If you don't want to take a challenging trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the best option is to take an overland tour to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.
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If you don’t want to trek for many days in the challenging trail to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the best alternative you have is to take an overland tour to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. This is what this awesome trip offers. Either via Nepal or China, arrive at the legendary city of Lhasa. There will be two days of guided sightseeing, stopping at magnificent Potala Palace, the former residence of Dalai Lama.
After the culturally rich tour of Lhasa, we will take a drive to the base camp with several stops along the way. The drive through the stunning Tibetan landscapes is a major treat. And then we arrive at Rongbuk that offers breathtaking views of the world’s highest Mt Everest. A two-hour hike to the Everest Base Camp is a chief highlight and will bring you very close to Mt Everest.
Arrive at Lhasa (3,650 m). Overnight at a Hotel.
Guided City Tour of Lhasa. Overnight at a Hotel.
Guided City Tour of Lhasa. Overnight at a Hotel.
Drive to Gyantse (3,950 m) – 6 hours. Overnight at a Hotel.
Drive to Shigatse (3,900 m) via Shalu Monastery – 2 hours. Overnight at a Hotel.
Drive to Xegar (4,150 m) via Sakya Monastery – 7 hours. Overnight at a Guesthouse.
Drive to Rongbuk Village (4,920 m) – 4 hours. Overnight at a Guesthouse.
Hike to and from Everest Base Camp and Drive to Shigatse (3,900 m) – 8 hours. Overnight at a Hotel.
Drive to Lhasa (3,650 m) – 6 hours. Overnight at a Hotel.
Transfer to the International Airport for Your Final Flight Departure.
Pick up from and drop off at the hotel and the airport on a private tourist vehicle.
Twin-share accommodation at two-star hotels in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse with breakfast included (7 nights only)
Dormitory-based guesthouse accommodation in Xegar and Rongbuk with breakfast included (2 nights only)
All ground transportation in tourist vehicle (car/van/minibus)
Authorized English-speaking Tibetan guide
Guided sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
Tibet travelling permit (We will mail the permit for those who are flying from China to Lhasa and we will provide the hard copy in Kathmandu for those who traveling via Kathmandu.)
Sightseeing entrance fees for all the sites mentioned in the itinerary
Everest region entrance fee
The required number of ground staff for the tour like helpers and drivers
Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for our ground staff
All government taxes, vat and tourist service charges
All official expenses
International airfare and airport departure tax (We can book flights to enter and leave Tibet either via Nepal or China.)
Internet and telephone calls.
Lunch and dinner for entire trip – about USD 15 to 20 per person per day.
Item of Personal nature like alcohol, hot & cold drinks and laundry.
Personal clothing and equipment.(
Flights:
To enter Tibet, either you have to go via Nepal or China. There are regular flights from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa except on Tuesday. And, from China, there are daily flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Tibet Travelling Permit:
1. If you are travelling via Nepal, we handle all the procedure to secure the visa. The processing fee is all included in the trip price.
2. If you are travelling via China, you should get the Chinese visa from the Chinese Embassy in your home/resident country. You will then need to e-mail us the scan copy of the Chinese visa. We will apply for the Tibet travelling permit. Once we receive the hard copy of the permit from the Tibetan authority, then we will mail the copy to your country or your hotel address in China. If you are flying to Tibet via China, then please consider staying one night in China. So you can collect the permit for Tibet at your hotel.
Welcome to Lhasa! Today upon your Lhasa arrival, you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide and escorted to hotel. Rest of the day you will have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude.
After breakfast, we set off for a full day guided sightseeing tour. Today, we visit Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace (the summer palace of Dalai Lama) and Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Square.
Today, we visit two of the very significant Monasteries, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, of Tibet. Both monasteries are located off the main city. Also, we visit Tibetan Medical Centre in the evening.
Early morning, we proceed for Gyantse via Lake Yamdruk (Yamdruk Tso). Gyantse is the fourth largest city in Tibet (after Shigatse and Chamdo). It is small as cities go (population perhaps 15,000) and largely Tibetan in character not touched so much by outside Chinese influence. Strategically sited at a junction between Shigatse and Lhasa, it lies along the caravan routes from Sikkim and Bhutan in the south, Gyantse assumed an important role as a military center and market town- particularly for wool and handicrafts. Gyantse jeweled with some ancient Monastery and Stupa. We visit Khumbum stupa, Gyantse Dzong and Palkor Choide Monastery in Gyantse.
After breakfast, we head out to Shigatse. On the way, we visit Shalu Monastery. In Shigatse we visit the Tashilungpu Monastery, the official Panchen Lama’s residence, built in 1447, although it did not really become the seat of the Panchen Lama until almost 200 years later.
Today, you have an extensive distance to travel to reach Xegar (New Tingri) via two high passes enroute. Also, you will visit Sakya Monastery on the way. The Monastery is located 21 km off the highway.
You are reaching to your ultimate destination (Rongbuk – Base of Mt. Everest) today via Pangla pass. Rongbuk, where the highest Monastery in the world is established lies some 8 kms from Everest Base Camp. There are magnificent views up the valley of Mount Everest and Cho-Oyu which can be seen from the guesthouse.
Early morning walk to the base camp and explore around it. Then come back to move forward to Shigatse.
Morning after breakfast, continue driving to Lhasa via northern route.
