OVERLAND LHASA VIA EBC TREKS
Overland tour to Lhasa via Chomolongma / Everest base camp (EBC) is a journey into the spiritual highlands. Overland drive from Kathmandu to Tibet for the legendary city of Lhasa is where we have days of guided sightseeing and visit to the magnificent Potala palace (former residence of Dalai Lama), temples, squares and numerous sites. Before that, on the way we have several stops and trip to Everest base camp at tibetan side. A closer encounter with the world’s highest mountain soaring right above you is really a breathtaking treat and of course a major highlight of this tour. Upon reaching tibet, we take the cultural tour of Lhasa to explore multiple facets of this region.
Overview
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
Day 03: Kathmandu to Nyalam (3800m) >>> 153 km-5 hr
Day 04: Nyalam to Lotingri/Dingri (4050m) >>> 150 km-3 hr
Day 05: Lotingri/Dingri to Sakya (4100m) via Everest base camp (5200m) >>> 290 km-5 hr
Day 06: Sakya to Shigatse (3900m) >>> 190km-4 hr
Day 07: Shigatse to Lhasa (3650m) >>> 365 km-6 hr
Day 08: Lhasa sightseeing >>> 5-6 hr
Day 09: Lhasa sightseeing second day >>> 5-6 hr
Day 10: Return to Kathmandu or proceed to another destination
Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
We receive and welcome you at Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu, showing our signboard outside the airport terminal. You are then transferred to the respective accommodation for a wonderful stay.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley
After breakfast, sightseeing experience starts with city tours and some heritage sites.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Nyalam (3800m) >>> 153 km-5 hr
After breakfast, journey begins for a Tibetan border. Way along, we pass through splendid sights- hillside villages, cascading waterfalls and rivers. We have lunch at border and pass through the Nepalese side of customs and immigration. Upon crossing friendship-bridge, we will be at Tibet! Then, we take around half an hour drive from Kodari to Zhangmu where we must pass another immigration checkpoint. We then drive on a steep winding road from there and have overnight in Nyalam.
Day 04: Nyalam to Lotingri/Dingri (4050m) >>> 150 Km-3 hr
In the morning, we stroll around Nyalam that would help us to acclimatize with high altitude. After lunch, we depart for Lotingri. On our way, we will visit Milarepa cave and Chamda hot spring. Our journey would lead us to encounter the fabulous passes: Thong La pass (5050m) and Lalung La pass (5082m). Along these, we may get to enjoy the incredible views of the high mountains including, Mt. Everest (8848m) and Shishapangma (8013m). We spend overnight in Lotingri.
Day 05: Lotingri/Dingri to Sakya (4100m) via Everest base camp (5200m) >>> 290 km-5 hr
In the morning, we drive towards Sakya. The drive from Lotingri to Rongbuk will be through the roads quite bumpy. In Rongbuk, we visit Rongbuk monastery that is among the highest monastery in Tibet. We then drive towards Everest base camp (5200m) while enjoying views of superb mountains like Cho Oyu (8201m), Shishapangma (8013m) and mighty Everest known as Mt. Chomolongma in the Tibetan side. It can be considered as the accomplishment of major highlight of this tour.It is a mind boggling experience to encounter face-to-face with the greatest mountain on the planet. We tentatively make 16km round trip around EBC. The base camp itself is dry and quite barren, but the spectacular view of Everest is way more than compensating. The base camp is indeed a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above us. We have an overnight in Sakya.
Day 06: Sakya to Shigatse (3900m) >>> 190km-4 hr
After breakfast, we visit Sakya Monastery that is the ancestral temple of Tibetan Buddhism. We then continue our drive to Shigatse, second biggest city in Tibet. We visit another famous monastery – Tashilhunpo monastery that has both historical and cultural importance, founded by Gendun Drup, First Dalai Lama in 15th century. We have an overnight in Shigatse.
