Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour via Everest Base Camp

Drive to Old Tingri crossing spectacular Lalung La pass (5,050m). This drive provides fabulous view of the high mountains including, Mount Everest (8,848m) Jugal Himal, Mt. Makalu (8464m) and more. Overnight in old Tingri at guest house.  

Morning breakfast and a comfortable short drive to Rongbuk. Rongbuk monastery first, it is the highest monastery in Tibet. Enjoy the unique view of Mt. Everest (Mount Quomolangma), you can have a face to face experience of Mt. Everest, afternoon drive to Base Camp by local bus, walk (16 kms round trip) around base camp. In the evening time back to Rongbuk. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. Overnight in Rongbuk guest house.

In the morning enjoy the sunrise of Mt Everest and visit Rongbuk monastery first and it is the highest monastery in Tibet, then drive down to Lhatse via Xegar. Today we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La (5,220m). From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, Shortly after leaving Shegar, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La [5150m] towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever. Overnight in Lhatse at guest house. 

After breakfast, drive to Sakya (30 Kilometer), visit famous Sakya Monastery. This is the ancestral temple of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the 6thyear (1073) of the Xining reign of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) by Khon Konchog Gyalpo, the founder of Sakyapa sect of Lamaism. Sakya, meaning "Grey Soil" in Tibetan since the soil surrounding it is gray; it is the central monastery of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the Yuan Dynasty, the fifth Sakya Throne Holder, Drogon Chogyal Phakpa, known as Phakpa, was appointed as the National Priest by Yuan Emperor Shizu. He took charge of the Buddhist and executive affairs of Tibet and initiated the history of monk's reign in Tibet. In the 2ndyear (1265) of the Zhiyuan reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Phakpa returned to the Sakya Monastery. Three years later, with the subsidy of Yuan government, the Sakya Monastery commanded a great number of Han, Mongolian and Tibetan craftsmen to rebuild the Sakya Monastery. It became the political center of Tibet at that time. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the Sakya Monastery's position was replaced by Kagyu sect. Sakyapa sect only retained its religious and political power in Sakya region. As a result, the Sakya Monastery gradually declined and fell into disuse.

Lunch in the afternoon, we drive to Natang Monastery; The Natang Monastery in Xigaze is one of the survivors. At its peak of prominence, the monastery had a population of some 3,000 monks and 13 sutra hall. Its sutra printing house was the oldest of the three major ones in the Tibetan -inhabited areas. It boasts a huge collection of Tibetan printing blocks and hand-copied Buddhist scriptures. Tripitaka engraved and printed in 1732 and 1742 were the oldest of their kind. Gangyur of the Tripitaka is legendarily the only authentic edition of the Gelug Sect. Evening time, we arrive in Shigatse, the second biggest city in Tibet. Overnight at hotel. 

In the morning visit the Tashilunpo Monastery and the free bazaar of Xigaste. After lunch embark on a pleasant drive to Gyantse. Here you visit the Khumbum Stupa and Phalkot Monastery. En route you visit Shaulu Monastery. Shalu Monastery is located 20 kilometers southeast of Shigatse. It was first built in 1087. It demonstrates a combination of the Tibet and Han architectural styles. It is famous for its sandalwood slips carved with Buddhist scripture and a jar for filling sacred water. It is said that for years the water does not decrease or deteriorate. The murals in the monastery are rich in contents and excellent in workmanship and are one of the rare fine arts in Tibet. Overnight in Gyantse at hotel. 

Crossing 2 passes The Karo La (5,010m) and Kamba La (4,794m) pass and lake Yamdrok Tso(Turquoise Lake). You will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamaputra) river and see the distant views of the Potala Palace. Overnight at hotel. 

our tour starts with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts we to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.

Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery. This 17th century Potala Palace offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans' respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery. Overnight at hotel. 

Breakfast, drive to Airport fly back to Kathmandu or you can take a train journey to any parts in mainland china.