Top Everest Base Camp Trekking Routes in Tibet for 2025

Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Tibet is an unparalleled way to explore the majesty of Mount Everest. The most popular Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek attracts thousands of tourists every year, while the off-the-beaten Gama Valley trek offers the hidden gem of the eastern slope of Mt. Everest in Tibet. There is also a challenging trek route from Everest Base Camp to Advanced Base Camp on the Tibetan side.

Here, we’ll introduce all these Everest Base Camp trekking routes on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest and help you choose the best one for your Everest adventure in 2025.

#1 Mt.Everest Trek Route in Tibet: 4-Day Tingri to Everest Base Camp Trek (Most Popular)

The Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek is the most popular trekking trail on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest. Starting from Tingri and heading to the famous Northern Everest Base Camp in Tibet, it covers a distance of 70 kilometers for a 4-day trek with elevations ranging from 4,400 meters to as high as 5,300 meters.

En route, you’ll cross the expanse of the Tibetan Plateau and get a chance to see a host of wildlife that lives in this high-altitude region, such as onagers and gazelles. You’ll also pass through some stunning valleys and see some of the world’s highest mountain landscapes of the Himalayas.

Day	Route	Distance / Duration	Altitude
Day 1	Tingri - Ra-chu Valley - Lungthang	12 km / 5 hrs	4,390 m - 4,510 m
Day 2	Lungthang - Lamna La Pass	21 km / 8 hrs	4,510 m - 5,150 m
Day 3	Lamna La Pass - Zombuk Village	21 km / 8 hrs	5,150 m - 4,790 m
Day 4	Zombuk - Everest Base Camp	11 km / 3-4 hrs	4,790 m - ,5000 m

Enjoy the popular 4-day Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek with us!

To start the trek, you’ll first travel from Lhasa to Tingri. For better acclimatization to the high altitude, you can stay in Lhasa for a few days, exploring iconic landmarks, like the majestic Potala Palace and the holy Jokhang Temple.

Then, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse. A stop in Shigatse is essential for preparations before heading to the Mount Everest region. You’ll take another day’s drive from Shigatse to Tingri, where your trek begins.

You'll visit the turquoise Yamdrok Lake on the way from Lhasa to Tingri.

If you travel to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu, you need to cross the border at Gyirong Port and spend the night in Gyirong Town. The next morning, you’ll drive towards the Friendship Highway eastwards to Tingri, where you’ll start your trek.

Join our popular Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek with like-minded travelers.

Required Travel Documents for the Tingri to Everest Base Camp Trek

First, you should make sure you have a Chinese Visa. Then, you need to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit and the Alien’s Travel Permit for visiting Mount Everest region in Tibet.

All these permits can only be obtained after you book the trekking route and should be arranged by the local travel agency that provides the tour service for you.

As the best Everest tour operator in Tibet, we at Tibet Vista provide a hassle-free Tingri to Everest Base Camp trekking tour package, covering all necessary local travel documents and guaranteeing you the Tibet Travel Permit. Additionally, we can assist you with applying for a Chinese Visa.

A sample of Tibet Travel Permit.

Best Time to Trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp

Generally speaking, spring and autumn are the best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet, and the same goes for the trekking tours. From mid-April to mid-June, the Everest region is getting warmer and there are clear views of the mountains. Mid-September to November, after the monsoon passes and before the harsh winter arrives, is another window of opportunity for magnificent views of Mt. Everest.

Avoid trekking during the rainy season, from mid-June to August, as the mountains may be obscured by clouds, and you may not get the clear views you came for.

Spring and Autumn is the best time to trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp.

#2 Mt.Everest Trek Route in Tibet: 8-Day Gama Valley Trek on the Eastern Slope of Everest (Most Beautiful)

Hidden in the eastern slope of Mount Everest, Gama Valley is a lesser-known area, offering a scenic and off-the-beaten-path trekking route to the base camp on the eastern slope of Mount Everest.

As one of the ‘Four Great Valleys’ in Shigatse, Gama Valley was praised as the most beautiful valley in the book Exploration of Mt. Everest, written by British explorer Barry. It is famous for its stunning snow-capped mountain landscapes and pristine ecology.

You can see 8,000-meter-high Himalayan mountains such as Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Makalu up close in Gama Valley. Along the trekking trail, there are glaciers, forests, pastures, and Tibetan villages, offering plenty of things to explore during the trek.

The Gama Valley trek takes 8 to 12 days, with an altitude range from 2,00 meters to over 5,000 meters. It is suitable for outdoor enthusiasts with plateau experience.

Day	Route	Distance	Altitude
Day 1	Youpa - Showo-tso Pond	10 km / 6 hrs	3,750 m - 4,650 m
Day 2	Showo-tso - Showola Pass - Dolshang (Orchid Valley)	14 km / 7 hrs	4,650 m - 4,900 m - 4,030 m
Day 3	Dolshang - Tsonang-tso - Xialong Pasture - Tangsung Viewing Platform	12 km / 6 hrs	4,030 m - 4,400 m - 4,510 m
Day 4	Tangsung Viewing Platform - Badang - Ega - Paltang	11 km / 5-6 hrs	4,510 m - 4,300m - 4,700 m - 4,950 m
Day 5	Paltang - Eastern Slope of Mt.Everest Base Camp - Paltang	18 km / 6-7 hrs	4,950 m - 5,310 m - 4,950 m
Day 6	Paltang - Ega - Tangsung Viewing Platform	14 km / 8 hrs	4,950 m - 4,700 m - 4,510 m
Day 7	Tangsung Viewing Platform - Tsosho-rim	11 km/ 7 hrs	4,510 m - 5,013 m
Day 8	Tsosho-rim - Nangmala Pass - Lhundupling Village	21 km / 8-10 hrs	5,013 m - 5,344 m - 3,990 m

Gama Valley trek on the eastern slope of Everest.

