The classic trek from Old Tingri to Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular trekking routes in Tibet. Though it is not an easy trek to go, the marvelous landscape of the Mount Everest area along the way attracts many tourists to come. The whole trekking journey takes about 4 to 5 days to finish the 70 kilometers journey.
Despite the fact that EBC trek can be done for most travelers to Tibet, you can’t be too careful when trekking on the roof of the world. A better preparation can make your EBC trekking more enjoyable and keep away from some dangerous. Here we are going tell you the most things you need to know before your first Everest Base Camp in Tibet.
Get to Know EBC Trek before Entering Tibet
Trekking Route of EBC Trek
Generally, an Everest Base Camp trek starts from Lhasa city. You need to get to Old Tingri from Lhasa by land via Gyantse and Shigatse. During the land journey, you can visit the famous Yamdrok Lake and Tashilhunpo Monastery. The exact trekking journey starts from Old Tingri, which covers 70 kilometers in total and takes 4 to 5 whole days to finish.
On the first day, you need to trek west from Old Tingri (4390m) to Lungthang (4510m) through the Tingri Plain and keep forward to trek along the Ra-chu Valley. The total trekking distance is about 12 kilometer and requires 5 hours to go.
After staying one night in Lungthang, you will hiking cross the Lamna La Pass at 5150m. Then you will pass through Zhaxizong Village and reach to Basum Village to have a good rest. The whole trekking trail for this day is about 21 kilometers and it takes about 8 hours to finish.
The third section of Tingri to EBC trek is from Langma La pass to Zommug Village. The next trekking section from Zommug to Rongbuk is relatively easy to finish. You will hike along the Rongbuk Glacier, and finally reach the Rongbuk Monastery at 4980 meters. The final trekking section is from Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp, which covers 8 kilometers in total.
Difficulty for the EBC Trek
It is a challenging trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp via Ra-chu valley. You need to finish the 40 kilometers’ journey in 4 or 5 days. The average altitude of this route is over 4000 meters. However, you do not worry too much about taking this tour. A good preparation before you go could help a lot. And it is suggested to take a good rest once you arrive in Tibet so that you can get used to the high altitude quickly. And the beautiful scenery along the way will make you feel that everything you have experienced is worth it.
Travel Documents Needed for EBC Trek
Like all the tours in Tibet, the Tibet Travel Permit is the most important travel document for you to entering Tibet. To reach the Everest Base Camp, you also need to apply for Alien’s Travel Permit and Military Permit.
Tibet Travel Permit can be only applied through a local travel agency, like us. Once you confirm your travel details in Tibet and book your EBC trekking tour with us, you just send us the copies of your Chinese Visa and your passport, we will do the rest for you to get your Tibet Travel Permit. It takes about 10-15 days to issue the travel permit, so it is suggested to book your tour with us at least 20 days in advance so that you can get your permit in time. The other two travel documents will be issued once you arrive in Lhasa. Our local travel guide will help you apply for these documents.
Best Time for EBC Trek
The best time to trek Everest Base Camp in Tibet is in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). There is less rainfall during these seasons and every day, there are more than 7 hours sunshine. You have more chances to see the peak of the Mount Everest. It is suggested to avoid trekking in July and August, since it is rainy season in Tibet.
Essentials to Pack for EBC Trek
Whenever you go to trek the Everest Base Camp, you need to take warm jacket with you. At such high altitude, the temperature of trekking area around Everest Base Camp is quite low, especially at night. You also need to bring a down sleeping bag to keep you warm at night. Wearing a pair of trekking boots instead of shoes, so that you can get more support instead of twisted ankles.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are also required for your trip in Tibet avoid sunburn. Since we offer rental service for gears like trekking pole, camping tent, etc, you can consult your travel consultant before deciding to take the trekking poles or other stuff.
To trek in such a remote area around Mount Everest, you need to make enough personal stuff. The basic staff includes your toothpaste, toothbrush, towels and necessary toiletries. And don’t forget to bring sunscreens and lip balms to keep yourself away from the strong sun rays and dry weather outside. – Check the Ultimate Packing List for EBC Trek in Tibet
Physical Preparation for EBC Trek
It is suggested to make some strength training few months before your EBC trek. However, it is not a difficult trekking to Everest Base Camp, so you don’t need to worry about too much. Just make sure you can walk for a long time at plateau is enough.
Book ahead Your EBC Trek with Us
It is suggested to book your Tibet Everest Base Camp Trek with us as early as possible for you need enough to time to apply for all the required travel documents, such as your Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit. The process of getting your Tibet Travel Permit always takes about 10 to 15 days, so it is better to book your tour one month ahead. Also, it is recommended to make early reservation for your Tibet train ticket or flight ticket so that you can have more chances to get your favorite seats, especially in the peak season.
Decide Your Favorite Ways to Reach Lhasa
Consider Your Tibet-Entry City
Most tourists choose to enter Tibet from mainland China, and the popular Tibet entry cities include Beijing, Shangai, Chengdu, Xining, Xian and Guangzhou. All of these cities offer both flights and trains to Tibet, which makes it convenient to get to Tibet.
The international metropolises, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, are well connected with the rest of the world by frequent international flights from all over the world. So you can choose to get to Tibet directly from these cities as soon as you arrive in these cities from your hometown.
Xi’an and Chengdu are always the popular tour destinations for those who take a China tour before their Tibet tour. Since they are closer to Lhasa city, the cost of flight and train to Tibet are much cheaper than that from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. – See more about Xian Tibet tour and Chengdu Tibet tour
For those who are keen on the Tibet train journey, Xining is the best city to enter Tibet by train for it is the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet railway and all the trains to Tibet stop at Xining railway station. In this case, you can have more chances to get a Tibet train ticket, especially in the peak season.
Whether to Enter Tibet by Flight or by Tibet Train
Another thing you need to think about is to get to Tibet by flight or by train. Of cause it is faster and more convenient to get to Tibet by air. But the experience of taking a Train to Tibet through the world highest Qinghai-Tibet railway is the rare experience you can only get from mainland China. So it is recommended to get to Tibet by train from mainland China and get off Tibet by air.
Besides the domestic flights to Lhasa from mainland China, there is also one international non-stop flight to Tibet from Kathmandu. If you decide to visit Tibet after a Nepal tour, you can also choose to get to Tibet from Nepal by air.
Pay Attention to Acclimatization to High Altitude for Newcomers
The average altitude of the trekking trail from Tingri to EBC is over 4000 meters, during which you will climb cross the Lamna La Pass at 5150 meters and reach to the Everest Base Camp at 5200 meters.
It is suggested to stay in Lhasa for few days to get acclimatized to high altitude in Tibet. And during the overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, you can gradually adapt to rising altitude. Don’t be too nervous. A good mood can help you relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness. And please remember that whenever you feel uncomfortable during your trekking tour, let your guide know immediately. – See How to Prevent Lhasa Altitude Sickness for the Newly-Arrived Tourists
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