8 Days Classic Tibet Group Tour from Lhasa to EBC

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa

   Welcome to our 8-day Tibet Tour to Everest! Tibet is called the roof of the world because it sits really high up - over 4,000 meters on average! When you land at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, your tour guide and driver will be there to pick you up from the Arrival Hall and send you to your hotel in the city. On the drive, you'll catch your first look at Tibet's amazing scenery along the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

   Here's what we suggest to avoid altitude sickness issues:

   • Take it easy on your first day in Lhasa - no tough workouts.
   • Skip the shower that day to avoid a cold.
   • Lay off the booze. Drink lots of water and get some sleep.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

2. Day 2: Lhasa City Tour

   Begin your Tibet adventure at Drepung Monastery. It's got mountains all around it! This big monastery originated way back in 1416. Inside, you'll see amazing carvings, Buddha statues, and tons of Thangka paintings and other fascinating art pieces. The building itself is a great display of Tibetan art and style.

   

   After that, you'll head to Sera Monastery (one of the six main monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism) to see the monks in their debate rituals. The temple possesses many Vajra Buddha statues, mostly Tibetan-made, plus some bronze ones brought over from India. You'll also have the chance to see lots of remarkable, colorful murals. Then, in the evening, we'll have a welcome dinner for you.

   Meal: Breakfast + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

3. Day 3: Lhasa Temple and Culture Exploration

   To understand the culture and religion of Xizang, the Potala Palace is a must see! It's a super important place for anyone making a pilgrimage. You'll see old stuff like pagodas, sculptures, paintings, and even jade artifacts. The building itself is amazing Tibetan art, and the atmosphere there is really something special. The Potala Palace, made up of the White and Red Palaces, is one of the ten best earth buildings on earth. Also called the highest palace in the world, it appears on the back of CNY 50 bank note.

   Next, take part in local Tibetan folk activities in Longwangtan Park under the Potala Palace.

   

   Continue your Lhasa tour to the sacred Jokhang Temple, a true holy land and center in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhist believers. Founded in the mid-7th century AD, this temple features a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at the age of twelve as its precious treasure. It is one of the must see attractions for tourists and those who go to worship. Taking photos is not allowed inside the chapels of the monasteries.

   Last, take a leisurely stroll through Barkhor Street. Barkhor Street is the famous pilgrim route and the busiest commercial street in Lhasa, which preserves the traditional appearance and living style of the ancient city more completely. Your guide will also lead you to a local Tibetan teahouse, offering insight into the social culture.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

4. Day 4: Tibet's Natural Wonders (Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse)

   After a hearty breakfast, take a 7 to 8-hour car ride for 340 kilometers to reach Shigatse. En route, you will stop to see two stunning natural wonders – Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier.

   Yamdrok Lake is known as the three sacred lakes of Tibet with Lake Manasarovar and Namtso Lake. In the hearts of Tibetans, the lake is regarded as "the goddess's turquoise earrings". Take a leisurely walk along its shores and capture the breathtaking beauty with your camera.

   Then you will be guided to visit a local farmer's home and enjoy a farm lunch near the lake.

   

   Continue your drive towards Karola Glacier, the nearest glacier to the highway in Tibet, only more than three hundred meters. As a result of years of highway dust, the glacier as a whole was black and white layered form, but the upper part of the glacier in the sunlight is like a giant Thangka painting hanging on the mountain wall. We will have lunch in Gyantse town.

   After that, continue driving to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shigatse

   

5. Day 5: Journey to Mt. Everest

   After breakfast, continue your Tibet adventure to the amazing Mt. Everest! After about 4 hours, we will arrive at the Tingri Prefecture. You can get the first view of Mt. Everest from the Tingri Viewpoint. After entering the Everest Scenic Area, enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayas from the Gwaura Pass.

   Next, continue along the road leading to Mount Everest. You will find that the mountain peaks are getting bigger and bigger. Arriving at the base camp, Mount Everest looks like a huge pyramid. We will arrive at Mount Everest Base Camp before sunset. At that time, you will capture the magnificent scenery of a golden sunset reflected on white snow-capped mountains.

   

   Notes:

   1. Tent camp: normally, 2-3 people would share a tent together, and it's quite clean, equipped with oxygen facilities. But don't expect room facilities and services like those in urban hotels
   2. You can find small stores, restaurants, and tea shops at the campsite.
   3. If the tent camp is removed from October to April due to the cold weather, you will stay overnight in the monastery's guesthouse.
   4. Due to the high altitude and cold weather, you are recommended to keep warm and drink a lot of water to reduce altitude sickness symptoms.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: EBC tent or guesthouse

6. Day 6: Sunrise at Everest, Return to Shigatse

   Wake up early to witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Everest. You will see the morning light coloring the snow-covered mountain top in gold and pink. This is something you will never forget. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the elusive milky white "flag clouds", a unique spectacle on Mount Everest. From a distance, the clouds look like a flag flying over the peak.

   

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit Rongbuk Monastery. Located at the end of the Rongbuk Glacier at the foot of Mount Everest, 5150 meters above sea level, Rongbuk Monastery is a rare mixed temple of monks and nuns. The whole temple is built on the mountain, and there are five floors, now only two floors still in use. It is a good location for viewing Mount Everest, especially the Mani Stones Pile and the White Pagoda at the entrance of the temple.

   Then, transfer you to the Xilin Viewpoint for the views of Everest's eastern slope and Mt. Lhotse. En route back to Shigatse, we'll stop at the town of Sakya. Upon arrival in the evening, your guide will invite you to join a traditional Tibetan dinner. You will enjoy unique folk songs and dances.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shigatse

7. Day 7: Shigatse to Lhasa

   After you eat breakfast, our Tibet tour in Shigatse will continue as we check out the main spiritual spot in the area, the Tashilhunpo Monastery. The first Dalai Lama started it, and it's always been where the successive Panchen Lama maintains residence. Feel free to walk around, admire the huge Buddha statues, and watch the monks pray.

   

   After the monastery visit, embark on a 5-hour drive back to Lhasa (we may arrange for guests to return to Lhasa by train depending on the circumstances). In the evening, take some time to capture the night view of the Potala Palace at your own pace.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

8. Day 8: Departure from Lhasa

   After breakfast in the morning, your 8-day Tibet tour ends here. Your driver will pick you up at the agreed time and escort you to the airport to catch the flight to your next destination or home! Hope to see you next time.

   Note: the free drop-off service is only available before noon. Please make your own way to the airport by yourself if your departure time is afternoon.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A