Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp and Kailash - 15 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m/11,972ft)

A Himalayan Glacier representative will pick us up from the Lhasa airport and drop us off at our hotel. Alternately, we can also come to Lhasa via the train route connecting mainland China to Tibet. Next, we check into our hotel and unpack. We spend the rest of the day resting at our hotel room as this will give us the much need rest and help us acclimatize to the high altitude of Lhasa, Tibet. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 02: Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital: 5 - 6 hours

We begin sightseeing in Lhasa after breakfast. Today we visit the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Potala Palace is a relic of the 17th century and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. It also offers us excellent views of the entire city. Norbulingka Palace is a summer palace and boasts what is considered to be the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Next, we visit the Tibet Traditional Hospital which is the center for the treatment, training, research and production of Tibetan medicine. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 03:  Lhasa Sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar: 5 - 6 hours

After breakfast we visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar. Drepung Monastery, which was built in the 14th century, is believed to have sheltered around 10,000 monks in the past but as of now there has been quite a declination resulting in only a few hundred. The history, culture, and religious beliefs of the Tibetan people are strongly concentrated and centered in this marvelous monastery.  Sera Monastery is a preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. We further stroll through Barkhor Bazaar (market). With its open air stalls, shops and crowd of pilgrims, it is the nerve centre of Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 04: Lhasa to Shigatse (3,900m/12,795 ft) via Gyantse: 8 - 9 hours

After breakfast, we embark on a pleasant drive to Shigatse, the second biggest city in Tibet via Gyantse. We drive past Khamba La (4,794m) pass and savor the enthralling views of Yomdrok-Tso (Turquoise Lake), one of the Holy Lakes in Tibet and Mt. Nazin Kang Sa (7,252m). Further to the west, we come across another pass, Karo La (5,045m) and take in amazing views of the majestic glaciers. Upon reaching Gyantse, we visit the Khumbum Stupa, Phalkot Monastery and Gyantse Dzong (fortress), which is one of the best preserved dzongs in Tibet. From Gyantse, we continue to Shigatse enjoying a captivating mountain landscape along the way. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 05: Shigatse to Rongbuk (5,000m/16,400ft) via Sakya: 8 - 9 hours

After breakfast, we leave Shigatse for Rongbuk. On the way, we visit the Sakya Monastery which is the ancestral temple of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After the visit to Sakya Monastery, we continue driving towards Rongbuk. Here, we visit the Rongbuk monastery, which is located at the foot of the mighty Everest and is the highest monastery in the world. While here, we also enjoy the stunning mountainous scenery all around us. Overnight in Rongbuk.

Day 06: Acclimatization and exploration at Everest Base Camp

Being so close to the world’s highest mountain is exhilarating. We spend the whole day exploring the base camp area and taking pictures. Spending one full day at Everest Base Camp will also help greatly in acclimatization. We can climb and explore beautiful hills nearby and enjoy the company of high Himalayan peaks. Overnight at Everest Base Camp.

Day 07: Everest Base Camp to Saga: 7-8 hours

We leave the Everest base camp for Saga after breakfast. We drive to Saga via Paigu-Tso Lake and cross over the Yarlung La pass. We reach Saga, a small Tibetan town around evening. Overnight in Saga.

Day 08: Saga to Mansarovar (4,557m/14,954ft): 6 – 7 hours

Today we see Mt. Kailash for the first time. We continue towards Lake Mansarover which holds religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. As per Hindu theology, Lake Mansarovar is a personification of purity, and one who drinks water from the lake is believed to go to the abode of Lord Shiva after death. Buddhists also associate the lake with the legendary lake known as Anavatapta in Sanskrit where Queen Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. Overnight in Mansarovar.

Day 09: Mansarover to Darchen (4,600m/15091ft): 50 km, 1hour

We take a Kora around the Manasarovar Lake which is a sacred circuit following the edge of the Lake Manasarovar which displays brilliant colors at the height of 4560m. After completing the kora, we head for Darchen which is located at the foot of the sacred Mt. Kailash. Overnight in Darchen.

Day 10: First day of Kora: hiking to Dira Puk Monastery (5120m/16,792ft), 5 - 6 hours

Today, we begin our kora of Mt. Kailash. The first day out of Darchen involves a six-hour hike in a deep valley through walls of red rock. We continue across the plain to Shershong. We further cross a bridge leading to Chhuku Gompa high on the hill visible from the valley. The trail leads to Dirapuk from where we will have a stunning view of the north face of Mt. Kailash.  Overnight in Dirapuk.

Day 11: Second day of Kora: hike to Dzutul-puk (4790m/15,765ft): 18km, 6 - 7 hours

Today will be the most difficult section of our journey.  We climb Drolma-la Pass at 5,750m/19,910ft. The pass whose name literally means the pass of Tara is beautiful and is filled with five-colored praying flags. From Drolma-la Pass, we descend to Dzutul-puk. At Dzutul-puk, we come across the incredible Thugje Zinbu (Lake of Compassion) and a few ancient meditative caves. Overnight in Dzutul-puk.

Day 12: Kora ends, back to Saga: 495 km, 7-8 hours

We cover around 10km distance and end our kora around Mt. Kailash today. After the completion of kora, we drive to Darchen and pick participants who did not complete the kora. From Darchen we drive to Saga to spend the night. Overnight in Saga.

Day 13: Saga to Shigatse: 8-9 hours

From Saga we travel to Shigatse via Latse. Our trail will be along the Tsangpo River in a region crisscrossed by the upper Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Upon reaching Shigatse we freshen up and later visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery which was founded by Pachen Lama in 1447. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 14: Shigatse to Lhasa: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we drive towards Lhasa. On the way, we visit Shalu Monastery. Founded in 1040, Shalu Monastery is known for its beautiful and ancient mural paintings. After the tour we continue to Lhasa. On the way, we come across the Karo La Pass (5,045m). Before reaching Lhasa, we also cross the Khamba La Pass (4,794m) with a brief halt to savor the beauty of the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake), one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet and the beautiful Nazin Kang Sang glacier (7,252m). Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 15: Final departure

Our journey on Tibet also known as the “Roof of the World” ends today. A representative from Himalayan Glacier will take us to the airport or the train station for our next journey.

Dates and Cost

Note : Set your own departure date if you have a group size of 2 packs or more.

Cost Include

1. Pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle.
2. Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Lhasa including breakfast (3 nights).
3. Basic guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms.
4. Local licensed English-speaking trekking guide.
5. The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
6. Food, accommodation, insurance, equipment, and medicine for all staff.
7. All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
8. Official expenses.

 Cost Exclude

1. Your personal expenses for mineral water, soft beverages, confectionaries, laundries, phone calls, hot drinking water, barbills, showers etc. 
2. Internet facility, battery chargers, multi plugs etc. 
3. Extra baggage excess while flying to Lukla.
4. Extra porter if you require. 
5. Personal trekking equipment.
6. Your travel insurance that covers Helicopter evacuation.
7. Medical expenses and trip cancellation. 
8. Any other extended trips and accommodation.
9. Tips of the guide, porters and driver as a token of appreciation. 
10. Any other expenses or charges that are not mentioned in “cost includes” list. 
11. Nepal arrival visa.

Passport and Visas:
First, be sure you have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from return date.  You can obtain visas for Nepal from the Nepalese Consulate in your country or up on arrival in Kathmandu Airport. Nepalese visas cost USD 25 for 15 days and USD 40 for 30 days till date.

Get the required visa for Nepal.
You can get Nepal visa prior to arrival from the Nepalese Embassy at your home country. Likewise, you can easily get an up on arrival visa at Kathmandu airport and other different borders from Nepal. This is for those who travel from India and Tibet. For more information and download please visit Nepal Visa Information.

Bring Official Papers
Some of the required official documents are your valid passport, 4 extra passport sized photographs (for trekking permits), travel insurance, airline tickets and luggage tags. Visas can be obtained upon entry into Nepal. For detail information we request you to visit our visa page.

Money & Credit card Info
We find that most of the credit card, master and visa card is blocked from your card provider. It may be because of a security reason. It, sometimes, may bring you in problematic situation that you can't get money from ATMs and that you find difficult to pay for your treks and tour. To find yourself free from this problem, you can call to your card provider before you travel to Nepal and inform there that you are traveling to Nepal. Ensure them to give the authorization for the payment. In Nepal you have to pay 3.5 % credit card commission s per Nepal Bank rules, on top of your payable amount for the trek cost.  So, please be sure that you bring some cash in USD to pay us. Likewise, be sure you have brought some small amount for your daily expenses as well as for those items which are not included in our cost. We request you not to change money in the Airport. The exchange rate is very low there. Our office provides you the facility to change your money. Or, you can take help from Money Changers in Thamel.

Travel Insurance:
Our clients must have comprehensive travel insurance package. Their insurance must cover against medical, personal accident, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost of gears, natural calamity, theft of or damage to baggage etc.

Who can trek?
No special degree of fitness is required and that there is no age barrier. However, in the areas over 3000m altitude, extra care should be taken. One can trek who have strong legs and the spirit for adventure to explore the exotic will enjoy the thrills of trekking in the hills of Nepal. Normally, for weary trekkers we have a list of short, easy and exotic treks and for the experienced trekkers we offer a longer trek with lots of excitement and adventure. We encourage all men and women, families, students and professionals around the world to enjoy the enchanting trekking in Nepal. You can join us as an individual team member or with your own group. We commit to arrange a best trekking that delight you in the Nepal Himalayas. If you can have fun walking for 3-6 hours up and down hills to Nepal, pack your luggage and join us for an exhilarating and unforgettable journey. All the necessary things for your trekking will be arranged by us. What you can do is to enjoy the beautiful scenery and magnificent view of Nepal Himalayas.

Clothing and Equipment for Traveling in Nepal
Trekking in the Himalayas need to arrangement of equipment as you have to find yourself comfortable at higher altitude. The basic clothing item that you are expected to be prepared with are well described here. Remember that excess baggage is likely to be a burden for yourself and your supporting staff. "Pack light, but pack right", is our motto. This will allow you to enjoy a comfortable journey with your energies and enthusiastic zeal focused on the exploration of this enchanting Nepal scenic beauty. Please visit here for Clothing and Equipment list.

Buying and Renting Equipment in Kathmandu
It is not really necessary to spend large amount of money buying extra equipment and clothing prior to your trip. It is because most of the trekking equipment can be hired from many adventure shops within Kathmandu. Most of the gear is locally manufactured (hence a lot cheaper). Some Chinese gear are likely to be more expensive but qualitative. Sleeping bag and down jacket are easily rented. Each item can be rented for less than USD 1, for a day. You have to manage other items buying them yourself. However, these items are more likely to be cheaper than those in your hometown. We will arrange all the necessary items you need on the second day of your arrival. 

Vaccination for Nepal
All travelers should consult with their physician or update on vaccination requirements before travel. (Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities) For traveling to Nepal; we recommend you to take a vaccination of Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies etc, it is not really must but recommended.

How to Book
While you chose which trip you wanted to go with, contact us to our head office Thamel Kathmandu Nepal by mail or phone, email is more easy and clear options, as soon as we get your email or call we will process for your booking. We need 20% booking amount to confirm your booking, the payment can be made through the Bank transfer, Credit card payment (Master/Visa card) or through online money transfers also Money Gram, Western Unions or others. After we get the 20% amount we will confirm your booking and you will get the official booking and payment receipt. The final balance for the tour will be paid up on arrival in Kathmandu.