Day 1 Arrive Lhasa (3660 m)
You have options to arrive Lhasa, you can join the trip in Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any Chinese Cities. (Please see option detail on ‘general information’ section)
You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3660 meters. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude.
Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.
Day 3 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery.
Day 4 Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization
You get an entire day free for acclimatization. After proper rest, you can either indulge in sightseeing, shop or do whatever you fancy. You also get an option of undertaking an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this will incur extra costs.
Day 5 drive Lhasa - Gyantse (3950m)
Today we start our overland journey towards Kathmandu. Travelling by Landcruiser along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso (lake) to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa 7252m. We continue westwards over another high pass, the Karo La 5045m, where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Our overnight accommodation is at the Gyantse Hotel.
Day 6 Sightseeing & drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m)
Before leaving Gyantse we have time this morning to visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals.
We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. Our overnight accommodation will be at either Shigatse Hotel or Shandong Mansion.
Day 7 Sightseeing & drive Shigatse - Shegar (New Tingri: 4050m)
Today we continue along the Friendship Highway, marvelling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La, 5220m. From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar and our overnight accommodation at Hotel Quomolongma (the Everest Hotel).
Day 8 Drive Shegar - Rongbuk (5000m)
Shortly after leaving Shegar, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La 5150m towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever. We stay overnight at the Gompa Guest House.
Day 9-10 at Base camp
Two days at base camp to acclimatize and explore around.
Day 11 Trek from Everest Base Camp to Camp 1 (5460m)
Trekking the surreally sculpted Rongbuk Glacier you walk away from Everest Base Camp to Camp I for two and half hours or more. Camp I lies amidst moraine hills under picturesque yellow-orange granite cliffs. In the beginning the trekking route skirts the east side of the Rongbuk Glacier and opens into a flat area at 5270m. On the Southwest, Pumori at 7145 m nestled next to Kala Pattar comes into picture. After arriving at Camp I, you may wish to explore snout of the East Rongbuk Glacier lying just 20 minutes away from the camp.
Day 12 Trek to interim camp (5760m)
The trail overlooks glacier-topped mountain as it roll from gravel mounds, mud plain to rocky moraine. Lying directly across from Far East Rongbuk glacier, Interim Camp can prove very beneficial for further acclimatization and super vantage point prior to trekking up to Camp II.
Day 13 Rest day in interim camp
Complete rest keeps you highly fit and fully acclimatized. Additional exploration of the nearby location perfects your mind set and physical fitness for trekking to Camp II and climbing Lhakpa Ri.
Day 14 Trek to Camp II (5970m)
It is about three and half hours or more to ascend from Interim Camp to Camp II. You will approach Camp II at 5970 meter as you near the south side of the glacier at the eastern end of the Changtse Glacier junction lying below huge cliff. Along the trail to Camp II you get to capture huge seracs rising up to 50 feet above the surface of the glacier and endless array of mountain scenery.
Day 15 Trek to Camp III (6340m)
As you march towards Camp III, you trek along moraine following the glacier to the right around the eastern flank of Changtse. Further ahead, you ascend a succession of hills as the glacier softens into smooth snowy ice fields carpeting the approaching ridges. En route you may spot several tent sites and discarded oxygen bottles. 1480 meter straight up from Camp III lies the Pinnacles challenging trekkers to explore its mystiques. Its complexity has kept the northeast Ridge unclimbed for a long time. North Col lies at 7066 meter in the West connecting Everest’s Northeast Ridge and Changste. Through binocular you can see spectacular sight of striated rock summit of Everest extending above the Pinnacles to the southeast little more than 8000 feet (2400 m) higher than Camp III. Beyond Camp III there are gravel hills beside the glacier and you may trek along this trail for one hour provided that you are fully acclimatized.
Day 16 -19 Acclimatization & climb
Five days of complete acclimatization keeps you physically and mentally fit to venture into your forthcoming mountaineering in Lhakpa Ri. You may indulge in exotic sightseeing at Raphu La situated at the foot of the remote north east ridge of Mt. Everest. This gives you a perfect vantage point to capture panoramic views of the north faces of Makalu, Pethangtse and the Kangshung face of Everest. Amid this enchanting alpine environment, you will continue climbing Lhakpa Ri. From the technical point of view, this ascent is quite climber-friendly and involves lesser risks. After six hours of safe Mt Lhakpa Ri mountain climbing, you reach at an elevation of 7,045m where you can sight Lhakpa Ri towering Tibet mountain range mesmerizingly.
Day 20 Base Camp
Now that you have savored the exquisite pleasure of climbing Lhakpa Ri, you retreat to the Base Camp. Yaks are easily available to carry you back. With the cherishing memories of your Lhakpa Ri mountaineering expedition, you overnight at the former campsite in the Base Camp.
Day 21-22 Drive back to Kathmandu
You will drive along verdant Tibetan Plateau through Pang La at 5,200meters amidst the panoramic view of snow-crowned peaks. You even get to glimpse a magnificent sight of Mt Everest and Cho Oyu en route. Eventually, your journey for the day concludes after arriving at Tingri.
Early in the morning, you will leave Tingri on the 4WD land cruiser and en route pass through Lalung La pass at 5,050 meters. Enveloping the fond memoirs of Lhakpa Ri mountaineering expedition, you depart from Tibetan plateau towards Tibet-Nepal border from where you exchange goodbyes with your Tibetan guide and meet your new Nepali guide who will escort you to Kathmandu. 5 hours of scenic drive will take you to Kathmandu.
