Everest Base Camp Trek - 19 Days

Yet another unforgettable trekking experience in the high mountains of Tibet...

This trek you traverse along the centuries old nomadic territories, fortified villages, alpine valleys, nomadic settlements, barley fields and succession of glaciated mountain passes. South Tibet unveils its rugged beauty in all its glory as you proceed from Tingri to the Everest base Camp at 5200 meters. But before you head off high into the wilderness of the Tibetan highlands, you shall be expertly guided to the exquisite sights around Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.A seemingly infinite series of broad ridge-top paths and alpine meadows leads to Lamna La pass at 5,150 meters overlooking splendid panorama. Yon can explore rarely-visited areas amid glacier-carved environment. As you near Rongbuk at 5000 meter, the trek gets more adventurous.

The mere thought of Everest Base Camp nestled just a few kilometers away at Rongbuk is enough to heighten any trekker's adventurous spirit. You are sure to get mesmerized by the surreally sculpted Rongbuk glaciers, on our way up to the Everest Base Camp.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: Nepal 4 – Tibet 15 Days
Grade: Moderate plus Challenging
Starts in: Kathmandu – Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Group size: Maximum 12
Accommodation: Hotel, lodge and camping
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck
Maximum altitude: 5150m.
                                  
HIGHLIGHTS

• Excellent trek across breathtaking succession of passes amidst unspoiled alpine environment.
• Breath-taking display of picturesque mosaic of Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen, ancient monasteries, High Mountain passes, wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain views.
• 3 amazing days (i.e 4 nights) in Lhasa visiting Potala Palace, Norbulingka monastery, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Markets, Drepung monastery.
• One each night in Shigatse & Gyantse visiting monasteries, forts and exploring burgeoning Tibetan towns.
• Adventurous 4WD ride across the ‘roof of the world’.
• Hotels/lodges with Tibetan character wherever possible.
• Complete hassle free Chinese (Tibet) travel documentation.
• Spectacular flight to Lhasa passing right over Mount Everest and many of the highest peaks in the world (if you join the trip in Kathmandu)

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple & Patan Durbar square. Evening will be briefing for tours to Tibet.
Day 03: Fly to Lhasa, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel (3650m.)
Day 04: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 05: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 06: Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization
Day 07: Drive to Gyantse (3950m.) 261 km
Day 08: Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m.) 90km
Day 09: Sightseeing & drive to Tingri (4390m.) 304 km
Day 10: Day free for acclimatization
Day 11: Trek to Lung Thang (4510m.)
Day 12: Trek to Lamna La (5150m.)
Day 13: Trek to Zommug
Day 14: Trek to Rongbuk (5000m.)
Day 15: Trek to Everest base camp (5150m.)
Day 16: Trek back to Rongbuk and drive to Nyalam (215 km)
Day 17: Drive Nyalam (3750m.) to Kathmandu.
Day 18: Kathmandu Free.
Day 19: Last minute, transfer to airport for onward journey.

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES:
Tibet Tour & Trek Cost:       USD Per Person.

Tour Cost Includes:

• All land transportation by Car, Land Cruiser, Van, Hiace mini Bus (Airport/Hotel/Airport & expedition pick up & drop).
• One full day 4/5 hours sightseeing with professional English speaking tour guide & temple entry fees and 3-4 hrs.
• 4 Night’s Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at Bed and breakfast basis.
• Best available standard Hotel accommodation in Lhasa & best available en-route on twin sharing with breakfast.
• All transportation in Tibet by 4 WD Land Cruiser and support truck for the entire trip.
• Fully catered camping trek supported by Nepalese (Sherpa) crew & English speaking Chinese or, Tibetan guide while on tour & trekking except Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar.
• Required Yak & Yak drivers during trek.
• Private transportation from Tibet border (Kodari–Zhangmu) – Kathmandu.
• Tibet visa, travel permit and all applicable taxes and entrance fees.
• Air Ticket: Kathmandu – Lhasa.
• PAC bag (Portable Altitude Chamber) & first aid medical Kit.
• All official taxes and service charge.

Tour Cost Doesn’t Include:

• Personal transportation except above programs.
• Major meals lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu – Nepal & Tibet.
• Personal clothing, tour and trekking equipments as well as sleeping bags. (required)
• Personal Nature expenses. (Extra expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances such as sickness, accidents, road blockage, and other occurrences beyond our control.)
• Emergency evacuation (If incase).
• Drinks except tea and coffee.
• Airfare: to & from your country.
• Nepal entry, re-entry visa fees & international airport departure taxes. ((It is suggested you apply for a multiple entry visa for Nepal initially saving you the Nepal re-entry fee).
• Personal travel insurance. (Liability for insurance against sickness, accidents, loss of baggage, loss of life etc.)
• Tips for support crews.

Mode of transport we provide while on Tibet for tours and trekking.

