Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour-Itinerary and Cost 2024

Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour is a beautiful small group tour to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. An amazing Everest Base Camp overland tour starting and ending in Lhasa city. You will visit the famous places of Tibet like Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp in 8 days Lhasa to EBC tour. Everest Base Camp, the highest point of the trip. 

Once the tour starting from Lhasa, you will drive through pristine high altitude lakes, rivers, glaciers, farming valleys to Everest Base Camp, crossing different high passes above 5000 m. Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, and also home to some of the famous heritage sites like Potala Palace, Monasteries and Temples. After Lhasa Tour, we drive to Yamdrok lake and an amazing Karo La glacier to Gyantse, and continue drive to Shigatse where we visit Tashilhumpo Monastery. From Shigatse drive towards Everest Base Camp. Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour is one of the most fascinating and exciting overland tour in Tibet. You are experiencing, exploring and photographing uniqueness of Tibetan culture.

Tibet Travel Permit
Independently, Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour is not possible. Organizations and Operators like we will arrange your Lhasa to Everest base camp tour. Travel Permit is compulsory to travel to Tibet if you are coming from China and Tibet travel permit and group paper visa issued by Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu is necessary, entering to Tibet from Kathmandu Nepal. 

Best Time for Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour
Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour is possible throughout the year. April to November is the best time of year for Everest Base Camp tour via Lhasa. At this time, the weather is nice and warm, sunny day, a little or no rain fall this time time. You will see the clear view of Everest.The tour is also possible in Winter season like December, January and February, but it is very cold. The temperature drops down minus 15 degree Celsius.

Accommodation during 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
You will get twin sharing standard hotel accommodations in 8 days Lhasa Everest Base Camp group tour. The breakfast also included in the price. Out of city like Lhasa, Shigatse, you will get budget hotel basic accommodation either in tent house or in a mud house.Breakfast is also basic. The rooms are twin beds with pillow, blanket and foam mattress with private toilet and bathroom in Lhasa and the big cities like Shigatse and Gyantse. Out of the city like Rongbuk or Everest Base Camp, rooms are with dorm beds of 4 to 6, common toilet and bathroom outside the room. The toilet is not comfortable like in Lhasa and the other big cities.

Meals on Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour
The breakfast includes in the package price, but lunch and dinner are not included. You will get Tibet, Chinese and Nepali meals at local Chinese restaurant. For lunch and dinner it costs around $15 USD to $ 20 USD per day. 

Cost for 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
Lhasa to Everest Base Camp 8 days small group tour cost ranges from $ 1250 USD to $ 1550 USD per head. In the package price,  all Tibet travel permit, guide, hotel accommodation with breakfast, entrance fee and transfer are included. But the meals-lunch, dinner, visit cost, flight cost and airport pick up and drop if you are not in group.

The number of people in a group of Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
There will 1 to 12 people in private group. But in our group tour, there will be between 6 to 12 people in a group travel. No matter of the group size for private tour in Tibet. Any number of people will accept for private Tibet tour.

Travel Passport
You will need a valid passport to travel to Tibet. As a general rule, Tibet require that your passport has a minimum of 8 months validity remaining. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the passport details you provide are accurate. Any errors provided may result in extra fees for making corrections in bookings. We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leave copies at home with family or friends.

Tibet Tour Guide
All group trips are accompanied by local Tibetan tour guide. The aim of guide is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible.Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. Most are trained to offer Western-standard service.Throughout your stay in Tibet, we will minor your health and provide prompt help to you.

Tipping
Travelers’s tipping to Tibetan guide and driver is taken as an extra gratitude to their good service, just like what you do in the west. Normally, a tipping of 7 USD/day is acceptable. The basic rule is good service for good pay.

