Southwest China · 8 days
Lhasa & Everest Base Camp: 8 Days on the Tibetan Plateau
The plateau done at the right pace: two slow days in Lhasa while the altitude settles, the Friendship Highway through Gyantse and Shigatse, and a night in the tent camp under the north face of Everest. Eight days, one permit, one horizon.
The route
What this trip actually feels like
- The Potala in morning light, with timed entry handled
- Monk debates in the Sera courtyard
- The Friendship Highway over the 5,000-metre passes
- Everest's north face at sunset from the base camp tents
Best for
- Travellers for whom Tibet is the reason for the whole trip
- Return visitors who have done the classic cities
- Photographers with altitude discipline
The setting
Where this route is set
Day by day
The plan, as it would actually run
Arrive at 3,650 metres
Arrive by flight or the daylight railway. Nothing ambitious today: the hotel, the courtyard, the oxygen briefing, and a first look at the Potala from a distance. The altitude does the talking.
- Morning
- Arrive Lhasa, transfer to the hotel
- Afternoon
- Rest and acclimatisation walk
- Evening
- Early Tibetan dinner
- Meals
- Dinner included
Night 1 The St. Regis Lhasa Resort
Note. Book the oxygen-enriched floor for nights one and two — it measurably improves the first mornings.
The Barkhor and Jokhang
Morning at Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor circuit with the pilgrims. The afternoon stays slow — Norbulingka or the rooftops — as the altitude finishes settling.
- Morning
- Jokhang Temple and Barkhor circuit
- Afternoon
- Norbulingka summer palace
- Evening
- Free evening
- Meals
- Breakfast included
Night 2 The St. Regis Lhasa Resort
Note. The Barkhor runs clockwise. Join the flow and let the pilgrims set the pace.
The Potala and Sera
Timed-entry morning inside the Potala — the pilgrim staircases, the tombs, the view back over the city. Afternoon at Sera Monastery for the monk debates, which are genuine theater at full volume.
- Morning
- Potala Palace, timed entry
- Afternoon
- Sera Monastery debates
- Evening
- Farewell-Lhasa dinner
- Meals
- Breakfast included · Dinner included
Night 3 Shangri-La Lhasa
Note. Potala tickets are quota-controlled and sell out in high season — we confirm the slot the day before, so keep the morning flexible.
Over the passes to Gyantse
The Friendship Highway by 4WD: Yamdrok Lake from the pass, the Kamba La switchbacks, and the first 4,800-metre col. Afternoon in Gyantse for the Kumbum stupa and the old quarter.
- Morning
- Yamdrok Lake and the passes
- Afternoon
- Gyantse Kumbum and old quarter
- Evening
- Gyantse night
- Meals
- Breakfast included · Dinner included
Night 4 Shangri-La Lhasa
Note. Guesthouses in Gyantse are simple; the tradeoff for the road is worth it, but this is the one night to keep expectations modest.
Shigatse and the monastery of the Panchen Lama
Road to Shigatse through the barley fields. Afternoon at Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, then permits and fuel checked for the Everest leg.
- Morning
- Road to Shigatse
- Afternoon
- Tashilhunpo Monastery
- Evening
- Early night at 3,850 m
- Meals
- Breakfast included · Dinner included
Night 5 Shangri-La Lhasa
Note. Shigatse is the last proper hotel town — stock up on snacks and batteries here.
To Everest Base Camp
The long drive over the Gawu La pass, where the north face appears across the valley, then down to the base camp tent settlement at 5,200 metres. Sunset on the mountain from the viewpoint ridge.
- Morning
- Gawu La pass and first Everest view
- Afternoon
- Down to base camp tents
- Evening
- Sunset and the clearest night sky of your life
- Meals
- Breakfast included · Dinner included
Night 6 Shangri-La Lhasa
Note. The tents are heated and basic; the drama is outside. Drink water, go slow, and the headache usually means dehydration, not altitude.
Dawn on Everest, and back east
Sunrise on the north face from the ridge — the summit usually clears at first light. Then the long road back toward Shigatse, retracing the passes with the light reversed.
- Morning
- Everest sunrise and departure
- Afternoon
- Road to Shigatse
- Evening
- Shigatse night
- Meals
- Breakfast included · Dinner included
Night 7 Shangri-La Lhasa
Note. Cloud swallows the summit after mid-morning more often than not — the sunrise slot is the one that counts.
Return to Lhasa and fly out
The highway back to Lhasa for the afternoon flight to Chengdu, Xi'an or Beijing — or the overnight train onward if the plateau wants one more night.
- Morning
- Road to Lhasa
- Afternoon
- Departure flight or rail
- Evening
- —
- Meals
- Breakfast included
Note. Book departure flights no earlier than 4pm — road days on the plateau run to their own clock.
In pictures
Scenes from the Lhasa & Everest route
Where you sleep
Handpicked stays on this route
St. Regis · Ultra Luxury
The St. Regis Lhasa Resort
The reference address in Lhasa: Tibetan craft in every surface, an oxygen-enriched floor for the first nights, and the Potala in view from the courtyard. Butler service as standard.
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade at check-in
- Butler service
- Oxygen support and altitude briefing
From US$260 per night
Valid to 2026-12-31
Shangri-La · Luxury
Shangri-La Lhasa
A calm, high-standard hotel on the west side of town with Potala views from the upper floors, a garden courtyard, and the most restful first nights at 3,650 metres.
- Daily breakfast for two
- Potala view room on eligible rates
- Airport transfer on arrival
- Oxygen availability
From US$210 per night
Valid to 2026-12-31
Practicalities
The things to get right before departure
Visa and entry
Two documents are needed: a standard China visa and the Tibet Travel Permit, which is issued only through a licensed Tibet operator and requires your itinerary booked in advance. We handle the permit process end to end — start at least 20 days before travel.
Getting between the cities
Fly Chengdu–Lhasa (2.5 hours) or take the Qinghai–Tibet railway from Xining (22 hours, soft sleeper) as active acclimatisation. West of Lhasa the route runs by private 4WD on the Friendship Highway: Gyantse, Shigatse, then Everest Base Camp.
Questions
Asked by travellers on this route
Do I really need a Tibet Travel Permit?
Yes, for all foreign passport holders, in addition to the China visa. It is issued through licensed operators only, and it cannot be arranged after arrival in China. We run the application as part of the booking.
How bad is the altitude?
The route is paced: two slow Lhasa days, gradual climbing, and the base camp night comes on day six when most travellers have acclimatised. Standard cautions apply; we ask about medical history at booking.
Can I take the train from Beijing or Shanghai all the way?
You can, and the Qinghai–Tibet crossing is spectacular — but the useful acclimatisation window is the Xining–Lhasa daylight section. We usually fly to Xining and board there.
Is independent travel possible in Tibet?
Not for foreign passport holders — permits require a booked guide and vehicle for the region. The route above is built around that requirement rather than fighting it.