Trip Cost:

Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour via Everest Base Camp is a journey to experience the beauty of Tibetan landscape and to understand the rich culture of its people. This 9-day adventure starts from Kathmandu followed by Nyalam, Dingri, Shegar then the base camp of the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest followed by visits to Shigatse, Gyantse and finally to Lhasa.

During our Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour via Everest Base Camp, we also explore the mystical Yamdrok Tso Lake, conquer a few high passes, and visit popular Tibetan monasteries like Sakya, Tashilhunpo, Shalu, Sera and Rongbuk, the world's highest monastery, all the while being surrounded by the magnetic allure of the Himalayas.

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 01: Kathmandu to Kyirong (3,800m/12,467ft): 153 km, 7 - 8 hours
After breakfast, we start our journey with a morning scenic drive along the beautiful Nepalese countryside passing through the Nepalese towns of Trishuli, Dhunche, and Syabrubesi. Driving through the deep and big gorges, cascading waterfalls, rivers, hill-side villages, and forests, we will reach the Nepal-Tibet border at Rasuwagadhi. After necessary formalities at Nepalese immigration and crossing the bridge on the border, we will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and continue our adventurous uphill drive on the Tibetan side to reach Kyirong. Overnight in Kyirong.

Day 02: Kyirong to Lotingri (4,050m/13,284 ft): 257 Km, 5 hours
Today, we will enjoy the pretty borderline along the snow-capped mountain and evergreen forests as we begin our day drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape offering breathtaking panoramic views of beautiful Himalayan ranges like Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Shishapangma. From Lotingri, one can enjoy the magnificence of the majestic Mt. Everest. Overnight in Lotingri

Day 03: Lotingri-Rongbuk monastery ( 5,000m/16, 404ft): 160Km, 3 hours drive. Explore Everest by walking to Guru Rinpoche cave and back to Rongbuk monastery: 2 hours
After breakfast, we will drive to Rongbuk monastery through the friendship highway at a distance of 60km; and then turn right towards Rongbuk monastery. We will stop at the top of the Gyawold pass for great views of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu. Then, we continue driving down through many corners for about one and a half hour to reach Rongbuk monastery. We will have our lunch in Rongbuk monastery, and in the afternoon we will walk to Guru Rinpoche cave which takes about an hour. Visit the cave and explore Everest and enjoy a great view of Mount Everest from Guru Rinpoche cave. Late afternoon, we will walk back to Rongbuk monastery. Enjoy the most beautiful sunset views on Everest. Overnight in Rongbuk monastery.
Note that on rare occasions due to bad weather or political riots the local government may close down the road to the Everest base camp for safety reasons and without prior notice.

Day 04: Drive from Rongbuk to Shegar and further to Shigatse(3,900m/12,795 ft) via Sakya Monastery: 300km, 7-8 hours
In the morning, we can enjoy magnificent views of sunrise on Everest, then have breakfast and drive to Shigatse crossing three big mountain passes and passing by many beautiful Tibetan villages. The people in the communities are mostly farmers, and they rear some cattle, sheep, yaks, cows, etc. On the way, we visit the Sakya monastery which dates back to the 12th century, and it is the seat of Sakyapa school in Tibetan Buddhism. The main architectures inside the castle are the Dajing Hall, the Buddhism Hall and the hall where the Sakya archbishop lived. From here, we continue our drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 05: Shigatse to Gyantse (3,950m/12,959 ft)via Shalu Monastery: 100km, 2 hours
After breakfast, we visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse which holds both historical and cultural importance for being founded by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama in 1447. After touring the Tashilhunpo Monastery, we continue our drive to Gyantse. On the way, we visit Shalu Monastery. Founded in 1040, Shalu Monastery is known for its beautiful and ancient mural paintings. We continue to Gyantse and while there visit Khumbum Stupa, Phalkot Monastery and Gyantse Dzong (Fortress), which is one of the best-preserved dzongs in Tibet. Overnight in Gyantse.

Day 06: Gyantse to Lhasa (3,650 m/11,972ft)via Karo La pass and Yamdrok Tso Lake: 260km, 5-6 hours. From Gyantse, we continue to Lhasa crossing the Karo La (5,010m/16,432 ft), and Kamba La (4794m/15,725 ft) passes and Lake Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake), one of the three largest sacred lakes of Tibet, also believed to be the transformation of a Tibetan goddess. Furthermore, we cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River and see Potala Palace for the first time from a distance. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 07: Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital: 5 - 6 hours
We begin sightseeing in Lhasa after breakfast. Today is the day we visit the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Built in the 17century, Potala Palace provides terrific views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms, and chapels. Norbulingka Palace is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and houses what is considered to be the most extensive human-made garden in Tibet. Next, we visit the Tibet Traditional Hospital which is the center for the treatment, training, research, and production of Tibetan medicine. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 08: Lhasa Sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar: 5 - 6 hours. After breakfast, we visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar. Drepung Monastery, which was built in the 14century, is believed to have sheltered around 10,000 monks in the past but as of now, there has been quite a declination resulting in only a few hundred. The history, culture, and religious beliefs of the Tibetan people are strongly concentrated and centered in this marvelous monastery. Sera Monastery is a preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. We further stroll through Barkhor Bazaar (market). With its open-air stalls, shops and crowd of pilgrims, it is the nerve center of Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 09: Final Departure
Our adventure in the Himalayas comes to an end today.

Trip Facts:
Group size: Minimum 2 people
Max-Altitude: 5,250m/17,220ft
Destination: Tibet
Arrival on: Kathmandu, Nepal
Departure from: Lhasa, Tibet

Included in the Cost:
All the necessary Tibet travel permits
Assistance in acquiring Chinese visa
Pick up and drops from airport and hotel
Everest National Park admission fee and Grass dame charge
Transportation on private vehicle (van or Hiace or bus)
Accommodation in Tibet on twin sharing basis with breakfast
English speaking, trained and experienced Tibetan guide
All fees for sightseeing and visits to monasteries as outlined in the itinerary
All applicable taxes and service charges

Not Included in the Cost:
Accommodation in Kathmandu
Chinese visa fee
International flights to Kathmandu and out of Lhasa
Travel insurance
Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
Tips for guides and driver
Nepal visa
Meals: Breakfast during the entire tour
Accommodation: Standard hotels with bed and breakfast