Day 07: Shigatse to Lhasa (3650m) >>> 365 Km-6 hr
In the morning, we embark on a pleasant drive to Gyantse where we visit Khumbum Stupa, Phalkot monastery and Gyantse Dzong (Fortress), one of the best preserved dzongs in Tibet. From Gyantse, we continue our trip to Lhasa, crossing Karo La (5010m) and Kamba La (4794m) passes and Lake Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake), among the largest sacred lakes of Tibet, also believed to be the transformation of a Tibetan goddess. We further cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamaputra) river and see Potala palace from a distance. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 08: Lhasa sightseeing >>> 5-6 hr
We start sightseeing in Lhasa after breakfast. We visit the beautiful Potala and Norbulingka palaces. Built in 17th century, Potala palace offers astounding views of entire city and houses the private quarters of Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and halls. Norbulingka palace is the summer palace of Dalai Lama and houses the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Next, we visit the Tibet museum having a permanent collection of about 1000 artifacts related to the cultural history of Tibet. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 09: Lhasa sightseeing second day >>> 5-6 hr
After breakfast we visit Drepung monastery, Sera monastery, Jokhang temple and Barkor bazaar. Drepung monastery that was built in 14th century, is believed to have around 10,000 monks in the past. History, culture and religious beliefs of the Tibetan people are centered in this amazing monastery. Sera monastery is a preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Jokhang temple is yet another crucial sacred site that unravels more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan buddhism. We further walk around Barkor bazaar (market). With its open air stalls, shops and crowd of pilgrims, it is also a center of Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 10: Return to Kathmandu or proceed to another destination
You may opt for returning back to Kathmandu or proceeding to another destination.
Essential Information
Passport & visa
All foreigners beside Indians have to get a visa to enter Nepal. Unlike other countries, Nepali consulates and embassies issue visas without much fuss. On-arrival visas also are issued instantly at Tribhuvan international airport or at the border checkpoints. It may without difficulty be acquired at the Nepal/China border too. While you arrive at the airport you have to fill in a form and submit a passport photo. A single entry visa is valid for 15, 30 or 90 days. At the airport, you could pay this sum in any major foreign currency. Kids below 10 are required to have a visa however are not charged. In case you are making plans to go to India, Tibet and Bhutan you can follow for a more than one entry visa. You could change your single entry visa to multiple visa at Kathmandu’s immigration office. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months. All foreign nationals getting into Nepal are required to arrange a visa either on arrival or in advance. A Nepalese visa may be received both prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad and on arrival in Kathmandu at the airport. Note: Citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Liberia are not subjected to obtain the Nepalese visa upon arrival. Nepalese visa can also be secured at entry at Nepalese borders.
Lukla [Everest]
Please note the flights to and from Lukla rely on weather conditions. Awful weather might delay flights. While planes are grounded due to terrible climate, helicopter charter organizations operate mountain flights to Lukla. On your request, we even arrange a helicopter flight (to or from Lukla) for you. Whilst trekking in the mountains we stick to the standard itinerary. However if bad weather persists or if something occurs (natural calamities like landslide, avalanche or so), our trek leader regulates the itinerary. For instance, if horrific climate persists for days that disrupts your journey time table, you get the choice to cancel your trek to Everest and book other trekking regions – Annapurna, Langtang and many others or a cultural excursion. We assist on proper itinerary for you; one which fits your budget and time.
Weather
The coldest month is January and the hottest is July. We say weather of Nepal is mild which means winter is dry and summer is hot. Monsoon lasts from around June to August. However rest of the year is dry. March to May is spring and September to November is autumn and they are additionally the most pleasant seasons. During winter (December, January and February), temperature drops down with snowstorms mainly in the high mountain areas.
Banking and foreign exchange
Payment in hotels, travel offices and airways can be made in foreign exchange. Credit card payments are common at major business institutions. There are plenty of machines or ATMs in towns and most will receive cards issued through any of the banking networks. Cards like Visa, Master, JCB and American express are simply universal at hotels, restaurants, airlines and major visitor centers.
Custom formalities
Upon arrival in Nepal, your luggage should be cleared by customs at the entry. You are allowed a private computer, digital camera, movie/video camera or so. If you buy an antique item in Nepal and need to take it back home with you, it needs to be licensed by the department of Archaeology. In Nepal, it is unlawful to take items abroad that are 100 years or older.
Emergency
Please do not forget to provide your emergency contact records whilst filling out forms. You could mention the contact information of a member of the family or a person close to you.
Safety and security
Nepal is one of the most secure and hospitable destination for tourists. Nepalese are friendly and most of them assist visitors. Crime rate is very low as Nepal police is strict and smart. Tourism police is always on high alert and stand by. As per the review, it has been found that travelers rarely experience any hassle and difficulties while in Nepal.
