Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour is one of the most popular tours in Tibet. It will not only allow you to get insight into the Buddhist culture and experience the best Tibet scenery but also witness the highest mountain in the world. You will visit the most famous monasteries in Lhasa and Shigatse, view the beautiful Yamdrok Lake, pass through Rongbuk Monastery and finally reach Everest Base Camp. At the foot of the world's highest mountain, you may feel somewhat different. 

In the past, getting close to Mount Everest is an unattainable dream for most people. But today, it's easy to travel to Everest, due to the greatly improved tourism facilities. More and more people including seniors and kids can visit Everest Base Camp from Lhasa to realize their dream of worshipping the highest mountain in the world.

How to Get to Everest Base Camp from Lhasa? 

When you arrive in Lhasa, usually, there will be another two days of Lhasa sightseeing tour before heading to Everest Base Camp, or at least one day. Because your body needs time to adapt to the sudden altitude change. In addition to that, the tourist attractions in Lhasa are worth visiting as well, such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Barkhor Street, and so on. You will have an outline of Tibetan Buddhist culture during these two days.

After two to three nights in Lhasa, you can get sufficient rest and normally acclimatize to the high altitude. Therefore, it’s time to launch a Mt. Everest trip. Here's a brief tour route,

• D1 Arrival in Lhasa (3680m)
• D2 Visit Lhasa Suburb
• D3 Lhasa sightseeing
• D4 Lhasa- Gyantse(4040m)- Shigatse(3840m), 360km, approx 7hrs
• D5 Shigatse - Tingri - EBC(5100m), 350km, approx 8hrs
• D6 EBC - Shigatse, 350km, approx 8hrs
• D7 Shigatse - Lhasa, 300km, approx 5hrs
• D8 Depart from Lhasa

>>See more about Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour

Usually, your Tibet travel agency will arrange your tour to Everest Base Camp from Lhasa. The distance from Lhasa to Everest base camp is about 700 kilometers by vehicle, which takes two days. Due to the strict speed limited regulation, the driving duration is about 7 hours per day. But, the highland scenery along the way is amazing enough to let you ignore the exhaustion of the journey.

Attractions Along the Way

This journey takes travelers through iconic monasteries in Lhasa and Shigatse, then past turquoise Yamdroktso Lake, the famous Karola Glacier, Pelkor Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery (the highest monastery on earth) and the general view of holy Mt. Everest. When you finally arrive at Everest Base Camp, you will have the opportunity to see the golden sunset of Mt. Everest. You can take photos or do a little trekking around it, to admire the highest mountain in the world.

Potala Palace

Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a magnificent structure that stands as a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and history. Perched atop Marpo Ri Hill, it towers at 12,100 feet (3,700 meters) above sea level, making it an iconic landmark of Tibet. The palace, originally built in the 7th century and expanded in the 17th century, served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959. The Potala Palace is renowned for its stunning architecture, with its towering white and red walls, intricate murals, chapels, stupas, and assembly halls. It houses thousands of religious texts, artifacts, and statues, reflecting Tibetan art and spirituality.

Norbulingka

Norbulingka, meaning "Jewel Park" in Tibetan, is a vast garden and palace complex located in Lhasa. Built in the mid-18th century by the Seventh Dalai Lama, it served as the traditional summer residence of successive Dalai Lamas. Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Norbulingka is a serene sanctuary known for its beautiful gardens, lush greenery, and ornate buildings.

Yamdroktso Lake

Yamdroktso Lake, which means "Jade Lake" and "Swan Lake " in Tibetan, is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet along with Namtso and Lake Manasarovar. It is the largest inland lake in the northern foothills of the Himalayas. The landscape of lakes and mountains deserves your visit. Looking south from the top of Gangbala at 4,790 meters, the beautiful Yamdroktso Lake looks like a sapphire set among the peaks. The blue lake is as smooth as a mirror, with white clouds and snow-capped peaks clearly reflected on it, the lake and mountains blending together perfectly.

Karola Glacier

Leaving the quiet and beautiful Yamdrok Lake, crossing the Smira Pass at 4,330 meters, you will come under the Karola Glacier. This is breathtaking scenery: snow plateau, blue sky and white clouds, huge glacier stretches from the top of the mountain to the side of the road. you can almost touch it with your hands. The crystal blue glacier is so chill that it can refresh one`s mind.

Tashilhunpo Monastery  

Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Tibet and one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect. Tashilhunpo Monastery was built in 1447 by Gedun Drupa, an apprentice of Gelug Sect founder Tsongkhapa.

In the Tibetan language, “Tashilhunpo” means auspicious Sumeru Mountain. On the road far from Shigatse, you can see the golden roof of Tashilhunpo Monastery glittering in the sunshine on the hillside to the west of the city. At the entrance of the temple, you can see the magnificent temple complex. On the right front, there is a tall white wall, where huge Thangkas are displayed during festivals.

Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side, located at an altitude of approximately 5,150 meters, offers a stunning and unique perspective of Mount Everest's north face. The camp is accessible by road, making it more convenient for travelers who prefer not to trek long distances. At the base camp, visitors are greeted by breathtaking views of Everest and the surrounding Himalayan giants, as well as the expansive Rongbuk Glacier.

Rongbuk Monastery

Nearby Everest Base Camp, there is the historic Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, which offers spiritual significance to the journey. The monks in the temple accompany their faith, praying and practicing silently. Relying on the unique geographical location, standing on the platform of the temple, you can have a panoramic view of the majestic and magnificent Mount Everest in clear weather.

What to Pack for the Everest Base Camp Tour?

In preparation, visitors are advised to pack warm clothing, hiking shoes, anti-sunburn items, and medicines for altitude sickness.

Warm clothes

It’s very cold in the Everest area, so, winter clothes are very important. The down jacket can keep you warm and easy to move compared with other thick garments. Woolen sweaters and socks are also necessary.

Shoe

An old pair of hiking shoes could not be better for trekking to Everest.

Anti-sunburn articles

The ultraviolet ray of Tibet is very strong and you can easily get burnt if you don’t protect yourself well. Thus, ant-sunburn articles are quite necessary, such as sun cream, sunglasses, lip balm, hats, gloves, etc.

Spare batteries

It’s not easy to charge the battery in the Everest area. To support your phone or camera always, you’d better bring spare batteries or a power bank in case of an unexpected situation.

Food

You can also bring some instant food or snacks along the way, as well as drinking water.

Medicines

Except for some ordinary medicines, we suggest you take some medicines for preventing and curing altitude sickness.

Conclusion

Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime journey that combines spiritual, cultural, and natural wonders. From the bustling streets of Lhasa to the serene landscapes of Tibet’s sacred lakes and majestic mountains, this adventure offers unforgettable experiences at every turn. The awe of standing at the foot of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, leaves a lasting impression on every traveler. Whether you are drawn by the allure of Tibetan Buddhist culture or the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas, this tour provides a fulfilling and enriching experience that is now more accessible than ever before.