The Soul of Tibet ( Tibet Everest Base camp Tour)
Duration: 10 Nights 11 Days
Tour type: Private escorted tour with Tibetan tour guide, private vehicle with experienced driver
Departure: Flexible
Tour code: CTT-12
Max Altitude: 5030m
Everest Base Camp tour, needless to say, is an indispensable of a Tibet tour for tens of thousands of tourists travelling to Tibet. It ‘s about 700 km from Lhasa to the world's highest mountain, Mt. Everest with an elevation of 8,848 meters. It seems to be a long journey, but it is not boring at all for you will be accompanied by beautiful landscapes and famous temples all the way, such as the beautiful Yamdrok Lake that is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and just like an emerald on the plateau, the Karuola Glaciers lying on the roadside, just before your eyes, the Pelkor Chode Monastery with unique style taking in several factions of Tibetan Buddhism, the famed Tashilhunpo known as the Panchen Lama's seat, the Sakya Monastery reputed as the "Second Dunhuang" for its magic murals, and the world's highest monastery, 5,000 meters Rongbuk Monastery. Of course, the Himalayas stretching thousands of miles will never be kicked out of your Everest Base Camp tour.
Day by Day itinerary
Day 01: Arrival To Tsedang from Beijing/Shanghai/Chengdu/Xi’An/Xining/Kathmandu.
Day 02: Tsedang Sightseeing of Yumbulakhang, Tandruk Monastery and Tibetan King’s Tomb.
Day 03: Drive to Lhasa enroute sightseeing of Samye Monastery.
Day 04: Lhasa sightseeing
Day 05: Lhasa Sightseeing
Day 06: Drive To Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake.
Day 07: Drive To Shigatse. Kumbum and Pelku Chode
Day 08: Drive To Xegar Via Sakya Monastery.
Day 09: Drive To Rongbuk
Day 10: Excursion around everest Region and same day drive to Kerung.
Day 11: Drive To Boarder, cross border to Nepal.
Detail itinerary
Day 01: Arrival To Tsedang from Beijing/Shanghai/Chengdu/Xi’An/Xining/Kathmandu.
On arrival you will be received by our representative and will be trasferred to Tsedang. Enroute you will have beautiful sceneries of Tibet as appetizer. On arrival to Tsedang you will be excorted to Hotel as reserved. Overnight in Tsedang.
Day 02: Tsedang Sightseeing of Yumbulakhang, Tandruk Monastery and Tibetan King’s Tomb.
Yumbulakhang Palace: Yumbulakhang is oldest palace in Tibet. Is is also the oldest monumental strcutre in Tsedang. Palace was believed to be that King Nyatri Tsenpo desecended from heaven to built this palace in 2nd century BC. Myths says it is the founding of Tibetan civilization. Yumbulakhang is constructed at the perfect crest of the hill divided into three different components; The tower, the chapel and monks quaters.
Tandruk Monastery: Not very far from Yumbulakhang, Tandrk Monastery is situated at the road side. Tran means roc and druk means dragon in Tibetan. The monastery got is name from the legend that it could only be built after Songtsan Gampo had turned into a roc and conquered an evil dragon. It’s said that renowned figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Padmasambhava and Milaripa, had practised Buddhism nearby after it was built and the remaining relics are Sacred land for the devotees. Trandruk was built during the reign of Songtsan Gampo, and later extensions were designed by Juequjian of it. It’s said Princess Wencheng stayed and practised Buddhism here at one time and left some relics. Trandruk later converted to Gelugpa and experienced large-scale reconstruction and later it belonged to Gelupa (one of the Sects of Tibetan Buddhism). Overnight in Tsedang.
Tibetan King’s Tomb: A tomb near the north bank of Chonggye River is said to be the tomb of Songtsen Gamp, who set up the first unified regime in Tibet. This splendid tomb stands 13.4 meters (about 44 feet) high. On the top, there is a temple for worship in which the statues of Sonftsen Gamp, his wives - Princess Wen Cheng and Princess Chi Zu - and his ministers are displayed. The gate of the tomb opens to the west, the direction of Sakyamuni's homeland, demonstrating the king's piety to Buddhism.
Overnight in Tsedang.
Day 03: Drive to Lhasa enroute sightseeing of Samye Monastery.
Today after breakfast, you will return back to Lhasa, enroute you will be doing sightseeing of Samye Monastery.
Samye Monastery: Samye Monastery was founded in the 8th century during the reign of King Trisong Detsen with the help of the Indian Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita, whom the king had invited to Tibet to help spread Buddhism. Padamasambhava is credited with subduing the local spirits and winning them over to Buddhism. The first Tibetan monks were ordained here after examination, and are referred to as the Seven Examined Men. Over the centuries Samye has been associated with various schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambhava's involvement makes Samye important in the Nyingma school, but it was later taken over by the Sakya and Gelugpa schools. Today, Tibetans of all traditions come to worship here.
After finishing sightseeing of Samye Monastery, you will straight drive to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa
Day 04: Lhasa sightseeing
Today at morning you will have your breakfast in the hotel. Guide will receive you on time in the hotel. Today you will do the sightseeing of Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulinka the Summer Palace.
