Pilgrimage to Mt. Everest

Welcome to Lhasa, a mecca that may lack oxygen but never lack faith! When getting out of the Arrival Hall of the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the train station, you will be warmly greeted by our professional guide, who will then transfer you to the hotel we handpicked in the downtown area for check-in. For the rest of the day, we highly suggest you have some rest at the hotel to get used to the high altitude here.

► Arrangements for Pick-up and See-off:
Our transfer service between the airport and the hotel is carried out at fixed times by the minivan or minibus based on the number of arriving or departing guests at the same time. The pick-up times at the airport are scheduled to be 10:00, 13:30, 16:00, and 18:30, while the vehicles sending guests from the hotel to the airport depart at 06:30, 08:00, and 12:00. For guests arriving by train, we offer an immediate shuttle service between the train station and the hotel. If you want to enjoy a private transfer, please contact us in advance.

► How to Deal with Altitude Sickness:
Tibet is in a plateau region where oxygen is scarce, and it will get thinner as we climb from Lhasa at an altitude of 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) to Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). Therefore, you should have a comprehensive physical examination to assess whether you can adapt to the high-altitude environment and do some appropriate exercises such as jogging and climbing stairs before embarking on this journey. When in Tibet, please make sure to have sufficient rest and avoid strenuous exercise. In terms of diet, it is recommended that you replenish water in time, eat more vegetables and fruits, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol to reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines. If you experience any discomfort such as a headache, turn to our guide for help at once.

About Accommodation: What we arrange are economy hotels with the best value. We also have comfort hotel options. If you want to upgrade to better hotels, please let your travel consultant know, and he/she is ready to assist anytime.

Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars) or similar

The Drepung Monastery, the largest of its kind in Lhasa, beckons to you on the western outskirts of the city. This 600-year-old Tibetan Buddhist sacred site is particularly charming in the morning, with Tibetans and believers coming from afar holding butter lamps to worship the Buddha, as well as Lamas in red robes that stand out strikingly against the white milk walls chanting sutras everywhere. Take your time to appreciate the exquisite porcelain, Buddha statues, Thangka paintings, and murals housed in its various halls. Up the steps all the way, the scents of ghee and Tibetan incense would linger around the nose. First, arrive at the tallest building in the temple, the Ganden Potrang, which was once the residence of the Second Dalai Lama and presents an architectural style similar to that of an ancient castle. Moving forward, we’ll then come to the core building, the Coqen Hall. Surprisingly, in the chest of the Buddha statue enshrined here lies the hallmark treasure of the temple, a white conch, which is said to be a token left by Master Tsong Khapa to his disciples. Then step into the four Zhacangs (academies) and delve into its religious educational system.In the afternoon, let’s continue our visit to the Sera Monastery. Since 1419, when a famous disciple of Tsong Khapa, Jamchen Chojey, laid the first foundation stone on this mountain covered with wild roses, the third great monastery of the Gelug Sect has taken root here. It has always attracted countless visitors because of the striking scenes of one-on-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many debating on Buddhist doctrines held from 15:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Saturday. Each time the questioner posed an issue, he would swing the prayer beads with his right hand and place them on his left arm, then take a big step forward, and immediately raise his hands high to burst into a thunderous clap. While the defender would sit calmly, concentrating on responding intelligently or attempting to refute the other's point. Both sides are fully demonstrating their eloquence and knowledge, drawing rounds of applause from the onlookers, and of course you will be cheered too.

