Incredible Everest

In this tried-and-true Mount Everest overland trip to the best locations in and around Lhasa, you’ll get a glimpse of both modern and traditional life in the Tibetan capital. Rub shoulders with pilgrims in the crowded Barkhor market, offer a butter lamp at the holy Jokhang Temple, and peek into the treasure store rooms of the Potala Palace. Watch monks debate Buddhist philosophy at Sera Monastery and hike the traditional kora path. At Drepung Monastery, explore the mysterious temple of the Nechung Oracle. Outside of Lhasa, visit the traditional town of Gyantse and see the giant Buddha in Shigatse. Drive over rocky mountains and through picturesque valleys on the way to Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. From Rongbuk, head to Mt. Everest and hike up to Base Camp before taking a scenic route back to Lhasa.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa [3658m]

Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.

Potala Palace from Jokhang Temple

Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing

Visit Drepung, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa. Located just outside Lhasa on Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to as many as 10,000 monks. The enormous monastic complex features many prayer halls, dormitories, and temples. Just below the monastery is the Nechung Temple, the former home of the state oracle.

Drepung Monastery, one of the three largest Buddhist learning centers in Tibet.

Afterward, visit Sera Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of Tibet, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard and receive a black tika on your forehead to remove negative spirits and energy. If you enjoy hiking, walk the hour-long circumambulation path around the monastery complex.

Sera Monastery debate Courtyard

Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing

In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, widely regarded as the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. The Potala is an impressive 13 stories high and holds countless treasures in its many intricately decorated rooms. Built in 637 AD, this magnificent palace has served as the home to the Dalai Lama lineage for more than a thousand years, standing as a symbol of Tibetan culture and history.

The Potala Palace

also, visit the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in all of Tibet. From the rooftop, you will see pilgrims from all over Tibet prostrating in front of the Jowo Buddha statue inside the monastery. This is the main reason that Tibetans from far and near come to Lhasa for pilgrimage. There are many chapels with different Buddha and deity statues. The whole visit takes about 1.5 – 2 hours. Afterwards, walk through the Barkhor, a famous shopping street filled with goods and souvenirs from Tibet, Nepal, and India. Spend some time drinking sweet tea in a traditional teahouse located on a rooftop overlooking the bustling Barkhor.

The rooftop of Jokhang Temple

Day 4: Lhasa – Yarlung Tsangpo / Brahmaputra River – Shigatse (3836m). 280km, 5 hours

Beginning your adventure in the Himalayas, drive to Shigatse, Along the way cross Yarlung Tsangpo River and some local villages. Once we arrive Shigatse, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery which is famous for not only being the biggest Monastery in Shigatse Prefecture, but also it is the seat of incarnations of Panchen Lama, the second highest lama after His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Afterward, you can follow local pilgrims to do outer Linkor (circumambulation road around the Monastery) where you can see Shigatse Dzong and entire Shigatse town in the view. If time allows, take a walk along the old street where you can see many Tibetan traditional shops sell family and monastery necessities. You may find some interesting souvenirs in this old market.

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Day 5: Shigatse – Rongbuk Monastery (5000m) – Everest Base Camp (5200m) 350km, 8 hours

In the morning drive further west to the Himalayas. Along the way, we will drive through Tso-La pass (4500m) and Gyatso-La pass (5252m) where you will have a great view of Mt. Everest and other mountains of the Himalayan mountain range. After passing through scenic valleys and driving over rocky mountains, we will reach Rongbuk (Rongphu) Monastery, where we will have a fabulous view of Mt. Everest. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in the World. It is worth to do a small kora (circumambulation) around the monastery, making amazing photos of Mt. Everest. Spend the night near Rongbuk monastery (or in Shegar depending on availability).

Everest North Face

Day 6: Everest Base Camp or Shegar  – Shigatse [3836m], 350km, 8 hours

Drive over two high mountain passes, both offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. On these routes, you will see several of the world’s highest mountains, their majestic peaks towering over the landscape. On the way, if time allows, make an excursion to visit Sakya Monastery (4280m), a site of historical and spiritual significance.

Mount Everest in the Himalayan range

Day 7: Shigatse – Gyantse-Karo-la Glacier-Yamdrok Lake-Lhasa. 350km, 8 hours.

Continuing your adventure in the Himalayas, drive 90km southeast to Gyantse. In Gyantse, visit Pelkor Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa (100 Thousand Buddha Pagoda), both of which were built in the 15th century and are situated on the northwestern edge of town. From Kumbum Stupa, you can enjoy a great view of Gyantse Dzong on the other side of the town.

Gyantse Kumbum Stupa

Afterwards, we will pass Simi-la artificial lake and Karo-la Glacier. Then we will reach one of the highlights of the trip – Yamdrok Lake, a holy turquoise-colored lake with stunning scenery. If weather permits, you will have a stunning view of Mount Nojin Kangsang as the background of this holy lake. Stop right next to the lake and take a small walk around it. After that, we will ascend to the Kamba-la Pass (4794m), where we will stop again to see the overview of Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Nojin Kangsang. Finally, we will descend into Yarlung Valley and continue on to Lhasa.

Once back in Lhasa, spend some time strolling through the alleys of the old Tibetan quarter and peeking into any workshops or stores that interest you. Take the opportunity to dine on local cuisine, revisit a favorite restaurant, or scout out a delicious place to have supper.

Day 8: Depart Lhasa

Say goodbye to Tibet!

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice

The map of this tour