# Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour (Tibet) > The Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour is a 10-day overland journey across the Tibetan Plateau to the north face of Everest. Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa for the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery, then drive past turquoise Yamdrok Lake, the Kumbum stupa of Gyantse and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp (5,200 m).Unlike the Nepal side, the Tibet base camp is reached by road, with an unobstructed view of Everest's great north face. The tour returns by road to Lhasa or to the Nepal border at Kerung. It is graded moderate, but the altitude is high throughout, so we build in time to acclimatise in Lhasa. Best from April–June and September–October. The Tibet travel permit, Chinese group visa, guide, vehicle and hotels are arranged by our team. ## Trip facts - **Destination:** Tibet - **Duration:** 10 days - **Difficulty:** Moderate (high altitude) - **Activity:** Overland tour - **Max altitude:** 5,200 m / 17,060 ft (Everest Base Camp, Tibet) - **Best season:** Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct - **Group size:** 2–12 - **Accommodation:** Hotels in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse; guesthouse or tent at Rongbuk - **Meals:** Breakfast daily - **Price:** from US$2,190 per person - **Web page:** https://himalayanhiking.com/lhasa-everest-base-camp-tour - **Book:** https://himalayanhiking.com/booking?trip=lhasa-everest-base-camp-tour ## Overview Tibet's side of Everest offers something the Nepal side cannot: a clear, uninterrupted view of the whole north face, rising above the Rongbuk Glacier, from a place you can reach by vehicle. Combined with the monasteries and palaces of Lhasa and the high-plateau towns of Gyantse and Shigatse, this is Tibet's classic journey. Tours to Tibet must be organised through a licensed agency with a Tibetan guide and private vehicle. From Kathmandu, travellers use a **Chinese group visa** rather than a regular visa, and the **Tibet Travel Permit** and Everest region permits are arranged in advance. Regulations can change at short notice; we keep you updated before you book. ### Tibet Everest Base Camp tour at a glance Trip factDetailsDuration10 days from KathmanduRouteKathmandu – Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse – Rongbuk – Lhasa – KathmanduHighest pointEverest Base Camp (north side), about 5,200 mGradeModerate, high altitudeDocumentsChinese group visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel PermitAccommodationHotels; basic guesthouse or tent at RongbukBest timeApril–June and September–October### Highlights - **Potala Palace**, winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. - **Jokhang Temple** and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit. - **Yamdrok Lake**, one of Tibet's sacred lakes. - **Gyantse Kumbum** and **Tashilhunpo Monastery**. - **Everest's north face** from Rongbuk, the world's highest monastery. ### Altitude Lhasa is at 3,650 m and much of the route is above 4,000 m. We spend three nights in Lhasa to acclimatise before driving higher, and the night at Rongbuk (about 4,980 m) is the highest. Headaches and poor sleep are common; drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. ### Tibet or Nepal Everest Base Camp? The **Nepal side** requires a 12–14 day trek but is a classic walking adventure through Sherpa villages. The **Tibet side** is reached by road, suits non-trekkers and has the better view of Everest itself, but it's colder, drier and needs special permits. ## Highlights - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor in Lhasa - Turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the Karola glacier - Gyantse Kumbum and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse - Rongbuk Monastery and Everest's north face - Everest Base Camp (5,200 m) by road, no trekking required ## Day-by-day itinerary ### Day 1: Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa (3,650 m) Scenic flight over the Himalaya to Lhasa Gonggar airport. Meet your Tibetan guide and rest to acclimatise. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 2: Lhasa: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple Visit the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and walk the Barkhor with pilgrims. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 3: Lhasa: Sera and Drepung monasteries See the monks debating at Sera Monastery and visit Drepung, once the largest monastery in the world. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 4: Drive to Gyantse (3,950 m) via Yamdrok Lake Cross the Kamba La (4,790 m) to Yamdrok Lake and pass the Karola glacier on the way to Gyantse. _Altitude: 4,790 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel · Distance: 260 km drive_ ### Day 5: Gyantse Kumbum, drive to Shigatse (3,840 m) Visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum stupa, then drive to Shigatse and Tashilhunpo Monastery. _Altitude: 3,950 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel · Distance: 90 km drive_ ### Day 6: Drive to Rongbuk (4,980 m) Cross the Gyatso La (5,248 m) and enter Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, with a panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu from Pang La. _Altitude: 5,248 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Guesthouse or tent · Distance: 340 km drive_ ### Day 7: Everest Base Camp (5,200 m), drive to Shigatse Sunrise on Everest's north face, take the eco-bus to Everest Base Camp, and visit Rongbuk Monastery. Drive back to Shigatse. _Altitude: 5,200 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel · Distance: 340 km drive_ ### Day 8: Drive to Lhasa (3,650 m) Drive along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) back to Lhasa. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel · Distance: 270 km drive_ ### Day 9: Free day in Lhasa Free time for shopping, cafés or a visit to the Norbulingka summer palace. _Altitude: 3,650 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Hotel_ ### Day 10: Fly Lhasa to Kathmandu Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Kathmandu. _Altitude: 1,400 m · Meals: Breakfast_ ## What is included - Chinese group visa and Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel Permit and Everest region permits - Licensed English-speaking Tibetan guide - Private vehicle with driver throughout Tibet - Hotels in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse with breakfast - Guesthouse or tent at Rongbuk - Entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary - Eco-bus to Everest Base Camp - Airport transfers in Lhasa - All government taxes ## Not included - Flights Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu (quoted separately at current fares) - Nepal visa fee - Lunch and dinner - Travel insurance covering travel to 5,300 m - Personal expenses and tips ## Useful information ### Permits and visa Travellers entering Tibet from Nepal need a Chinese group visa, issued in Kathmandu, plus the Tibet Travel Permit. We need your passport copy about 30 days before departure and your original passport in Kathmandu for the visa. Rules can change at short notice. ### Altitude The whole tour is at high altitude, reaching about 5,200 m. The Lhasa days are for acclimatisation. Talk to your doctor before the trip about altitude medication. ### Weather Days are sunny but nights are cold, especially at Rongbuk (well below freezing in spring and autumn). Winter tours are possible but very cold; some sites may close. ### Travel insurance Insurance covering travel to 5,300 m and emergency evacuation is required. ## Packing list - Warm down jacket, hat and gloves - Thermal base layers - Comfortable walking shoes - Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm - Refillable water bottle - Personal medicines, including altitude medication if prescribed - Passport with at least six months validity ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet? Yes. Everest Base Camp on the north side is reached by road via Rongbuk, with the right permits. ### How high is Everest Base Camp in Tibet? About **5,200 m**. ### Do I need a Chinese visa? From Kathmandu you need a **Chinese group visa**, arranged by us, plus the Tibet Travel Permit. ### Can I travel independently in Tibet? No. Foreign travellers must join an organised tour with a licensed guide. ### Is trekking required? No, the whole tour is by vehicle with short walks. ### What is the best time? **April–June** and **September–October**. Tibet can close to foreigners at short notice around sensitive dates. ### How do I deal with the altitude? We spend three days in Lhasa before going higher. Drink water, rest and tell your guide about symptoms. ### Where do we stay at Everest Base Camp? In a basic guesthouse or tent camp near Rongbuk. ### Tibet or Nepal EBC: which is better? Tibet has the better view of Everest by road; Nepal has the classic trek through Sherpa villages. ### Are flights included? Kathmandu–Lhasa flights are quoted separately at current fares. ### Can we return overland? Yes, via Kerung border when open. ### How much does the Tibet Everest Base Camp tour cost? Priced per person for a group of two or more, with group rates in the price box.