Before taking you back to the hotel, our guide will accompany you to a welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant, where authentic Tibetan cuisine can delight your taste buds.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Welcome dinner
Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars) or similar

Begin today’s journey at the Potala Palace, which has been rated by UNESCO as the world’s highest ancient palace complex. When walking along the palace wall, the slogan ‘A must-visit place in a lifetime’ will come into your view, undoubtedly raising your expectations for this sacred land. After entering, as you ascend along the winding stone slopes and steps, you can come across believers prostrating themselves on a pilgrimage, with each move seeming so devout. Gradually, the splendor inside the Palace was revealed in front of you. According to the legend of the Tibetan region, when the Potala Palace was built, nearly half of the gold in the world at that time was used, and follow our guide to see how glittering it really is. In the White Palace on both sides, there are many resplendent stupas showcasing the quintessence of Tibetan architectural art. Also visit the central Red Palace, the soul of the Potala, which is filled with well-arranged Buddha statues and colorful Thangka murals that vividly depict the history and mythological legends of Tibetan Buddhism as well. After climbing more than 900 steps in all, you’ll eventually reach the top of the Palace, where you can overlook the breathtaking scenery of the entire Lhasa City. Afterward, head to the well-known Zongjiao Lukang Park at the foot of the hill. Here, you can not only immerse yourself in the natural scenery to feel tranquility, but also participate in the lively Guozhuang dance of the local Tibetans.

After lunch, set off to explore another World Cultural Heritage site in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, whose establishment is closely related to the marriage of Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan king who founded the Tupo Dynasty in the 7th century. To promote cultural exchanges with the Han people, he married Princess Wencheng who brought Buddhist classics and the life-sized statue of 12-year-old Sakyamuni, and then specially built the Temple to preserve these treasures. With our guide, get a glimpse of its unique architectural design, with the main building being the Tibetan style dominated by white, while the side halls are mainly in red and yellow of the Chinese style. And the layout generally imitates the mandala symbolizing the cosmic structure in Indian Buddhism.When coming out of the temple, let’s wander through the hand-polished stone paths of Barkhor Street. Along the way, you’ll be dazzled by stalls full of handmade bracelets made of silver or bones, and traditional items like Tibetan knives and incense burners. Moreover, there are still pilgrims with protective gear tied on their hands and knees, with fur on their chests, prostrating themselves every three steps and chanting the mantra all the time, which may make you truly feel that faith is no longer an abstract concept, but living bodies. At last, enjoy a tea break at a sweet tea house to taste their social culture and then get back to the hotel for rest.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Tea break
Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars) or similar

This morning, we will drive you to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. On the way, we will stop to admire one of the Great Three Holy Lakes in Tibet, the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, which literally means ‘Jasper Lake of Upper Pasture’ in Tibetan and is regarded by the Tibetans as ‘the turquoise earrings of the goddess scattered among the snow-capped mountains’. Standing at the Gampala Pass Platform and looking southward, it is just a sapphire, with white clouds, blue sky, and snow peaks reflected on it, creating an enchanting landscape painting. In the center of it, you’ll also see the Rutok Temple, known as the loneliest temple in the world, which is said to have only one monk living here all year round. The Tibetan antelopes, flocks of sheep, yaks, and horses on the surrounding grassland are also a beautiful sight for you. After that, you’ll be led to visit a local family, observe their daily life, and even have a farm lunch there.

Keep moving forward on the highway and we’ll pass by the Karola Glacier, one of the three famous continental glaciers in Tibet. It is like a huge ice waterfall falling from the sky and winding to the roadside. The white ice interweaves with the brown land, and then connects with the green barley fields, making you can't help but be amazed at the magical power of nature. Speaking of the barley fields, it is just like an ocean with rolling green waves in spring, and in autumn, it seems to be coated with a layer of gold. As the farmland is at a higher altitude and enjoys more sunlight, you may find that it presents more bright colors than those in other places. Take the chance to take some instagrammable photos along the way! Upon arrival in Shigatse, check in at the hotel we handpicked for you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Farm house lunch
Accommodation: Shiga-Yangcha Hotel Shigatse (3 stars) or similar

In the morning, after applying for your Tibet Travel Permit, make our way from downtown Shigatse to the Himalayas. Stretching for more than 2,400 kilometers (1,491 miles) along China’s Tibet border with Nepal, India, and other countries, the Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world, with many peaks averaging more than 6,000 meters (3.7 miles) above sea level. Among them, the world’s highest Mt. Everest is its main peak, with an altitude of 8848 meters (29,028 feet). When passing through Dingri, first climb up to the Dingri View Point and enjoy the majestic posture of Mt. Everest from a distance. Here, the natural scenery around Dingri, such as vast grasslands, can also be taken in at a glance. Then stand on the Gawula View Point, the largest and most spectacular observation platform on earth, and prepare to be stunned by the five 8,000-plus-meter-high undulating mountains covered in white. 

