8-Day Tick off Your Everest Bucket List in Holy Tibet

Tashi Delek! My old friend, welcome to Lhasa (3658m) again. As always, your hospitable local Tibetan guide and friendly driver are expecting you with infectiously welcoming smiles and auspicious Hada. Simply leave your luggage to them and hop on the comfy tour vehicle to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

Free of annoying crowds, Romoche Monastery offers you a quieter and more intimate place for worship and exploration.

Walk past the prostrating pilgrims for the inner kora inside Ramoche; listen to the mantra chanting of the monks while admiring the vivid protectors of deities and opulent fresco. Most importantly, don’t miss out the 8-year-old life-size statue of Sakyamuni and go for the amazing vista of Potala Palace on the golden rooftop of the monastery.

Then, let’s delve into the backstreet of Barkhor Street. Tsamkhung Nunnery is just a haven of peace hidden in the busy Barkhor street. Quietly observe the life of Tibetan nuns living inside and sit the locals in Tsamkhung tea house for the delicious Tibetan noodles, momos, and sweet tea.

In the afternoon, follow your guide to explore the produce market - Tromsikhang where you will see a variety of local ingredients, like yak butter, barley, spices, yak meat,etc., for daily cooking; bargain with local vendors for the food needed for the cooking class coming next. Then, learn to make a typical Tibetan cuisine by following the cook’s demonstration at Tibetan Family Kitchen.

Drive eastwards to Datze County and follow around the 10km’s winding road up to the top of Wangbhuri mountain; the impressive Ganden Monastery (4300m) starts to reveal its massive size in full splendor, with iconic terraced complex sprawling the entire mountain ridge against the backdrop of spectacular Kyichu Valley.

Roam over the assembly hall and explore the debating courtyard and tomb of Tsongkhapa; you will be deeply impressed by the distinct Buddhist vibes and legends of Tsongkhapa. Then, follow the rugged trail for the famous Ganden Kora. You will encounter pilgrims burning juniper incense and giving offerings of Tsampa (roasted barley flour), the yaks occasionally grazing in the mountain, and vultures hovering overhead. the sense of holiness and an incredible vista of Kyichu Valley will leave you in awe.

Next, drive down to enchanting Tsubshi Village. You will be invited to a traditional village family to have a short stay here. Immersed yourself in rural life, and taste their silky hand-made sweet tea, and explore their simple house, smoky kitchen and their cattle shed; walk freely in the village and their village chapels and you may also have a chance to talk with villagers through our guide’s help. Finally, head back to Lhasa.

The journey from Lhasa to Shigatse (3900m) would be a feast to your eyes. After 2hrs’ drive, around the bend appears the glittering turquoise Yamdrok Lake; Following the winding road along the holy lake, we will reach Gampala pass (4790 m), where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of Yamdrok with the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m). You may also pet the tamed Tibetan mastiff for a lovely shot.

After passing Nagarze, the massive Karola Glacier comes into sight. Stop briefly to view this incredible land glaciers cascading from the peak, right beside the highway. Then, the continuing journey will take us to Manla Reservoir where you can enjoy the turquoise lake and hang the auspicious prayer flags at Simila Pass (4200m). Soon, the awe-inspiring Gyantse looms ahead. Here we are. Gyantse, the third largest city connecting Lhasa with Shigatse.

Visit the famous Pelkor Monastery where multiple Tibetan Buddhism schools coexist in a single monastery; climb multi-story Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, the symbol of Gyantse County, for an amazing vista of Gyantse fortress. With more time to spend, you may take a leisurely stroll in the old street nearby. Shortly after one and a half hour drive, we will finally reach Shigatse(3900m), Tibet’s second largest city and the gateway to Mt. Everest.

Have an early start to visit the celebrated Tashilunpo Monastery, home to successive Panchen Lamas; roam over the alleys of this massive Buddhist academy and explore the tremendous golden statue of Future Buddha (26.2m high) and visit the golden stupas of Panchen Lamas and Amitabha Buddha; you may even join the monk’s chanting at assembly hall or quietly watch the monk debate at courtyard.

Then, we will leave Shigatse for EBC. The long yet exhilarating drive (350km) promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to you. The idyllic farmland scene gradually gives way to the barren land and rolling Himalayan Range.

Feel the adrenaline rush as you follow the dozens of hairpin bends to awe-inspiring Gawu La Pass (5198m), where top 4 highest peaks along the Himalayas may take your breath away. Stay briefly here for an epic selfie with the giants of the world.

The final leg of the journey will take your past Rongbuk Monastery (5154m) to the tented camp of EBC (5200m) nearby. Enjoy your stay in a traditional yak tent; at night, if you dare to brave the cold, get out of the cozy tent to enjoy the stunning galaxy above the EBC which will make your jaw drop.

Have an early rise for the dramatic spectacle of sunrise over the summit of Mt. Everest; you will find that you are not alone for the long-awaited sunrise over the world’s highest peak, together with dozens of well-equipped photographers. Do bundle up for the biting wind outside.

Later, stroll to tour the legendary Rongbuk Monastery (5154m), the world’s highest Buddhist site where pious nuns and monks coexist. You will also be awarded a certificate for making it to EBC.

Finally, say farewell to the lofty Mt. Everest through the rear mirror as the tour vehicle takes you back to Shigatse.

Given the long drive back to Lhasa, you may prepare some snacks or download your favorite music in your smartphone to kill time on the way back via Yalong Valley. Your guide and driver will safely transfer you back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey.