Top of the World - Lhasa-Mt Everest-Lhasa 9 days

The Tibetan name for Mt. Everest is "Quomolangma" which literally means "The Third Goddess". Towering 8848.13 meters in the middle section of the Himalayas, Quomolangma teems with snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Everest region has four peaks above 8000 meters and 38 peaks above 7000 meters, thus is reputed as the Third Pole on the Earth. Glaciers of modern era are located at the foot of the mountains, deep caves and snaking ice rivers present a magnificent view around the Quomolangma. Lhasa, literally meaning “Holy-Land”, is the heart and soul of Tibet, has history of more than 1,300 years. It rose to prominence as an important center of administrative power in the 7th century AD, when Songtsen Gampo, a local ruler in the Yarlung Valley, continued the task of unifying Tibet. Songtsen Gampo moved his capital to Lhasa and built a palace on the site that is now occupied by the Potala. The fifth Dalai Lama also made Lhasa his capital. He built his palace, the Potala, on the site of ruins of Songtsen Gampo’s 7th century palace, Lhasa has remained Tibet’s capital since 1642, and most of the city’s historical sights date from this second stage of the city’s development.

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa

Altitude: 3,658m

Get transferred to Lhasa city and acclimatize. Overnight in Lhasa

Day 02: Lhasa sightseeing

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa’s cardinal landmark – Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.

Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet – Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor– Lhasa’s most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans.Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 03: Lhasa sightseeing

Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.

Drepung is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous. Overnight in Lhasa

Day 04: Lhasa-Yamdroktso-Gyantse-Shigatse

Altitude: 3,658m-4,441m-3,900m

Est. Distance: 350km, about 6.5 hours’ driving

Yamdroktso(4441m), one of Tibet’s three holy lakes, is located 110km outside of Lhasa. In the fresh morning air, you’re on the way to this lake. It’s mostly mountain road, winding and bumpy, even thrilling somewhat. After about 3 1/2 hours’ driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(5030m), the dazzling Yamdroktso just lies several hundred meters below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang(7191m).

Shigatse becomes clearer cause it’s just 1 1/2 hours’ driving (98km). Miles away from Shigaste, you can already see the gold tops of Tashilhunpo shinning under the sun. While Tashilhunpo’s magnificent outside leaves you gasp in admiration, the inside of this monastery introduces you more religious tranquility and sincerity. Just close Tashilhunpo is the Old Town of Shigatse, a great place to wander around: Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid picture of local people’s life. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 05: Shigtase-Tingri

Altitude: 3,800m-4,300m

Est. Distance: 250km, about 6 hours' driving

Road Conditions: bumpy mountain road entering Tingri

Miles away from Shigaste, you can already see the gold tops of Tashilhunpo shinning under the sun. While Tashilhunpo’s magnificent outside leaves you gasp in admiration, the inside of this monastery introduces you more religious tranquility and sincerity.

This afternoon can make you tired as you basically spend more than 6 hours on the rugged road driving. Shegar, also known as New Tingri, is the last stop before Everest Base Camp. Refresh yourself here and don’t forget to wash your dusty face. Overnight in Quomolangma Hotel

Day 06: Tingri-Base Camp

Altitude: 4,300m-5,200m

Est. Distance: 100km, about 3 hours' driving

Road Conditions: bumpy and broken mountain road

Although it’s just 100km from Shegar to Base Camp(5200m), it takes about 4 hours since the cracked winding roads demand much caution. But the views are stupendous on a clear day, and feature a huge sweep of the Himalaya range including peaks over 8000, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu. When you finally get to Base Camp, the first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves you speechless. All the hardship you bear along the way makes sense at this while.

Trekking from Rongpuk Monastery to the base camp. The best moments to watch Mt. Everest’s are early morning and late evening when Everest is shining like a goddess in the sunglow. Overnight in Rongphu Monastery guesthouse