8 Days Private Tibet Tour to Everest Base Camp
Tour Overview
The 8-day trip to Tibet contains all the essence of the region. We will take you from Lhasa to see the highest palace in the world, most sacred monastery, and busiest street of Lhasa. Stop by and get fascinated with picturesque Yamdroktso Lake and Karola Glacier on the journey, and then drive to Shigatse. Continue the journey to the highlight of this tour – Everest Base Camp. Appreciate the light of sunrise and sunset onto the top of the snow covered mountain peaks. Visit the world’s highest temple – Rongbuk Monastery, which is unique as both monks and nuns reside there.
Prior to heading back to Lhasa, discover the Tashilhunpo Monastery, attend a dinner party with Tibetan traditional dancing and music, and take in the super-bright Potala Palace as the sun goes down (on your own). This adventure to the Roof of the World will last a lifetime in your memory.
Travel destinations: Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp
Suitable for: Adventure Seekers, Nature & Culture Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Learn about the legends of the majestic Potala Palace by appreciating its murals.
- Join local folk activities – enjoying Tibetan dances and tasting sweet tea.
- Witness the debate between monks at the Sera Monastery.
- Capture the beautiful turquoise waters of Yamdroktso Lake. Have lunch at a local farmerās home near the lake.
- Shoot the glorious sunrise over Mount Everest.
- Visit the highest monastery in the world, Rongbuk, at 5,154 meters (16,910 feet).
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa
Hello. Welcome to our Tibet tour for 8 days! Upon your arrival, your private guide and driver will meet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall and then send you to your downtown hotel in Lhasa. En route, glimpse scenic views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Tibet is well known as the roof of the world, with an average height of over 4,000 meters! You are free to relax for the remainder of the day to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Natural views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Note: Please avoid strenuous exercise on your first day in Lhasa and avoid drinking alcohol.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Lhasa
- Day 2: Lhasa Temple VisitUnderstand Temple Culture in Tibet
After breakfast, go to visit Drepung Monastery, one of the large temples of the Yellow Sect in Tibetan Buddhism. It was the biggest of all Tibetan temples. You will be taken to see six main scripture halls that have numerous valuable cultural artifacts such as gilded Buddha statues, thangkas and Buddhist scriptures.
Afterward, transfer to Sera Monastery, which is known as one of the three major monasteries in Lhasa along with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, and is the latest one built among them. The temple houses tens of thousands of Vajra Buddha statues, a small portion of which were brought back from India. You can also see well preserved colored murals on the walls of the main hall and scripture halls. Debate is a discussion of Buddhist knowledge and a highlight of Sera Monastery. The monks here have a daily debate activity, during which you will witness this magnificent scene.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
Meal: Breakfast + Dinner
Accommodation: in Lhasa
Sera Monastery - Day 3: City HighlightsVisit the Essence of Lhasa from Palace to Street
Your today's Lhasa tour starts at the Potala Palace, located on the Red Hills. This UNESCO-listed World Cultural Heritage Site since 1994, is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The Potala Palace, a castle complex mainly made up of the White Palace or the White Section, and the Red Palace, is the residency of the Dalai Lama and the government of Tibet (White) and is primarily for religious practice (Red). Next, join local Tibetan folk activities in Longwangtan Park under the Potala Palace.
Potala Palace In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple, which is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with over 1,300 years of history! The temple itself is a four-storey wooden building complex with a golden roof. You can see the entire architectural complex from the square, with a mixture of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese, and Indian architectural works. There is a wonderful historical story behind the temple with the main players being Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng.
The last stop of the day is Barkhor Street, one of the most famous circumambulation and shopping areas of Lhasa, surrounding the Jokhang Temple. Here, the ancient look and way of life of the ancient city are relatively well preserved. Each side of the street is lined with hand polished cobblestones and, on the right side, storefronts serve as a source of religious relics such as bronze Buddhas, butter lamps, prayer flags, scriptures, and incense offerings, along with daily necessities, Tibetan quilts, hats, wooden bowls, barley wine, sweet tea, handicrafts, contorted thangka paintings, handkerchiefs, Tibetan carpets, and products from India, Nepal, Myanmar, Kashmir, etc.