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3650m).
Arrive in Lhasa either by flight or train. Tibetan guide will greet, receive you there and drive to your hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River / Brahmaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on their way to Lhasa.  Take a rest to acclimatize in high altitude after check in hotel.  It also possible to walk around Potala Square, and get amazing photos of Potala Palace. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, and Barkhor Street.
Breakfast, and sightseeing tour first visit the Potala Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Tibet Potala palace has 1000 chambers, the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation cave of the 33rd  great king of Tibet.After lunch, tour to Jokhang temple built by the 33rd great kind of Tibet in 7th century to promote the Buddhist religion. Barkhor Street is the local Tibetan street around Jokhang temple; you can walk with pilgrims and locals, and shopping local Tibetan souvenirs there.
Day 3: Lhasa Tour - Drepung and Sera Monastery.
Breakfast and continue Lhasa tour to visit Drepung monastery, one of the great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet built in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace used to be Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before he moved to the Potala palace.
In the Afternoon, we visit Sera Monastery, one of the “great three” Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet built in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon is the main attraction of Sera Monastery. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa to Shigatse (3900m, 270km,6 hours)
Breakfast and drive to Shigatse cross over the Kambala pass (4790m) with the view of Yamdrok Lake (4400m) is surrounded by many snow capped mountains.Lunch in Gyantse, the third largest historical city of Tibet, and visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum here, and then continue drive to Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. You will visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama, the second largest incarnation lama in Tibet. Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 5: Shigatse to Rongbuk Everest (5200m, 365Km,7-8 hrs) via Tingri
Breakfast and drive to Rongbuk monastery Everest via Lhatse ad Shegar, the small town we stop for lunch. The view of the Mount Everest can see in the distance if the weather is clear from Shegar. Driving on the way to Rongbuk Monastery, we will cross one of the highest pass in Tibet called Pang La pass (5050m) that offers the top five highest mountains in the world including Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Shisapangma. Stay overnight at tent or Rongbuk monastery guest house.
Day 6: Everest Base Camp to Shigatse (3900m,400km, 9-10 hours)
Morning enjoy the sun rise on the top of mount Everest, and it’s magnificent full view standing like a snow capped pyramid in front of you at Rongbuk. This is the vantage point to see the grand view of Mount Everest.  Breakfast and you may trek to Everest Base camp 4km one way. It is also possible to go by local bus. After base camp, you can visit Rongphu Monastery which is the highest monastery in the world (5000m) and belongs to Nyingma sect. After that we drive back to Shigatse, and stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 7: Shigatse to Lhasa (3650m, 318km, 6 hours)
Today, we will drive back to Lhasa on the friendship Highway. The whole distance is almost 280km and it takes 6 hours along the Brahmaputra River, the Longest and largest river in Tibet. Stay overnight in Lhasa
Day 8: Lhasa Airport or Train Station.
Breakfast and Tibetan tour guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Say good bye to Tibet Himalayas and Lhasa.

Cost Includes

• Airport pick up and departure transfer
• Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet
• All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
• English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide shared in your group
• Comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on the group size
• Tourist accident/casualty insurance
• First aid kit

Cost not Includes

• Flight or Train ticket
• Lunch and dinner during Tibet tour, it costs about USD 3-15 per person for one meal in Tibet.
• Tips for tour guide and driver
• Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.
• Tibet China group paper visa.
• Accommodation and Tour in Kathmandu and Mainland China.

China Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for mainland China. You must obtain your Chinese visa in advance. It is not possible to get a visa on arrival and Chinese visas can be difficult to obtain outside your country of residence. Tibet is is a province of China and so you will require a Chinese visa for this trip. You will need a Single Entry Tourist for your trip valid for 30 days.

Information Required for Visa Application
For our Tibet trips you will be provided with documentation for your visa application that will not match your true itinerary. While Tibet is not off limits to travellers, you must first obtain a Chinese visa before you apply for the Tibet group permit for your trip. Including Tibet on your visa application will be likely to lead to your visa being rejected, so you must instead use the general China itinerary that we provide to you.

Documents Required for Visa Application
Hotel List - this will be sent to you by your travel agent at time of booking. If you do not receive this, email us.
Official invitation from licensed Chinese tourism company - this will be provided from us together with the Hotel List to all travellers regardless of whether it is required by the consulate or not and will assist with your application.
Photocopy of your passport.
Passport size photo up to 4 may be required.
Check with the consulate for any other specific requirements.

Documents Required for Tibet permit and Ticket booking
The following must be sent at the time of booking or no later than 35 days prior to travel
1. Clear, colour scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport
2. Clear, colour scanned copy of your Chinese visa
3. Your current profession. Some professions including diplomats, journalists, military or police personnel will be denied permission to enter Tibet.
4. If we do not receive these documents from you in time you will not be able to travel to Tibet.

Tibet Tour Packing List
It is nice to keep your main luggage under 15 kg. What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags.A lockable bag or small padlock will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day. Below are some ideas and helpful tips on what you specifically need for this trip.
Bring you down jacket, thermal underwear, and warm head wear. Besides, sunscreen, sun hat, toiletries, personal medicine like mountain sickness, cold relief, diarrhea.some cash are also needed. 

Essential:
Clothing: a mixture of lightweight and dry fast clothing and warm layers like Long shirts, pants, scarves.
Trekking Shoes: sturdy and comfortable shoes.
Personal Travel Documents-Your passport (visa), travel insurance, flight tickets, passport size photos.
Small first aid kit such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids and insect repellent, and essential medicine depending on your doctors advice.
Money: Cash/credit card/EFTPOS card and money belt
Sun protection- A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Recommended:
Refillable water bottle (1.5-litre capacity suggested)
Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and adapter plug
Hand wash, travel wipes, toiletries and a small towel
Watch/alarm clock and torch/flashlight (and spare batteries)

Optional:
Sleeping bag(Useful for camping, overnight trains and poorly heated hotels, particularly during the winter months of Dec - Feb when temperatures are low).
Sleep sheet. If you are travelling during the hot season you may wish to pack a sleep sheet so you will be comfortable no matter what the weather.
Earplugs to guard against street noise and snorers.
A good book, a journal and music player for overnight train rides and longer drives.