Potala Palace: Scared Potala Palace is percehed upon the Ri Marpo (Red Hill) 130meters above above Lhasa valley. Potala Palace itself rises 170 meters further making it the highest monumental in Tibet. Marpo Ri has legends that its rocky hill is scared cave was dwelling place of Bodhisattva Chenresi (Avalokitesvara), later used as Meditation cave of Emperor Songtsen Gampo. In 637 AD Songtsen Gompo built a palace on this hill and this structure stood untill 17th century. The construction of present palace was built in the reign of The 5th Dalai Lama in 1645. Potrang Karpo and Potrang Marpo was completed on 1648.
Sera Monastery: Sera was founded in 1419, by Jamchen Chojey (Sakya Yeshe), a disciple of Tsong Khapa.Like the Drepung and Ganden monasteries, it had several colleges: Sera Mey Dratsang, built in 1419, gave basic instruction to the monks. Sera Jey Dratsang, built in 1435, was the largest, and was reserved for wandering monks, especially Mongol monks. Ngagpa Dratsang, built in 1559, was a school for the teaching of the Gelukpa tantras.Young monks printing scriptures. Sera housed more than 5,000 monks in 1959. Although badly damaged following the invasion of Tibet and the Cultural Revolution, it is still standing and has been largely repaired. In 2008, it housed 550 Buddhist monks, but the number dropped to only a handful after the 2008 Tibetan unrest.After the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the destruction of the majority of the monasteries in Tibet, Sera monastery was re-formed in Bylakuppe, India, near Mysore.Because none of the monks of the Ngagpa Dratsang (Tantric College) survived the invasion, only the Sera Mey College and Sera Jey College were re-formed in India.
Norbulinka Monastery: The park was begun by the 7th Dalai Lama beginning in 1755. The Norbulingka Park and Summer Palace were completed in 1783 under Jampel Gyatso, the Eight Dalai Lama, on the outskirts of Lhasa.[1] and became the summer residence during the reign of the Eighth Dalai Lama.The stables of the Dalai Lamas in Norbulingka, photographed in 1986.The earliest building is the Kelsang Potang Palace built by the Seventh Dalai Lama which is "a beautiful example of Yellow Hat architecture. Its fully restored throne room is also of interest."[2] The 'New Palace' was begun in 1954 by the present Dalai Lama and completed in 1956. It contains chapels, gardens, fountains and pools. The gardens are a favourite picnic spot and provides a beautiful venue for theatre, dancing and festivals, particularly the Sho Dun or 'Yoghurt Festival', at the beginning of August, with families camping in the grounds for days surrounded by colourful makeshift windbreaks of rugs and scarves and enjoying the height of summer weather.The palace is located three kilometers west of the Potala Palace which was the winter palace. Additional buildings were added to the park during the first half of the 20th century. There is also a zoo at Norbulingka, originally to keep the animals which were given to the Dalai Lamas. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 05: Lhasa Sightseeing
Today after breakfast you will do the sightseeing of Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor street.
Drepung Monastery: It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge Tashi Palden (1397-1449), one of Tsongkhapa's main disciples, and it was named after the sacred abode in South India of Shridhanyakataka. Drepang was the principal seat of the Gelugpa school until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala and it retained the premier place amongst the four great Gelugpa monasteries. Drepung was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet, a reference to the great Buddhist monastic university of India. In the late 1930s Drepung was divided into four colleges, each housing monks from a different locality: "one being favoured by Khampas, another by Mongolians, and so on." Each college was presided over by an abbot who had been appointed by the late 13th Dalai Lama.
Jokhang Temple: The Jokhang or Tsuklakang (gTsug lag khang), is located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa. It was built during the reign of King Songsten Gampo (605?-650 CE) to celebrate his marriage with Chinese Tang Dynasty princess Wencheng, who was a Buddhist. During the Bon period of Tibet the temple was (and sometimes still is), called the 'Tsuklakang' (Tsulag Khang) — 'House of Religious Science' or 'House of Wisdom.' The term tsuklak refers to the 'sciences' such as geomancy, astrology, and divination which formed part of the pre-Buddhist shamanistic religion now referred to as Bon.[2] It is more commonly known today as the Jokhang, which means the 'House of the Buddha'.For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It is in some regards pan-sectarian, but is presently controlled by the Gelug School. Along with the Potala Palace, it is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Lhasa. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace," and a spiritual centre of Lhasa.
Barkhor Street: Barkor Street, which has a history of over 1,000 years, surrounds the Jokhang Temple. It was originally an important route for Tibetan Buddhists to walk clockwise around to show their devotion. This religious behavior is called 'Barkor' in Tibetan Language. As one of the most bustling sections in Lhasa nowadays, Barkor Street features in sale of various kinds of handicrafts and living necessities from local areas, India and Nepal. In addition, it has also become one of the tourism attractions for visitors from at home and abroad because of its unique historical, cultural, religious, ethnic and commercial characteristics. Everyday, a large number of pilgrims walk clockwise around while turning their prayer wheels, lamas roam around, backpackers pass by, and tourists enjoy a moment of tranquility in bars around Barkor Street. Overnight in Lhasa
Day 06: Drive To Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake.