• 2 Person = 1 Land Cruiser.
• 3 – 4 Person = 1 Land Cruiser and 1 support Land Cruiser or mini truck.
• 5 – 8 Person 2 = Land Cruiser and 1 support truck.
• 13 – 15 Person = 4 Land Cruiser and 1 support truck.
• 16 – 20 Person = Above 5 Land Cruiser and 1 support truck.
• 20 Person = Above 5 land cruiser and 2 support truck.

Note:

1. We need a name list of each member 60 days before the trip confirmation for flight reservation.
2. Clear passport photocopy and a passport size photo of each member which should reach us 30 days before client's arrival in Kathmandu at info@culturaltreks.com ((jpeg or gif reduced to max. 25Kb per photo).
3. If you wish to join tours or trekking in Kathmandu you have to arrive as per the given programs and if you wish join in Lhasa can also possible.
4. If you are traveling in Nepal before going to Tibet, then you must apply for your Chinese visa in Kathmandu. We can get it within 2 days with your original passport.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in KTM airport, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.
 
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan Durbar square. Evening will be briefing for tours to Tibet.
 
Day 03: Fly to Lhasa, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel (3650m.)
We can arrange your arrival in Lhasa from anywhere. You can either join the trip from Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive at Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, and 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.

Day 04: 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, Jokhang Temple 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 05: 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 the best of Tibetan art. 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 inside the Potala Palace each day, the guide will decide upon the order of sightseeing places.
 
Day 06: Free 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 the 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 07: Drive to Gyantse (3950.m) 261 km
Traveling by jeep along the Friendship Highway you cross the Khamba La (4794m.). The drive offers you stunning views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). You continue westwards, over another high pass, the Karo La (5045m), where you are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down, within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the town of Gyantse.

Day 08: Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m.) 90km
You will be taken for a guided tour to Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a 14th century fort, from where you get amazing views of Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed Stupa. It has many small chapels which houses an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We move on to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, which is about 90 km away.
 
Day 09: Sightseeing & drive to Tingri (4390m.) 304 km.
After breakfast, you will be guided to explore the local market and the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. After a detailed visit of Shigatse, you will drive to Tingri.
 
Day 10: Rest day at Tingri (4390m.)
Today is a rest day at Tingri, to ensure proper acclimatization before you head into total wilderness of tough Tibetan highlands. Your camping crew will set up a camp little off the friendship highway. You get excellent views of surrounding mountains from a small hillock near your campsite.
 
Day 11: Trek to Lung Thang (4510m.)
The trail heads away from Tingri plain towards Cho Oyu. As you near the village of Chholung, a small Gompa is visible. Further on, barren plains open up. Amazingly, even in these barren fields local villagers yield good harvest of barley. Mostly, you will find herders in this territory. You can select a superb campsite at Lung Thang to spend the night.

Day 12: Trek to Lamna La (5150m.)
As you ascend to Lamna La pass at 5150m., you may find the trail quite challenging. But as soon as your eyes bask in the splendor of majestic vistas of surrounding mountain peaks, you will realize that this trek has indeed been very self-rewarding and worthwhile. Camping atop this pass dwarfs other materialistic pleasures.
 
Day 13: Trek to Zommug
Further away from Langma la pass, you have to take steep descent through verdant vegetation. En route, you encounter yak herders. The trail continues towards the whitewashed walls and barren fields of Zommug village. Amazing vistas of Mount Everest and Gyachung Kang visually rejuvenates you as you enter Zommug. Since lands being infertile are unable to yield agricultural crops, local villages are largely dependent on animal husbandry for livelihood. At a superb location, you will camp for the night.
 
Day 14: Trek to Rongbuk (5000m.)
As the morning seeps in, you march towards Rongbuk. Within few hours along Rongbuk Glacier, North Face of Everest becomes visible flaunting its unparalleled beauty. Rongbuk Monastery lies ahead 15 kilometers below Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 4980m., at the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier. In a way, Rongbuk is regarded as a gateway to Mount Everest. From this outstanding location you get breathtaking views of the magnificent Mount Everest.
 
Day 15: Trek to Everest Base camp (5150m.)
It is a 9 km walk along dirt road to the base of Mt. Everest. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensates for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you.
 
Day 16: Drive Base Camp to Nyalam (215 km)
You 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 views 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 enchant as you leave behind arid Tibetan Plateau. The route then progresses towards pristine and fortified town of Nyalam where you can find a suitable accommodation at a hotel.
 
Day 17: Drive from Nyalam (3750m.) to Kathmandu.
Heading away from Nyalam, you 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. Here you depart with your Tibetan guide and after completing re-entry formalities, you return to Kathmandu. After 5 hours of driving for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu.
 
Day 18: Kathmandu Free.
 
Day 19: Last minute, transfer to airport for onward journey.

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