10 Days Best Tibet Hiking Small Group Tour from Tingri to Everest Base Camp

Today is a full cultural exploration of Tibet’s spiritual heart in Lhasa (拉萨).

The day begins with a visit to the iconic Potala Palace (布达拉宫), the former winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. You will explore its grand halls, ancient murals, golden stupas, and sacred chapels while enjoying panoramic views over Lhasa city.

Next, continue to Longwangtan Park (龙王潭公园) at the foot of Potala Palace for a different photographic perspective and a peaceful local atmosphere.

In the afternoon, visit the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism, the Jokhang Temple (大昭寺). Inside, you will see the sacred 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha statue. Outside, observe pilgrims performing full-body prostrations as they circle the temple.

Afterwards, walk along Barkhor Street (八廓街), a lively pilgrimage circuit filled with prayer wheels, traditional shops, and Tibetan handicrafts. You will also experience Tibetan sweet tea culture in a local teahouse.

Evening includes a welcome dinner and group introduction session.

Overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, depart Lhasa and begin your scenic overland journey toward western Tibet.

The first highlight is crossing Gampala Pass (4790m), where you will see the breathtaking turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake (羊卓雍措) surrounded by snow-capped peaks including views of Nyenchen Khangsar (念青康桑峰). You will stop at multiple viewpoints for photography and may also visit a local Tibetan family along the lakeshore.

Continue driving to the Korola Glacier (卡若拉冰川), one of Tibet’s most accessible and impressive glaciers, where massive ice tongues descend dramatically toward the highway.

On the way, you will pass through Simila Pass (斯米拉山口), where travelers traditionally hang prayer flags for blessings and safe journeys.

Arrive in Gyantse (江孜) for a short visit and photo stop of this historic Tibetan town known for its fortress and cultural heritage. Then continue through wide barley fields and rural Tibetan villages toward Shigatse (日喀则), the second-largest city in Tibet.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel and rest, as the journey toward Everest trekking preparation begins the next day.

Overnight in Shigatse.

After breakfast in Shigatse (日喀则), visit the sacred Tashilhunpo Monastery (扎什伦布寺), the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery complex is one of Tibet’s most important religious centers, with golden rooftops, giant Buddha statues, and centuries-old murals that reflect deep Tibetan Buddhist heritage.

Then begin the drive toward Old Tingri (定日), entering a more remote Himalayan landscape. The road gradually climbs out of fertile valleys into vast high-altitude plains, where yaks, nomadic tents, and endless open sky define the scenery. On clear days, distant peaks of the Everest range begin to appear.

• 🚗 Driving distance: ~250 km
• ⏱ Driving time: ~5–6 hours
• 🏔 Altitude gain: ~3,800m → ~4,300m

Arrive in Old Tingri by late afternoon. This is the final stop before trekking begins, so you will check equipment, prepare backpacks, and rest well for acclimatization.

Overnight in Old Tingri.

Today is the first trekking day toward Everest Base Camp. The trail begins from Old Tingri and moves across the vast Tingri Plateau (定日高原), one of the most open and dramatic landscapes in Tibet.

The route passes through gentle hills, yak pastures, and remote nomadic areas. You will cross sections of the Ra-chu Valley (热曲沟), where Tibetan herders live in seasonal black tents surrounded by grasslands and snow mountains.

The walking pace is steady to allow safe altitude adaptation, and the terrain is mostly gradual with occasional ascents.

• 🥾 Hiking distance: ~13 km
• ⏱ Hiking time: ~6–7 hours
• ⬆️ Elevation gain: moderate (approx. 300–400m)
• 🏔 Camp altitude: ~4,600m

Arrive at Lungjiang campsite in the afternoon. The surroundings are completely wild and silent, with panoramic views of Himalayan peaks in the distance. Evening is spent resting, hydrating, and enjoying a simple hot meal under a clear high-altitude sky filled with stars.

Overnight camping in Lungjiang.

Today is the most physically demanding section so far. The trail climbs steadily toward Lamna-la Pass (拉木拉山口, 5097m), one of the highest points of the entire trek.

