Senior's Everest Base Camp Tour
- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Price:
- From USD1907
- Route:
- Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
It is the most suitable tour package for seniors to travel comfortably in Tibet. In this itinerary, you can explore Tibetan culture, enjoy the Tibetan landscape, and stand at Everest Base Camp to appreciate the spectacular sunrise of Mount Everest! Firstly, you will tour Lhasa for a couple of days to acclimatize to the high altitude, and to visit the world-famous attractions, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and the old market Barkhor Street. Then you will depart for Gyantse, Shigatse, and Tingri, the mighty traveling places of Tibet, and later arrive at EBC, to witness the highest peak in the world, as well as the highest monastery - Rongbuk Monastery. After that, we will return to Lhasa via Sakya County, where the well-known Sakya Monastery is located. On the way back to Lhasa, you can visit the local Tibetan Family, to experience the authentic Tibetan lifestyle. Overall, this is a safe trip for the elderly as you can explore Tibetan nature and culture slowly. Standing on the roof of the world is a moment to be captured in the memories!
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Norbulingka |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 4 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
| 5 | Lhasa- Gyantse, 265km, Approx. 5.5hrs | Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier |
| 6 | Gyantse - Shigatse, 96km, Approx. 2hrs | Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum |
| 7 | Shigatse -Tingri, 240km, Approx. 5hrs | Tashilhunpo Monastery |
| 8 | Tingri - EBC - Tingri, 240km, Approx. 6hrs | Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp |
| 9 | Tingri - Sakya - Shigatse, 290km, Approx. 6hrs | Sakya Monastery |
| 10 | Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 5hrs | Tibetan Family Visit |
| 11 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseTashi Delek! Welcome to Tibet! This is the first day that you enter Tibet. Your guide will greet you at the airport or railway station and transfer you to the lovely hotel. It usually takes around 1 hour to drive from Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa and takes about 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station. Tourists could have a look at the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the largest and longest river in Tibet on their way to the hotel. After check-in, we strongly suggest you rest in the hotel. But if really you could not help going out, please do remember that try to go with a light pack and not go alone. Meanwhile, drink some more water. It’s really useful to get acclimatized to the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Rest is still the mission of today, you really need to get used to the high altitude. So, we only arrange one spot to see --- Norbulingka. It is located in the western suburb of Lhasa city. Built by the 7th Dalai Lama in the 1840s, Norbulingka is a typical Tibetan-style garden, which used to be the summer palace of former Dalai Lamas. But now, it has become a natural garden for the public. In Tibetan, Norbulingka means treasure garden. It's the largest garden with the best scenery and the most exquisite architecture among the artificial gardens in Tibet. After that, you may wander the city or rest to keep your body in a good condition.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
After resting one night, today you will recover sufficiently to launch your Lhasa city tour, with close contact with Lhasa, which is the political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center of Tibet with a history of over 1,300 years.
At first, you will go to the Potala Palace, which is the symbolic place of Lhasa and also the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century. The gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king are the most worth seeing in Potala Palace.
After lunch, you are going to Jokhang Temple, which was founded at the same time and by the same king as Potala Palace. From the outside, you can see many pilgrims prostrating in front of the temple. The most precious treasure of this temple is the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12.
Barkhor Street is the next destination that women love a lot. Because it’s a famous busy walking street where they can go shopping. There are many distinctive shops and stalls that sell different Tibetan stuff, like handicrafts, Thangka, and so on. Except for shopping, tourists can also join the Kora with pilgrims and locals, to explore Tibetan religious culture more deeply.
Optional:
You can go to visit the Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center if time is enough. You can also watch the Tibetan Culture Show in the evening for USD60 per person at your own expense.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, you are heading to Drepung Monastery, which means Monastery of Rice Heaps in the Tibetan language. It’s a white magnificent building complex that looks also like rice heaps in the distance. Drepung monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, where lived more than 10 thousand monks in the past.
In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from around 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also see the three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Paintings of Buddha. Besides, the sight here is quite good because you can see wild roses around. That’s why people also call it “the Court of Wild Roses”.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
You will go to Gyantse (4,040m) from Lhasa today.
Firstly, you can have a glimpse of Yamdroktso Lake at Gampala Pass (4,790m). This is a holy lake surrounded by plenty of snow-capped mountains. And special views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m) - the highest mountain near Lhasa, will show up soon.
You will see the Karola Glacier when passing it on the roadside. After hanging pray flag at Simila Mountain pass, you will arrive in Gyantse, the third largest city in Tibet after Lhasa and Shigatse.
Stay overnight in Gyantse
After breakfast, we shall visit Pelkor Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum and then see the Gyantse Fortress from a distance.
Pelkor Monastery is a typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery that is complex of pagoda and temple. And you can see Tibetan Buddhism Sakyapa, Gelug, Xia Lupa together in it.
Then we will start to go to Shigatse. It normally takes one and a half hours to drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (3,840m), where we may visit the traditional barley mill and have the unique sights of barley fields (in summer).
Stay overnight in Shigatse
Before we drive to Tingri to have lunch, we will visit the famous Tashilunpo Monastery, the home of Panchen Lama. It’s the largest monastery in Shigatse and one of the four famous Gelug monasteries in Tibet. You can see the world’s largest gilded copper image (26m high) of the future God Jampa there.
Then, we will drive to Tingri, the nearest county to EBC. Please sleep well tonight, as you will see Mt. Everest tomorrow.
Stay overnight in Tingri
Today we are launching the Everest tour. After 90km of driving, we will arrive at Rongbuk Monastery first. It’s the highest monastery in the world, that’s why you can see the stunning view of Mt. Everest there. And another special thing is that you can find Monks and Nuns together in it. It’s different compared with other monasteries. After that, we will continue visiting Everest Base Camp (5,200m). It’ next to Rongbuk Monastery now. You can have a good look at Mt. Everest from EBC and take clear photos of it. Please enjoy yourselves in this nearest place to heaven. In the end, we will return to Tingri due to the poor conditions of residence in EBC which is not suitable for seniors.
Stay overnight in Tingri
On the way back to Shigatse, we will drop by Sakya County (4,300m) first.
There are many different Tibetan Buddhism monasteries in Sakya County, the most famous one is Sakya Monastery, the main monastery of Sakyapa. It was built in the Tubo Dynasty, and the wall is colorful with red, white and cyan paints. That’s why Sakyapa is also called Colorful Buddhism.
After 3 hours of driving, you will arrive in Shigatse and spend one night there.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
We will start to go back to Lhasa along the expressway today. It takes 5 hours to get to Lhasa from Shigatse. But the view is good along the road, so, get your camera ready. And it's better to prepare some snacks to bring along.
En route, you can visit a Local Tibetan Family to enjoy a happy time with these hospitable people.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$1907 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by KC L***
My wife and I are in our mid 70s. Any serious health concerns regarding travelling at high altitude
Dear KC***,
For seniors with high blood pressure, respiratory, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, heart disease, pulmonary edema, etc., they are not suggested to visit Tibet, as Tibet is a high altitude area. Please consult your doctor before you visit Tibet. If you are healthy, we can arrange your Tibet tour.
Taking a train to Tibet would be helpful to adapt to the high-altitude environment. And accommodating in famous chains such as St. Regis Lhasa resort, with an oxygen diffusing supply system, also helps.
Asked by Fr***
Hi, I am an English man with a resident permit in Wuhan, my partner she is a chinese national. We are inquiring about tours to visit EBC Rongbu in the summer 2021. I am aged 51 years then.
Thank you, Fred
In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to visit EBC Rongbuk in the summer of 2021. We can arrange the tour for you. For travelers' number fewer than 5, we recommend joining our small group tour to keep the cost down. You can add one or two days staying in Lhasa before the group tour start to get adapt to the high altitude. If you would like to have a private tour for just two of you, the 11 days Everest Base Camp Tour probably suits you well. You can have your own tour guide, vehicle, and more flexible daily schedule. Here is the 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour itinerary.
Asked by Joha***
We are considering theSENIOR EVEREST BASE CAMP tour, we would be travelling the two of us, don't want the join a group, would like during the tour the best available hotels and in Lhasa the Shangri La. We will be arriving coming from Chengdu and return to Chengdu. Period: October 2020. Could you also handle all the paperwork for our visa? Please provide us with additional info together with a rough price estimate.
Thanks for your time,
Johan and Bernadette
Antwerp - BELGIUM
In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have 11 Days Senior's Everest Base Camp Tour in October 2020. We can arrange this private tour for you. We will handle all the Tibet visas for you after you book the tour with us. For a Chinese visa, please apply it from your local china embassy, we will help you provide supporting documents. May I remind you that from Oct.1 to 7th is the Chinese National Holiday? All the countries are going out for traveling, thus, I suggest you can come after 8th. By the way, would you prefer to take a train or plane from Chengdu to Lhasa?
Asked by Jean***
Hi we’re 2 people in our 60s interested in your seniors tour and are thinking of visiting Tibet in feb 2020.
Can you give me a quote for 3* accommodation
Thanks
In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have 11 Days Senior's Everest Base Camp Tour in Feb.2020. We can arrange this private tour for you. However, from Feb through March, Tibet will not be open for foreigners. I suggest you can come in April.
Asked by Abbe***
What is the minimum age for EBC tour? can a 10 year old do it.
Generally speaking, yes, a ten year old child can do this tour. As for the age, it's also hard to define the age as the boundary of whether being able to travel to EBC. Things are not always absolute considering the age of traveling to high altitude places. Actually altitude sickness is more likely to happen on those strong young men who need oxygen more than others. So suggest you consult with his/her doctor before making the decision to travel.
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