8-Day Tibet Small Group Tour: Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa – Altitude Acclimatization

Day 2: Lhasa City Tour – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street

• Potala Palace (90 mins, admission not included): Marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a towering fortress-palace perched on Red Hill.

  Historical Snapshot: Built in the 7th century and expanded in the 17th. It was the Dalai Lamas’ winter residence and a symbol of Tibetan power.

• Jokhang Temple (90 mins, admission not included): Step into Tibet’s most sacred Buddhist temple. The air hums with devotion and ancient relics.

  Historical Snapshot: Founded in 647 AD by King Songtsen Gampo. It houses the revered Jowo Sakyamuni statue and is Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual core.

• Barkhor Street (30 mins): Wander this vibrant pedestrian circuit. Stalls sell prayer flags, handicrafts, and local snacks.

  Watch pilgrims spin prayer wheels and perform kora. Faith and daily life blend seamlessly here.

  Historical Snapshot: A 1,300-year-old pilgrimage route around Jokhang Temple. It has been a bustling cultural and trade hub for millennia.

Day 3: Lhasa Day Tour – Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery

• Drepung Monastery (3 hrs, admission not included): Explore one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa monasteries. It has grand courtyards and serene halls.

  Up to 10,000 monks once lived here.

  Historical Snapshot: Founded in 1416. It was Tibet’s largest monastery and a leading center of Buddhist learning.

• Sera Monastery (2 hrs, admission not included): Immerse yourself in this ancient monastery’s lively atmosphere. It’s famous for spirited monk debates.

  Debates happen on specific days. Watch monks engage in rhythmic philosophical discussions. The tradition has endured for centuries.

  Historical Snapshot: Established in 1419. It was a key Buddhist scholarship center and is renowned for its dynamic monk debate tradition.

Day 4: Lhasa (3,650m) to Shigatse (3,900m) via Gyantse – Scenic Road Trip

• Yamdrok Yumtso Lake (30 mins, admission not included): Pause to gaze at this sacred alpine lake. Its turquoise waters are framed by snow-capped mountains.

  Mountains reflect in its crystal-clear surface.

  Historical Snapshot: One of Tibet’s three “holy lakes”. Tibetan Buddhists have revered it for centuries for its spiritual and natural beauty.

• Karo La Glacier (30 mins, admission not included): Marvel at this stunning glacial formation. It’s one of Tibet’s most accessible glaciers.

  Stand in awe as sunlight glints off its icy peaks. The blue sky serves as a perfect backdrop.

  Historical Snapshot: A prominent glacier in the Nyainqêntanglha range. It has shaped Tibet’s landscape for millennia and symbolizes raw natural power.

• Pelkor Chode Monastery (90 mins, admission not included): Discover this unique monastery. It houses three Buddhist sects under one roof.

  Its walls are adorned with intricate murals and ancient statues.

  Historical Snapshot: Built in 1418. It’s a rare multi-sect monastery and features the iconic 12-story Kumbum Stupa.

Day 5: Shigatse (3,900m) to Everest Base Camp (EBC, 5,200m) via Tingri – Epic Himalayan Adventure

• Mount Everest Base Camp (12 hrs, admission not included): Secure your Alien Travel Permit first. Then drive to Lhatse for a hearty lunch.

  Cross two high-altitude passes: Tsola Pass (4,600m) and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). Enter Everest National Nature Reserve next.

  Stop at Gawula Pass (5,198m). Soak in panoramic views of the Himalayan range. Snow-capped peaks stretch endlessly.

  Continue along the winding new road to EBC (5,200m). The majestic Mount Everest stands tall against the horizon.

  If weather and time allow, witness the golden sunset paint the mountain’s peak. It’s a sight you’ll never forget.

  Historical Snapshot: Everest Base Camp is the gateway to the world’s highest peak. It has been a focus for mountaineering and Tibetan reverence for centuries.

Day 6: EBC to Shigatse Return Trip – Sunrise Over Everest

• Rongbuk Monastery (60 mins, admission not included): Visit this high-altitude monastery. It’s the best spot to watch Everest’s sunrise.

  See the first rays bathe the snow-capped peak in golden light. The landscape glows with surreal beauty.

  After this unforgettable moment, begin the scenic drive back to Shigatse.

  Historical Snapshot: Founded in 1902. It’s the world’s highest-elevation monastery and a sacred site for Everest-viewing pilgrims.

Day 7: Shigatse to Lhasa via Tashilunpo Monastery – Spiritual Farewell to Shigatse

• Tashilunpo Monastery (2 hrs, admission not included): Explore this grand monastery. It’s the seat of the Panchen Lama, Tibet’s second-highest religious figure.

  Wander its vast courtyards and halls. They hold priceless relics and the stunning Golden Stupa of the 10th Panchen Lama.

  Historical Snapshot: Founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama. It has been the Panchen Lamas’ spiritual home for over 500 years.

• Return Drive to Lhasa: After the tour, embark on a 6-hour drive back to Lhasa. Take the Friendship Highway and pass through the scenic Yalong Valley.

  Enjoy rolling views of Tibetan grasslands, nomadic tents, and distant mountain ranges along the way.

Day 8: Departure from Lhasa