Visiting Mount Everest to see the highest peak in the world towering above you is about more than standing in sight of the mountain. The journey there offers a chance to see the full scale of the vast Himalayan region and the natural wonders of Tibet.

The route to Everest in Tibet can involve going overland, trekking, or even climbing. Choosing from the best routes available for your own needs is a way to ensure you have a journey of a lifetime.

1. Lhasa to Everest Base Camp: The Most Popular Everest Travel Route from Tibet

The most popular Everest travel route in Tibet is from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp on the northern side of Mt.Everest in Tibet. Traveling overland through Tibet from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp lets you see the breathtaking Tibetan Plateau and admire Everest from different viewpoints until finally reaching base camp to spend the night.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

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Generally, the classic Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour takes 8 days by land. The tour starts with time to acclimatize to the altitude while enjoying the sights of the Tibetan capital. See iconic sites like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Drepung Monastery, and experience the culture of Barkhor Street and traditional Tibetan teahouses.

Then, you will take a drive to Shigatse via the G318 National Highway. En route, you will travel over high-altitude passes like Gampala Pass (4,790m) and visit Yamdrok Lake. You can spend some time visiting a local family in the village and have lunch with the locals.

Road trip from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp via Yamdrok Lake.

On the 5th day, you will get the first view of Everest from Gyatsola Pass (5,280m). Then, from Gawula Pass (5,198m), you can see the five highest peaks of the Himalayas lined up in an amazing panorama. Spending the night at EBC is a chance to witness the spectacular sunset, sunrise, and lights of the Milky Way over the mountain.

Travel from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp via Gawula Pass.

The last few days are for the journey back to Lhasa. It takes a different route through the Himalayas and stops at the ancient town of Sakya. There is a chance to visit the home of the Panchen Lama at Tashilhunpo Monastery and then return along the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River.

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet is in the spring or autumn. From April to May and September to November, the temperature is warm, and the skies are clear so that you can get more chances to enjoy a clear view of Everest. Additionally, the dry conditions make the roads safe and easy to travel on.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet, offering clear views of the summit.

2. Tingri to Everest Base Camp: The Most Classic Everest Trekking Route from Tibet

Trekking from Tingri to Everest Base Camp is the most classic Everest trekking route in Tibet, which takes 4 days as part of a 10-day trip from Lhasa. It is an adventurous journey and an intimate experience of Tibet’s natural wonders.

Starting from Lhasa, you will spend the first 3 days in the holy city to explore the landmarks and accumulate to the high altitude of Tibet. Then, it’s on to the Tingri, the starting point of the trek via Shigatse. On the way, you will see places like Yamdrok Lake, Korola Glacier, and Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Tingri to Everest Base Camp Trekking Route Map

The first day of the Tingri to Everest Base Camp trek is a 6-7 hour trek that goes through part of the Ra-chu Valley. The second trekking day is a longer trek from Lungjiang to Lamna-La. There is an awesome view from Lamna-La Pass (5,097m) of some of the highest mountains in the world. On the third day, you meet yak herders and their families on the way to the small village of Zombuk. The last trekking day is the main highlight when you reach Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp.

Trekking from Tingri to Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular trekking routes in Tibet.

The best time to trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp is spring or autumn for the best trek weather. The warm, dry weather is comfortable for long hours outdoors, and the trails are clear and easy to pass. Summer is warmer, but rain can make the trekking route muddy, and fog can obscure the view of Everest.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Shigatse - Old Tingri - Trekking to EBC - Sakya - Lhasa

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To make your trekking to Everest Base Camp safe and enjoyable, there are some additional trekking tips:
1) Wear good quality hiking shoes, and dress in layers for the changing temperatures throughout the day.
2) The trek can be physically demanding. See your doctor for a physical check-up before traveling.
3) Camping is the only accommodation option during the trek because there is no monastery guesthouse along this route. Please prepare a 4-season sleeping bag for cold nights in the wild.

