Many say that everyone should visit Tibet at least once in their lifetime. However, few actually make this dream a reality, often citing reasons such as the distance, concerns about high altitude sickness, or the lack of a long vacation. Unfortunately, starting from April 1st, 2019, some experiences in Tibet may no longer be possible.
According to an announcement by the Tingri Everest Authority, no individual or organization will be permitted to visit the Everest Natural Reserve beyond the Rongbuk Monastery area. This means that visitors can no longer reach Everest Base Camp and must stop at Rongbuk Monastery, which is the farthest point accessible to the public. The monastery is located 8 km away from Mount Everest, and visitors can still enjoy views of the mountain, as well as the sunset and sunrise. Travelers with a climbing permit can proceed to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,260 meters or higher, but the number of climbers will be limited starting from April 1st, 2019.
What was once a land of purity has now become the world’s highest junkyard.
Every year, between 70,000 and 100,000 tourists visit Everest Base Camp from April to October. While everyone admires the breathtaking views, many leave behind various types of trash during their climbing expeditions or sightseeing tours. Tents, oxygen bottles, and plastic bags are scattered everywhere, and what’s worse, tourists and climbers leave behind 12 tons of excrement, polluting the glacier water.
Our group poses a photo at the Everest Base Camp
In addition to the rubbish, dead bodies are another source of pollution. Over the past 50 years, 300 people have died while attempting to climb Everest. Many bodies can be found at altitudes above 6,200 meters, where climbers have succumbed to high altitude sickness, physical exhaustion, avalanches, and frostbite.
All of these signs indicate that it’s time to take action to preserve the beauty of the Mount Everest area in the Himalayas for future generations. Although these restrictions will have a significant impact on the tourism industry, such measures are necessary for the long-term recovery of the area. Every tourist visiting Tibet should be mindful of environmental protection, and the best thing you can do is to avoid leaving any trash behind.
If you are a potential tourist or climber planning to visit Mount Everest, you may be wondering what is the closest point you can reach to see the mountain. You can still travel to Rongbuk Monastery, which is situated at an altitude of 4,980 meters (16,340 ft) above sea level and is the highest monastery in the world. From Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp for tourists is 2.5 km away. After the new restrictions, you will miss this 2.5 km stretch to EBC, but you will still enjoy a breathtaking view of Everest’s North Face and the Rongbuk Valley.
As a tourist, your next question might be about accommodation near Rongbuk Monastery. According to the latest announcement from the Tingri Everest Nature Reserve in Tibet, all tent guesthouses at the original tourist Everest Base Camp will be relocated to a 100-meter-long experimental area on both sides of the road near Rongbuk Monastery. You can stay either at the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse or in a yak hair tent guesthouse. The Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse offers multiple dorm rooms accommodating 4 to 8 people per room. The tent guesthouse is a large yak hair tent that can host 8 to 12 people.
If you are a climber planning to scale Mount Everest, there are a few changes following the new restrictions. First, the Tibet Mountaineering Association and Tibet Tourism Bureau will significantly reduce the number of climbers each year. Second, you will be required to leave a substantial deposit with the Mountaineering Association, which may be partially forfeited if you leave any items on the mountain. Lastly, each climber must bring down 8 kg of trash to the base camp after their climb. These three changes are the most significant for the upcoming climbing season in Tibet.
We strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information possible. If there are any changes to the above rules, we will update them as soon as possible.
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