Lhasa to Everest Basecamp Group Tour

Elevation: 3650m

Everest Basecamp Group Tour starts with your arrival in Lhasa, We will welcome you at the Airport or the Lhasa train station. Then, you will be escorted to your hotel. It is always advised that travelers take a good rest for proper acclimatization. Please do not do any activities that would lead you to dehydrate, like taking a bath. And avoid hard work on the first day. Many travelers prefer to take a nap. After some rest, you can explore Barkhor Street and the Tibetan quarter surrounding your hotel.

Hotel: House of Shambhala (Gold Star) or Banak Shol Hotel (***)

Potala Palace: In the morning, the group will visit the most iconic building in Tibet. It has more than 1,000 rooms and towers above Lhasa City. The palace was first built in the seventh century by King Songtsen Gampo. Later, in the 17th century, the fifth Dalai Lama rebuilt his residence over the ruins of the old palace. Ever since, the palace has served as the winter residence for successive Dalai Lama and the Administrative center for the local Tibetan Government.

Jokhang Temple: In the Afternoon, We will visit the Jokhang temple. The temple is considered the holiest Buddhist temple and Monastery in the Inner Himalayas. It was founded in the 7th Century by Tibetan Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo to house the Holiest statue of Lord Buddha. He brought this statue for the Dowry of Marrying Chinese Princess Wenchen. Thousands of pilgrims will Circumambulate, prostrate, and visit the Holy Temple.

Hotel: House of Shambhala (Gold Star) or Banak Shol Hotel (***)

Elevation: 3650m

Potala Palace Visit: In the morning, we will visit the Drak Yerpa Hermitage first. The hermitage is situated 18 km northeast of Lhasa, on a hillside at an elevation of 4,885 meters. It is one of the holiest cave hermitages. This hermitage is said to have been visited by almost all the saints and Masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Currently, numerous practitioners are meditating there.

Lunch and Tibetan Family Visit: After visiting Drak Yerpa, we will have lunch with a Tibetan family in a nearby village. They will invite us for lunch at their family home. After lunch, the group can stroll around the village.

Sera Monastery: In the afternoon, you will visit the Sera Monastery. The monastery is one of the three largest in Lhasa and central Tibet. The Main disciple of Je Tsongkhapa found it. It is about 600 years old. The main highlight of the monastery visit is the Monks debating Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy. The debating courtyard is open to visitors for observation from 3 pm every weekday. It is fun to watch and photograph, but only Mobile Phone Photography is allowed inside the courtyard.

Hotel: House of Shambhala (Gold Star) or Banak Shol Hotel (***)

Today, we will depart from Lhasa in the early morning to have a better view of Yamdrok Lake and have more time at the attraction of the day.

Yamdrok Lake: First, we will stop at Yamdrok Lake. It is one of the most sacred lakes in Tibet and the most beautiful. From the lake, you will see the Mt Nojin Kangtsang (7191m) in the distance as in the picture of left as you will travel along the lakeshore and drive up to the fantastic Karola Glacier before arriving at the town of Gyantse.

Gyantse town: In Gyantse town, you will find the Gyantse Palcho Monastery and the very famous Kumbum Stupa. It is the most prominent Tibetan Buddhist Stupa in Tibet. We will only see the Gyantse Dzong/ Fort from a distance. From Gyantse, you will drive across the Tibetan Countryside to Shigatse. Shigatse is the traditional seat of Panchen Lama, The second-highest Lama in the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and the second-largest city in traditional Tibet. In the city, you will visit the monastic complex of Tashi Lhunpo.

Hotel: Kadhak Hotel (***) or Xiga Yangjia (****)

Distance 350kms, Elevation: 5200m

In Shigatse, you will visit the vast monastery of Tashi Lhunpo. The excellent pilgrimage route around the monastery takes about an hour and has fantastic views.

The next destination is the small town of Shelkar, located in the Everest Region. Along the way to Shelkar, you will see more farming villages and beautiful landscapes. You will cross over the 5248-meter Gyatso La Pass, which has excellent views of the Himalayan Mountains.

After Shelkar, you will begin driving up the 5100-meter Geu La Pass. This pass offers a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas on bright days. You can see four 8000-meter peaks from this pass, including Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, and Everest.

You will continue to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, at just under 5000 meters. Rongbuk has an unbelievable view of Everest! From Rongphuk, you will go to Everest Basecamp to stay the night while gazing out at the world’s highest peak.”

Hotel: Tent Hostel near Rongbuk monastery (very basic accommodation).

In the morning, we will have a fantastic Sunrise view of Everest. Along the Himalayas, the first Sunbeam will light the uppermost peaks, and the sunrays will gradually come down into the valleys. After taking in the stunning view of Mt. Everest, we will return to Shigatse.

Detour to Sakya: Sakya is the traditional and principal home of the Tibetan Sakya Sect. It was also Tibet’s main headquarters or Capital during the Sakya dynasty in the 13th Century.

We will stop at some farming villages. Returning to Shigatse, we will have ample time to explore the main market street or re-hike the pilgrimage path at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

Hotel: >Kadhak Hotel (***) or Xiga Yangjia (****)

We will travel back to Lhasa. The distance for the return journey is 280 kilometers, and it will take only 6 Hours. We will have enough time to do last-minute souvenir shopping or walk the pilgrimage circuit around Jokhang Temple one more time.

Hotel: House of Shambhala (Gold Star) or Banak Shol Hotel (***)