China, Nepal · UNESCO Heritage Sites

8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour with Tibet Heritage Sites

192 Hours Round trip from Lhasa Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 See World Heritage Sites including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulinka
02 Visit Drepung and Sera, two of the largest Geluk-pa monasteries in Lhasa
03 Cross high mountain passes and admire Yamdrok-tso and the Karo-La Glacier
04 Take in views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu from Gyawu-La pass
05 Hike from Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp

Cover Tibet's famous scenic sights on this journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp. See World Heritage Sites such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulinka, and visit Drepung and Sera, two of the largest monasteries in Lhasa belonging to the Tibetan Buddhist Geluk-pa school. Learn about Tibetan culture as you travel through Gyantse and Shigatse, and admire the pristine nature along the way, including Yamdrok-tso, Karo-La Glacier, and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.

Reach the top of Gyawu-La Pass and stop for a few minutes to view Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 192 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Lhasa

Land at Lhasa Airport, where your tour guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.
Check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 02

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor

Visit the Potala Palace after breakfast at the hotel. Located in the centre of Lhasa city, this building was constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsan Gampo.
In the afternoon, go to Jokhang Temple. The temple was built in the 7th century under Tibetan king Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wenchen.
Follow the guide to the Kora road and enjoy exploring Barkhor Street. Roam around a traditional Tibetan market.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 03

Drepung Monastery, Sera, and Norbulinka

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Drepung Monastery. The monastery is located at the foot of Mount Gephel in the western part of Lhasa city. Take a closer look at the Buddhist monks in the debate garden.
Continue to Norbulinka, located 2 km from Potala Palace.

Day 04

Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok-tso and Gyantse

After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Lhasa to Shigatse. En route, cross the Gangbala Pass (4790 m). Reach the top of the pass to appreciate a turquoise lake.
Continue towards Gyantse, viewing the Karo-La Glacier (5210 m) on the way.
Reach Gyantse and visit Pelkor Choden Monastery and Kumbum Stupa.
Drive to Shigatse (2 hours).

Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 05

Shigatse to Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp Area

Depart from Shigatse after breakfast. Drive along the Friendship Highway to Rongbuk Monastery. On the way, cross Gyatso La Pass (5200 m) and Gyawu-La Pass (5200 m). Reach the top of Gyawu-La Pass and stop for a few minutes to view Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
Continue the drive along the winding road to Rongbuk. Upon arrival, check in at a Rongbuk guest house.

Overnight at Rongbuk Monastery.

Day 06

Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp and Return to Shigatse

After breakfast, take a short hike from Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp and reach the base camp.
Drive back to Shigatse for an overnight stay.

Day 07

Tashilunpo Monastery and Return Toward Lhasa

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
Visit Tashilunpo Monastery. This monastery is located on the south slope of Nyimar Hill. It was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, Dendun Drupa, the 8th disciple of Tsongkhapa, and is the largest monastery in the Tsang area.

Day 08

Departure from Lhasa

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide and driver in the hotel lobby and transfer to Lhasa Airport.

Where this trip takes you

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, Yamdrok-tso, Rongbuk Monastery

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Lhasa 3 cities · 192 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation in 3-star hotels on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast, as mentioned
All necessary Tibet tour permits
All scenic entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Transportation during sightseeing activities
Airport/train station pick-up and drop-off throughout the trip
English-speaking Tibetan guide

What's Not Included

International and domestic airfare/train tickets
Meals - lunch and dinner
Personal expenses
Tips

What to bring

Down jacket or warm fleece top
Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
Cotton shirts (short- and long-sleeved)
Warm cotton trousers
Sunglasses
Warm woollen hat and gloves
Sandals (flip-flops)
Towel
Sleeping bag (for camping/trekking)
Rain jacket
Strong sunscreen and skin protector
Moisturizer
Water bottle
Camera