Today our guide will send you to train station or airport for your next destination. Your lifetime Tibet tour is completed now.
All you need to bring for this tour is simply some comfortable clothes. There is no any requirement of special equipment. However, for your ease, the following list gives you a general idea about the items needed for this trip. The most important factor to be considered while packing for this trip is the time of the year you are traveling.
The clothing you bring will need to allow for both the warmth of the days and the chill of the nights. Following items are recommended to carry on the trip for your own protection and safety.
It will be better if your personalized first-aid kit includes these:
This list is only a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you.
Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially to women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.
Yes, we do handle all the procedure for Tibet travelling permit if you travel to Tibet via Nepal. The processing fee is all included in the trip price.
Those who are traveling from China to Tibet should get the Chinese visa from the Chinese Embassy in your home/resident country. You will then need to e-mail us the scan copy of the Chinese visa. We will apply for the Tibet travelling permit. Once we receive the hard copy of the visa from the Tibetan authority, then we will mail the copy to your country or your hotel address in China. If you are flying to Tibet via China, then please consider staying one night in China. So you can collect the permit for Tibet at your hotel.
Communication facilities in Tibet have been improved over the past few years. All the hotels we use in Lhasa have international IDD phone and fax services. Phone calls can also be made from public booth iand internet cafes are also available. Check with your guide for the best cyber cafes in each town.
You can also have a roaming facility added to your mobile phone as mobile phones work fine in Tibet. If you buy a Chinese SIM card at the border, you could stay in touch with your family and friends most of the time. Please ask us for the latest facilities and schemes on Chinese mobile phones.
We cater to all group sizes, while maintaining the field staff ratio to give you the best quality and experience.
Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters. Please browse through our legal docment page to view insurance details.
We suggest you have a dental checkup before your trip and know your blood type. It is helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.
Here are some documents that you will need to carry with you:
Yes, you can extend your holiday. Ace the Himalaya offers many options and alternatives for your holiday extension. For more information, you can visit our Day trips pages.
This tour is suitable for the average traveler who is moderately fit, thus no previous experience is required. Some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking is recommended before you embark on this journey. Persons suffering from a pre-existing medical condition must seek medical advice/consent before considering the trek. Whilst on the tour, it is common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized to high altitudes.
Besides Chinese Yuan, only US dollars can be accepted in Tibet. Also shops that accept American currency are very limited and you might not be able to get a good deal for an exchange rate. Credit cards can only be used at some hotels. The Bank of China also accepts credit cards. ATM is not widely available. Exchanging your money to Chinese currency will be the best option for you, which can be done at the Bank of China. While changing money at the local money exchange centers, please make sure that you are accompanied by your guide and do consult him as you may easily be duped with counterfeit notes.
It depends on your spending habits. USD 15 to 20 a day will be enough to buy lunch, dinner, bottles of water, chocolates and a few drinks during the tour.
Tibet is becoming more expensive every year. There are many shops in Lhasa, Shigatse and Gyantse that sell traditional Tibetan handicrafts. We recommend you to bring extra money to spend on souvenirs.
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 20 to USD 1000 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters thanks for their help. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide.
The best time for this tour is between March and October.
The weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult to predict. Nights are generally cooler than the daytime. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected! Depending on the season the temperature could range from -15°C to 20°C.
We use twin-sharing rooms at two-star hotels in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse with breakfast included. And, in two places, Xegar and Rongbuk, we use guesthouses. They are basic and you have to share room with other travelers.
All breakfasts are included in our package. Your guide will help you find good restaurants with reasonable price. A must are the small Tibetan restaurants which serve authentic Tibetan food. You can try ethnic Tibetan cuisine. Have some momos or gyantok, and wash it down with a cup of salted Tibetan butter tea. Meals will either be in the hotel or at a restaurant of your choice (where available). While on the road, lunch will be at one of the many Chinese tea shops along the way which generally serve a variety of noodle and vegetable dishes and meat where available. Expect to spend around USD 15 to 20 per day for meals.
In most places bottled water is readily available. If you wish to drink normal water, you need to use purifying aid, which you need to bring with you.
Ace the Himalaya is all about providing you with local insights, lifestyle as well as adventure. Using a variety of private transport is an integral part of our Himalayan tours, enhancing the experience!
We use private tourist vehicles for sightseeing, city tours and pickups. These vehicles are extremely sturdy, spacious and reliable and they make the journey as comfortable as possible.
Flights to and from Lhasa aren’t included in the package. However, we can book the flights for you whether you are travelling via Nepal or China.
There are regular flights from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa except on Tuesday. And, from China, there are daily flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Laundry service is easily available at your hotel by paying additional charge. Please note that laundry service is not included in the package price.
These facilities will be available in your hotel. Remember to bring travel adapters!
Communication facilities in Tibet have been improved over the past few years. All the hotels we use in Lhasa have international IDD phone and fax services. Phone calls can also be made from public booth iand internet cafes are also available. Check with your guide for the best cyber cafes in each town.
You can also have a roaming facility added to your mobile phone as mobile phones work fine in Tibet. If you buy a Chinese SIM card at the border, you could stay in touch with your family and friends most of the time. Please ask us for the latest facilities and schemes on Chinese mobile phones.
These full and frank reviews are from travelers who have traveled with Ace the Himalaya previously. The reviews and experiences shown here are from reputable travel websites like TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trust Pilot, etc.