Is the Trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet Hard? It’s not as difficult as You Think

Everest, the world’s highest mountain, is the goal for most trekkers and mountaineers. Is that difficult to trek Everest in Tibet? Many people who do not know about Everest may be scared off by the “highest” and have the idea that it must be very hard to trek to Everest in Tibet. In fact, trekking on Everest in Tibet is not that difficult.

It is Not Difficult to Get the Permit to Everest Base Camp

To visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet, you need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet, and additional permits, like the Alien’s Travel Permit, to visit Everest Region which is far away from Lhasa city.

But the application for these required documents is quite simple. You just book your Everest Base Camp tour with us and provide scanned copies of your valid passport and your Chinese visa. More certificates, like your working certificate and the green healthy code, may be needed. Your one-on-one travel consultant will offer you a clear list of all required documents to apply for your permit.

Tibet Travel Permit is the necessary document to enter Tibet

Tibet Everest Base Camp Trekking Routes from Easy to Hard

In the Everest region of Tibet, besides the most classic trekking from Tingri to Everest Base Camp, there are also some other trekking routes, such as the highest altitude trek from Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp and the Gama Valley trek on the east slope of Everest.

The following will introduce you to the trekking routes in the Tibet Everest region from easy to difficult.

Easy: Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp Trek (8km, 2 hours)

The 8-km trekking from Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp is the shortest trek on Everest in Tibet. It takes around 2 hours to finish the 8 km trek.

It is involved in all Everest Base Camp tours since the eco buses only arrived at the base camp. If you want to visit the Rongbuk Monastery, you need to finish this short trek by yourself.

Trekking to the Everest Base Camp from Rongbuk Monastery

Medium: The Tingri to Everest Base Camp Trek (70km, 4 days)

The Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek is the most popular Everest trekking route in Tibet.

It usually takes 4 days to complete the total 70km trek, with 5 to 8 hours of hiking per day, ranging from 12 to 22 km. The trekking route from Tingri to Everest Base Camp has an elevation change from 4000m to 5200m, which is a high-altitude trek with high physical requirements.

The sample route of Tingri to Everest Base Camp Trek is as below:

Day 1: Tingri (4390m) to Lungthang (4510m) (5 hours/12km/150m ascent)
Day 2: Lungthang to Lamna La (5150 m) (8 hours/21km/200m ascent)
Day 3: Lamna La to Zommug (8 hours/21km/200m ascent)
Day 4: Zommug to Rongbuk (5000m)
Day 5: Rongbuk to Everest Base camp (5200m)

Camping in the trekking route from Tingri to Everest Base Camp

Hard: Gama Valley Trek

Located on the east slope of Mount Everest, Gama Valley is recommended as “the most beautiful valley on the planet and one of the classic trekking routes in the world” as early as the 20th century.

While trekking through the Gama Valley, you can enjoy the grandeur of Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, glaciers, etc. Also, there is an orchid valley in Gama Valley, where you can see the unusual orchid at such a high altitude.

This trek requires crossing a minimum elevation of 3990 meters and a maximum elevation of 5310m, a large elevation span, and long duration (about 8 days) making it a challenging trek in the Tibet Everest region.

The sample route of the Gama Valley Trek is as below:

Day1: Youpa - Showo-tso Pond (10km, 4677m)
Day2: Showo-tso - Showola Pass (4900m) - Dolshang (Orchid valley, 4030m, 14km)
Day3: Dolshang (Orchid valley) - Tsonang-tso - Xialong Pasture - Tangsung Viewing Platform (4510m, 12km)
Day4: Tangsung Viewing Platform - Badang-Ega - Paltang (4950m, 11km)
Day5: Paltang - Eastern Slope of Mt.Everest Base Camp (5310m) - Paltang (4950m,18km)
Day6: Paltang - Ega - Tangsung Viewing Platform (4510m, 14km)
Day7: Tangsung Viewing Platform - Tsosho - rim (5013m, 11km)
Day8: Tsosho - rim - Nangma-la Pass (5344m) - Lhundupling Village (3990m, 21km)

Enjoying the beautiful landscape of Everest during the Gama Valley trek

High Altitude Sickness Makes It really Difficult to Trek to EBC

Altitude sickness is a challenge for everyone who comes to Tibet for tourism to overcome. For those who trek on Everest, it requires a strong body and a strong heart to cope with the challenges of plateau trekking.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Tibet

Altitude sickness is a normal reaction that occurs when the human body enters a high altitude area from a low altitude area within a short time.

Therefore, it is recommended to stay in Lhasa for a few more days when you first arrive in Tibet to allow your body to adapt to the Tibetan altitude. Then take the overland route to the Everest region, and you can stay in Shigatse for one night before reaching Everest.

Don't make your itinerary too tight, rushing through the highlands is very draining and you need to be well-rested and in good physical condition before your trek.

A Good Trekking Season Can Make Your EBC Trek Easier

The best time to trek Everest in Tibet is from April to early June and September to Early November.

In spring and autumn, the temperature of Everest is favorable, and with less rainfall and high visibility in the mountains, there are more opportunities to get a glimpse of the stunning views from the summit.

Summer is the rainy season in Tibet. Although rainfall mostly occurs at night, it has little impact on daytime travel. However, the humid climate will cause clouds and mists in the mountains and reduce the visibility. Maybe you can’t see the true face of Mount Everest after you have finally come to Everest Base Camp.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp with Us to Get a Safe and Worry-free Experience

We provide a one-stop service for all Everest trekkers like you, freeing you from the tedious work of Tibet Travel Permit application, Tibet hotel booking, trekking gears rental, etc. to make your Everest Trekking tour less difficult.

Our well-trained Tibetan guides and local staff provide you with customized trekking tours with multiple backup plans. In addition, we are equipped with first aid equipment, oxygen supply, emergency plans, etc. with our group.

Conclusion

It is not as difficult as you think to trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. Since there are kinds of trekking routes for different physical demands, you can choose a proper one to enjoy trekking in the Everest region in Tibet. Also, with the help of our professional travel consultant, it is not difficult to apply for Tibet Travel Permit for your Tibet Everest Trekking tour.

If you need more help or have more questions about trekking on Everest in Tibet, just feel free to leave your comment below.