8 Days Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour

Distance: 70 km (about 1 hr) from Gonggar Airport; 20 km (about 20 min) from Lhasa Railway Station | Meals: Self-arranged | Hotel: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)

Tashi Delek! Your local Tibetan guide and driver will meet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel.

If you arrive by air, the drive into Lhasa follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley and gives you an easy first look at the high plateau. After check-in, the rest of the day is free, with no sightseeing planned.

Use the afternoon and evening to rest and settle into the altitude before the city sightseeing begins.

Overnight in Lhasa.

CHIBET Travel Advice: Complimentary airport pick-up is available from 08:00 to 22:00, while train station pick-up operates 24 hours. Keep the first day easy and avoid strenuous activity while you adjust to the altitude.

Distance: Approx. 10 km local driving | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)

Today you begin exploring Lhasa through two of the city's important monastic institutions, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

Start at Drepung Monastery, one of Tibet's major Gelug monasteries. The complex spreads across the hillside west of central Lhasa, with whitewashed buildings, courtyards and prayer halls connected by narrow paths.

Your guide will explain the monastery's history and religious traditions as you walk through the main areas. The visit is also a useful introduction to Tibetan Buddhist monastic life before you continue to the more central landmarks tomorrow.

In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, another of Lhasa's great monastic universities.

Sera is particularly known for its traditional monk debate sessions. When the debate courtyard is open, you can watch monks discuss Buddhist philosophy through questions, answers and the characteristic clapping gestures used during the debates.

After the monastery visits, return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Overnight in Lhasa.

CHIBET Travel Advice: The debate schedule can vary according to the monastery's daily arrangements. Your guide will confirm the timing locally.

Distance: Approx. 4 km local driving | Meals: Breakfast, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Tibetan Welcome Dinner | Hotel: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)

Today takes you into the cultural and spiritual core of Lhasa, combining the city's most important landmarks with a few simple local experiences.

Start at the classic viewpoint for Potala Palace before entering the palace itself. Your visit passes through the White Palace and Red Palace, where your guide explains the main halls, chapels, murals and memorial stupas.

The palace sits on a hill, so there are substantial stairs during the visit. Take your time rather than trying to rush through the climb.

Later, continue to Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims come to pray throughout the day. After the temple visit, walk through Barkhor Street and follow part of the traditional clockwise kora around the Jokhang.

Take a break at a local teahouse and try Tibetan sweet tea before continuing through the old quarter. A traditional Tibetan dress photoshoot is also arranged, with robes, styling and photography around the historic whitewashed lanes.

In the evening, meet the group for a Tibetan welcome dinner before the overland journey toward Everest begins tomorrow.

Overnight in Lhasa.

CHIBET Travel Notice: Potala Palace uses fixed entry time slots and daily visitor limits, so your guide may adjust the sightseeing order around the confirmed ticket time. Photography is restricted inside some areas of the palace and Jokhang Temple.

Distance: 360 km (about 8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Shigatse (3,840m) | Altitude: Gampala Pass about 4,900m en route

Leave Lhasa this morning and begin the long overland journey toward Shigatse. It is a full day on the road, but the lake, glacier and high mountain passes gradually change the landscape as you travel west.

The first major stop is Gampala Pass, where Yamdrok Lake opens below the road. From the high viewpoint, the lake curves between the surrounding mountain ridges and appears very different from the settled river valleys around Lhasa.

Continue toward the lake before following the road west to Karola Glacier. The glacier descends unusually close to the highway, making it possible to see the ice without a long hike.

Continue through the Nyang Chu Valley toward Shigatse. Arrive in the evening and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Shigatse.

CHIBET Travel Advice: This is a long driving day. Gampala Pass and Karola Glacier can be much colder and windier than Lhasa, even on a clear day. Keep a warm, windproof layer easily accessible.

Distance: 340 km (about 8 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast, Tibetan Yak Hotpot | Hotel: EBC Tent Guesthouse or Dingri Vienna International Hotel | Altitude: Everest Base Camp area about 5,200m; Gyatso La about 5,280m; Gawula Pass about 5,198m

Today the road leaves Shigatse and heads southwest into the Himalayas. Towns become smaller, the plateau opens wider and the mountains gradually take over the horizon.