Around dusk, we’ll finally reach the Mt. Everest Base Camp, a protected zone set up to limit environmental damage to Mt. Everest's core by human activity, for the night. It is still an ideal place to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Mt. Everest, and if it is a clear day, the beautiful sunset over it will also feast your eyes. The sunlight drapes the peak, which is faintly visible amid the misty clouds, in a golden coat, giving you a mysterious and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Rongpuk Tent Guest House (Dorm bed)

When the sun slowly rises, you’ll see a ‘golden veil’ gently lifted from the Mt. Everest, showing its most primitive face. At this moment, all your senses may be awakened by this stunning scene. Later, the guide will take you to visit the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest temple in the world. It is worth mentioning that it is also the only temple where monks and nuns live together to practice Buddhist devotions, precisely reflecting the inclusiveness and harmony of Tibetan Buddhism. Walking into the small hall where the Buddha statue of Padmasambhava is enshrined, you’ll feel as if you have once again entered a dignified Buddhist world. Look south from the temple, and you can still see the Mt. Everest towering like a giant pyramid among the peaks 20 kilometers away.

Then, we will escort you back to Shigatse via Dingyal and Sakya County. On the way, witness the eastern slope of Mt. Everest and the world’s fourth tallest Mt. Lhotse at the Himalayan Xilin View Point as well. Upon arrival, have a decent dinner while enjoying the folk shows performed by local artists.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Dinner with song and dance performance
Accommodation: Shiga-Yangcha Hotel Shigatse (3 stars) or similar

Today, let’s make a pilgrimage to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the ‘heart’ of Shigatse city, which, together with the Drepung, Sera, Gandan in Lhasa, Kumbum in Qinghai, and Labrang in Gansu, is collectively known as ‘Great Six Monasteries’ of Gelu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Upon entering the temple, the first thing that greets you is a vast open-air preaching hall, whose four walls are dominated by 1,000 stone-carved Buddha statues, revealing a solemn and mysterious atmosphere. Pass through it and up the steps, and you’ll get to the oldest Kelsang Temple in the Monastery, which is large enough to accommodate about 2,000 lamas chanting sutras at a time. Then, follow our guide to the most famous Maitreya Chapel to marvel at the treasure of Tashilhunpo - the world’s tallest gilded copper seated Buddha statue. The 26-meter-tall Buddha is really jaw-dropping in its enormity; and to put it more vividly, it seems that an adult could fit into its nostrils, a truck could be parked on one of its shoulders, and two ping-pong tables could be placed in its palm. Next, lay your eyes on the most luxurious stupa-tomb of the Tenth Panchen Lama, which is wrapped in gold and inlaid with thousands of diamonds, pearls, agates, turquoise, and corals.

After the visit, hop in our vehicle again or enjoy a comfortable train ride back to Lhasa along the magnificent Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is not only a geographical wonder but also the mother river of Tibetan culture. As the sun draws closer to the horizon, you’ll be intoxicated by the entire river canyon that has been dyed a warm orange-red and looks as if a painter's palette has been overturned.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa (4 stars) or similar

It’s time to bid farewell to your Tibet group tour to Mt. Everest from Lhasa, and our guide will send you to the airport or train station for your return journey. Make sure to pack all your luggage when checking out of the hotel, and arrive at the airport two hours early if you are leaving by plane. Bon voyage! For more highlights of Tibet, feel free to contact our travel consultant to customize the trip to your preference.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast