12-Day Nyingchi, Lhasa, Everest Base Camp & Namtso Lake Tour

12 daysEnglishBook 2 days aheadLhasa, China

From

$1,490

From the forests of Nyingchi to Everest Base Camp and sacred Namtso Lake, this is the most complete small-group journey through central and eastern Tibet. Start in the green southeast with the Kadinggou gorge, the Lulang forest viewpoint and Basum Tso Lake, then spend three days in Lhasa with the debating monks of Sera, the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple. Drive past turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier to Shigatse, cross the Gawu La to Rongbuk Monastery and spend a night at Everest Base Camp, then return via Tashilhunpo Monastery. The trip ends with a day at Namtso, the great saltwater lake north of Lhasa. The order is built for altitude: Nyingchi and Basum Tso are lower than Lhasa, Everest comes on day 8 and Namtso on day 11. Shared group on fixed dates, with an English-speaking licensed guide, a licensed tourist vehicle and all Tibet permits arranged. Hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse are 4-star with oxygen supply.

Included

English-speaking licensed guide (also speaks Chinese for mixed groups)
Tibet Travel Permit, Alien's Travel Permit and military permit where required
4-star hotels with oxygen supply in Lhasa (6 nights) and Shigatse (2 nights), twin share
Entrance fees for all sites, including the eco-buses at Everest Base Camp and Namtso
Shared airport or railway station transfers on the first and last day
Shared licensed tourist vehicle and driver
Lunch
1 night in the Everest Base Camp tent camp (Everest Town guesthouse in winter)
Breakfast
Daily breakfast and 3 specialty meals: stone-pot chicken, a Tibetan meal, Yamdrok hot pot
Travel accident insurance
Portable oxygen bottle per person, emergency oxygen in the vehicle, daily bottled water
Hotels in Nyingchi (1 night) and at Basum Tso (1 night), no oxygen supply

Not included

Lunches and dinners other than those listed
Flights or trains to and from Lhasa
Chinese visa
Tips for guide and driver
Personal expenses

What you'll do

Lhasa Railway Station
Liuwu Country, Doilungdeqen County, China
You are met at Gonggar Airport or Lhasa railway station and taken to your hotel. Rest and let your body adjust to the altitude.
1 hour

Kadinggou Scenic Spot
24 Km from Bayi Town, Nyingchi County, China
Follow the Niyang River about 420 km east through mountains, forest and grassland. In the afternoon you walk for about an hour into Kadinggou, a narrow gorge of strange rocks and old trees. Nyingchi, at about 2,900 m, is lower than Lhasa.
1 hourAdmission included

Lulang Forest
Lulang Town, Nyingchi County, China
Climb to the Sejila Pass (4,728 m), which looks out to Namcha Barwa (7,782 m) when the cloud lifts. Then stop at the Lulang forest viewpoint and visit Biri Mountain's pilgrim circuit. A stone-pot chicken lunch or dinner is included.
3 hoursAdmission included

Walk around Tashi Island and the small Tsozong Monastery in Basum Tso, a holy lake set in a forest park
Then drive about 360 km back to Lhasa.
2 hoursAdmission included
The small Tsozong Monastery on Tashi Island in Basum Tso
30 minAdmission included

Sera Monastery
Wuze Hill , Sera, Chengguan District, Lhasa, China
At a handicraft center you make Tibetan incense, try woodblock printing and have your name written in Tibetan. In the afternoon you watch the monks' debate at Sera Monastery, held from around 3 pm (no debate on Sundays).
2 hoursAdmission included

Potala Palace
35 Beijing Middle Rd, Cheng Guan District, Lhasa, China
Visit the Potala Palace on a timed ticket, then the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit. A Tibetan or Nepali specialty meal is included. The Potala is closed on Mondays, so the days may be reordered.
2 hoursAdmission included
Jokhang Temple
Barkhor Street, Chengguan District, Lhasa, China
The Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit.
2 hoursAdmission included

Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Langkazi Country, Nagarze County, China
From the Kamba La (4,790 m) you look down on Yamdrok Lake, and lunch is hot pot with a lake view. You pass the Karola Glacier and Gyantse on the way to Shigatse.
1 hourAdmission included
Karo La Glacier
Provincial Road S307, Nagarze County, China
The Karola Glacier, passed on the way to Shigatse.

Rongbuk Monastery
near North Everest Base Camp, Tingri County, China
Cross the Gawu La, where Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma stand on the horizon in clear weather. The last 50 km are by eco-bus. Visit Rongbuk Monastery and spend the night at base camp.
1h 30mAdmission included
Mount Everest Base Camp
kathmandu, Thamel, Tingri County, China
Base camp, where you spend the night.
2 hoursAdmission included

Mount Everest Base Camp
kathmandu, Thamel, Tingri County, China
Watch the sunrise on the summit if the sky is clear, then return to Shigatse via the Gyatso La viewpoint (5,248 m).
2 hoursAdmission included

Visit Tashilhunpo, seat of the Panchen Lamas, then drive about 270 km east beside the Yarlung Tsangpo to Lhasa
Occasionally the group stays in Damxung on the Namtso road instead.
1h 30mAdmission included

Lake Namtso
Nakchu Region, Damxung County, China
Cross the Laken La (5,190 m) to Namtso and walk on the Tashi Dor peninsula among small temples and rock formations. If snow closes the road in winter, you visit Ganden or Tsurphu Monastery instead.
3 hoursAdmission included

Lhasa Railway Station
Liuwu Country, Doilungdeqen County, China
After breakfast, shared transfer to Gonggar Airport or Lhasa railway station.
1 hour

Meeting and pickup

12 locations

Pickup details

On Day 1 your English-speaking guide meets your arriving flight at Lhasa Gonggar Airport or your train at Lhasa Railway Station and transfers you to your hotel. After booking, please share your flight or train arrival details and your Lhasa hotel so we can confirm the exact pickup time. On the last day, a shared transfer takes you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your departure.

Meeting point1

Meeting
Lhasa Airport
Lhasa, China
Open in Google Maps

End point

End

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Good to know

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Send a passport scan and your Chinese visa as soon as you book. The Tibet permits are applied for about four weeks before arrival.
These are shared group tours (up to 12 travelers). The guide or vehicle may change during the trip.
The Potala Palace is closed on Mondays, so the order of sightseeing may change.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.