Trekking to Khata
Entering Tibet, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered an entirely different world. Tibet is the highest plateau in the world with an average altitude more than 3500 meters. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan mountain range that separates it from its neighbors, Tibet is an untamed land of nomads (drokpas), monasteries, yaks, sand dunes, and high-altitude deserts that go as far as the eyes can reach.
On this Tibet overland tour, you will spend the first three days, and 4 nights, in Lhasa to acclimatize yourself to the new altitude. That will give you the opportunity to absorb the exoticism of Tibetan heritage and to explore this history-laden city to its core. You will be expertly guided around the most significant and ancient Gompas (monasteries) of Lhasa, Gyantse & Shigatse by your Tibetan tour guide, who will instruct you on the intricacies and mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. With its spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, you will drive down Friendship highway by a car passing through small Tibetan settlements where you will get upfront views right from your vehicle of nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains amidst a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain peaks.
A special highlight of this trip is the visit to Mt. Everest Base Camp (EBC) where you will be rewarded with panoramic and breathtaking views of Mount Everest’s north side. This overland tour will be a mystical delight that will be remembered by the fireside for many winters to come.
Contact Information
107, Beijing East Road Cheng Guan District Lhasa,Tibet China
Zip code 850000
+86 139 890 15156
+86 139 890 15156
WeChat QR Scan Code
Duration: 12 Days
Tour Type: Trekking Tour
Difficulty Level: High-fitness level
Group Size: Max 2-8
Total Fair: $7800 Per Person
ITINERARY IN SHORT
Day 1: Arrival and pick up, either, at the Gongkar airport or at the Libu train station in Lhasa
Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market and Potala palace.
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing: Drepung and Sera monastery.
Day 4: Lhasa to Shigatse. Stopping to visit Tashi Lhunpu monastery.
Day 5:Shigatse to Chutang Village.
Day 6: Trekking about 18km, four to five hours from Chutang to Shawu Tso(4600m).
Day 7: Trekking about 15km, five to six hours, from Shawu Tso, to Jocksham(4100m), passing by Shawu-la (5030m).
Day 8: Trekking about 20 km, five to six hours from Joksham to Tangsum (4300m)
Day 9: Trek about 19 km, five to six hours from Thangsum to Petang (4300m)
Day 10:Trekking about 18km, four to five hours from Petang to Petang Ringmo
Day 11: Trekking about 8 km, two hours from Petang Ringmo to Kangshung base camp (5100 m), East Base Camp of Mt. Everest. Trekking back to Petang Ringmo.
Day 12: Trekking about 18km, four to five hours from Petang Ringmo to Rabgachu (4300m).
Day 13: Trekking about 20km, five to six hours from Rabgachu to Tsoshutima (5000m).
Day 14: Trekking about 16 km, five to six hours from Tsoshutima to Lhundrobling, passing through Langma to La pass (5330m the highest pass). Drive to Rongbuk (5200m).
Day 15:Trekking about 6 km, two hours, from Rongbuk monastery to MT, Everest Base Camp (5200m). Drive back to Shigatse
Day 16:Shigatse to Gyantse. Stopping at Yamdrok lake, Karola. Overnight in Lhasa
Day 17: End of tour. Your tour guide will arrange transportation to either the Gongkar airport or the Libu train station in Lhasa
ITINERARY IN DETAIL
IMPORTANT NOTICE WHEN YOU VISIT THE POTALA PALACE
Day 1:Your tour guide will welcome you, either at the airport or at the train station. The distance from the airport to Lhasa is about 70km, approximately 1:30 hrs. drive. The distance from the train station is only 25km, about 30 minutes’ drive. After that, he will provide you with some necessary instructions about your tour arrangements in Lhasa.
We will accommodate you at the Three Starts hotel or you own choice of hotel.
Day 2: Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have a headache. This is very common for all travelers because of the high altitude, so drink enough water and avoid strenuous activity during this first few days to help you adjust to it.
In the morning our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a visit to the Jokhang Temple which is the center of the holy city of Lhasa. Jokhang temple is one of the most sacred temples in Tibet and has always been bustled with earnest local pilgrims. After that, you will have time to walk around the Bakhor Street, one of the most devotional circuit as well as the most crowded central market in Lhasa. In the old days, it was the most famous local market but nowadays it has evolved into a very touristic gift shopping center. You will be impressed by the crowds of local pilgrims doing prostration in front of the temple, especially during the winter months.
In the afternoon you will visit the Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and, later in the 17th century, rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama. Since then, it served as the home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps is quite challenging, but it is worthwhile to leave your footprints in the spiritual palace on God’s compassion, listed in the world heritage.
We will accommodate you at the Three Starts hotel or your own choice of hotel.
Day 3:This morning we will visit Drepung and Sera Monasteries Deprung monastery is one of the world’s largest monasteries, housing more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lama prior to moving to the Potala Palace. Destruction has taken place at different times, but you can still fully enjoy it. You can walk through numbers of narrow and twisted lanes of monks’ apartments, which are more like a typical village.
This amazing day will end with a visit to the Sera Monastery. It was built in the 15th century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who was a disciple of Tsongka pa. The monastic colleges in Sera house several hundred monks from different parts of Tibet. The famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks takes place every afternoon except on Sundays. Continue acclimatizing to the new altitude and alleviating your jet lag the rest of the day.
We will accommodate you at the Three Starts hotel or another hotel of your choice.
Day 4: Today we’ll begin our drive 280 km, about six hrs., from Lhasa to Shigatse using the Friendship highway. Shigatse is the second biggest city in Tibet. Feel free to ask your guide to stop on the way to take pictures of the beautiful scenery and stretch your legs. In the afternoon we will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet and the seat of Panchen Lama. Admire the beautiful frescoes, statues and sculptures. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. We can also visit to a Tibetan market to experience the distinctive local life. The rest of the day is for the preparations for the trekking.
Overnight stay in Shigatse
Day 5:Today we’ll drive from Shigatse to Chutang 390km. Then, we’ll drive along the Friendship highway to Chutang, via Lhatse and Shegar Town. The rest of the day will be preparing for the trekking.
Overnight camping at ChutangWe
Day 6:Today we will be trekking from Chutang to Shawu Tso with distance of 18km, about five hours to our stop. Our trekking will begin from Chutang through the Khata plain. We will see the beautiful valley scenery with extensive meadows and groups of sheep and goats. This bleak region is home only to herders and barley harvesters.
Overnight camping at Shawu Tso
Day 7:Today we will trek 15km, about seven hours, from Shawu Tso, to Jocksham, our camping site (altitude: 4100m). It will be a challenging high-altitude trekking, climbing uphill towards the top of Shawu-la (5030m).
Overnight Camping at Jock Sham
Day 8:Today we’ll trek from Joksham to Tangsum (4300m) 20km, about five to six hours. In the morning we descend steeply into lush vegetation. We will encounter yak herders and their families. Camping will be made in the small village of Khata. You’ll enjoy truly amazing views as the sun sets in this barren town.
Overnight camping at Tangsum.
Day 9:Today we’ll trek from Thangsum to Petang (4300m) 19km, about five to six hours. We’ll enjoy the nice view of Khata village.
Overnight camping at Petang
Day 10:Today we’ll trek from Petang to Petang Ringmo, a distance of 18km, about four to five hours.
Overnight camping at Petang Ringmo
Day 11:Today will trek from from Petang Ringmo to Kangshung Base Camp (5100 m), East Base Camp of Mt. Everest, a distance of 8 km, two hours. Then we’ll do same trekking back to Petang Ringmo.
Overnight camping at Petang Ringmo.
Day 12:Today we’ll trek from from Petang Ringmo to Rabgachu (4300m), 18km, about four to five hours.
Overnight camping at Rabgachu
Day 13:Our trekking will continue from Rabgachu to Tsoshutima (5000m), 20km, about five to six hours.
Overnight camping at Tsoshutima.
Day 14:Our trekking will continue from Tsoshutima (5330m, highest pass) to Lhundrobling, 16 km, about five to six hours, from there we’ll drive to Rongbuk (5200m).
Overnight camping at Rongbuk.
Day 15:Today we’ll trek from Rongbuk monastery to MT, Everest Base Camp (5200m), about 6 km, two hours. Drive back to Shigatse
Overnight stay at a hotel in Shigatse
Day 16:Today we drive from Shigatse to Lhasa, stopping at the Gyangtse Pelchu monastery, Karo la, Yamdok Lake. The highlight of the Pelchu monastery is the Kubum Stupa which is 35m-high, with white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome. You will pass by the imposing Karo-la Glacier (5045m). We will also visit the famous turquoise holy Yamdrok lake, one of the cleanest lakes in Tibet.
Overnight stay at the Three Starts hotel or you own choice of hotel in Lhasa.
Day 17: End of tour. Your tour guide will arrange transportation to either the Gongkar airport or the Libu train station in Lhasa.
To protect the Potala Palace, a limited number of tourists can go inside. The palace is made of clay and wood, and has become very fragile over the years, thus it is very easy to damage it if too many tourists enter at the same time. Visiting time inside the Palace is restricted to no more than two hours. Due to crowding conditions, tickets are very limited, especially during the summer high season. Sightseeing may also be changed from morning to afternoon, or switched from one day to another according to the situation or the space available.
Please be flexible to this possibility.
SERVICES INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN THE GROUP TOUR
1: Please bring your passport
2: Tickets should be booked one day in advance
3: The visit cannot be scheduled ahead of time, the ticketing officer will let your tour guide know when there is availability
4:You should be at the first security checkpoint one hour ahead of the scheduled time of visit, if you are late then you will not be allowed to re-book a ticket for one week
The following 15 services are included:
1: Payment for Tibet travel permit and all other necessaries permits to Tibet
2: All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
3: Meals as specified in the itinerary.
4: Local tour Transfers, 5-29 seats comfortable tourist vehicle to accommodate Group Size.
5: Professional English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide
6: Comfortable hotel accommodations
7: About your hotel accommodation: you will need to share a room with another member but if you prefer to be by yourself, you will need to pay a single room supplement.
8: Breakfast in hotels
9: Arrangements including planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
10: Welcome Group dinner at a local restaurant in Lhasa.
11: Transportation between Lhasa Gongkar airport or train station and your hotel.
12: Welcome dinner is only possible in Group tours after your arrival in Tibet.
13:Tibet Handy Map.
14: Drinking water at the tour bus during travel.
15: Shared oxygen tank inside the tour bus.
The following 6 points are excluded:
1: International flight in and out of China
2: Domestic flight/train in and out of Lhasa. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price, please contact our travel experts for further details)
3: Lunches and dinners are not included, please pay on site by yourself. Usually it costs about $3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
4: Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please avoid alcoholic beverages during your Tibetan trip), optional tour activities, etc
5: Tip to tour guide and driver
6: Travel insurance covers trips cancellation cost in emergency evacuations, due to bad weather condition, avalanche, or natural disasters