Itinerary

Day 1 Everest

Mount Everest - A three day excursion southwest into the towering Himalaya mountains. A rare opportunity to drive directly up to Base Camp to see the teams and Sherpas preparing to ascend this fabled peak. This high altitude adventure requires two nights at very basic accommodation and altitude medication is very helpful.

Your first view as you approach Gyantse will be of the majestic Dzong fortress on top a mountain. When you arrive in Gyantse you will have the option of visiting the Tashilhunpo Monastery or just hang out in the city. You stay in Gyantse for about an hour and a half. The town is very small and quaint, great place to take pictures of Tibetan architecture and people. Some of the monks speak English, especially the ones outside the Monastery. Lunch is included.

The Mt. Oomolamma Range is your first view of the great Himalayas mountains. Tibetan vendors there sell a plethora of souvenirs, and you can bargain down for as little as 1Yuan for a necklace. Lhatse is a smaller city, but just as nice. Not as picturesque as Shigatse but it does has its charm. There is an internet cafe as well as many restaurants. Lunch is included.

This very basic hotel has no electricity or running water, and is the only place in the tiny Lhatse village where a non-Chinese tourist is allowed to stay and eat dinner.

Overnight at Lhatse Guolian Guest House.

Day 2 Everest

Gyatso-La Pass, which is at 5220 metres above sea level. You will spend about 10 minutes here snapping pictures. This is one of the highest points of the trip, so if you are prone to altitude sickness, it is best to remain in the car. In the small town of Shegar you can buy oxygen for 40 Yuan. Lunch is included.

Rongphu Monastery is a Spartan building located near Everest Base Camp. Here you will have 3 options: 1)Stay at the Rhongpu Monastery (60Yuan), 2)Take a horse drawn carriage to the Everest Base Camp (approx 30mins), or 3) Trek to the Everest Base Camp (approx 2-3hrs). The distance from the drop off point to the base camp is about 7kms. Altitude is a real factor and medication (such as Diamox) is very helpful. Lunch is included.

At 5,000 meters, Rongphu Monastery Lodge is the best choice in the area of Everest base camp. No electricity and no running water, but all rooms have a gorgeous view of Everest (if there are no clouds). Beds have comforters. Sleeping can be challenging because of thin air and altitude.

Overnight at Rongphu Monastery Lodge.

Day 3 Everest

Everest Base Camp is the main location for expeditions going up the world's tallest mountain. Collections of tents are clustered together with large radio antennae and groups of tanned climbers. The sherpas have large yurts where you can have a bowl of soup or even take a rest. The tent hosts provide you with warm Yak blankets for a nominal fee. The Camp is at 5200metres above sea level and is very cold, so bundle up. 5 Minutes away is a glacier you can walk on if you have the time. There is a very good view of the Everest summit if the weather is clear. Lunch is included.

The drive from Everest Base Camp to Shigatse takes about 5-6 hours, retracing the rocky road off the mountain. Shigatse is a relatively large Tibetan town, so there are a few shops and an internet café, but you should go with your guide or in a group.

The Shigatse Hotel is a three-star tourist hotel founded in 1985. The structure was in typical Tibetan style with modern equipment in guest rooms. The 123 guestrooms at the hotel are medium size and are well decorated with latest amenities. The ballroom style restaurants at the hotel provide authentic local-style food. It is located in the centre of the city, which is the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. Its convenient location provides easy access to tourist attractions like the Summer Palace and the Tashilunpo Monastery.

Overnight at Shigatse Hotel.

Day 4 Lhasa

Lhasa is a fascinating city and a renowned center of Buddhism. Attractions include the Potala Palace was originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, and became the seat of Dalai Lamas and political center of Tibet. It is a steep climb to the palace which is spectacularly sited overlooking the city. Jokhang is located in central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. In Tibetan, "Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here during the summer from the Potala Palace. Drepung Monastery is situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, this huge complex is the most important monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Sera Monastery is at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City and was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Arrive at the Kamba-La Pass and have a view of the beautiful tourquois Yandrok-Tso Lake. Numerous vendors are there selling everything from Yak rides to traditional Tibetan jewellery. Lunch is included.

Named after Lhasa's Kyichu River "river of happiness" the Kyichu Hotel is a a smaller and more value focused hotel that makes up for it's humble infrastructure with a level of service and food that consistently make it one of Lhasa's top rated hotels. The Kyichu Hotel is located in Lhasa a short walk to both the Jokhang Temple in Barkhor Square and the Potala Palace.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel.

Day 5 Lhasa

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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