Everest Base Camp Trek (Lhasa-Lhasa) - 15 days
The trek from Tingri to the North Face of Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular short treks in Tibet. It offers the attraction of highest mountain in the world and spectacular views of the Himalaya from stark desert valleys. And the view of Mt. Everest North Face from the Rongbuk Monastery is perhaps the most dramatic of all its sides - Simply Unforgettable!
We begin our trip by exploring the sights and sounds of the fabled city of Lhasa and drive across the Tibetan hinterland to Nepal border visiting the ancient towns of Gyangtse, Shigatse en route. The trek begins from the plains of Tingri and swings southwards following the Ra-Chu Valley, a region used by herders and their livestock. This is a difficult high elevation region with altitudes ranging from 4,400m to 5,200m and the most difficult part of the trek is Lam La (5,150m). Once you leave Tingri, there are no permanent settlements until you reach Rongbuk. Such as untraveled route is great for those who are up to a wilderness experience.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival: Upon your arrival at Lhasa (Gonggar Airport
96km from the main city) Transfer to Lhasa and Hotel check in. Afternoon
free for acclimatization. O/N in Hotel.
Day 02: Lhasa sightseeing: Sightseeing in Lhasa,
visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Market. O/N in Hotel.
Day 03: Lhasa sightseeing: Sightseeing in Lhasa,
visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. O/N in Hotel.
Day 04: Lhasa-Gyantse (13467ft, 176miles, 6 ½ hrs). (B)
: Drive to Gyantse-the least Chinese influenced city along the
highway. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Kamba La
(15,700 ft) and Karo La (16,500ft) and the follows the bank of Yamdrok
Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Check in hotel and take rest for
the day. O/N in Hotel.
Day 05: Gyantse-Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs) (B) : Visit the highlights of Gyantse such as Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. From the stupa, take rickshaw ride back to the parking and drive back to the hotel. Collect your luggage and set out for Shigatse. Check in hotel and after refreshment, visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet. O/N in Hotel.
Day 06: Shigatse-Tingri (4300m/14,104ft, 232km/145miles, 6-7 hrs) (B): Drive to Tingri. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Yulung La (16,236 ft) and Gyatso La (17,122 ft). Check in hotel and take rest for the day. O/N in Guest House..
Day 07: Trek to Lungthang (4,510m) (B/L/D): The first day of our Himalaya trekking tour takes us across the Tingri plain as we make our way south towards Cho Oyu. In the village of Chholung there is a small Gompa we can visit. Not far from Chholung we arrive at our campsite in Lungthang - the last village in this part of the Tingri plains. It is a bleak region surrounded by barren flats, yet the people manage to harvest barley. Most villagers here are also herders. O/N in Camp.
Day 08 Trek to Lamna La (5,150m/16, 892ft) (B/L/D): Today we really start trekking as we are heading up into the mountain towards the top of the Langma La [5,150m]. It is a hard day’s trekking with a lot of uphill walking, but it is even more rewarding as the views of the Himalayas gets better the higher we go. Tonight we camp near the top of Langma La . O/N in Camp.
Day 09 Trek to Zommung (4,790m/15,711ft) (B/L/D).: We start the day with a steep decent from Langma la, towards our destination for the day Zommug. The Vegetation here is considerably lusher, than on the Dingri side of the pass, capable of supporting hundreds of yaks and a few herders' families. As we get closer we can see the whitewashed walls of Zommug village, the highest permanent settlement in the Everest region. Zommug is set high above the valley in a moonscape of barren hills with views of Mount Everest and Gyachung Kang. Because crops cannot survive at this elevation, all of the families residing here rely upon animal husbandry. O/N in Camp.
Day 10 Trek to Rongbuk Monastery.(4,980m/16,334ft) (B/L/D): To the south of Zommug is the famed Dza Rongbuk Monastery reached by either a spectacular high route or an easier low path. Once a flourishing retreat center, it is built by Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu in early 1901-02. The majestic Everest stands towering high above in full glare. O/N in Camp.
Day 11 To Everest Base Camp (5,200m/17,056ft) (B/L/D): Everest Base Camp and the Rongbuk Glacier are approximately 1 ½ hrs above the monastery. The route passes retreat caves, the ruins of the nunnery of Sherab Chholing and the fast flowing Dzaka Chu. Just before the terminus of the Rongbuk Glacier is Everest Base Camp. Across a creek, is the ocean of ice that composes the Rongbuk Glacier, with views of the Himalayan range that are among the most spectacular ever.
Day 12 Drive to Tingri (B): Today we leave the Rongbuk valley and say goodbye to the impressive view it has offered us. We drive over the Pang La [5,150m] and re-join the Friendship Highway and continue to Tingri. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 13 Drive to Zhangmu (2,300m/7544ft, 185km/116miles, 5-6 hrs) (B): Continue driving along the high Tibet Nepal Friendship Highway towards Zhangmu. You will conquer the high twin passes, Lablung La ( 5,124m/16, 806ft) and Tong La ( 5,120m/16,794ft). From the top of Tong La, you will enjoy the views of Mount Cho Oyu, Everest and Sishapangma. Then, the road drops dramatically towards Nyalam, the last Tibetan town of this journey. Time permitting, visit Milarepa Cave where Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Buddhism in Tibet meditated in the 11th century. Follow the road along the river to Zhangmu-the Chinese frontier town O/N in Hotel.
Day 14 Zhangmu-Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft, 121km/76miles, 4-5 hrs): Complete Chinese customs and immigration formalities at Zhangmu and drive further 5 miles down to the Friendship Bridge where you switch the guide and vehicle. From here, on smooth road condition, it takes about 3 ½ hrs to reach Kathmandu. O/N in Hotel.
Day 15 Kathmandu-Departure.
