Pilgrim's Progress on the Path to the Sky
This is a tour designed for the people who would like to experience the highlights of Tibet and enjoy a fulfilling trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp that travelers of average fitness can do. The 65-km (40-mile) trek lasts 4 days with altitudes from 4,400 m (14,400 ft) to 5,200 m (17,000 ft).
Starting from the holy city, Lhasa, you will travel west. Explore a beautiful holy lake, a magnificent glacier, splendid monasteries, and remote Tibetan villages. Make the final leg of your journey step by step to really appreciate the great Himalaya mountain range, until Everest comes into sight, and you witness the highest peak in the world.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Fantastic trip to Lhasa
The trip was amazing. Learning about Tibetan culture, and seeing the sights on Lhasa was fantastic. The tour guide choezom was very informative and helpful. Just a warning, bring some cash. You can't use Chinese sim cards on Tibet unless you're a Chinese citizen, so you can't use WeChat/alipay in a lot of situations. more
May 2024, Matthew S
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Lhasa was a great experience with China Highlights
And, in Lhasa, our guide Sonam (Tenphel) was excellent! He was very knowledgeable, a great communicator, an excellent photographer (he took many, many of our pics), he solved problems, knew what gates weee busy and found alternatives, was flexible with our plans and explained a lot abo more
May 2024, didacvs
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A perfect visit to Lhasa.
We had a three days in Lhasa with Khalsa. She was above and beyond our expectations. Kind, knowledgeable and accommodating all our needs. She shared stories about the Tibetan life, took us to special eateries as I am a vegetarian. When we had to climb the numerous steps to Potala palace she helped me up and was patient when I needed a break every 20 seconds. She knows her material in and out. We went Drepung and spent many hours there exploring the different rooms then we went to the summer palace with its beautiful gardens and the cherry on top of the cake was temple Jokhang with the original Buddha from the time he was alive. On the second day we went to see the monks debating in Sera monastery. I’d say Khamsa made our trip perfect. Highly recommended. more
May 2024, Irit Raz-McBride
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Tour 'Wow' Points
Enjoy a 4-Day Trek towards the Unbelievable Himalayas
Trek through the valleys and remote Tibetan villages, across meadows and desert-like plains. Camp under starry skies. Journey at a pilgrim's pace to the highest mountain range in the world.
Stand in Front of the "Apex" of the Roof of the World
Visit Everest Base Camp's western slope, and catch the morning sunshine coloring Everest's snowy peak golden. Talk with a monk in Rongbuk Monastery, and receive a most sacred blessing in the highest monastery in the world.
Explore the Holy City and Meet Its People
Pilgrimage to the Potala Palace that's 'Closest to Heaven'. Feel the piety of local Tibetans as you see them worship with their whole body touching the ground. Explore a local market to experience Tibetan daily life and sit in a peaceful nunnery for a cup of sweet tea that's loved by locals.
Encounter a Fabulous Glacier
Get close to the Karola Glacier, which is one of the three largest unconfined-ice-sheet glaciers in Tibet.
Experience a Local Tibetan Family's House and Farming Work
Visit the living room of a local Tibetan farmer's or nomad's house. Listen to the hosts talking about their daily life. Help them with their farming or herding work, such as seeding, cutting barley, hanging barley on racks, or leading the sheep or yaks.
See Premonitions on the Sutra Wall in the Most Mysterious Monastery
Discover Sakya Monastery to learn the history of how Tibet was incorporated into China's territory in the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Witness the mysterious sutra wall, which is believed to show signs of disasters in the world.
Tibet Tour with EBC Trek Map
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide and driver will pick you up at Lhasa's airport or train station and accompany you to your hotel.
Step up to the Potala Palace. Prepare to enjoy the resplendent chambers, exquisite wall paintings, and the stories about the kings of the Tubo Kingdom and Dalai Lamas.
View the palace from four selected angles, which will allow you to fully enjoy the beauties of the palace.
Have an easy walking tour in the afternoon. Visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street. Discover the history and the lifestyle of Lhasa in a local market, in a famous traditional Tibetan courtyard, and in a cup of sweet tea inside Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery.
Leave for Shigatse via Gyantse. First, you will stop at Lake Yamdrok. The charming blue of the lake water is uniquely owned by Tibet's plateau lakes.
Along the way, you will view the fabulous scenery of the Karola Glacier, one of the top three continental glaciers (ice fields) in Tibet.
When you stop at Gyantse, visit the town's top attraction: Palcho Monastery. The huge white pagoda is very impressive. You'll also visit a local Tibetan house and help the locals with their farming work.
Visit Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse. There you will listen to stories about the Panchen Lamas and get to know the relationship between panchen and dalai.
Then take the drive to the old town of Tingri. The stunning views along the way may keep you on the edge of your seat. Have a good night's sleep to be ready for the trekking beginning on day 5.
Star your trek with a hike on the Tingri Plain and Ra-chu Valley. The sheep and yaks might be wandering on the huge meadow. The rolling mountains are in the distance. The vast plateau gives a feeling of freedom.
Camp on a meadow near a village at night.
The second day's trek is harder: you will climb up to Nam-La Pass. The views of the valley and the snow-capped mountains are breathtaking.
Camp in the valley below the pass at night.
On the third day, you will hike from Nam-La to a small village called Zommug. Most of the local people make their living by raising yaks. Say hello to the friendly Tibetan nomads on the way, or even help them herding the sheep or yaks. They will be happy to answer any questions if you are curious about their life.
Camp near Zommug at night.
After the last 9 miles of the trek, you will get to Rongbuk Monastery, the closest habitation to Everest Base Camp. It is the highest monastery in the world. You'll see Mt. Everest right there in front of you (weather permitting).
See the hard life of the monks and nuns there. You will have a chance to talk with a monk. He will be happy to answer your questions about his life and study. Present a hada (Tibetan silk scarf) to him to express your respects.
After visiting the monastery, you will catch a memorable view of the world's roof at sunset.
Stay overnight at the guesthouse at Rongbuk Monastery.
Drive back to Shigatse after enjoying a beautiful sunrise.
You will visit the most mysterious monastery on the way. It is also the main monastery of Tibetan Buddhism's Sakya sect. The courtyard with the beautiful murals, the woman ghost statue tied by chain, and the mysterious sutra wall are the highlights you should not miss.
Drive along the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon to Lhasa. Enjoy the marvelous scenery on the way. See plateau lakes, rivers, snowy mountains, and traditional Tibetan villages. Stop at a small village that is famous for Tibetan incense making, and experience producing hand-made Tibetan incense.
Your guide and driver will take you to Lhasa's airport or train station on time for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Tibet Travel Permits
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- All the equipment and provisions for camping and transport them during trekking
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: xz-8