Mount Everest Tour starting from Lhasa and exiting from Kyirong border is one of the most popular destinations in Tibet. This tour is suitable for friends and family groups with kids.
The actual Everest base camp (5200m) was closed in mid-2018 for environmental protection purposes. But the Rongbuk Monastery (4980m) it’s still open for tourists and pilgrims. From there, we have the stunning north-facing view of Mt. Everest.
In this mount Everest tour, one well aware of the Tibetan culture, traditions, history, and so on. Starting our Mount Everest tour from Lhasa, we will visit some of the most popular monasteries including the Potala Palace.
Moreover, on the way to Everest, you can experience more about the way of life on the Tibetan plateau. And also crossing some breathtaking high passes and holy lakes.
Lhasa Gongkar Airport (Google Map)
Upon arrival at the Lhasa Gongkar airport / Lhasa train station, our client will be warmly welcomed by our Tibetan local tour guide and the driver with the traditional Tibetan white scarf. Driving for about an hour from the airport to Lhasa and half an hour from the train station to the hotel. After check-in at the hotel, the guide will brief the tour itineraries for the next day and relax in the hotel for the rest of the day to acclimatize to the high altitude.
We will begin our visit from Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred temples in Tibet. The temple was built in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet – Songtsen Gampo. “Jokhang” means the temple of the Buddha built for the enshrinement of the Shakyamuni image, which is believed to be nonexistent before the lifetime of Shakyamuni.
After visiting the temple you can explore the surrounding Barkhor street and spend time walking around the Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon will visit Sera Monastery, one of three great monasteries of Gelugpa school and attend the debating session of the monks which is quite popular in Sera.
Today we will visit the stunning Potala Palace – the landmark of Lhasa. Potala is the winter palace that was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. The visit provides amazing views of the entire city.
There are more than thousands of rooms including the private quarters of the Dalai Lama and numerous chapels. In the afternoon, we are going to visit the Norbulingka Palace. Is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama which was built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama.
Today is the scenic drive with breathtaking high passes and the holy lake. Driving along the Lhasa river till the Lhasa Airport and we cross Kampa-la Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Nyanchen Gangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road.
In the middle, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of the holy lake Yamdrok-Yumtso. Finally, we arrive at Gyantse town, where we visit the considered best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also, we admire the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley.
Then we drive North-West to reach the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region – Shigatse. At there we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama.
Nowadays is the spiritual seat for the successive Panchen Lamas. We recommend doing Kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery if times allow because of having an incredible panorama view of the valley and impressive Dzong (fortress).
The journey to Rongbuk monastery involves crossing Tso La (4700m) pass, Gyatso La (5220m) pass and Pang La (5150m) pass. Driving 330km from Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery takes about 5hrs and can enjoy the amazing views of several peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Shishabangma, and Mt. Everest from the top of the Pang-la pass (5150m).
It’s worth to take some pictures of sunrise on Mt. Everest early morning but the temperature can get very cold, so wear enough clothes to protect from the extreme coldness. After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit the Rongbuk monastery – the highest monastery in the world and then drive continue to go west to Kyirong County.
In the morning your Guide Driver will drop you off at the border bridge between Nepal and Tibet. After the border formalities, you need to walk for 50m to the Nepal side. From then our Mount Everest tour in Tibet officially end. Have a safe journey after that
A trip to remember
We were group of ten persons and enjoyed a wonderful 7 days trip Lhasa – Everest Base Camp trip with Norbu.
Norbu seemed to think and prepare everything long before our arrival, nothing comes short, also very knowledgeable with every places we visited. It was a trip to remember. Tks Norbu!