Money Matter
The official currency in China and Tibet is the Yuan or Renminbi (CNY). 1 renminbi (yuan) = 10 jiao (mao). ATMs are widespread, so the easiest way to access cash on your trip is to bring a credit/debit card. Please check with your bank about overseas withdrawal fees before you depart and look for ATMs with your card logo. You may find that your card does not work in certain ATMs, so we recommend purchasing some CNY in your home country so you have some cash for your first day. Credit cards are mostly acceptable in bigger cities and establishments while in small towns, they may not work. 

Currency exchange is available at major banks and some hotels. The easiest foreign currencies to exchange are USD and EUR, however, please be aware of the security risk of carrying large amounts of cash. Commission is sometimes charged for currency exchange. Please note that due to restrictions on currency conversion for foreigners in China it may not be possible to change leftover CNY back into foreign currency, so please plan your budget and spending money well by withdrawing/exchanging what you need as you go.

Phone and internet access
Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites. It’s important to let your family and friends know that you might not be able to stay in touch over your usual methods, be it – social media or email. The Chinese Government restrict certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress. It may be possible to still access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to stay in touch with your friends and family through the above blocked sites, we suggest you research installing a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel.

Travel to Tibet
Due to the political sensitivities and increased security in this region it is important to understand that unexpected difficulties in obtaining Tibet permits may arise, and are out of our control. Regularly and without any official announcements by the government authorities permitting travel, the region of Tibet can be closed to visitors, and travel permits denied without warning. It is impossible to predict if or when such issues may be encountered again in the future.In the event of an individual or group permit being denied, or last minute closures of the Tibetan Autonomous Region to foreign travellers, we will endeavour to provide an alternative itinerary.

Altitude Sickness
Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. This can be life-threatening and affect anyone, even people who are very physically fit. There is a higher risk for those who have had altitude sickness before, who exercise or drink alcohol before adjusting to the altitude, or who have health problems that affect breathing. If your tour travels to high altitude, see your doctor for advice specific to you and your situation before you depart. It is important to be aware of the normal altitude symptoms that you may encounter but no worry about:
1.Periods of sleeplessness
2.Occasional loss of appetite
3.Vivid, wild dreams at around 2500-3800m in altitude
4.Unexpected momentary shortness of breath, day and night
5.Periodic breathing that wakes you occasionally
6.Blocked nose
7.Dry cough
8.Mild headache
If you are feeling nauseous, dizzy, or experience other symptoms, please be sure to let your guide know immediately so that we can monitor your condition.

Other things to consider
Check weather in destinations you are travelling to online a few days before you go to make sure you pack appropriate clothing. Laundry facilities may not be available in all destinations, so make sure you have a few cycles of clothes to tide you over until your next chance to wash. Local authorities will react negatively if you are found carrying letters or packages from Tibetan nationals to be posted in other countries. Do not carry images of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan flags, literature or books on Tibet during your travels in this region as they may be confiscated or you may be detained.A hot water bottle and thermal clothes can be very useful for cold nights in Tibet and when heating is not adequate.Bedding is always provided, but some travellers have found that a thin sleeping sheet useful for hygiene purpose in the overnight train, tent and guesthouses. Bring good quality walking shoes as there are many steps in monasteries and some uneven terrain.Due to the altitude weather can change very quickly. A windproof jacket is essential as are warm layers of clothes that can easily be added or removed as needed.

Phone and internet access
Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites. It’s important to let your family and friends know that you might not be able to stay in touch over your usual methods, be it – social media or email. The Chinese Government restrict certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress. It may be possible to still access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to stay in touch with your friends and family through the above blocked sites, we suggest you research installing a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel.

Tibet/China National Holidays
Please note that China's national holidays are the peak travel season for Chinese nationals. During this time, literally the whole country is on the move - that's over a billion people. Although these are fascinating and exciting times to travel in China, please be aware you will almost definitely experience transport delays and massive crowds at tourist attractions and train stations. It's common for there to be difficulties in securing train or flight tickets at your preferred times, hotels become overbooked, traffic chaotic and changes to the itinerary are often necessary as a result. If clockwork organisation is important to you we advise you book outside of the weeks of the extended Chinese New Year in January/February, in the first week of May and the first week of October. If you decide to travel during this period please come with an open mind and be prepared for changes on the ground.Here are the major holiday periods in China:
1.Chinese New Year
2. Qingming Festival
3. Labour Day Holiday
4.Dragon Boat Festival
5.Mid-Autumn Day
6.National Day