10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour

Start your amazing trip as you land in Lhasa, Tibet's heart. You'll be warmly welcomed at the airport or train station by our local guide who'll present you with a Hada, a traditional scarf that's a sign of good luck for your journey.

On your way to the hotel in downtown Lhasa, enjoy the beautiful sights of the Yarlung Tsangpo and Lhasa River, and see quaint Tibetan villages.

Once you get to your hotel, take it easy to get used to the high altitude. Rest up, move around at your own pace, and drink plenty of water to help your body adjust the high altitude.

Later in the day, your guide will give you some cool Tibetan gifts and useful tips for your trip. You'll also meet the rest of the people in your tour group.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Note:

If you need any help or have special needs, our service center at the Gangjian Hotel is here for you.

After having breakfast, we’ll keep exploring Lhasa with a trip to Drepung Monastery, the biggest in Tibet and once home to over 10,000 monks. Here, dive into Tibetan Buddhism at Coqen Hall, where your guide will share insights into its teachings and the lives of its most famous figures.

Then, take a stroll through Loseling College, or a similar place, within Drepung Monastery. This gives you a peek into how monks live and study, including a look at their dorm rooms.

In the afternoon, head over to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and an important place for Buddhist study. The monk debates are the highlight of this spot, a key part of their learning process that your guide will explain.

End your day with a welcome dinner in a local Tibetan style restaurant.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your day with a trip to the magnificent Potala Palace, which offers stunning views of Lhasa. Listen as your guide recounts the histories of the Dalai Lamas and shows you around the palace's many halls and treasures. And then, you’ll participate in the folk activities of the local Tibetan people at the Longwangtan Park near the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, head to the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to the remarkable statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha. Afterwards, take a walk around Barkhor Street to see the religious customs of the local Tibetans.

Finish your day with a tour to visit a bustling Tibetan tea house in Lhasa to enjoy some sweet tea and learn about Tibetan social customs.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, the second-biggest city in Tibet.

Your first destination is Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three most sacred lakes. You'll see the lake's beauty from the Gambala Pass, where it looks like a blue ribbon against the landscape, with the tall Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the background. When you go down to the lake, there are many spots to see it up close. Near the end of the lake, you'll get to visit a local family who will host you for lunch.

After that, you'll drive past the Karola Glacier. This glacier is right next to the road and looks calm and beautiful, with big snowy mountains in the distance.

Next, on your way to Gyantse, you'll stop at the Simila Mountain Pass. There, you can hang prayer flags, which is a way to pray for peace in the world and for the people you care about.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today’s journey will take you directly to Mount Everest after breakfast.

Your first stop is Gyatsola Pass (5280m). From the Gyatsola Pass, you'll be treated to your initial glimpse of Mount Everest. Concealed behind the mountain range, Everest appears like a budding lotus flower, creating a captivating scene along the roadside.

As you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, a panoramic view of the Himalayas awaits you at Gawula Pass (5198m). At this vantage point, marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, with Everest taking the forefront. This marks your second encounter with Everest.

Next, traverse the new zigzag road leading to Everest Base Camp (5200m). As you approach the base camp, the grandeur of Everest gradually unfolds, drawing nearer with each twist and turn. This marks your third view of Everest.

Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp, the monumental white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands prominently before you. As the day transitions to dusk, witness the golden hues of the setting sun casting a warm glow on Everest's northern face—your fourth view.

As night falls, behold the sparkling Milky Way above and the snow-white peak of Mount Everest, presenting your fifth and final encounter with this iconic mountain.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp.

Please Note:
1. The visibility of Everest depends on the weather.
2. When you reach Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5200 meters, it’s common to feel some discomfort, such as headaches or difficulty sleeping, due to the high altitude. Don’t worry, this is quite normal. Just take your time, stay relaxed, and enjoy the stunning views of Everest. These symptoms will gradually subside as your body adjusts.

Today, you'll start your journey back to Shigatse. This trip takes you along another scenic route in the Himalayas, giving you more chances to admire the beauty of these mountains.

Before you leave Everest Base Camp, you'll have the opportunity to explore Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, situated at an elevation of 5154 meters. Located near the base of Mount Everest, this Tibetan Nyingma monastery is home to both monks and nuns who live and practice together in this sacred setting.

Next, you'll head back to Shigatse, taking a different route through Dinggye, which is not the usual path people take. Along this route, you'll pause at the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint. From here, you can not only marvel at the majestic eastern slope of the towering Mount Everest once again but also witness the world's fourth-highest peak, Mount Lhotse, soaring to an elevation of 8,516 meters. Additionally, relish the expansive and enchanting wetland landscape at the foot of Mount Everest.

Subsequently, make a brief stop in the historic town of Sakya to wander through Saga Ancient Town.

Finally, you'll reach Shigatse. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you to a local Langma Hall, serving as a venue for traditional Tibetan song and dance performances. Here, you can experience authentic Tibetan performances and celebrate the success of your Mount Everest journey with your fellow group members over dinner.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Please note: During heavy summer rains or winter snowstorms, your travel route back to Shigatse from Mount Everest may change. Instead of passing through Dinggye and Sakya, you might travel via Gawula Pass and Tingri. If this adjustment is necessary, we'll provide you with a written notice while you're in Tibet.

Today, your journey stretches 550 kilometers across the expansive northern Tibetan grasslands—one of the most remote and spectacular regions on Earth. Comparable in size to Africa’s great savannas, the Qiangtang Plateau spans nearly half a million square kilometers, a vast, open pastureland set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

As you travel, keep an eye out for glimpses of Tibetan wildlife—wild yaks, antelopes, and herds of sheep and domestic yaks roaming freely across the sweeping plains.

Not far from Shigatse, we’ll make a brief stop at a natural hot spring, offering a chance to relax and soak your feet before continuing into the untamed wilderness.

The day’s highlight is a visit to Serling Tso, Tibet’s largest lake. At 4,700 meters above sea level, the lake is as large as three New York Cities and looks like a peaceful ocean in the sky.

Tonight’s stay is in Bange County (4,700 m), where your hotel is equipped with an oxygen supply system to help you rest comfortably. After several days acclimatizing on the plateau, including time spent near Everest, you’ll be ready for a peaceful night on the roof of the world.

Stay overnight in Bange.

Today's journey brings you to one of the most stunning sights of the trip—the northern shore of Lake Namtso. After a bumpy 60 km ride from Bange, you'll reach the Sacred Elephant Gate, where the expansive, deep-blue lake unfolds before you, stretching like an ocean, framed by endless snow-capped peaks.

Along the way, the northern grasslands roll out, dotted with grazing yaks, wild asses, and Tibetan antelopes. As you pass Bamucuo Lake—often described as pure as a fairy's tear—you'll realize that nature has reserved its grandest display for Namtso.

The view from the northern shore is unforgettable: the lake’s still surface mirrors the towering mountains, and the profound silence makes it feel as though time itself stands still. At the Sacred Elephant Gate, take in the sight of this monumental natural sculpture, silently guarding the vast blue waters.

By evening, we'll continue our journey across the expansive meadows toward Damxung, where you'll stay overnight, getting closer to your return to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Damxung.

Today marks the last day of your unforgettable journey as you make your way back to Lhasa. The drive is a brief three-hour trip along the expressway, bringing to a close a remarkable loop through some of Tibet’s most stunning and iconic landmarks.

Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to a traditional Tibetan medical spa, offering a perfect opportunity to unwind and relax after your time on the plateau. In the late afternoon and evening, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your leisure, taking in the sights of Lhasa at your own pace.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Please confirm your departure flight or train details in advance with your guide.

The tour ends.