Required Travel Documents for the Tingri to Everest Base Camp Trek

Like other Everest Base Camp trekking tours in Tibet, the trek through Gama Valley also requires a Chinese Visa, the Tibet Travel Permit, and the Alien’s Travel Permit.

You need to apply for a Chinese Visa by yourself in advance. Then, after booking your trekking tour with us, simply provide a copy of your passport and Chinese Visa, and we will handle the rest for you.

A Sample of Alien's Travel Permit.

Best Time to Take the Gama Valley Trek

May to June is the best season to appreciate the Rhododendron blossom in Gama Valley. It has the most beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains and glaciers together with red and pink rhododendrons. If weather permits, you can also enjoy the reflection of the Himalayan peaks in the crystal lake.

Enjoy the reflection of the Himalayan peaks in the crystal lake when the Gama Valley trek.

September and October are the best months to enjoy the autumn scenery when trekking in Gama Valley. The weather is clear and crisp, with the snow-capped peaks of Everest and Lhotse standing prominently against the sky. The rain-free weather makes this the ideal season for capturing stunning photos of the golden landscapes and starry skies.

The hassle-free trek through Gama Valley with essential sightseeing tours from Lhasa to Everest.

#3 Mt.Everest Trek Route in Tibet: 5-Day Everest Base Camp to Advance Base Camp Trek (Most Challenging)

Besides the scenic trekking routes, there is another challenging trekking route from Everest Base Camp (EBC) to Advance Base Camp (ABC) on the Tibetan side, which is one of the greatest trekking trails in the world.

The trekking route starts at EBC, at an altitude of 5,200 meters, and reaches its zenith at the Advanced Base Camp at 6,340 meters, the highest point in the world that trekkers can achieve. You can reach ABC without using crampons and other climbing gear. This is ideal for those who want to get closer to the summit without climbing.

EBC to Advanced Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp to Advance Base Camp trek on the Tibetan side is a challenging but beautiful trek through a stunning mountain landscape and combines the awesome Tibetan culture with the highest trekking route on the planet.

It is approximately 22km of trekking, following the same route used by climbers attempting to summit Everest. You'll trek across the Rongbuk Glacier and enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Pumori and Mt. Nuptse. It's an amazing experience to look down into the valleys from on high. Generally, the trek from EBC to ABC takes 5 days, with an interim camp being set up in between the two base camps.

Day	Route	Distance / Duration	Altitude
Day 1	EBC - Camp 1	5 km / 6 hrs	5,200 m - 5,460 m
Day 2	Camp 1 - Interim Camp	6 km / 6-7 hrs	5,460 m - 5,760 m
Day 3	Interim Camp - Camp 2	5 km / 6 hrs	5,760 m - 5,970 m
Day 4	Camp 2 - ABC - Camp 2	6 km / 9 hrs	5,970 m - 6,500 m - 5,970 m
Day 5	Camp 2 - EBC	16 km / 10 hrs	5,970 m - 5,000 m

Important Notice:
Besides the ordinary Tibet Travel Permit and the Alien’s Travel Permit, a Tibet Mountaineering Association (TMA) is also required for the EBC to ABC trek.

However, the trekking permit application has been unavailable since 2018. We'll keep you updated with any new information.

The most popular Everest Base Camp tour for first-time travelers to Everest in Tibet.

Choose the Best Trekking Route for Your Everest Adventure in Tibet

If it is your first time Everest trek in Tibet, the Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek is highly recommended. As the most popular trekking route in Tibet, it is well managed and has easy permit applications, suitable for beginners to intermediate trekkers.

The Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek is also a great choice for a close-up view of the magnificent scenery of Mount Everest. Starting from Tingri, you can enjoy the feast of snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and experience local Tibetan village life along the way.

In contrast, the 15-day Gama Valley trekking tour is less traveled and more suitable for those who have some high-altitude trekking experience. The entire trekking route is longer and at a higher altitude, allowing you to go deep into the eastern slope of Mount Everest. You’ll immerse yourself in the stunning snow-capped mountains, lush forests, plateau meadows, and crystal lakes, while enjoying the magnificent views of the east slope of Mount Everest and Lhotse. It is an excellent choice for trekking enthusiasts to break through themselves and explore the ultimate scenery.

Route	Tingri to EBC Trek	Gama Valley Trek
Altitude	4,390 m - 5,200 m	3,750 m - 5,310 m
Highest Point	Everest Base Camp (5,000m)	Nangma-la Pass (5,344 m)
Trekking Distance	70	111 km
Trekking Duration	4 Days	8 Days
Trekking Difficulty	Suitable for all fitness levels, but requires preparation for high-altitude trekking (average altitude: 4,000 m).	A strenuous trek, ideal for adventurers who are physically fit and have experience in high-altitude treks.
Accommodation	Camping and the Tent Hotel or Rongbuk Hotel at Everest Base Camp	Camping

Don't miss the popular Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek for your first Everest adventure in Tibet.

Conclusion

Though it is a pity that the most challenging trekking to Advance Base Camp in Tibet is not available now, there are still two world-class trekking routes that you can experience for your Everest adventure in Tibet.

The most popular Tingri to Everest Base Camp offers a shorter and easier trekking experience to the northern base camp, while the Gama Valley trek provides an in-depth exploration of the eastern slope of Mount Everest in Tibet.

While both treks are amazing experiences in Everest in Tibet, the trek to choose really depends on your requirements and ability. No matter which route you prefer for your next journey, we are always here to provide expert guidance and professional trekking tour arrangements. Feel free to share your Everest trekking ideas with us - we’re here to help!