Today after breakfast you will leave for Gyantse. Enroute you will enjoy the beautiful Scorpion shaped Yamdrok Lake. You will have you best picture shot of Yamdrok lake at the higest alivation enroute to Gyantse, Kampa La above below 4800meters.
Yamdrok Lake: After an hour or so driving from Lhasa, you will reach the foothill of Kampa la. From the view point of Kampa La, you will have your best view of Yamdrok Lake. Though you will not see the scorpion shaped lake (view map) but you will see the sky blue water also snow capped in winter. You will drive along the Yamdrok lake for about an hour to Gyantse. On arrival to Gyantse you certain will be tired. Driver and guide will drove you to the hotel where its booked. Take rest and have dinner. Overnight in Gyantse.
Day 07: Drive To Shigatse. Kumbum and Pelku Chode
Today after breakfast, driver will first drop you and the guide at the Kumbum and Pelku Chode. These are the very important sightseeing spots of Gyantse.
Kumbum: The first Kumbum was founded in the year 1427 by a Gyantse prince. It has nine lhakangs or levels, is 35 metres (115 ft) high surmounted by a golden dome, and contains 77 chapels which line its walls. Many statues were destroyed during the cultural revolutions and have been replaced by clay images. But it lacks the artistic merits of original.
Pelku Chode: Pelku Chode is the Monastery inside the same compound of Kumbum. After finished with sightseeing of Kumbum and Pelku Chode, you will drive to Shigatse. It about 95kms from Gyantse. On arrival to Shigatse you will be driven to Hotel. Oernight in Shigatse.
Day 08: Drive To Xegar Via Sakya Monastery.
Today after breakfast you will do the sightseeing of Tashilunpo Monastery
Tashlunpo Monastery: Tashilunpo Monastery was founded in 1447 and is the largest Yellow Hat sect monastery in Tibet. Shigaste is Tibets 2nd most important city and Tashilunpo was the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilunpo contains chortens, temples and the Panchen Lama?s palace. At its peak, Tashilunpo had more than 4,000 monks in its 4 monasteries. Upon the death of a Panchen Lama, it was the 4 abbots of these monasteries that would lead the search for his infant reincarnation.The monastery is a striking red, white and black Tibetan structure with a golden roof. Within the monastery there is a 5 story temple, which contains a 26 meters (86ft) sitting statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The statue was cast from 6,700 ounces of gold and over 115,000 kg of copper, making it the biggest copper Buddhist statue in the world. The massive Thangka wall at Tashilunpo can be clearly seen from most points in Shigaste. The wall is used for displaying enormous Thangkas - religious painted banners - for only a few festival days each year. After sightseeing you will drive to Xegar.
Sakya Monastery: The seat of the Sakya or Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism, it was founded in 1073, by Konchok Gyelpo (1034-1102), originally a Nyingmapa monk of the powerful noble family of the Tsang and became the first Sakya Trizin. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century after the downfall of the kings until they were eclipsed by the rise of the new Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight in Xegar.
Day 09: Drive To Rongbuk
We drive to Dza Romgbuk Monastery, crossing Pang La (5120m/16,794 ft) that rewards you with excellent views of several 8 thousanders like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Mount Everest. The journey mostly goes through dirt road, passing through several picturesque villages. Upon arrival, check in a guesthouse or monastery accommodation and after refreshment; take an hour walk trek to the Everest Base Camp (5200m/17,333ft). Enjoy an unobstructed view of Mount Everest, from bottom to the top. Walk or take ox cart ride back to the monastery for overnight. Basic guesthouse accommodation.
Day 10: Excursion around everest Region and same day drive to Kerung.
Today you will do normal sightseeing around the Everest Region. On the same day you will trace your way to Kerung. Kerung is small town near Tibet/Nepal Baorder. Overnight in Guesthouse.
Day 11: Drive To Boarder, cross border to Nepal.
At the Boarder, see off Tibetan Guide and driver and continue to Kathmandu with the Nepali counterpart. We stay in a deluxe hotel in Kathmandu that we deserve after traveling in rugged Tibetan terrain with limited facilities.
What's the price included?
- Private professional English-speaking Tibetan tour guide.
- Private transportation.
- All necessary Tibet travel permits.
- All accommodations with Breakfast, based on Double/Single/Triple-occupancy according to your requirement
- Deluxe/Standard/Budget accommodation according to your requirement
- Airport/train Station pick up & Drop
- Admission fees, Monuments entrance fees and activity expenses according to the itinerary.
- Service & government taxes.
- Tourists Accident/Casualty Insurance
What's the price excluded?
- China visa/Tibet Visa
- All air tickets and train tickets to and from Tibet.
- Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.
- Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
- Single room supplement
Useful Information
Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour
- Everest Base camp tour - 08 Nights 09 Days
- Everest Base camp Tour from Tibet - 08 Nights 09 Days
- The Soul of Tibet - 10 Nights 11 Days
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