Trip Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa, meet and greet by our Tibetan guide and transfer to your hotel, rest of the afternoon free for acclimatization as you fly from low land to high altitude.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing including Jokhang temple, the heart of Tibetans religious shrine and observe the people doing the kora every morning. The temple was originally constructed in 7th century and one of the popular icons of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Potala palace once lived Dalai Lama there, one of the major attractions of Lhasa, the main palace got divided into two different portions, the white part and the red part. Originally the palace was constructed by SrongtsenGompo back in 7th century and later they keep adding the part of the complex. Located on top of the hill that overlooks Lhasa town. Listed in the world heritage site by Unesco, the palace is full of chapels, shrines and murals of old days.
Afternoon visit to Norbulinkha, the winter palace of Dalai Lama constructed by 7th Dalai Lama back in 1755.Later addition of chapels, pools and garden by 14th Dalai Lama. This palace is perfect example Tibetan-European architecture with modern living quarters for Dalai Lama with perfect western bathrooms.
Day 03: Lhasa sightseeing including Drepung Monastery, one of the biggest monastery of Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded in 1416 by disciple of Tsongkhapa, JamyangChojey. Located about 5 kms west of the main town, this was a residence for more than 15000 monks until 1960. Monastery is especially famous for its construction with caves, pagodas and temple of JamyangChojey. After completing visit to Drepung monastery continue sightseeing to Sera monastery, one of the biggest schools of gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded in 1419.Sera means “merciful hail”. It is so said to have been so named out of rivalry to its neighbor Drepung. Situated about four kilometers north of Lhasa, on the lower slopes of a range of barren hills named Tatipu, famous for silver ore.
Afternoon visit to Mentisikhing( Tibetan medicine Center): The history of herbal medicine dated back to even 2500 years, having great value in the past days. The main Tibetan medicine institute was founded back in 1916 to do research in Tibetan herbal medicine and give training to produce traditional Tibetan doctors. As this is one of the biggest institute,most of the theory portrayed on a traditional painting as a teaching tool.
Day 04: Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse via YamdrokTso Lake, observe Yamdroktse and visit Gyantse. Gyantse located in the Nyangchu valley, originally part of the trade route and third biggest town in Tibet. Famous for GyantseKhumbum and Gyantsedzong (fort).GyantseKhumbum is particularly famous for Shakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Khumbum’s six floor houses 77 chapels and almost 10000 murals which is very special to Nepalese influence in Tibetan Buddhism. Also famous for Palchor Monastery and ruins of a fort.
Day 05: Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse. Take a short drive from Gyantse to Shigatse and visit Shigatse. Shigatse is the ancient capital of Tibet for many years until they move capital to Lhasa and very famous for TashiLhumpo monastery, is the headquarters of Panchen Lama. TashiLhumpo monastery is founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama. This monastery is perfect example of the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the past time this was a house for more than 4000 monks and famous for its tantric teaching. The monastery is famous for its sutra hall, palace and college.
Day 06: Drive from Shigatse to xegar. Xegar also popular by the name Shelkar is Gateway to Everest. These small town houses ShelkarChhode monastery founded in 1266 by a Kagyu lama but later changed its ownership to Gelukpa sect. The hill behind the monastery has some ruins of XegarDzong where the first British expedition to Everest from north face stayed.
Day 07: Drive from Xegar to Rhongbuk. First spectacular view of Everest and Choyu fromPangla pass. The view from the top not only includes Everest but many other peaks from the Himalaya and they are really awesome when weather is perfect.
Day 08: Trek from Rhongbuk to EBC (5200m.). The trek starts from Rhongbuk monastery and covers about 8kms to reach Everest base camp. This is an easy walk with great view of Everest and Rhongbuk glacier. Set up the camp and sleep in a tent.
Day 09: Trek from Everest base camp to high camp I (5460m.), takes 4-5 hours of easy walking. This is pretty nice walk from the Base camp to high camp I. Except the high elevation; the walk is fantastic with view of Everest and Rhongbuk glacier.
Day 10: Trek from high camp I to interim camp. (5760m.), covers the distance of about 4 kilometers but due to high altitude it normally takes 4-5 hours. This is another scenic day with lots of ice pinnacles and icicles surrounding the camp.
Day 11: Trek from interim camp to high camp II (5970m.). This is a wonderful ascend in the world’s highest mountains. The views are getting even better with Changtse glacier. The camp site is surrounded by glaciers and hanging ice.
Day 12: Trek to Advance base camp (6400m.) and return to high camp II(5970m.). The day is considered as the last push and most incredible experience of the whole trip. Some people prefer to stay overnight at advance base camp, it totally depend on the condition of the client. If you prefer to do so go with the gears necessary for camp there. The top of the Everest is not more than 2500 meters from here. The camp can be set up in center of flattened gravel mount next to the glacier.
Day 13: Trek down from Advance base camp to Everest base camp (5200m.) and drive down to Rhongbuk guest house or tented area. Taking a memory of a life time experience, the trek descends down to Everest base camp then drive down to Rhongbuk. Overnight stay at Rhongbuk guest house or tented camp.
Day 14: Drive from Rhongbuk to Shigatse (3900m). Drive about 350 km to reach Shigatse and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15: Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa. The drive is about 280 km to reach Lhasa and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16: Departure from Lhasa. On a proper time transfer to airport for final departure from Lhasa to another destination.
