Alpine Explore Nepal
Himalayan of Nepal

Lhasa – Mount Everest Base Camp Overland Tour 11 Days:

The classic adventure tour with 3 full days in Lhasa (i.e 4 nights) and the drive to Everest Base Camp for stunning views of the north face of Mount Everest (Chomolungma).

True to its nickname, “the Roof of the world”, Tibet is the highest plateau in the world with an average altitude in excess of 3500 meter. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan range which separates it from its neighbours India, Nepal and Bhutan, Tibet is an untamed land of nomads (drokpas), monasteries, yaks, sand dunes, and high altitude desert.

On this Tibet overland tour you have three days (i.e 4 nights) in Lhasa to acclimatize and to absorb the exoticism of the Tibetan heritages and to explore this history-laden city. You will be expertly guided around the most significant and ancient Gompas (monasteries) of Lhasa, Gyantse & Shigatse by your Tibetan guide, who will instruct you on the intricacies of Tibetan Buddhism. With its spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, Tibet is a remarkable place to visit.

You drive Friendship highway by Toyota Landcruiser 4 wheel drives passing through small Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain peaks.

A highlight of this trip is the visit to Everest base camp where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Everest’s north face.

Trip Facts
Trip length:11 Days
Grade: Overland tour
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Group size: Maximum 12
Accommodation: Hotel & Lodge
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck
Maximum altitude: 5220m

Outline Itinerery

Day 01 Arrive Lhasa (3660m)
Day 02 sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 03 sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 04 in Lhasa, free day for acclimatization
Day 05 drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Day 06 sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Day 07 sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km
Day 08 drive to Rongbuk (5000m) 68km
Day 09 explore Everest base camp & drive to Tingri (4390m) 65km
Day 10 drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
Day 11 drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km

Detail Itinerery 

Day 1 Arrive Lhasa (3660 m)
You have options to arrive Lhasa, you can join the trip in Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any Chinese Cities. (Please see option detail on ‘general information’ section)

You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring

NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.

Day 3 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery.

Day 4 Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization
You get an entire day free for acclimatization. After proper rest, you can either indulge in sightseeing, shop or do whatever you fancy. You also get an option of undertaking an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this will incur extra costs.

Day 5 Drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.

Day 6 Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Gyantse prides on GYANTSE DZONG and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900 meter, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse.

Day 7 Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km.
Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible route to Shegar.

Day 8 Drive to Rongbuk (5000m) 68km
Away from Shegar, you will drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the drive you can bask in the splendor of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. A guest house is available for overnight accommodation.

Day 9 Explore Everest base camp & drive to Tingri (4390m) 65km
This morning you have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp, 5150m. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you.

No tour vehicles, apart from expeditions, are allowed beyond Rongbuk so you can walk the 9kms or take a horse cart that will cost $3-5 per person.
After lunch, you return to the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri where you will stay overnight at the Snow Leopard Lodge.

Day 10 Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter.

Day 11 Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km
Few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi River brings you closer to Immigration Control in Kodari where you will say good bye to your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet Nepalese escort to drive to Kathmandu. After 5 hours of driving for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu.

 The following information will allow you to better plan your budget for tours or treks. A range of costs is given. These costs are dependant on:
  • The mix of Touring and/or general Trekking,
  • The remoteness of the areas visited,
  • The number of guides or porters required,
  • The standard of accommodation required (if there is a choice), 
  • The type of ground transport used,
  • The length of your visit, and
  • The size of your group.

Depending on group size the costs of treks and tours range from:
1 to 3 pax     US$ 88 to 163  P/p per night.
4 to 8 pax     US$ 78 to 148  P/p per night
9 to 14 pax.  US$ 75 to 135 P/p per night.
15 to 20 and above US$ 60 to 110 P/p per night
Single supplement US$ 40 to 70 per night.

Note: The itinerary and cost for Peak climbing, Mountaineering, Tibet, Bhutan and India tours and trek are conditional apply.

Notwithstanding the costs shown above, we can tailor tours to suit almost any budget. Feel free to email us for more information.
 
Note: One tour leader will be free of cost for tours with 15 or more paying guests only. 

Children's bellow three years is free if sharing with their parents. And need to pay if they are participating on the trekking, and above three to nine year children half of the price.

Cost Includes: Accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels in the cites as your choice, basic accommodation in a lodge or tea house or camping (depending on your itinerary and choice) during treks, guides and porters on treks, all land transfers by private vehicle, 3 meals a day on treks, all jungle safaris, all sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all necessary entry fees, permits and airport transfers.
 
Cost Excludes: Personal expenses, domestic air tickets, airport tax, drinks (soft drink, mineral water and alcoholic beverages and hot-shower on the trek), personal insurance, and extra cost due to natural calamities or accidents outside of our control.

Remarks: The cost of the trip determines with the services included during the trip so that it might be varies with the services, hotel and transfer of your wish.

Please note that our guides speak the following English languages and if required we will provide your language spiking guide on extra cost.

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Contact Information:

Alpine Explore Nepal
P.O. Box: 4546, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4700714 / 4700175 / 4701974
Fax: +977 -1 - 4700970
Email: info@traveltrek.asia
          sales@traveltrek.asia
Skype Address: explore.alpine
MSN Messanger: explorealpine
Yahoo Messanger:explorealpine

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Our Guest Says

SteveAnyon-Smith
18 April 2000

This was my third trek in Nepal, having visited the Annapurna Region in 1995 and with Bharat and Dave in the beautiful and wildlife-filled Langstang Valley in1998. Bharat's company "Explore Alpine Adventure"....
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