8 Days Lhasa to Mt. Everest (EBC in Tibet) Join-in Group Tour with 4-star Hotel

After your arrival in Lhasa airport or train station, your guide is ready to pick you up and drive you to the hotel. It takes about 1 hour to drive from Lhasa Airport or approximately 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station to the downtown. Along the way to downtown Lhasa, the longest Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River with expanding broad surface can be sighted at the first time. After checking in the hotel, you can choose to stay in the room to acclimatize the altitude or you can also go to the Potala Square where you will enjoy a colorful fountain show and get some splendid photos with the photographic background of the majestic Potala Palace.

Today’s tour takes you to the majestic Potala Palace which was once the winter palace of Dalai Lama. It was put to use since the 7th century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

In the afternoon, the tour takes you to Jokhang Temple which was built by Tibet King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century. In the temple, you can see the twelve-year-old statue of Buddha Sakyamuni brought by Princess Wencheng as her dowry. Outside, you can see the devoted believers doing the pilgrimage by prostrating in front of the temple.

Around the temple lies the Barkhor Street, and this is the place where you can do the Kora (a religious pilgrimage circle of a building, a lake or a mountain) with local believers or you can explore the market to find things you are interested. Besides, you can also taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea houses. The welcome dinner will be arranged accordingly.

Today we will take you to fully immerse yourself in experiencing traditional Tibetan handcraft Center, including making Tibetan incense, woodblock printing and learning about the Tibetan language. While learning about how the refreshing Tibetan incense is made, you can also participate in making it with your own hands, which is of quite different significance from the purchased Tibetan incense. Knowledgeable teachers will introduce to you the origin of the Tibetan language and help you write Tibetan blessings or your own Tibetan name. Meanwhile, you can also experience the traditional woodblock printing. The incense, printed words and Tibetan calligraphy can all be taken home as souvenirs. Or you will visit Tibet Museum, where you can explore Tibetan culture through displays of daily life, traditional attire, unique architecture, and festive customs. Next, you will go to Norbulingka, a classic Tibetan-style royal garden that served as the Dalai Lama’s summer retreat.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, also a Great Three Gelug Monastery in Tibet. The very interesting activity held in Sera Monastery is the dynamic monk debate from 3: 00p.m. to 5: 00p.m. In addition, you can visit the sizable Tibetan scripture printing houses and appreciate three sand mandalas and the colorful rock painting of Buddha as well.

Today’s trip drives you from Lhasa to Shigatse. After leaving Lhasa, you will first arrive at Gampala Pass (4,790m) from where you make your first impression on Yamdrok-tso (4,400m). The ribbon-shaped lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and you can capture a distant view of holy Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Later, the tourist bus drives you to pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass.

In Gyantse, you will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy a stunning view of Gyangtse Fortress. After one and a half hours’ drive, you will be arriving in Shigatse City, the second largest city in Tibet. Then, you can visit the Barley Mills to witness how the Tibetan barley is ground into flour and enjoy a splendid view of the barley fields (in summer).

Today, you’ll drive over Tsola Pass (4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). At Gawula Pass (5,198m), you can capture a great vista of Himalayas. Then, you’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200m) and get closer to Mt.Everest peak.

In the morning, you can enjoy the stunning sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then, you will pay a visit to Rongbuk Monastery - the highest monastery in the world. After exploring the anciet Rongbuk Monastery, you will drive back to Shigaste.

In the morning, you will visit the traditional seat of Panchen Lamas - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Tsang. After visiting the monastery, you will follow the Yarlung Valley back to Lhasa. Finally, your tour guide will transfer you back to your hotel in Lhasa.

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you on board.