Phone/SIM/data plan
Upon arrival in Nepal, you can get a sim card at ease under certain terms & conditions. We can arrange it on your behalf. While in mountains, you may face some difficulties to receive internet range. In that case, you might need mobile data plan since it works everywhere. We assist on this if you require. Yet wireless internet works in majority of cities & towns nowadays. Internet system has already been installed even in Mt. Everest. These days you can mostly get a good internet access in Nepal.
Electricity
In Nepal the standard voltage is 220 – 230V and the frequency is 50 HZ. In cities, maximum hotels have multi-adapter style sockets but in the mountains the teahouses may or may not have these. It would be good to have international adapter with you to fit your devices. Some teahouses along the trail use solar too.
Vaccinations
We advise you to go to a health practitioner specialized in travel associated illnesses months before your trip departure. Take the specified boosters and vaccinations. You ought no longer to fear about tropical illnesses in case you are hiking in the mountains.
Baggage
On the path while your heavy baggage is carried by porters, you shall be carrying a light daypack of your valuables and accessories. Please make sure the baggage for a porter does not weigh more than 20 kg. One porter usually carries the bags of two guests. The luggage allowance for domestic flights is 20 kg. Maybe you ought to pay for extra luggage if your general bag weight exceeds it.
Body condition & experience
Walking in higher altitudes is physically demanding. In case you are in proper health; have common physical wellness, positive attitude, self-confidence and strong determination; you can easily do the trek. We would suggest exercising and walking regularly for some weeks prior to the experience. This may assist you on your energy and balance. Participants who have coronary heart, lung and blood illnesses are required to seek advice from their physician before participating.
Altitude sickness & Acclimatization
At higher altitudes, air gets scanty and oxygen level decreases. One has to acclimatize properly before going higher. Going too rapid will result in acute mountain illness. The symptoms consist of issue in breathing, nausea, headache, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, vomiting and many others. If left untreated, it might affect major organs too. All our itineraries permit enough time for acclimatization. One or two relaxation days have been allocated at lower elevations before you challenge into the higher levels (3500 to 4000 meters and above). This could supply your body enough time to get used to thin air. Additionally our guides bring a first-aid kit to stop and minimize the signs and symptoms of altitude sickness. On the trail, keep yourself hydrated with fluids as dehydration doubles the risk. To be more secure, we advise you to consult your medical doctor earlier than booking a trek.
Equipment & packing list
We also want you to take into account that the clothing items may vary with season and the trek duration. The listing given below is a basic guideline that may help you for your adventure:
Valid passport, passport size photos, airline tickets, insurance
Dollars, pounds or Euros
Payment cards, ATM, coins
Required clothing … etc …
Travel coverage
It is a good idea to have a travel insurance policy whilst traveling to Nepal. Nepal is a great destination where most of the travelers encounter grand himalayan peaks and enjoy special adventure excursions. You will attain above 4000m in most of the treks in Nepal and it is fine to have a policy that covers clinical and emergency rescues. Helicopter rescue and emergency evacuation is common in Nepal so that you ought to pick out insurance accurately. It is a wise selection to have insurance coverage that can pay directly to hospitals as opposed to you having to pay for it.
Arrival & Departure
We offer airport pick up and drop off. On arrival at the Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu, we are there to welcome you. On the final day, you will be transferred to the international airport well in time (3 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure) to catch your flight.
Include/Exclude
*Airport / hotel / pick up & drop off on a tourist vehicle ✓
*Guided town tour in Kathmandu valley or related attractions ✓
*All meals throughout the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) ✓
*Guesthouse accommodation during the trek ✓
*Required trek staff, guides and porters for your bags ✓
*Trekking equipment and special clothing ✓
*Food, accommodation, coverage, device and medicine ✓
*National park permits, TIMS permits & tickets ✓
*Vehicles to/from Kathmandu ✓
*Sightseeing/monument entry tickets in Kathmandu ✓
*Government tax, vat & revenue ✓
*Official costs ✓
*Visa fees
*Travel insurance that covers emergency rescue and evacuation
*International flight fares and airport tax
*Alcoholic, canned or any beverage
*Gratuities & private expenses
*Any other that is not mentioned within the prices include section …