Easy Everest Group Tour

Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and bustling Barkhor Street.

As you adjust to the altitude on your first day, you may experience some discomfort due to altitude sickness, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. However, these symptoms typically subside within a day, preparing you for exploration.

In the morning, embark on a tour of Lhasa, visiting the Potala Palace, situated on the Red Hill above the city. Originally built in the 7th century on the site of an ancient fortress, the palace served as Tibet’s governmental center during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama and continues to be the winter palace.

In the afternoon, we will explore the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to the Jowo Rinpoche and one of Lhasa’s oldest buildings. Conclude your morning at the renowned Barkhor Street, a vibrant market and the path for pilgrims performing the ritual kora walk around the temple. Here, you can also find unique souvenirs. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Attractions: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

Today’s itinerary begins with a morning visit to Drepung Monastery, once the world’s largest monastery, housing over 10,000 monks at its peak. As you stroll through the monastery’s narrow lanes, you’ll encounter numerous monastic apartments and noteworthy sights.

In the afternoon, we will explore Sera Monastery, established in the 15th century by a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Sera Monastery consists of different monastic colleges and serves as a home for hundreds of monks from across Tibet. The monastery is famous for its Buddhist philosophical debates, held every afternoon except on Sundays. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Attractions: Yamdrok Lake, Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier, Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, and Pelkor Chode Monastery.

We begin the day by driving southwest, ascending the zigzag road to the Gampala Pass (4,794m). From there, you’ll be mesmerized by the breathtaking view of sacred Yamdrok Lake, with the snow-capped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. After descending from the pass, we continue along the lakeshore until we reach Nagartse, where you’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch.

In Gyantse, our visit to Pelkor Chode Monastery, an ancient monastery, includes an exploration of the largest and most unique stupa in Tibet. Standing 32 meters tall and housing 108 chapels, the Gyantse Kumbum is a one-of-a-kind stupa on the plateau, renowned for its architectural beauty and ancient sculptures, with thousands of paintings adorning its inner walls. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the town. Overnight stay in Gyantse.

Attraction: Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Today’s journey is short and easy, covering a distance of only 90 km to reach Shigatse. After lunch, we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, established by the 1st Dalai Lama, Gedun Drup, in 1447. The monastery later became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages, and you’ll have the opportunity to see the tombs of the 7 former Panchen Lamas.

Take pleasure in strolling along the bustling cobbled lanes, which wind around the ancient buildings still used as monks’ apartments. Join the locals in circumambulating the monastery, spinning prayer wheels along the monastery walls, and savor the panoramic view of the city from the hill. Overnight stay in Shigatse.

Attractions: Sakya Monastery, Shegar Dzong.

Today, we will drive towards Everest, making a stop at Sakya Monastery along the way. The monastery, with its distinctive gray walls, is situated in the heart of the village. “Grey Soil” is the translation of Sakya, and the monastery consists of two main buildings, although the section on the northern banks of the river now lies in ruins.

After our visit, we continue our journey to Shegar, also known as New Tingri. If time permits, we will explore the Shegar fort ruins located on a hillside overlooking the town. Overnight stay in Shegar. (Note: Before departing from Shigatse, your guide will arrange the necessary Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) required to continue to Mount Everest.)

Attractions: Rongbuk Monastery and Mt. Everest Base Camp.

In the morning, we embark on a direct drive to the famous Everest Base Camp (EBC), crossing high passes in the Himalayas along the way. The first breathtaking view of the majestic Himalayan peaks unfolds at the crest of Gyatso La Pass, standing at 5,400 meters, where you can catch a glimpse of Everest’s summit in the distance. Upon passing through the checkpoint, we leave the Friendship Highway and head south along the winding Zhufeng Road to EBC.

En route, we cross the Gawu La Pass at 5,250 meters, offering a panoramic vista of some of the world’s highest mountains, including Mt. Everest (8,848m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m), Mt. Shishapangma (8,020m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m), and Mt. Lhotse (8,516m). From this awe-inspiring viewpoint, we descend from the pass, traversing the dry and arid Tashi Zom Valley until we reach Rongbuk Monastery. Known as the “official” highest Buddhist monastery globally, Rongbuk is located near the base camp and is famous for accommodating both monks and nuns within the same monastery.

Typically, we stay in tent guesthouses at the base camp itself, except from November to March when they are closed, and accommodation is limited to the Rongbuk guesthouse only. (Note: The original base camp for tourists at EBC was recently relocated from the climbers’ base camp closer to Rongbuk. Since the move, the furthest tourists can reach is the Dza Rongbuk caves, a short trek past the monastery.) Overnight stay at EBC.

Attractions: Rongbuk Monastery, Himalayan ranges.

After a restful night’s sleep, we wake up early to witness the magnificent sight of the sunrise on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest, best observed from the hill behind the monastery. Then, bidding farewell to the grand peak, we return to Shigatse, where you can relax at the hotel and enjoy a refreshing shower or bath. Overnight stay in Shigatse.

Attractions: Nyimo Homemade Incense Factory, Brahmaputra River.

On our final day on the vast Tibetan plateau, we embark on a drive back to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, with an interesting stop along the way. Passing through several small local villages, we make a stop at the village of Nyima, renowned in Tibet for producing delightful Tibetan incense, often scented with juniper. The local artisans employ ancient water-powered tools, following the same traditional techniques passed down by their ancestors to craft the incense, ensuring that each stick is handmade.

Upon arriving in Lhasa, you will have the remainder of the day to rest or explore the streets at your leisure. This is an ideal opportunity to find those last-minute gifts for your friends and family back home on Barkhor Street. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

After enjoying a final breakfast on the plateau, your guide and driver will pick you up to transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward journey. We kindly request your cooperation in filling out our survey to evaluate our services, which can be done through the feedback form or by sending us an email.