3. Gama Valley Trek: The Most Beautiful Everest Trekking Route in Tibet

Gama Valley is one of the Top Ten Landscapes in the World and the trek through the valley is the most scenic Everest trekking route in Tibet. The 55km long valley is downstream of PumQu in Tingri Country and covers an area of 440 km2. It’s a beautiful expanse of virgin juniper forest, wildflowers, and wild animals. The entire trek is set against the backdrop of some of the world’s highest mountains, like Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Makalu.

Trekking through the scenic Gama Valley on the eastern slope of Mount Everest.

The eight-day Gama Valley trek starts from Youpa Village and ascends 900m to the enchanting Showo-tso Pond. Day 2 is more challenging, the trek climbs over Showo La Pass (4,900m), before descending to Dolshang, the Orchid Valley. The next two days follow zigzag trails through pristine forests with breathtaking panoramas of Gama Valley and Mount Makalu (8,463m). By the end of day 4, glaciers start to appear, signaling that EBC is close. On day 5, there is a steep ascent to Everest Base Camp on the eastern slope of Mount Everest where you can also see Mount Chomo Lonzo (7,804m).

The way back returns to Tangsung Viewing Platform, and then to the camp site of Tsoho-Rim. From there, you can see an epic vista that includes Mt. Everest (8,844.43m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m), and an unclaimed peak (7,000m). The last day of trekking passes over two high mountain passes, Nangma-la pass (5,344m), the highest pass of the entire trek, and the other nameless one is above 5,000m, before ending with an overnight stay at the guesthouse of Lhundupling Village.

15 Days Gama Valley Trekking in the Eastern Slope of Mt. Everest

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Gama Valley Trek - Shigatse - Lhasa

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Trekking in Tibet is best during spring and autumn, and that includes the Gama Valley trek. The best trekking experience is during warmer weather when rain is minimal. If you trek the Gama Valley in spring, you can also see the alpine rhododendrons in full bloom. From the end of September to the beginning of October, after the rainy season, the weather is clear, which is the best time to take photos of snow-capped mountains.

4. The Northeast Ridge Route: The Most Challenging Everest Climbing Route from Tibet

The most challenging Everest route in Tibet is no doubt the Northeast Ridge climbing route to summit the mountain. Compared to the Southeast Ridge Route in Nepal, which is a more common choice due to its easier summit ascent, the Northeast Route in Tibet offers a less crowded but more challenging alternative.

It’s possible to drive right up to north EBC at 5,200m to start the climb of the Northeast Ridge. Of the two main base camps, the peak of Mount Everest is only visible from the one in Tibet. Climbers usually spend some time at EBC to acclimatize and then set out for the interim camp at 6,200m. The route goes along Rongbuk Glacier to Advance Base Camp at 6,400m to rest while preparing to summit. Summiting depends heavily on the condition of the weather and people in the climbing group. The guide will assess the situation and decide on the plan for reaching the peak. It usually takes 4-5 days and allows for time at the summit before starting to descend.

Mount Everest Climbing Route from Tibet

Mount Everest has a unique climate. The summit temperature never goes above freezing and, even in summer, only reaches around -19°c. In winter, the summit is mostly inaccessible, and during the summer monsoon, the mountain is often shrouded in mist. From April to May and September to October are the ideal windows for Mount Everest climbing in Tibet. During spring and autumn, the weather is more stable, and visibility is excellent. https://www.tibettravel.org/trekking-tibet/mt-everest-climbing.html

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Conclusion

Mount Everest is the premier destination in a land full of unique wonders. There are types of travel routes to Everest in Tibet. Whether you’re planning on climbing the towering mountain, traveling to base camp overland, or on a trek, you’ll see stunning visions of some of the most unique landscapes in the world.

Spring and autumn have the best conditions at the mountain, with the best chance of a clear, unobscured view of the peak. Check out our range of Everest Base Camp Tours, and contact us for more information.