier town in Zhangmu, after going through the last pass of this trip over Laylung la at 5,050 meters, with a super panorama of mountains towards the south, looking at Number, Gaurishanker, Melung use, the massive bulk of Mt. Shisapangma (last 14th world highest mountain) Dorji Lakpa with Langtang range all these peaks bordering with Nepal / Tibet.

Drive descends after leaving the vast Tibetan plateau and then towards tree lines of rhododendron, oaks, and pines forest following the Bhote Kosi to Zhangmu town, Nepali calls it Khasa and in Tibetan Drama, this town busy with Chinese and Nepali merchants and traders with full of shops and restaurants, including bars, night club, and discotheque.

After a great time in Tibet, morning after going through immigration and heading towards Friendship and farewell to our Tibetan guide and drivers, at Kodari in Nepal check into immigration and then a scenic drive all the way back to hustle bustle city life of Kathmandu.

Today is your last day in Nepal with great memories of Tibet and Nepal after an amazing experience, transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to the next port of call.