Everest Base Camp

ITINERARY

Days 01 Kathmandu-Lhasa: 3600m/11811ft (BB)

Days 02 Lhasa – Potola Palace, Jokhang Temple and Bakhor Market: 3600m/11811ft (BB)

Days 03 Lhasa – Sera Monastery - Drepung Monastery: 3600m/11811ft (BB)

This morning we will drive 5km away from Lhasa to Sera Monastery founded in 1419. It sits in the prettiest and most charming atmosphere at the base of Mount Purbuchok. Sera Monastery used to be an important center for learning where 5,000 to 6,000 monks resided. The most intriguing feature here is the nine-meter image of the Monastery; here one can also witness the practicing debate among the monks, who pitch their knowledge against each other. In the afternoon we will drive 8km northwest of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery. It was the residence of the Third, Fourth and the Fifth Dalai Lamas. This winter Palace was the resident of hundreds of monks from all the major Geluk monasteries for staffing individual Chapels. The 20,000 sq m complex has survived unscathed even during the Cultural Revolution. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa

Days 04 Lhasa – Gyantse: 3950m/12956ft – 7 hours (BB)

Leaving Lhasa and a long drive of 261km, taking about 5/6 hours including break for lunch at one of the villages’ en-route. We will drive over two spectacular high passes – the Kampa La at 4750m and Karo La at 5010m, over, and along the beautiful deep blue green Lake called Yamdrok Lake or Turquoise Lake. The landscape of the Tibetan Plateau is truly unusual and spectacular. We will arrive in Gyantse an old Tibetan Town against a backdrop of magnificent 14th-15th century fortresses and temples. Here we will visit Pelkhor Chode Temple, which served the Gelug Sakya and Buluk orders. Here the Kumbum Stupa is an architectural masterpiece built in the style of 108-sided Mandela. It is the most revered stupa in Tibet and houses 112 chapels of which only 23 are open to the public. O/N at Hotel in Gyantse

Days 05 Gyantse – Shigatse: 3900m/12792ft – 2 hours (BB)

After breakfast 2 hours, 60km straight drive to Shigatse the second largest town in Tibet. Shigatse the capital of Tsang Province is 395km west of Lhasa via Gyantse. Shigatse was one of the first towns to be visited by westerners due to close distance with the Indian border. Here, Tashilumpo Palace is the place to visit. His Holiness the Panchen Lama (great scholar), the second highest spiritual figure in Tibet after His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The Fifth Dalai Lama built this artistic Palace. There are about 39 amazing chapels inside the Palace including the huge Maitreya Chapel coated with gold, its workmanship certainly impresses everyone, Tushita Chapel containing one thousand small statues of Tsongkhapa founder of Geluk order. Victory Chapel, which is concerted into a school for study and in side the chapel there is a huge gold image of Tsokapa and his two disciples and also the Tomb of the Tenth Panchen Lama just to name a few. In the afternoon, we will visit the local markets for shopping and local sightseeing. O/N at Hotel in Shigatse

Days 06 Shigatse – Shegar: 4200m/13776ft (BB)

Driving from Shigatse to Shegar is approx 6/7 hours. You will be crossing one of the highest Thongla Pass (5220) of the tour; you will come across many nomads together with Yak’s ship. O/N at Hotel in Shegar

Days 07 Shegar – Rongbuk: 5030m/16498ft - 3 hours (BB)

From Shegar we head off the main overland route (3 hours) that rises steeply up the foothills of the Himalayas to arrive at Rongbuk Monastery. This monastery is considered to be the highest monastery in the world; you will be crossing over Pang la pass approx. 5000m. Today you will be able to marvel at the beautiful snow clapped Mt. Everest 8448m and some of the outstanding view of Mt. Shisapangma 8013m, Mt. Makalu 8464m, Mt. Lhotse 8516m and Mt. Chooyu 8201m. O/N at Hotel in Rongbuk

Days 08 Rongbuk: 5030m/16498ft (BB)

Whole day excursion of Everest base camp, O/N at Hotel in Rongbuk

Days 09 Rongbuk – Zhangmu: 2500m/8200ft - 7 hours (BB)

After breakfast we drive back to Shegar and from here, it is about 8 hours drive to our last destination in Tibet. The difference in landscape is quite spectacular-the barren rugged landscape of Tibet to the mighty Himalayas, where the scenery changes to rich forests, typical of the Nepalese foothills. Zhangmu is a small boarder town teetering on a precipitous hillside. It serves as the main port of entry into Tibet when coming overland to and from Nepal. O/N at Hotel in Zhangmu

Days 10 Zhangmu – Kathmandu: 1300m/4265ft – 5 hours (BB)

After breakfast, we cross the Friendship Bridge into Kodari, Nepal and drive into Kathmandu via Araniko highway. By now, you will have entered into a completely different landscape one which is vastly different from just where you were a few days ago. The Nepali foothills and the greenery will make the drive pleasant and enjoyable. O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu