Lhasa to EBC group tour

Your adventure begins the moment you step off the plane at Lhasa Gonggar Airport. You'll spot our guide and driver right away at the exit gate, they'll be holding a sign with your name. The first Tibetan phrase you'll likely hear is "Tashi Delek," which means good fortune or blessings. It's our traditional greeting, and you'll receive a white ceremonial scarf called a khata as a warm welcome gesture.

The drive from the airport to Lhasa's old city covers about 70 kilometers and typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions. During this drive, you'll catch your first glimpses of the famous Yarlung River (also known as the Brahmaputra) and get an exciting preview of the iconic Potala Palace rising above the city.
Once you've checked into your hotel, the most important thing is to take it easy. Your first day in Lhasa is about rest and letting your body adjust to the 3,650-meter altitude. Take time to settle in, stay hydrated, and get a good night's sleep, your body will thank you for it as you explore Tibet in the days ahead.

After breakfast at your hotel (served from 7:30 am to 10:30 am), your guide will meet you for a short walk to Jokhang Temple. This isn't just any temple, it's a very important spiritual heart of Tibet, located in the center of old Lhasa.

From Jokhang, you'll join the pilgrims on Barkhor Street, the famous circular route around the temple. The 15-20 minute walk takes you past local Tibetans spinning prayer wheels as they follow the traditional clockwise path. You'll see devoted pilgrims performing prostrations, merchants selling everything from prayer flags to yak butter, and people from all corners of Tibet dressed in their regional clothing. It's like stepping into a living museum of Tibetan culture.

After lunch, we'll head to Sera Monastery for a fascinating cultural experience. If we time it right, you'll witness the famous monk debates that begin around 3 pm in the monastery courtyard. These animated discussions are part of the monks' religious education, you'll hear clapping, and shouting, as they challenge each other on Buddhist philosophy.

Sera itself is a remarkable place, founded in the 15th century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a student of Tsongkhapa, who established the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery once housed over 5,000 monks and remains one of Tibet's most important institutions.

The morning visit to Potala Palace is the highlight many travelers dream about. The cool mountain air makes the climb invigorating. After passing through the entrance gate, you'll climb the ancient stone steps that lead up to the white palace section and the distinctive red palace towering above it.

The white palace served as the administrative center where government affairs were handled, while the red palace was dedicated purely to religious activities.
The palace has an incredible history: originally founded by Tibet's 33rd king, Songtsan Gampo, in the 7th century, it was later rebuilt into its current form by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century.

Take your time climbing, the altitude means you'll want to rest periodically. But every step is worth it. The palace offers stunning panoramic views over all of Lhasa, and inside, you'll walk through chambers filled with centuries of Tibetan art and culture.

Leaving Lhasa in the morning offers a special charm, as the rising sun illuminates the landscape.

Your first stop is Yamdrok Lake, located approximately 110 km from Lhasa: a scenic 2.5 to 3-hour drive via the Gambala Pass (4,790 m). Also known as Yamdrok Yumtso in Tibetan, this sacred lake shimmers in turquoise. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks under a vast blue sky, it offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Tibet. The lake stretches for 72 km, running parallel to the main road toward your next destination.

The second stop is the Karola Glacier, about an hour further down the road. One of Tibet’s three major continental glaciers, it lies on the border of Nangarze County, presenting a wall of ice just beside the highway.

The third stop is Gyantse Town, where you’ll visit the iconic Kumbum Stupa at Pelkor Chöde Monastery. Built in 1427 by a Gyantse prince, this remarkable nine-level structure contains 77 chapels and embodies a three-dimensional mandala, meant to represent the Buddhist cosmos. The name “Kumbum” means “100,000 holy images,” and the intricate murals and statues housed within live up to its title.

After breakfast, we'll begin the drive toward Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery, crossing some of the world's highest mountain passes along the way. This is where the real adventure begins.
Our first major pass is Gyatso La at 5,400 meters, where the entire Himalayan range spreads out before you. You can spot Mount Everest in the distance from the viewing point: your first glimpse of the world's tallest peak.

After passing through the border checkpoint, we'll turn off the main Friendship Highway and begin the winding climb to Gawu La Pass at 5,250 meters. This spot offers one of the most incredible mountain panoramas on Earth. Looking from left to right, you'll see five of the world's fourteen 8,000-meter peaks lined up like giants: Mount Makalu (8,463m), Mount Lhotse (8,516m), Mount Everest (8,848m), Mount Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Mount Shishapangma (8,020m).

We'll arrive at Rongbuk Monastery in the afternoon, where you'll spend the night in the monastery guesthouse. Rongbuk holds the official record as the world's highest monastery at 4,980 meters and it houses both monks and nuns together.

Once you're settled in, you'll have time to explore the monastery grounds and the surrounding area. This is your chance to capture that perfect shot of Everest's North Face, especially beautiful during the golden hour before sunset when the mountain glows against the darkening sky.

Start your morning with a simple breakfast of Tibetan noodles and bread at base camp. If you are lucky and the weather is good, take a moment to enjoy one final, clear view of Everest's peaks.
Once you arrive in Shigatse, the best thing you can do is check into your hotel and get some well-deserved rest.

Start your morning with a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447. This impressive complex serves as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas and remains one of Tibet's most important monasteries. The kora (circumambulation) around the monastery takes about an hour and offers excellent views over both old and new Shigatse spread out below.

We'll arrange a special home dinner with our team in the evening back in Lhasa. Our talented cook will prepare authentic Tibetan dishes that are flavorful but not too greasy or spicy for international tastes. You'll even learn how to make yak momos (dumplings). The evening is all about good conversation: sharing your Tibet experiences, and getting your feedback on how we can make future trips even better.

As per your flight or train schedule, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and see you off on time. This is the time we always hope in our hearts that you had a wonderful time during your visit and our service are up to your satisfaction.
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Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight or train schedule, making sure you arrive on time for your departure. As we say goodbye, we genuinely hope your Tibet journey has been everything you dreamed it would be and that our service has met your expectations.
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