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This trip encompasses an adventurous trek to the Everest Advance Base Camp, coupled with an exploratory journey across the Tibetan highlands.

This tour has been designed for the traveler with the wanderlust, someone who is forever in the lookout for fresh challenges and high adventure. Tibet, with an average altitude in excess of 3500 meters, is the highest plateau in the world. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan range, Tibet is more or less an untamed land of nomads (drokpas), monasteries and high altitude desert that seem to stretch endlessly.

In Lhasa you get ample time to acclimatize and to absorb the exoticism of Tibetan cultural heritage. As you are guided around the most significant and ancient monasteries of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, an expert Tibetan guide will instruct you on the intricacies and mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. Driving down the Friendship highway, you pass through small Tibetan settlements, where you see nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains, amidst a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain peaks.

The special highlight of this trip is the trek to the Everest Advance Base Camp. Your trek begins from Rongbuk. En route you traverse past the Rongbuk Glacier and ascend a succession of hills and ridges. As you climb up amidst spectacular mountain views, you get to test your endurance and stamina. Once you reach Camp III at 6400 meters, you know you have accomplished a major feat. Savor your special moment in the shadow of the world's highest peak, Everest (Chomolungma for the Tibetans), while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

As you are driven from Zhangmu and across the Friendship Bridge, there's a refreshing change in scenery. The green and verdant hills of Nepal greet your sight. Your trip comes to an end once you arrive in Kathmandu.

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (3660 m)
We can arrange your arrival in Lhasa from anywhere. You can either join the trip from Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing , Shanghai, Xian or any nearby hub. You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650 meters). It takes around an hour to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude.
Note: There is no program arranged for today.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest.

Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed to visit Potala Palace each day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide.

Day 4: Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization
A final day in Lhasa for acclimatization. This day is for you to spend it as you wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit a favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting in the busy local market at Barkhor Square, or simply sit in a café and watch pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang.There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will incur an extra cost.

Day 5: Drive Lhasa - Gyantse (3950m)
Today we start our overland journey towards Kathmandu. Travelling along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso (lake) to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). We continue westwards over another high pass, the Karo La (5045m), where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down, within a few hundred meters of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Our overnight accommodation is at the Gyantse Hotel.

Day 6: Sightseeing & Drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m)
Before leaving Gyantse we visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum, prides of Gyantse. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th century historical fort, overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals.

After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, taking a 90 km drive, you will arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet that lies at an altitude of 3900 meter. You can first explore the local market and then make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is the major attraction of Shigatse. Our overnight accommodation will be either at Shigatse Hotel or Shandong Mansion.

Day 7: Sightseeing & Drive Shigatse - Shegar (New Tingri: 4050m)
Today we continue along the Friendship Highway, marvelling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La (5220m). From here we descend to the plains, passing along lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar.

Day 8: Drive Shegar - Rongbuk (5000m)
Shortly after leaving Shegar, turning away from the Friendship Highway, we head south over the Pang La (5150m) towards the main Himalayan range. The sight from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, initially Everest is hidden from view, but as we turn to the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever. We stay overnight at the Gompa Guest House.

Day 9-10: At Base Camp
Two days at base camp to acclimatize and explore around.

Day 11 Trek from Everest Base Camp to Camp 1 (5460m)
Trekking the surreally sculpted Rongbuk Glacier you walk away from Everest Base Camp to Camp I for two and half hours or more. Camp I lies amidst moraine hills under picturesque yellow-orange granite cliffs. In the beginning the trekking route skirts the east side of the Rongbuk Glacier and opens into a flat area at 5270m. On the Southwest, Pumori at 7145 m nestled next to Kala Pattar comes into picture. After arriving at Camp I, you may wish to explore snout of the East Rongbuk Glacier lying just 20 minutes away from the camp.

Day 12 Trek to Interim Camp (5760m)
The trail overlooks glacier-topped mountain as it roll from gravel mounds, mud plain to rocky moraine. Lying directly across from Far East Rongbuk glacier, Interim Camp can prove very beneficial for further acclimatization and supper vantage point prior to trekking up to Camp II.

Day 13 Rest day at Interim Camp (5760m)
A rest day for preparation to climb higher up or you may wish to explore around.

Day 14 Trek to Camp II (5970m)
It is about three and half hours or more to ascend from Interim Camp to Camp II. You will approach Camp II at 5970 meter as you near the south side of the glacier at the eastern end of the Changtse Glacier junction lying below huge cliff. Along the trail to Camp II you get to capture huge seracs rising up to 50 feet above the surface of the glacier and endless array of mountain scenery.

Day 15 Trek to Camp III (6340m) and return to Camp II
As you march towards Camp III, you trek along moraine following the glacier to the right around the eastern flank of Changtse. Further ahead, you ascend a succession of hills as the glacier softens into smooth snowy ice fields carpeting the approaching ridges. En route you may spot several tent sites and discarded oxygen bottles. 1480 meter straight up from Camp III lies the Pinnacles challenging trekkers to explore its mystiques.

Its complexity has kept the northeast Ridge unclimbed for a long time. North Col lies at 7066 meter in the West connecting Everest’s Northeast Ridge and Changste. Through binocular you can see spectacular sight of striated rock summit of Everest extending above the Pinnacles to the southeast little more than 8000 feet (2400 m) higher than Camp III.  Beyond Camp III there are gravel hills beside the glacier and you may trek along this trail for one hour provided that you are fully acclimatized. Finally, you conclude your trek by journeying back to Camp II from Camp III for 2 hours or you can stay the night at Everest Advance Base camp.   

Day 16 Return to Base Camp
From Camp II you continue trekking back to Base Camp, a long day trek down to comfortable lower altitude.

Day 17: Drive Base Camp to Nyalam (215 km)
You have to take a 215 km drive from Base Camp to Nyalam along Friendship Highway traversing past Pang La pass. On the way, you can halt at Tingri for lunch. Further away amidst the stunning view of Everest, Cho Oyu and other mountain peaks, you accelerate past Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. The trail further commands far-reaching views of enchanting Shishapangma, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, as you leave behind arid Tibetan Plateau. The route then progresses towards the pristine and fortified town of Nyalam, where you can find a suitable accommodation at a hotel.  

Day 18: Drive Nyalam (3750m) to Kathmandu
Heading away from Nyalam, drive for one hour to the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter. Few kilometers drive follows Friendship Bridge along Bhote Koshi River to Immigration Control in Kodari where you part with your Tibetan guide and handle the re-entry formalities to return to Kathmandu. After a 5 hours drive of 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu.

Tour price:

USD 3035 per person on twin sharing
Single Supplement USD 180

Note: minimum of 4 participants to operate this tour

Cost excludes:

• Kathmandu hotels
• Any Airfare (quoted separately)
• Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due any reason (usually insurance covers this expenses, ask for detail)
• Airport tax
• insurance
• Tips, any expenses of personal nature, meals during hotel stay, tips for support staff

Flight: rates and taxes are subject to change without prior notice

Kathmandu - Lhasa: USD 356 (Tue & Sat in high seasons)
Chengdu - Lhasa: USD 250
Beijing - Lhasa: USD 490
Shanghai - Lhasa: USD 512
Kathmandu – Beijing: 790

* Train to Lhasa from Beijing USD 255 on soft sleeper bed (subject to availability, please read conditions/other available options)
* Tibet (Chinese) visa: USD 114 for all nationality (additional USD 85 applicable to American passport holder as levied by Chinese Govt.)