12 Day Tour to Mt. Everest Base Camp
(TEW090412)
Geer's
Group for trekking and climbing
Day by Day
Itinerary (B)=breakfast
Day 1. 9/4/2012
Arrival in Lhasa [3658m]
Highlight: Spectacular Scenery along the way from airport or train station to
your hotel
You will be greeted by your Tibetan guide once you arrive in Lhasa Gonggar
airport or Lhasa train station. From airport to Lhasa is 68 km, around an hour
drive will take you to your hotel. From the train station, it is only 15 km and
takes 20 minutes by drive. Driving along the way, you will not only be amazed
by the spectacular plateau scenery, the scatted villages, but also the
hospitality of your guide and driver. Afterwards check into hotel, have a good
rest to acclimatize the high altitude.
Accommodation: 3* hotel (to be
determined later)
Day 2. 9/5/2012
Lhasa city sightseeing (B) Walking Day
Highlight: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Lhasa old town
Potala
Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure
itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of
the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). It was first built by 33rd King
Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century, but looks very new from outer appearance as
Tibetans paint the wall each year.
Jokhang temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was located in the
heart of Lhasa old town. It is the pilgrimage destination of all Tibetans.
Barkhor Street is a popular Kora which surrouds Jokhang Temple, mingling with
local pilgrims around the Barkhor Street is an extra-ordinary feeling. It is
also a main shopping district where you can buy gifts for your family or
friends.
Lhasa old town is a good place to know the daily life of Tibetans. You can
visit their interesting market, see some specail hand-made stores for bags,
carpets, etc.
Day 3. 9/6/2012 One
day tour to Ganden monastery and Sera monastery [4500m] (B)
Highlights: small hike at Ganden monastery and famous monks detate at Sera
monatery
Ganden Monastery which ranks the first among the six largest monasteries of
Gelugpa. In addition to its magnificent architecture and religious importance,
there is an extremely fabulous view on top of the Ganden Wangpo Hill. Kichu
valley is behind Ganden monastery, it is strongly suggested to hike around the
monastery and take a bird's-eye view of the valley.
Sera monastery's famous monks debate between 3 pm to 5pm (not available on
Sunday) is well worth to see. After lunch at a special restaurant at Ganden,
you will be driven here for nice view.
Optional program: At night, your guide can take you to enjoy the local Tibetan
show ( price is not included).
Day 4. 9/7/2012
Lhasa/ Drak Yerpa 16km (B)
Drive to
visit Drak Rerpa. Drak Yerpa is a place that has deep meaning in Tibetan
spiritual culture. There is a saying goes like this: "Lhasa is the shrine
of Tibet, Drak Yerpa is the shrine of Lhasa. Not seeing Drak Yerpa in Lhasa is
just like making a dress without the collar." The entrance to the Yerpa Valley is about 16
km northeast of Lhasa on the northern bank of Kyichu River. From there, it is
another 10 km to the famous ancient meditation caves.
Day 5. 9/8/2012
Lhasa / Yamdrok Lake / Gyantse
[4040m] (B)
Highlights: Yamdrok Lake, Karo la glacier, Gyantse Kumbum, Tsampa factory
Yamdrok Lake is one of the 3 holy lakes in Tibet and also the easiest one
to reach. The scenery on the way to Yamdrok Lake is great and awesome, you will
wind your way through snow-capped mountains and then drive along the lake for
about half an hour, you can get out of the car sometime to touch the blue
water.
Karo La pass [5100m] which is overlooked by Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. A
short stop will be arranged here.
Gyantse Kumbum is one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet.
Tsampa
workshop is where you can see how barleys are made into Tsampa by the small
magic machines and running water.
Accommodation: Gyantse 3*
Day6. 9/9/2012 Gyantse / Shigatse[3836m], 360 KM
7 hours' drive (B)
Today we will
drive to Shigatse , the residence of the Panchen Lama, also is the second
largest city it Tibet. After having lunch, a tour to Tashihunpo Monastery will
be arranged.
Accommodation: Manasanovav 3*
Day 7. 9/10/2012 Shigatse / Lhatse [4021m] / Shegar [4300m]
(B)
Highlights: Shigaste local market, Gyastsola pass, Gawula pass, winding roads,
sunset at E.B.C
Shigatse local market features bamboo made products, special style ornaments,
mutttons etc. When your guide goes to arrange your permit for Mt. Everest, you
can explore the market on your own.
Gyatsola [5200m] & Gawu la pass[5250m] : When you arrive at those passes,
you will get out of your car to have a nice view. At Gawu la pass, you will see
the spectacular Himalayan Ranges and its glorious peaks viz Mt.Makalu [8463m],
Mt.Lotse[8516m], Mt.Everest[8844m], Mt.Cho Oyu[8201m] and Mt.Shishapama [8020m]
from Left to right
Accommodation: Everest 2*
Day 8. 9/11/2012
Shegar / E.B.C 340 KM, 6-7hours'
drive
Transfer to
E..B,C, Sunset at E.B.C: It is said that Sunset is more beautiful than sunrise,
since you can only go to E.B.C once with your ticket, you can choose to see the
sunset or the sunrise. The trekking from E.B.C. from Rongbuk guest house
or the Tent guest house community to E.B.C, it will take you about 2 hours (6
km). Or you can take the dedicated minibus (25 RMB/per person, round-trip). In
winter, our driver will drive you there as there is no sightseeing bus there.
Optional program: Rongbuk is the highest monastery in Tibet. It consists both
monks and nuns. You can go and have a look (price is not included).
Note: It is a bit cold within that valley and windy too, you'd better take your
sleeping bag with you. Please prepare your own package food for Rongbuk stay.
Overnight at Rongbuk guest house or local tent guest house (dorm bed, it's up
to you which one
Highlight: Sunrise at E.B.C, winding roads, beautiful scenery on the way
If you did not go to see the sunset at E.B.C the day before, then this morning,
you can go to see its sunrise.
Accommodation:
Rngbuk Guest House
Day 9. 9/12/2012
Another day around MT Everest area
Visit Rongphu (Rongbuk) Glacier
and other surrounding places according to your interests. Our tour guide will
give you suggestions where to go for trekking and climbing.
Accommodation:
Rngbuk Guest House
Day 10. 9/13/2012
Mt. Everest / Shigatse
Today we will
drive back to Shigatse. One the way we can stop for photos or other
sightseeing.
Accommodation:
Manasanovav 3*
Day 11. 9/14/2012 Shigatse / Lhasa, 300 KM, 5-6 hours' drive
(B)
After breakfast, we will drive back to Lhasa. We will arrive in Lhasa in the
afternoon. Free for rest of the day. This is our last night in Lhasa. You may
wander around Bharkhor area at leisure.
Accommodation:
3* Yak hotel
Day 12. 9/15/2012
Lhasa train station or airport drop off (B)
Your guide and driver will see you off at the airport or train station, end the
trip.
Tour prices in detail:
Tour Item
|
Description
|
Prices per person
|
12
Days Mt. Everest Tour
|
Itinerary
see above based on double occupancy
|
$
2,260
|
Single
Supplement
|
Single
person single room
|
$
360
|
China
visa
|
Multiple
entry visa for 12 months
|
$
170
|
Travel Insurance *
|
Strongly recommended
|
|
*
Travel insurance premium is depends on the amount of tour cost and travelers'
age. You may get the quote and other
information by checking this site: http://tourintotibet.com/travel-insurance.
After open this site, please click on the Travelex Insurance Company's logo at
the bottom. Your location # is 28-0029.
You can purchase insurance directly through Travelex's website, or we,
Tour into Tibet, can help you to buy it. The premium is the same.
Above prices include:
-All accommodations
-Sightseeing
and meals as specified
-Round
trip transfer
-
Toyota Land Cruise 4500 for driving from Lhasa to Mt. Everest and return to
Lhasa
-English
speaking guide
-
Tibet Visa and Mt. Everest permit
-
$ 100 donation per traveler for the East-West Center Alumni Student Endowment
Fund
Prices exclude:
-Int'l
& Domestic flights , Train ticket
-Tips
for tour guide ($8-10 suggested)
Remark: 2 to 3
passengers will have one Toyota Land Cruise 4500. If we have 4-6 passengers,
then we will have two Toyota Land Cruise 4500.
Separate
flight and train prices in detail:
Transportation
|
Description
|
Prices
per person
|
Flight
Beijing to Lhasa(RT)
|
PEK-LXA
(9/4), LXA-PEK(9/15/)
|
$
840
|
One
way flight
|
PEK-LXA
or LXA-PEK
|
$
425
|
Train
from Lhasa-Beijing (or Beijing to
Lhasa)
|
Soft
berth, 4 passenger share one cabin. Leave Lhasa 9/15, Arrive Beijing 9/17
morning
|
$
290
|
Important dates:
- The reservation starts on 12/1/2011,
ends on 6/30/2012. After the deadline, a late booking fee of $150 may
apply.
- China visa needs to be applied by 7/15/2012.
If you want us to apply China visa for you, please mail your passport to
us by 6/15/2012 (for US passports only)
- Travel Insurance must be purchased prior
to the reservation deadline of 6/30/2012 through
http://tourintotibet.com/information/insurance