Audrey - Canada

Lhatse to Everest Base Camp
We would be stopping at Rongbuk monastery which is 8km down the road from Everest Base Camp. There are only a few monks residing at the monastery now.

We started into a valley. It was one of the longest valleys we have ever seen. The mountains were beautiful, some of the peaks were covered in snow. In front of the mountains were areas of bright yellow rape creating a pretty scene Base Camp. We passed by nomads living in black yak hair tents. We spotted herds of goats and sheep as well as the occasional yak. The goats were really cute with their long furry coats. We stopped in a small village for something to eat. It looked like something out of a western town. We had some jasmine tea and a piece of Tibetan bread, which was more like a pancake. If you don't finish all your tea or beverage the lady just comes around and throws it out on the floor of the restaurant. In this village we had to go to some kind of official building to get our permit for entering the Everest Base Camp area.

We started to climb over a pass, the height of it was 5220 meters. The road was a series of switchbacks going up the side of the mountains. The views below were stunning. We could feel that we were getting quite high in altitude. Our ears were popping a few times and our chests felt heavy. We came to a place where we stopped and had our first view of the snow capped Himalayan mountains in the distance. We all stood in silence taking in the view. It was hard to believe we were really looking at the Himalayan mountains! This area had a Tibetan family living in tents. They were trying to sell us things. There was a grandma, daughter, two older granddaughters, a young toddler, a baby and some older boys who may have been brothers. The boys were playing around and rough housing, they nearly knocked us over once Base camp 2. The grandma and the older granddaughters were fascinated with us. The grandma pointed to my eyes several times. Then yet another boob grabbing! It was one of the girls. I guess the people here just can't get over the fact that other females around the world are larger in this area. The group of them were trying to sell us beads, necklaces and lots of fossils with sea creatures. There are tons of fossils in this area. It is hard to believe it was supposed to have been the sea at one time.

We started the descent down the other side of the pass. After many more hours of driving we finally came to a sign saying to turn left for Qomolangma. We don't recall ever seeing anything that says Mount Everest. That is an English name given to it, you will only here the locals refer to its proper Tibetan name of Mount Qomolangma. We passed through a couple of small Tibetan villages. These people live in such remote areas. It seemed like it would be an okay place for the summer, but the winters would be bitterly cold and harsh.

At one point on the road the driver pointed out and said Qomolangma, we couldn't see much of the mountain, it was covered in cloud. It was exciting nonetheless to know that it was behind it though. We drove for a while longer and finally reached Rongbuk Base camp 3. There is a small hotel there with some modern amenities. They have a dining area and some basic rooms. We assume with water and heat, but never confirmed. They had no rooms left for the night. The couple we were traveling with were going to go stay up in the tents at the base camp. We decided it was not a good idea for us. Jack had not been feeling too well all day and we did not want to take a chance sleeping up any higher than necessary.

We only had one other option for sleeping, that was at the monastery. They had a long building with a dozen or so dorm style rooms. The beds were 40 yuan each, so we just payed 160 for all four in a room so we could have it to ourselves. This worked out to about $22 Canadian. The beds were basic skinny frames with a piece of foam on them. Nothing else was in the room. It was all cement and no heat! There are no washing facilities, day number 3 with no water! The bathrooms were in a plaster shack. They were nothing more than a building with a raised floor and a hole in it. They burnt a pile of coal inside, we are not sure if this was to keep it warm or to keep the smell down Base camp 4. They were disgusting, the smell was horrific and people were not even hitting the hole, feces was all over the floor! We would just find a spot to go outside and avoid them all together.

On the way to this area we had another tire go partially flat. We couldn't put the spare on because shortly after we had it fixed from the last flat, it burst out it's air while it was on the back of the truck. We certainly were not having good luck with the tires on this truck. On top of this the truck seemed to be having problems starting. It was all very disappointing because instead of giving us a discount on the price of our trip the agency said we would get a "new" vehicle. This truck was far from new. So the truck had been driven over 100km with a slightly flat tire. It seemed the driver was not going to get it fixed and planned to make it back to the next town in the morning and then have the tires repaired. We all said we would refuse to get in the vehicle until it was repaired. A phone call was made by Thomas to the owner of the agency. Instead of dealing with the situation at hand of the tires, the guy was going off instead about us going to Sakya when it wasn't planned and saying we would owe more money, despite he had lied and said the road was closed. In all we had gone 50km out of our original trip plan, it was a big deal to him though. We couldn't seem to convey to him that we needed the truck to be fixed Decorated yak skull. The phone conversation ended without us knowing if anything was resolved. We would have to wait until morning to see what would happen.

