“Tibet 🇨🇳 “The Old-World and Highest Touring Elevations in the World ~Mt Everest Base Camp”
Tibet is Home to Mount Everest; the Tallest Mountain in The World!
Tibet is an amazing country to visit. It does take some planning, as Tibet is controlled by China, but it’s not like China at all!
We came in, by way of Kathmandu, Nepal, so we thought the 1.5 flight would be easy, and it was, but…What we learned is; China does not allow passengers to disembark in Lhasa, when flying from Kathmandu; directly into Lhasa, Tibet, without concessions.
We had a 10-year visa for China, already, having traveled extensively in China. We were told if we flew directly into Lhasa, they would revoke our 10-year Chinese Visa. Since the round about way from Kathmandu, through China, then into Lhasa was lengthy (by days of layovers) and expensive, we flew directly into Lhasa, and forfeited our Chinese Visa. Meaning, we had to apply for another Chinese Visa for the limited Tibet tour.
We had already traveled to so many places in China, but they helped make our decision for not going again. We don’t like those kind of games, anyway.
The tariff cost, per day, per person, ($150 pp at the time x10 days = $1500). That and the cost of the tour, plus traveling expenses is spendy, so start saving your pennies! Also, solo travel tourism is not allowed in Tibet. You must engage in a private or group tour.
See our day to day itinerary at the end of this blog post, as well as read a little history of Tibet’s amazing places and Click the links below to enjoy the beauty of it all!
In and Around Lhasa:
Jokhang Temple:
Jokhang Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist Temple located in the center of old Lhasa City. It was originally built in 647 AD. The name “Jokhang” means “House of Buddha.”
Click the link to see all the photos of Lhasa and Jokhang Temple:
https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/AsiaLife/Tibet/Lhasa/Jokhang-Temple/
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery lies at the foot of the Serawoze Mountain, at an altitude of around 12,139 feet above sea level It was built in 1419. The debating courtyard, behind the Sera je College, is a cobblestone area where the monks of the colleges hold their daily debating lessons. Monastic debates are one of the many ways of teaching and learning the philosophy and theology of Tibetan Buddhism, and are an exciting and enthralling event to watch. Done in pairs, the debates are extravagant and dramatic, with a lot of foot stamping and hand clapping, as well as loud shouts and exclamations.
Click the link to see all the photos of Lhasa and Sera Monastery:
https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/AsiaLife/Tibet/Lhasa/Sera-Monestary/
Potala Palace
The Potala Palace; winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of around 12,139 feet above sea level.
Click the link to see all the photos of Potala Palace
https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/AsiaLife/Tibet/Lhasa/Potala-Palace/
Out of Lhasa
Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake is a freshwater lake in Tibet, it is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 45 miles long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake has an outlet stream at its far western end and means turquoise in English due to its color.
Click the link to see all the photos of Yamdrok Lake
Pelkor Choede Monastery: Pelkor Choede monastery’s main temple was founded in 1418 by the Prince of Gyantse.
Click the link to see all the photos of Pelkor Choede Monastery:
Yangpachen Hot Spring Pool
High altitude, high temperature and high snow mountains are the three characteristics of Yampachen Hot Spring. For travelers, it is very exciting and pleasant to take a bath in the world’s highest place with the view of snow-capped mountains.
Click the link to see all the photos of Yangpechen Hot Springs and Pool
Rongbuk Monastery
Rongbuk Monastery, is at an altitude of 16,404 feet above sea level, and is the highest Monastery in the world. It is dedicated to the Guru Padma Sambhava. The Monastery is a pleasant place to visit, but of course the major attraction is the stunning scenery all around, and the view of the world’s highest mountain’s north face. The views are simply spectacular!
Click the link to see all the photos of Rangbuk Monastery:
Mount Everest Photos, Base Camp, and Rongpu Temple:
Mount Everest is earth’s highest mountain above sea level, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The China–Nepal border runs across its summit point. Its elevation of 29,035 feet high, which was most recently established in 2020 by the Nepali and Chinese authorities.
Some Facts About Everest
*Everest is 29,035 feet high
*The summit is the border of
Nepal to the south and China or Tibet on the north.
*It is over 60 million years old.
*Everest was formed by the movement of the Indian tectonic plate pushing up and against the Asian plate
*Everest grows by about a quarter of an inch, every year.
Click the links below, to see all the photos of Mount Everest, Rongpu Temple, and Our Base Camp:
Mount Everest/Base Camp
Rongpu Temple near Base Camp
Lake Namtso
Namtso, in Tibetan, is for “Heavenly Lake,” and is often described as being next to heaven, because of its lofty altitude, stunning beauty, pure blue water, and spiritual associations.
Namtso Lake was born in the Paleogene age, as a result of Himalayan tectonic plate movements. The lake lies at an elevation of 15,479 feet, and has a surface area of 1,730 sq mi. This salt lake is the largest lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Islands: Total of Five
Surface area: 740 sq miles Max. length: 43 miles
Average depth: 108 feet
Namtso has been a holy site for centuries. At the end of winter, devout Buddhists used to walk over the lake’s frozen surface, carrying their food with them. They would return when the water froze again the following winter. This practice is now not allowed by the Chinese government. Worshipers believe that if one walks around the lake once during the year of the sheep, he and his family will be blessed with good health, safety, knowledge, and other virtues.
