The Best of Tibet with Everest Base Camp Stay

This morning, we visit the Potala Palace, winter home of the Dalai Lamas and the most famous landmark in the world. Although the palace cannot be freely explored, you will experience some of its chapels including the audience hall, the golden burial Chorten (Tomb) of Past Dalai Lamas, a tremendous number of paintings on the wall, Statue, Thangka, and Mandala, etc.

After lunch, we will visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism and an important sacred site in Tibet.  The Temple was founded during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo for his two brides Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Princes Bhrikuti of Nepal, both are said to have brought important Buddhist images and statues from Nepal and China to Tibet as part of their dowries. After visiting the Temple explore Barkhor surroundings, and watch the pilgrims prostrating themselves near the front gate of Jokhang Temple. Take part in a clockwise circuit walking around the temple, walk around narrow alleys to explore old Lhasa city.

This morning, we will drive 8 km northwest of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Geluk Monasteries of Tibet, founded by Jamyang Choje in 1416. The Drepung is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries and was once home to as many as 10000 monks. This winter Palace was the residence of hundreds of monks from all the major Geluk monasteries for staffing individual Chapels.

Later we will visit Norbulingka Palace which is also called the “Jewel Park”, is a large open area about four kilometers to the west of Lhasa, and is referred to as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Since the time of the eighth Dalai Lama, the park has been used as a summer palace, retreat, and recreation area for the successive Dalai Lamas.

In the afternoon drive 5km away from Lhasa to Sera Monastery founded in 1419, another one of the “great three” Geluk monasteries of Tibet. The monastery is well known for the monk’s debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.

Morning drive 265 km 5 to 6 hour straight to Gyantse, we will drive over three spectacular high passes-the Khamba La at 5100m and Karo La at 5050m and Simi La at 5000 m and over and along the beautiful Lake called Yamdrok Lake or Turquoise Lake. The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, we can have spectacular views of Holy Nyenchen Khangsar Mountain. Once we arrive at Gyantse town we can enjoy the far view of Gyantse Fortress.

After arriving town, we will visit Khumbum Stupa, the giant octagonal Stupa is one of the outstanding architectural achievements build and decorated by a Gyantse Prince. Rising 35 meters high, the Stupa is said to have 108 Cells in the 9 levels / floor surmounted by a golden dome, and contains 77 chapels which line its walls. Next to it is Pelkhor Chode Monastery. The monastery is located in the north of the town adjacent to the fort, containing 15 different chapels and halls belong to different orders of Tibetan Buddhism.

After visiting Gyantse Khumbum we drive 2 hours, 95 km straight to Shigaste the second largest town in Tibet. Shigatse was one of the first towns to be visited by westerners due to close distance with Indian border.

Morning, we visit the TashiLhunpo Monastery which holds both historical and cultural importance for being founded in 1447 at the time of 1^st Dalai Lama Gendun Drupa who is a disciple of Tsongkapa. Hence the monastery is also one of the biggest functioning monasteries of Gelugpa. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking tulku lineage in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

After visiting monastery, we will visit the local markets for shopping and local sightseeing then we continue our journey to Shegar. Shegar/New Tingri is small town situated at the altitude of 4300 meters. The friendship high takes about 4-5 hours to reach Shegar/New Tingri crossing highest Gyatso La pass at 5248 meters above the sea level. On descend if weather permitted, we can enjoy first view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Cho Oyu.

Early morning, we drive off route leaving the Friendship Highway and drive towards Base Camp driving over Pang La pass (5150m) from where we can see incredible view of Himalayan range stretching from Mt. Malaku to Mt. Shisapangma. Before arriving at the Qomolangma/Everest Base Camp we stop at the world highest Rongbuk Monastery at (4980 m) and after taking lunch break at Monastery Guest House we drive toward to Base Camp. Enjoy the closer view of Mount Everest and drive same way back to Shegar or stay overnight in Rongbuk.

Today we drive straight 335 km which may takes about 6 hrs to reach Kerung/Gyirong Town. Gyirong means village of comfort and happiness in Tibetan. On the way to Gyirong we may catch a glimpse of the majestic Mt. Everest and other peaks over 8000m such as Shisapangma, high pass over 5000 m and Piku Tso Lake.  Today, the difference in landscape is quite special-the barren rugged landscape of Tibet to the mighty Himalayas, where the scenery changes to rich forests, typical of the Nepalese foothills. At the recent earthquake in Nepal it serves as the main port of entry into Tibet when coming overland to and from Nepal. Upon Arrive, check in to the hotel and walk around the Kyirong town and visit the Pakba Monastery there.

Pakba monastery is the only four-tiered Nepali-style pagoda temple in Tibet. The temple was built more than one thousand years ago. The main relic in the monastery is the self-rise sandal statue of Lokeshvara. At the present day, it resides in the Dharamsala and the main statue here is a copy of the main statue of Lokeshvara.

After breakfast, Drive 24 km approximately 1 hour downhill to reach Chinese immigration (Rasuwa Gadi bridge) after immigration process we walk through Bridge where vehicle from Nepal side will be waiting. After driving for about 1.5 km we do immigration formality in Nepal side and continue drive to Kathmandu which will takes about 7 hours of drive, by now you will have entered into a completely different landscape one which is vastly different from just where you were a few days ago. Transferred to Hotel in Kathmandu and conclude our 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp.