Overview
Overland 4WD for Everest Base Camp along Friendship Highway
Located at the borders of Tibet in China, Nepal, the Himalayas mountain ranges stretches over 2,400 kilometers, is the world's most majestic mountain. The main peak of the Himalayas is the highest Qomolangma Peak, also called Mt. Everest. Lies in the eastern section of the Sino-Nepali border, it has the north slope in Tingri County in Tibet and the south in the Kingdom of Nepal. Here, the Friendship Highway, is connected the two countries transportations and trades between China and Nepal, and is also the main overland route to the Everest and for travelers coming and going. Indeed, the road makes the trip between two countries easier, especially after it is fully paved in whole tar road since 2011. The trip will drive from Lhasa to Kathmandu, along the Friendship Highway, to pass by Lhasa, Chuchui, Narkhatse, Gyantse, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, Tingri, Zhangmu and exit for Nepal. Or you could take either way from Kathmandu to Lhasa. It may give your well-connection of Nepal trip or possibly get the full view of both north and south slopes of Qomolangma Peak.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Lhasa (D)
Day 02 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 03 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 04 Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Day 05 Lhatze via Sakya Monastery (B)
Day 06 Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Base Camp (B)
Day 07 Everest Sunrise View & Drive to Zhangmu (B)
Day 08 Zhangmu exit for Kathmandu (B)
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Lhasa (D)
Upon arrived at Lhasa Gongga Airport or the Lhasa Train Station, our local guide and driver will pick you up there and then drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for altitude acclimation. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying. The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, the pilgrims are walking around the temple for centuries already. Leisure walk around this crowding medieval street to witness the local lifestyle.
Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit Norbulingka, literally means “Jewel Garden”, was the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later visit Drepung Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of “Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. Then visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 04: Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Drive out of Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and Gyantse. At 4,990m Gangpa La Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake will come into the eyesight, the Karola Glaciers (5,030m) takes on later. At Gyantse, visit Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda, a remarkable monastery coexisting three Tibetan Buddhism sects of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa. With extra 1.5 hours driving, we arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet, explore the town and the interesting local market.
Day 05: Lhatze via Sakya Monastery (B)
Take road westward to Lhatze. On the route, make short detour to the southeast to visit Sakya Monastery. This grand Sakyapa sect. monastery boasts for its countless scriptures and precious mural paintings, mostly of the thirteenth century. Visit the monastery of the southern part, and hike around the northern ruins. Later the short drive to Lhatze and overnight there.
Day 06: Rongbuk Monastery & Everest Base Camp (B)
Hit the mountainous road to Rongbuk Monastery via Shegar. At Gyatso La Pass and Pang-La Pass, if the weather permits, you can overlook the Himalayan mountain ranges stretching endlessly. Roads to Everest Base Camp become zigzags after Shegar, while is full of challenging and fun. Rongbuk Monastery is the world’s highest monastery. Gains the favorable distance to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk is the best and closest view for the Everest and becomes the base camp for the mountaineers who will climb the Qomolangma Peak at its north face. You can get a view for the records of those past mountaineers at Rongbuk; trek (about 2 hours) or take the cable car (about 15 minutes) to E.B.C, where you would possible view the sunset that the peak looks like a white pyramid miraculously shined by the sunglows; have a look for shapes of Rongbuk glaciers, the ones as bridges or pagoda. Overnight at Rongbuk simple guest house (dorm bed).
Day 07: Everest Sunrise View & Drive to Zhangmu (B)
Wake up early morning, enjoy the spectacular sunrise of Mt. Everest and possibly the wonder of “Banner Clouds”, the thick clouds and fog, waving like the flags. After visiting, we drive back to the border town Zhangmu. The trail is set amidst at the cliff of the mountain and is very twisting and twining through the valleys, whilst the scenery in this portion is stunning and incredible greens that reveal the sense all quite different with the rock mountainous areas in Tibet you have past. Arrives this trip’s last stretch Zhangmu, explore this bustling border town.
Day 08: Zhangmu exit for Kathmandu (B)
Morning the guide will help you for the customs clearance and cross the Friendship Bridge to Nepal side. End the wonderful journey.