Know before you go

In Tibet, according to government regulations, except for travellers from Hong Kong and Macau, all foreign tourists travelling to Tibet must obtain a travel permit before entry. Without a travel permit, you cannot buy a flight or train ticket to travel to Tibet. Therefore, before planning your trip, you should contact a local travel agency to arrange a tour that includes the Tibet tour permits. Only a local agency can help you apply for the Tibet tour permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau.
To obtain a permit, you need to send a copy of your passport and valid Chinese visa by fax or email at least 2 weeks before your departure. You also need to provide the following detailed information:
- Full name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Passport number
If you are beginning the tour from China to enter Tibet, you need to send a valid passport and a copy of your standard Chinese entry visa by email at least 15 days before your departure. Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months remaining.
Your Chinese visa should be valid for the full length of time you intend to remain in China, including Tibet. The "L" visa is easy to obtain. Business visa "F", resident visa "D", student visa "X", and work visa "Z" holders can also obtain the Tibet permit, but you need to provide a certified letter from your China business partner or related institution, such as a school or company. When we receive your detailed information, our tour operator will prepare the application text and group list and apply for the permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau within 5 working days.
Journalists cannot obtain the Tibet tour permit from any local travel agency.
There are four different permits needed to travel in the Tibet Autonomous Region:
- Tibet tour permit
- Alien travel permit
- Military permit
- Foreign affairs office permit
The Tibet tour permit is required for entry into Tibet when issuing air, train, or bus tickets from the main gateway cities to Tibet. Without it, you cannot obtain an air or train ticket to Tibet. In addition, the alien travel permit is required to travel to non-open areas such as Tsetang, Samye Monastery, Gyantse, Sakya Monastery, the Mt. Everest area, and other restricted parts of Tibet. This permit is obtained from the Public Security Bureau (PSB). The military permit and foreign affairs office permit are required for more remote areas such as southeast Tibet, Kham, and far northwest Tibet, including Mt. Kailash, Guge, and the Jantang area. Our tour operator will apply for all permits on your behalf. To do this, you need to provide a clear, legible copy of your passport and valid Chinese visa by fax or email at least 3 weeks before your departure. We will obtain these special permits for you, and when you book a Tibet tour with our tour operator, we will arrange all the necessary permits.
About the Tibet tour permit and visa:
- For all foreign travellers, before travelling to Tibet, you must contact a travel agency to arrange the Tibet tour permit before your departure. To apply for the Tibet permit, you first need a passport valid for at least 6 months, and a valid Chinese visa is essential. Without these documents, the Tourism Bureau will refuse to issue the Tibet permit.
Chinese visa:
- The Chinese visa is generally obtainable from most Chinese embassies and consulates in your home country. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will issue a standard 30-day single-entry tourist visa in 3-5 working days.
- Visa fees vary according to how much your country charges Chinese citizens for a visa. When completing the Chinese embassy visa application form, do not list your occupation as a journalist and do not mention bicycles.
- If you are beginning the trip from the China side to enter Tibet, you will require a single China visa valid for the whole length of time you intend to remain in China, including Tibet. Such a visa can be obtained from the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country or in Hong Kong.
- If you begin the tour from Nepal to enter Tibet, it is better not to apply for an individual Chinese visa in your country. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you need to join a group in Tibet with a group visa. The Chinese embassy will first cancel your former individual visa and then issue a group visa. So do not apply for a Chinese visa until you reach Kathmandu, to avoid wasting money. To get a Chinese visa in Kathmandu, please send us your clear passport copy and other details, such as your profession, at least 15 days in advance. When we receive this information, our tour operator team will apply for the visa invitation letter and Tibet entry permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. We will then send it by email to our partner agent in Kathmandu.
- To apply for the group visa for your travel to Tibet, you need to provide your original passport to the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu. For this reason, we advise you to arrive in Kathmandu at least 2-3 days before departure to Tibet.
- Our Nepal partner tour operator will take these documents and your original passport to the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu to apply for the Chinese group visa. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu issues visas only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so you must plan your itinerary accordingly.
Very important: Visa processing days at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and visas can be collected the same day upon payment of urgent fees - USD 114 for European passports and USD 198 for US passports. To avoid wasting time in Kathmandu, it is best to arrive on Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday so that you can get a visa the next day and fly to Tibet the day after. Except in the main season, flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu generally operate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings and are almost always full.
Note: Do not trust a travel agency that offers to sell you a Tibet travel permit without requiring you to book a tour. No legitimate travel agency will offer a "permit-only" service. Avoid wasting your money, as this is almost certainly a scam. Lhasa PSB will not issue travel permits to individuals and will direct you to a travel agency. Agencies can arrange a travel permit to almost anywhere, but only if you book a Land Cruiser, driver, and guide.
Carry nucleic acid testing before you depart from China to Tibet.
Carry a vaccine report.