This was our last site to see on the Itinerary, before heading back to Lhasa. Daryl and I stayed in a metal box with a door. The only heat were heating blankets. We had two twin beds. One of the heating blankets worked good, the other, barely. So we wrapped our cameras in the barely working blanket, then slept together in the tiny bed, with the working electric blanket. It got down to -15 degrees at night.
Click the link to see all the photos of Lake Namtso:
Scenic ~Around Tibet:
Click the link to see all the photos of Scenic Tibet:
One more “RandomLife” Photo Galley of Tibet:
https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/AsiaLife/Tibet/RandomLife/
After the tour was done, we traveled from Lhasa, Tibet to Beijing, China on a two-night sleeper, on the highest railroad in the world.
Itinerary of Overland Tibet Lhasa – Everest Base Camp – Namtso Lake – Lhasa
10-Day Trip
Day 1: Arrive Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa, Tibet via plane or train. Upon arrival in Lhasa (12,139 ft) you will be welcomed by your English-speaking Tibetan Guide and Tibetan Driver and we will bring you to your hotel.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2: Lhasa Tour with local guide
In Lhasa we explore the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred monastery in Tibet, and the surrounding Barkhor bazaar, the bustling Lhasa market. In the afternoon we go to Sera Monastery to watch the monks debate in centuries-old manner.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 3: Lhasa Tour with local guide
In Lhasa we tour the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama, and Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Gyangtse Shigatse
On this day we drive approximately 290km, first stopping along the banks of Yamdrok-Tso, the sparkling turquoise lake, for photos. After, on the way to Gyantse we cross Kampa-la (16,568 ft) and Karo-la Pass to view the Mount Nojin Kangtsen Glacier falling down near the road. Upon arriving in Gyantse, we visit the seven-story tall Kubum Stupa and Pelkor Chode Monastery. Also, we admire the Gyantse Dzong (fort) overlooking Gyangste, famous for the British military siege led by Colonel Younghusband in 1903.
Day 5: Shigattse – Pelber
We drive 90km from Gyangtse to Shigatse. In Shigatse we visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, to see the future Buddha’s golden shrine. The Tashilhunpo Monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the 2nd highest in the Tibetan Buddhist religious hierarchy. We also visit Shigatse Market and view the panorama of Shigatse Dzong (fort), with its architecture reminiscent of the Potala Palace. We leave Shigatse in the afternoon and drive to Shegar across Tsou-la Pass and Gyatso-la Pass with good weather you can see your first views of Mount Everest. At the end of the day’s 230km journey we arrive in the evening at Pelber (New Tingri) Overnight in Pelber.
Day 6: Pelham – Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Basecamp
On the scenic drive from Pelber to Everest Base Camp, we will cross the Gau-la Pass (17,060 ft) and see 4 mountains above 26,246 ft such as Mt. Lhotse (27,939 ft), Mt. Everest (29,028 ft), Mt. Cho-oyo (26,906 ft), and Mt. Makalu (27,765ft). We then arrive at Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, 4km from Everest Basecamp. The 100km drive takes approximately 4 hours due to unpaved roads. Overnight at Everest Basecamp area.
Day 7: Rongbuk Monastery – Tomgbuk Monastery – Everest Basecamp – Shigatse
We woke up in the early morning, to see the stunning sunrise over Mt. Everest, the highest peak on earth at (29,029 ft). We take the Ecobus and take pictures in front of its imposing face. We then drive 630km to Shigatse (12,795 ft) wrapped again in the endless vistas of the Tibetan plateau. Overnight in Shigatse.
Day 8: Shigatse – antemortem Valley – Yangbachen Hot Springs – Namtso Lake
In the morning we visit Tashilumpo Monastery, which was built in 1447, inside are spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas. After we depart Shigatse and drive the Northern Route along the Yarlung Tsangpo River and from Traduka change roads to Nyemo valley and see the beautiful valleys, villages and mountains home to nomads. From Nyemo valley we drive to Yangpachen, where you can relax in the natural hot spring pool. We then drive to Damxung, on the way you will see Mt. Tanggu la (24,606 ft) and drive through grasslands to Namtso lake. Overnight at Namsto Lake.
Day 9: Namsto Lake -Lhasa
In the morning we see the sun rise over Namsto Lake. After breakfast we drive back to Lhasa.
Day 10: Depart from Lhasa
End of Tour
On the final day we transfer to the Lhasa train station to take the 2-day overland train to Beijing, China 🇨🇳
June 6: Fly from Beijing to LAX (Los Angelas, California
June 7: Home in California
June 8: adjusting after being gone, traveling for 9-months around the world.
By November 4: we left again, departing from LAX, on a one-way ticket, back to the Orient. We began our five-year, full-time travel plan.
*Our Dream Retirement Plan*
Archive Blog Posts of Our Country Visits
About Us
About Us
Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More