Early morning begins with a long ascent over rocky terrain and open ridgelines. As altitude increases, oxygen becomes thinner, and pace slows naturally. The scenery, however, becomes increasingly dramatic—snow peaks, glaciers, and endless ridges stretch across the horizon.

At the top of Lamna-la Pass, you are rewarded with a full panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range (喜马拉雅山脉), including distant views toward Everest’s northern slopes on clear days.

After a short rest at the pass, the trail descends into a high valley where the campsite is set.

• 🥾 Hiking distance: ~21 km
• ⏱ Hiking time: ~8–9 hours
• ⬆️ Max altitude: 5,097m (Lamna-la Pass)
• 🏕 Camp altitude: ~4,800–4,900m

Arrive at camp in the late afternoon. The environment is completely remote with no settlements—only glaciers, wind, and mountain silence. Warm dinner is served early to allow recovery.

Overnight camping near Lamna-la region.

Today’s trek continues through high-altitude Himalayan terrain with alternating climbs and descents. The route passes through open ridges, frozen streams, and yak grazing zones used by nomadic families.

Along the way, you may encounter Tibetan herders moving livestock across seasonal routes, offering a glimpse into traditional plateau life that has remained unchanged for centuries.

The landscape becomes more dramatic as you approach higher viewpoints, with increasingly close views of snow-covered peaks and glacier valleys.

• 🥾 Hiking distance: ~18 km
• ⏱ Hiking time: ~7 hours
• ⬆️ Elevation range: ~4,800m → ~5,000m+
• 🏕 Camp altitude: ~4,900–5,000m

Arrive at the Chaya Pass area campsite in the late afternoon. The wind is strong at this altitude, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. The night sky is exceptionally clear, offering one of the best stargazing experiences of the entire trek.

Overnight camping near Chaya Pass.

Today is the highlight of the entire journey. Begin the final push toward Everest Base Camp (珠峰大本营), gradually approaching the north face of Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰).

The trail passes through rugged moraine terrain and high-altitude desert-like landscapes. As you move closer, the massive north face of Everest gradually appears, dominating the skyline.

You will also visit Rongbuk Monastery (绒布寺), the highest monastery in the world at over 5,000 meters, where monks live in extreme high-altitude conditions.

• 🥾 Hiking distance: ~20 km
• ⏱ Hiking time: ~7–8 hours
• ⬆️ Elevation: up to ~5,200m (Everest Base Camp area)

Arrive at Everest Base Camp in the afternoon. Here you will witness:

• The north face of Mount Everest
• Glacial ice walls and moraine valleys
• Sunset glow over the highest peak on Earth
• Optional night sky photography (Milky Way)

Overnight at tented camp near Everest Base Camp.

Wake up early at Everest Base Camp and enjoy the final views of Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰) glowing in the morning light. After breakfast, begin the return journey, retracing the northern Everest route.

The drive starts with a scenic crossing of Gawula Pass (嘎乌拉山口, 5198m)—one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Tibet, where you can see a sweeping range of Himalayan peaks, including several above 8,000 meters on clear days.

From there, continue descending toward Old Tingri (定日) and across the vast Tibetan plateau. The landscape gradually transitions from extreme high-altitude wilderness back to open grasslands and river valleys.

• 🚗 Driving distance: ~340 km
• ⏱ Driving time: ~7–8 hours
• 🏔 Highest point: ~5,198m (Gawula Pass)

Arrive in Shigatse (日喀则) by late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a celebratory group dinner with Tibetan performance and storytelling, marking the successful completion of the Everest trek.

Overnight in Shigatse.

After breakfast, begin the return drive from Shigatse back to Lhasa (拉萨) along the well-maintained Friendship Highway.

The journey retraces scenic Tibetan landscapes, including river valleys, barley fields, and distant snow mountains. This is a relaxing drive after the intense trekking days, allowing time to reflect on the Everest adventure.

• 🚗 Driving distance: ~270 km
• ⏱ Driving time: ~5–6 hours
• 🏔 Altitude: gradually descending to ~3,650m (Lhasa)

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will be transferred to the airport or train station for departure.

The tour officially ends with unforgettable memories of:

• Everest Base Camp expedition
• Himalayan trekking challenge
• Tibetan plateau cultural journey

End of service.