Cross Gyatso La Pass at approximately 5,280 meters. On a clear day, Mount Everest may appear in the distance for the first time, still small on the horizon above the surrounding ridges.

The wider Himalayan panorama comes later at Gawula Pass. When visibility is good, several major Himalayan peaks can be seen along the horizon before the road drops through the famous switchbacks toward the Everest region.

Continue toward Everest Base Camp. The road gradually brings the northern face of Mount Everest into view as you approach the viewing area.

Arrive at the Everest Base Camp area in the afternoon. If the weather cooperates, there may be an opportunity to watch the evening light change across Everest's northern face. After sunset, temperatures fall quickly, but on a clear night the high-altitude sky can be exceptionally dark and full of stars.

Dinner tonight is a warm Tibetan yak hotpot, a welcome meal after the long drive into the Everest region.

Accommodation Options:

EBC Tent Guesthouse: A simple high-altitude stay close to Everest. Facilities are basic, but the location gives you the best opportunity to remain near the mountain for the evening and the following morning.

Vienna International Hotel: A more comfortable hotel option at a lower elevation. Guests staying here do not return to Everest Base Camp the following morning for sunrise.

Rongbuk Hotel Upgrade: A luxury private-room option closer to Everest may be available with an additional charge, subject to seasonal availability.

Overnight near Everest.

CHIBET Travel Notice: Everest views, sunset and stars depend on weather and cloud conditions. Nights around Everest can be extremely cold, so bring your warmest layers. Sunrise access depends on the confirmed accommodation arrangement.

Distance: Approx. 340 km | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Shigatse (3,840m)

For guests staying near Everest Base Camp, the morning begins early with another possible view of Mount Everest.

When the sky is clear, the first light reaches the upper snow slopes before the valley below. The mountain can look very different from the previous evening, but cloud can also hide the summit completely.

After breakfast, you'll return to Shigatse via Dinggye, taking an alternative Himalayan route different from the traditional path.

Here, you'll stop at the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint. From the viewpoint, you can see the majestic eastern slope of Mount Everest again, together with Mount Lhotse, the world's fourth-highest peak at 8,516 meters. You can also enjoy the broad and open wetland landscape at the foot of Mount Everest.

Next, you'll make a brief stop in the ancient town of Sakya to stroll around Sakya Ancient Town and take in a quieter side of the Himalayan landscape.

Finally, continue toward Shigatse. Arrive in the city and settle into your hotel for the evening.

Overnight in Shigatse.

CHIBET Travel Advice: Everest sunrise is weather-dependent and cannot be guaranteed. If cloud covers the mountain, the group continues with the planned return journey to Shigatse.

Distance: 280 km (about 5 hrs driving) | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: Hotel in Lhasa (3,650m)

Before leaving Shigatse, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important religious institutions in Tibet and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas.

Walk through the monastery's courtyards and prayer halls, where monks and pilgrims continue their daily religious activities.

Inside the Maitreya Buddha Hall, see the large gilded image of the Future Buddha and learn about the monastery's religious traditions and artistic heritage.

After the visit, leave Shigatse and return toward Lhasa. The road follows the plateau and river valleys back toward the capital, and the afternoon is easier after the demanding Everest section.

Arrive in Lhasa and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Lhasa.

CHIBET Travel Advice: Photography inside some halls at Tashilhunpo Monastery may be restricted. Ask your guide before taking indoor photographs.

Distance: 70 km (about 1 hr) to Gonggar Airport; 20 km (about 20 min) to Lhasa Railway Station | Meals: Breakfast | Hotel: /

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and some free time before departure.

At the scheduled time, your local Tibetan guide and driver will transfer you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your onward journey.

Allow enough time for airport check-in, security procedures or train boarding, especially if your departure is early in the morning.

Your 8-day Lhasa Everest Base Camp group tour ends here.

CHIBET Travel Advice: Complimentary airport drop-off is available from 08:30 to 22:30, while train station drop-off operates 24 hours. Please confirm your departure details with your guide in advance.