Your guide will also lead you to a local Tibetan tea house, where you can sip a cup of the special tea and get an insight into the social culture.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Lhasa
Barkhor Street - Day 4: Drive from Lhasa to ShigatseAppreciate Changing Colors of the Lake and Spectacular Glaciers
After breakfast, say goodbye to the city of Lhasa and drive to Shigatse. Stop at sightseeing for Yamdrok Lake on the way. The Tibetan name "Yamdrok Lake" means "Jasper Lake" and it's one of Tibet's three sacred lakes as also Namtso and Manasarovar.
At Yamdrok lake, see landscapes of plateau lakes, snow capped mountains, wildlife and plant life, temples, and so on. Walk to the lake and enjoy the scenery. The lake water is amazing as the lake water changes in color based on the light. This produces many different colors, including light blue, deep blue, peacock blue... However, when the sky is covered with dark clouds, the lake will turn gray. Here, you will be guided to visit a local farmer's home and enjoy a farm lunch near the lake.
Ride a Yak by the Yamdrok Lake Driving for about 2 hours to reach the Karola Glacier. It is the nearest landscape to the highway in Tibet. The huge glacier extends from the mountaintop to the roadside only a few hundred meters away from the highway, which is quite spectacular. Many famous movies such as Red River Valley have filmed outdoor scenes here, which further increased the fame of the Karola Glacier. After that, continue driving to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, for an overnight stay.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Shigatse
- Day 5: Journey to Mount EverestShoot the Snow Capped Landscape of Mount Everest
Today, your Tibet adventure takes you to the breathtakingĀ Mt. Everest! Drive for 4 hours to the Tingri Prefecture. On theĀ Tingri Viewpoint, get the first view of Mount Everest. Continue traveling to the Everest Scenic Area, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayas from the Gwaura Pass. And the peaks will be getting bigger and bigger.
Mt. Everest Arriving at the base camp, Mt. Everest looks like a huge pyramid. Reach the Everest Base Camp before sunset and you have the chance to capture the magnificent scenery of a golden sunset reflected on white snow mountains.
Warm Tips:
- Normally, there are 2-3 people sharing a tent. It's very clean and equipped with running water and oxygen facilities. There are also small shops, sweet tea houses, etc. in the campsite.
- From October to April, the tent will be removed due to the cold weather. And we will arrange for you to stay overnight in the nearby monastery guesthouse.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: EBC Tent or Guesthouse
Everest Base Camp - Day 6: Travel Back to ShigatseCapture the Sunrise and Visit the Worldās Highest Temple
Today you need wake up early for the gloriousĀ sunrise over the Mount Everest. When the sunlight shines on the top of the snow capped mountain, making it golden or pink, you will have unforgettable travel memories for a lifetime. Also, you may see the milky white "flag clouds", a unique spectacle on Mount Everest, if you are lucky.
Sunrise View of Mount Everest Go back to have breakfast and then be guided to visitĀ Rongbuk Monastery. At an altitude of 5,154 meters, this temple is the highest temple in the world. Unlike typical temples, this place is home to both monks and nuns. Isn't it very unique? The tour guide will explain more about this fact to you. Rongbuk Monastery is now divided into two parts. The old temple is located near Mount Everest, while the new temple is the best location to view Mount Everest. Don't miss the best opportunity to shoot!
After that, send you to the Xilin Viewpoint to capture the Everest's eastern slope and Mt. Lhotse. On the way back to Shigatse, stop at the Sakya town for a short rest. Arrive at Shigatse in the evening, join a traditional dinner and enjoy Tibetan folk songs and dances.
Meal: Breakfast + Dinner
Accommodation: in Shigatse
- Day 7: Shigatse to LhasaSee Exquisite Buddha Statues, Pagodas, and Murals
After breakfast, the tour guide will take you to visit the last attraction of this trip, Tashilhunpo Monastery. Founded during the Ming Dynasty (1447), this temple covers an area of 150,000 square meters and has 57 monk houses, with a total of 3,600 halls. Its architectural style blends the characteristics of Tibetan tradition and Buddhism. Entering those halls, you can see exquisite Buddha statues, pagodas, and murals.
Tashilhunpo Monastery After the visit, drive for 5 hours back to Lhasa. We may arrange you to return to Lhasa by train depending on the circumstances. In the evening, you can take some time to see the night view of the Potala Palace on your own.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Lhasa
- Day 8: Departure from Lhasa
Your 8-day tour in Tibet ends after breakfast. Your driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home. Hope you had a good time with China Xian Tour and wish you all the best in the future.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Tour Price ($=USD)
From $1319 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2 people. The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.