Your itinerary

 

Day 1 - Arrival in Lhasa

Fly to Lhasa, depending on the transport you use, you are greeted by our tour guide at the airport shuttle stop or train station exit, and transfer to your hotel. The rest of day will be at leisure for you to relax and adjust to the altitude.

 

Day 2 - Visit Potala Palace

Starts in the morning from the religious Potala Palace(3700m ) built in the 7th century by the famous Tibetan king-Songtzen Gampo. The present palace was renovated by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. It became known as the "Winter Palace" by the 1750, when the 7th Dalai Lama built the Norbulingka Park as his summer residence. After lunch, you will visit Jokhang Temple, situated in the old section of Lhasa. King Songtzen Gampo built this temple in the mid-7th century. Now it is the most sacred place in Tibet. Pilgrims come here to pay homage from all over Tibet. Visit Barkhor Street in the evening and sending back hotel afterwards.

Potalace Palce**Jokhong Temple**Barkor Street*

 

Day 3 - Drepung Monastery

Full day sightseeing takes you to Drepung Monastery which is the largest example of the Gelug Sect in Tibet. After that, you will visit Norbulingka Park. In 1752, the 7th Dalai Lama built the first palace here for successive Dalai Lamas to carry out their political and religious activities in the summer season. Then, our guide will take you to visit local Tibetan family and Tibetan carpet workshop.

****Drepung******Norbulingka Park

 

Day 4 - Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse

7 Hours Driving

 

Drive to Gyantse after breakfast. See the dazzling Yamdrok-tso Lake along the way (highland lake 4441m) from the summit of the Kamba-la pass(4794m). Yamdrok is one of Three Holy Lake in Tibet. When arrive at Gyantse, we'll visit Pelkor Chode Monastery. The Monastery is founded in 1418, notable for its superb Kumbum Chode(10,000 Images Stupa), Later transferred to Shigatse for the night.

Yamtso Lakde***Pelkor Chode Monastery

 

Day 5 - Shigatse, Shegar, Rongphu Monastery, E.B.C

8 Hours Driving

 

Sets off in early morning for Rongphu via Lhatse and Shegar(4378m), cross over Gyatsola & Pangla Pass, where you will see the Himalaya mountain ranges(5220m) in a clear day. Rongphu is the highest monastery(5154m) in Tibet, ideal for sighting Mt.Everest. Afternoon we'll start trekking from Rongphu to E.B.C(5250m), it takes about 2 hours. Or you can take a local sight seeing bus(own expense). Stay overnight at Rongphu guest house.(dorm bed)

*****Rongphu*******Mt.Everest**

 

Day 6 - Rongphu, Shegar, Shigatse

7 Hours Driving

 

At dawn, If you are lucky enough, you will see sunrise at Everest base camp, In late morning we'll start driving back to Shigatse. Overnight at Shigatse.

 

Day 7 - Shigaste, Lhasa

7 Hours Driving

 

Morning we'll visit the Bachen Lama sanctuary in Tashilunpo Monastery, which was Built in1447 by the first Dalai Lama. And then the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas. Afternoon drive back to Lhasa along Yarlong Tsangpo river by the Nepal friendship highway. Stay overnight at Lhasa.

Tashihunpo Monastery

 

Day 8 - Goodbye to Lhasa

Morning drop off at the airport shuttle stop or send to the bus station for train.

 

Trip Cost

Size 1 ppl CNY 2 ppl CNY 3 ppl CNY

May -

Oct

 7600 4250 3133

Nov -

Apr

 5850 3375 2550

 

Size 4 ppl CNY 5 ppl CNY 6 ppl CNY

May -

Oct

 2475 3120 2733

Nov -

Apr

 2038 2940 2208

 

Size 7 ppl CNY 8 ppl CNY  

May -

Oct

 2357 2150  

Nov -

Apr

 1907 1756  

 

Price Include

1. Tibet entry permit

2. Tour guide

3. Car rental

4. EBC Toll Gate

 

Own Expense

1. Flight & train tickets

2. Attractions

3. Accommodation

4. Meals & tips
5. Guide's EBC entrance