Tibet-Mt. Everest 8 D/7 N
Lhasa -Gyantse-Shigatse -Shegar-Mt. Everst (Base Camp)
Itinerary:
Day 1 Lhasa –arrival (3700 m.)
Lhasa arrival, meet your local guide at Lhasa Gongga Airport and transfer to hotel in Lhasa city (60 km. 1 hour). Take a rest in the afternoon in order to become acclimatized to the thin air. Lhasa is 3,700 meters above the sea level. It is the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region.
Day 2 Lhasa
In the morning visit Potala Palace, this was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.
Day 3 Lhasa-Gyantse (4040 m.)-Shigatse (3900 m.)
Leave early in the morning and drive to Gyantse via South Route. (260 km. 6 hours) On the way visit the Yamdrok Tso (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. There enjoy the unforgettable vista of its spear-shaped expanse of turquoise water, with the mysterious Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m) on the peninsula beyond, and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) in the distance. The lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River (3570) are Aprarated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Reach Gyantse in the early afternoon. Gyantse gives the impression of being a small and inconsequential city. Visit the Kumbum Monastery; the pagoda of Kumbum is the most beautiful pagoda Tibet has ever produced. In the late afternoon, you will reach Shigatse (90 km. 2.5 hours).
Day 4 Shigatse-Shegar (4050 m.)
It is a whole day’s drives (270 km, 5-6 hours), enjoy the breathtaking scenery on the road.
Day 5 Shegar-Mt. Everest (Base Camp) (5200 m.)-Shegar
Today’s visit is definitely your highlight of the whole trip. Drive (around 70 km. 1-.5-2 hours) to the Mt. Everest, which stands 8,848 meters (29,021 ft) above sea level. It is often referred to as 'the third pole on earth'. Being the world's highest peak, its legendary status holds a fascination to many trekkers and mountaineers. You will visit the Rongbuk Monastery (5.030 m. above the sea-level), the highest temple in the world. Walk or take a carriage to visit the Base Camp. In the afternoon drive back to Shegar.
Day 6 Shegar-Shigatse
Drive back to Shigatse in the morning, relax drive journey about 6-7 hours. In the afternoon, visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Drive back to Lhasa in the afternoon (270 km, 5-6 hours)
Day 7 Shigatse-Lhasa
Drive back to Lhasa in the morning (320 km. 4-5 hours) via middle road, upon return to Lhasa, visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called "the court of wild rose". Today still 200 lamas live in there. You will be deeply impressed by the scene that so many lamas debate each other on a grand square.
Day 8 Lhasa-departure
Transfer to Lhasa Gongga airport and depart for your next destination.
END