Pilgrimage to the Roof of the World
Some say the earth has three poles: the North Pole, the South Pole, and Tibet. The collision of tectonic plates has brought about the world's highest peak and incredible plateau scenery. Its location at the crossroads of oasis culture, nomad culture, farming culture, and ancient Indian culture helped its people cultivate their unique Tibetan culture and mysterious religion.
This 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp private tour includes all the cultural heritage sites that you are probably looking forward to seeing in Lhasa followed by a holy lake, a glacier, and awesome snow-capped mountains on your way to EBC. Some activities allowing you to interact with local people have been added to enrich your experience on this once-in-a-life-time pilgrimage.
Lhasa to EBC Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Stand in Front of the "Apex" of the Roof of the World
Travel to Everest Base camp, and witness the starry sky and the morning sunshine as never before on "the roof of the world".
Be Blessed by a Lama in the Highest Monastery
Talk with a lama in Rongbuk Monastery, which is at the foot of Mt. Everest. Receive a most sacred blessing in the highest monastery in the world.
Unlock Stories of the Mysterious Dalai Lamas in the Potala Palace
Discover the secrets of building the highest palace in the world. Be impressed by the priceless treasures in the palace. Listen to stories of Dalai Lamas who lived in the palace.
Step into Tibetan Life in the Less-Touristy Corners of Barkhor Street
Feel the piety of local Tibetans as you see them worship with their whole body touching the ground. Explore a local market to experience Tibetan daily life and sit in a peaceful nunnery for a cup of sweet tea that's loved by locals.
Enjoy a Picnic on the Bank of the Holy Lake
Pilgrimage to the Lake Yamdrok and enjoy a picnic on the bank with a great view of the lake.
Encounter a Fabulous Glacier
Get close to the Karola Glacier which is one of the top three continental glaciers in Tibet.
Experience a Local Tibetan Family's House and Farming Work
Discover Tibetan folk customs when you visit the living room of a local family's house. Listen to the hosts talking about their daily life. Help Tibetan people with their farming work, such as seeding, cutting barley, or hanging barley on racks.
Listen to the Stories of Panchen Lamas in Splendid Tashilunpo Monastery
Admire the architectural beauty of Tashilunpo monastery: its golden roof, red walls, and white pagodas. Get to know the relationship between Dalai and Panchen lamas and the reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Incredible Life Experience with an Incredible Guide and Driver
There’s so much to say about this trip and our guide and driver who made it amazing for us. The culture and the sites are incredible to witness. From Lhasa to Shigatse to Everest Basecamp to Qirong Border, our guide (Dechen) gave us the most amazing tour and was incredibly knowledgeable about all the sites along the way. She made sure we felt welcome and were comfortable the entire time (from picking us up at the airport with traditional scarves, having heavy blankets ready to keep us warm, prayer flags for us to experience local culture, and oxygen bottles for us when the altitude got to us). Such an incredible experience, made even better by our guide Dechen and our amazing driver who got us around safely and comfortably. How he could navigate hundreds of switchbacks without making us carsick is a true testament to his driving skills. We felt very safe with him at the wheel. Thank you both! more
Dec 2024, Robert S
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Wonderous experience to close 2024
We are a family of 4 with two kids with allergy. This was our third time travelling with China Highlights. So Leon, our planning guide, knows very well what our requirements and likings are. All the planning was as smooth as they can be. Our local Lhasa guide was Khamsang who has excellent knowledge in all things Tibet, from nomad's life style, city life, religion, food and many more. This was children's first time on high altitude trip and as had expected one of them got quite sick. Khamsang, a mother herself, was very quick to take us to the pharmacy and received proper care in time. Although winter isn't peak travelling season of Lhasa because of it's temperature, we enjoyed this extraordinary trip because of both Leon and Khamsang. Highly recommend! more
Dec 2024, Kiyo S
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Amazing Tibet, December 2024
My wife and I had a fantastic tour of Tibet with Pasang of China Highlights. He was very detailed and thorough with his explanations as we visited the various significant sites like Potala palace and Jokhang Temple. His passion to share about his home region of Tibet is clear through his enthusiasm. He also showed us a slice of local life as we visited many local restaurants and tea houses. A highlight of our trip was our journey to Yamdrok lake, the Himalayas and Everest base camp. He was very knowledgeable of the best view points. Pasang and our driver even accommodated our request to shoot some astrophotography at night near Everest even though it was not originally planned. He was also very caring and checks in on us regularly for symptoms of altitude sickness. Overall the tour was very enjoyable and we would highly recommend Pasang to any friends or family who wish to travel to Tibet! more
Dec 2024, d123450
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide and driver will pick you up at Lhasa's airport or train station and accompany you to your hotel.
Start your day with a trip to Norbulingka. There, you can breathe in the fresh morning air and slowly get used to the altitude.
Then visit the biggest and the most important monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, Drepung Monastery.
After lunch, visit Sera Monastery and watch a monks' debate. Guess the meaning of their gestures and grasp the chance to take photos.
This is your third day in Tibet, so you should be physically ready for the Potala Palace. Prepare to enjoy the resplendent chambers, exquisite wall paintings, and the stories about the king of the Tubo Kingdom and Dalai Lamas.
Have a walking tour in the afternoon. Visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street including its local market, admire traditional Tibetan architecture, and take afternoon tea in peaceful Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery.
Leave for Shigatse via Gyantse. First, you will visit Lake Yamdrok. On sunny days, the lake appears turquoise. If it's good weather, you will enjoy a lakeside picnic including sandwiches, vegetables, and fruit.
Along the way, you will view the fabulous scenery of the Karola Glacier, one of the top three continental glaciers (ice fields) in Tibet. And you'll also visit a local Tibetan's house and help them with their farming work.
When you stop at Gyantse, visit the town's top attraction Palcho Monastery. The huge white pagoda and murals are its highlights.
Visit Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, which is the residence of Panchen Lamas and then take the drive to Rongbuk Monastery near the EBC. The journey takes about 6½ hours by car, but you will not get bored: there are stunning views along the way. You will have many chances to take photos of the Himalayas along the way.
Have an unforgettable evening on the Roof of the World, enjoying an amazing view of the Everest at sunset.
Experience the unforgettable moment of watching the sunrise paint Mount Everest in gold. All the effort of your journey will be rewarded.
Visit Rongbuk Monastery near EBC, and see the hard life of the monks and nuns there. Talk with a lama. He will be happy to answer your questions about his life and study. Present a hada (Tibetan silk scarf) to him to express your respects.
After visiting the monastery, you will be driven back to Shigatse.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be driven back to Lhasa. The journey takes about 6 hours, but there is marvelous scenery on the way. You'll travel along the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, where you'll see plateau lakes, rivers, snowy mountains, and traditional Tibetan villages. Your guide will know some interesting stops.
Your guide and driver will take you to Lhasa's airport or train station on time for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes: