8 Days to Everest Base Camp: Our First Journey to Everest with the Tibet Train Experience

We would like to share our wonderful experience from our trip to Tibet with the tour company Tibet Visa. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that took us from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp.

Starting with a Tibet train journey from Xining to Lhasa, our Everest Base Camp adventure spanned 8 days, from the train to Tibet all the way until our flight back to Thailand.

Here’s a day-by-day look at our trip to Mt.Everest in Tibet.

Don’t miss the ultimate journey to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa by Tibet train from Xining

Our journey began with a scenic train ride from Xining to Lhasa, which took about a day. Upon arrival at the Lhasa train station, our guide was already waiting to welcome us and took us to our accommodation.

We could see the majestic Potala Palace from the window of our room — what an amazing first impression!

That evening, we explored the city on foot. Lhasa had such a peaceful atmosphere, with cool air and mountains surrounding the city.

Enjoying the meals onboard the train to Lhasa.

We met our guide from Tibet Vista at Lhasa Railway Station and received the holy Hada, which means ‘welcome’ in Tibet.

Day 2: Visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and Enjoy a Cup of Traditional Tibetan Tea in a Local Teahouse

After breakfast at the hotel, we started our day at one of Tibet’s most iconic landmarks, the Potala Palace.

Before entering the palace, our guide brought us to several hidden photo spots that only a local would know — the pictures turned out beautifully. The guide also provided detailed explanations about the palace’s history. While waiting to enter, we witnessed people performing traditional prostration rituals, chanting, and spinning prayer wheels, which gave us a deep sense of Tibetan spirituality.

Walking up to the palace was quite a challenge due to high altitude of Lhasa and lower oxygen levels, but eventually, we made it to the top. Although photography isn’t allowed inside, the interior was truly breathtaking — featuring classic Tibetan architecture and authentic artifacts.

Later, we had lunch and visited Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. It was very crowded with both locals and tourists. After spending about two hours there, we walked through the bustling Barkhor Street, a mix of pilgrimage path and local market, where we shopped for souvenirs.

Before heading back, we visited a local Tibetan teahouse with a unique ordering system - you place your money on the counter, and the staff serves you the tea while picking it up. The Tibetan tea was warm, delicious, and revitalizing after a long day of sightseeing.

We took this photo of the Potala Palace from the east corner of Potala Palace Square.

Day 3: Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

We visited Drepung Monastery, and to our delight, it was snowing in the morning! The view of the snow-covered mountains around Lhasa made everything feel magical. The monastery was peaceful with fewer tourists, allowing us to take our time appreciating the Tibetan artwork and architecture.

Afterward, we had lunch and visited Sera Monastery, which featured similar yet distinct artistic elements. Our guide explained the differences and historical significance in detail. We also watched the famous Monk Debates, where monks engage in lively discussions about Buddhist teachings.

Back in Lhasa that evening, we returned to Potala Palace to do something special - we sat down and sketched the palace!

The snow made Drepung Monastery look even more tranquil.

Monks debate at Sera Monastery

Day 4: Travel from Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake

We began our long journey from Lhasa to Shigatse by car. This was one of our favorite days!

Our first stop was the sacred and stunning Yamdrok Lake, with its deep blue waters surrounded by mountains. We spent time capturing the views from above and later from the lake’s edge, where we took photos with yaks and Tibetan mastiff — a major highlight of the trip!

We then had a traditional lunch at a local Tibetan home, where we were warmly welcomed and served authentic dishes and butter tea, a unique Tibetan specialty.

Our final stop was a massive glacier where we paused for photos before heading to our hotel in Shigatse.

Don’t miss the chance to take a photo with Tibetan Mastiffs when visiting Yamdrok Lake.

Taking a photo with Tibetan yaks by the shores of Yamdrok Lake.

Day 5: Arrive at Everest Base Camp

Most of today was spent driving toward Everest Base Camp. Despite the long hours on the road, we were constantly amazed by the ever-changing natural scenery — vast, raw, and untouched. We made several rest stops along the way, including one where we bought a traditional Tibetan knife, available only in that region.

By afternoon, we reached the entrance to the Everest area, where we browsed through local fossil and mineral vendors. Our driver took us to Gawula Pass, where we saw all five peaks over 8,000 meters high - truly breathtaking.

After switching to the park's shuttle bus, we reached Everest Base Camp in Tibet. The sky was initially cloudy, so we waited in our room, but after an hour, the clouds parted and Mount Everest revealed itself. It was beyond words. Our guide even gave us a certificate to commemorate the moment. We spent around two hours taking photos before returning to our simple but cozy accommodation.

As we entered the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, I took this photo at Gyatso La Pass.

An unforgettable experience to witness the top of the world with my family.

While there was no private bathroom, heating pads were provided and kept us warm throughout the night. We slept well and experienced no altitude sickness.

Day 6: Visit Rongbuk Monastery and Drive back to Shigatse

We woke up to heavy snowfall, and visibility of Everest was completely gone. After a simple breakfast at the base camp, we visited Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.

The snowfall made the place feel like a scene from a dream. On our way out of the national park, the snow had stopped, leaving the mountains beautifully blanketed in white. We made a stop to hang our five-colored Tibetan prayer flags, which we had bought in Shigatse — a traditional gesture for making wishes and giving thanks.

Then we headed back to Shigatse.

We hung our prayer flags before leaving Mount Everest.

Day 7: Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and Return to Lhasa

Today, we visited Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and continued to admire the unique and varied Tibetan art. We spent a bit of time shopping for souvenirs before returning to Lhasa.

We arrived in the evening and made one last visit to the Potala Palace, hoping to catch it lit up at night. While we couldn't stay long due to the cold, we were able to admire the illuminated night view of the Potala Palace once more from our hotel window.

We visited the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the most important monastery in Shigatse.

Our last visit to the Potala Palace

Day 8: Fly back to Thailand from Lhasa

Our guide kindly took us to the Lhasa Airport and even assisted us with our baggage. We flew back to Thailand, ending our Tibet tour with full hearts and unforgettable memories.

Following the most popular 8-day route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp!

Final Thoughts about My Everest Journey with Tibet Vista

This 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour was truly unforgettable. The raw, majestic beauty of Tibet’s natural landscape — especially seeing Mount Everest up close — combined with the deeply spiritual and well-preserved Tibetan culture, left a lasting impression on us. Monasteries, rituals, art, and people all contribute to a rich cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else.

A special thank you to our guide and driver from Tibet Vista, who took care of us every step of the way. They were incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and made the experience even more meaningful.

We highly recommend visiting Tibet at least once in your lifetime. It’s a journey that will stay with you forever.