Tibet & Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

When you arrive at Lhasa, by plane or by train, a guide will meet you and show you to a shuttle that will take you to your hotel. (Shuttles leave the airport every day at 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.)
Lhasa is 12,000 feet above sea level, and for the rest of the day you can acclimatize to the high altitude by having a good rest at your hotel. Or, if you feel up to it, you can explore the local area.

F.A.Q.
1. What is the best time of year to travel to Mount Everest?
The best times to visit Mount Everest are from April to June, and from September to mid-November.

Your tour of Tibet officially begins today. In the morning, you will visit the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lamas and the most famous landmark of Tibet.
In the afternoon, your tour will move on to the Jokhang Temple. You’ll be able to see pilgrims praying in front the Temple.
Finally, you’ll end the day by strolling along the lively Barkhor Street and joining in the hustle and bustle of the locals. There will also be plenty of time to buy souvenirs, of course.
In the evening, our guide will take you to a typical Tibetan tea house where you can soak up the famous Tibetan tea culture. The day ends with a Welcome Dinner that we will host for you!

On the third day of your tour, you will visit two of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Lhasa: the Drepung monastery and the Sera monastery. The Drepung Monastery was once one of the largest monasteries in the world, around 10,000 monks lived there. You will have the chance to visit the giant kitchen inside the monastery, which is very impressive. The Sera Monastery is the most important teaching facility of Tibetan Buddhism today. In the afternoon you will be able to watch the monks debating in the courtyard of the monastery. (Monks debate with each other every day between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.)
Upon returning to the city, our guide will show you a local market where the locals can get everything they need for their daily life.

F.A.Q.
How can I avoid altitude sickness?
Our tour begins in Lhasa, a relatively low region of Tibet, which is nonetheless much higher than most people are used to. The air is much thinner there and your lungs will likely have some trouble getting enough oxygen for you to breathe easily, so you should move slowly and drink lots of fluids. Your body will gradually adjust to the altitude before we journey to Mount Everest. Rest assured that our vehicles are well-equipped with plenty of oxygen bottles, and our Tibetan guides are very competent, experienced, and know how to deal with the common problems of traveling in Tibet.

On the fourth day your tour group will travel to the second largest city in Tibet: Shigatse. You’ll drive through the Gampala Pass, and on the way you can catch a glimpse of the turquoise blue Yamdrok Lake, embedded within a picturesque landscape. You’ll also be able to see the Karola Glacier, and during the day we’ll stop to visit the Palkhor Monastery (also called the Kumbum Monastery). You can also admire the ancient Dzong Fortress from a distance before you finally reach Shigatse. Along the way we might drop by a local Tibetan family for a rare look at traditional Tibetan life.
(Approx. 6 to 7 hour bus drive.)

F.A.Q.
What should we take with us?
For this trip we recommend that you bring the following things with you:
1. Warm winter clothes, no matter what the time of year. Tibet is a mountainous region that is cold all-year round.
2. A warm sleeping bag. On the 5th day of the trip you’ll spend the night in the guesthouse of Rongbuk. Sleeping mats and blankets will be provided, but a sleeping bag is still recommended.

In the morning you’ll pay a visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, which has been the home of the Panchen Lamas since the 17th century. This gigantic monastery complex was founded in 1447 and has since developed into one of the largest monastic universities of the Gelug School.
After that your journey into the west of Tibet will continue through breathtaking mountain landscapes. On the way you can hang some prayer flags ― a free gift from us ― to spread goodwill, just like the local people do. After entering the Mt. Everest National Park we’ll drive along a switchback road up to the Gawula Pass, the only place in the world where you can see five snow-covered mountain peaks that are each more than 26,000 feet above sea level at the same time: Mount Makalu (27,765 ft.), Mount Lotse (27,939 ft.), Mount Cho Oyu (26,906 ft.), Mount Everest (29,015 ft.), and Mount Shishapama (26,335 ft.)
Finally you’ll reach the Rongbuk Monastery (five miles from the Everest Base Camp). The Rongbuk Monastery ― over 16,700 feet above sea level ― is the highest monastery in the world and offers a perfect, picturesque view of Mount Everest.
Don’t forget to send out some postcards to your friends and family from the highest post office in the world. (A set of postcards will be provided as a free gift with your tour.)
That night you’ll stay in Rongbuk Monastery’s guesthouse, where you will sleep in a communal bedroom. (It’s also possible to sleep in a large tent during warmer or busier seasons.)
(Approx. 6 to 7 hour bus drive.)

F.A.Q.
Can I hike to the Everest Base Camp?
Unfortunately tourists are no longer allowed to visit the Everest Base Camp. You can however walk to the Rongbuk Monastery, where you will of course be able observe and photograph Mount Everest.

Early in the morning on the sixth day of your tour, you’ll be able to admire the beautiful Mount Everest sunrise. We will also visit the Rongbuk Monastery before driving back to Shigatse.

Today you will return to Lhasa, where you will spend the last night of your trip.

In the morning we will escort you back to the airport or train station, where your Tibet tour ends. (We provide three free airport shuttles per day, at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.)