17 Days Khangsung Face-The East Mt. Everest Trekking

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1. Day 1 Arrival at Lhasa (3,650 meters)

   You will be welcomed by our local tour guide and driver at Lhasa Gonggar airport or Lhasa train station. After transferring you to the hotel, our tour guide or trip advisor will have a brief talk with you about the service details and itineraries in the following days. After that, you can have a good rest in the hotel. Our tour guide will recommend some local restaurants and you can have a try for dinner. Remember to take enough water and sleep well for the acclimation to plateau environment. If you have Mountain Sickness, our local tour guide will accompany you to buy some AMS medicines.

   Accommodation: Snow Heaven Hotel or the equivalent one 

2. Day 2 Free Day at Lhasa

   This day is prepared for you to be well acclimatized to the plateau climate. You have the full day exploring the city of Lhasa, just wandering on the old streets will give you unprecedented new experience about Tibetan people’s life. There are many restaurants and local stores where you can spend some time. For people who are interested in Buddhism, you can visit some monasteries and know more about Tibetan Buddhism from local pilgrims.

   Accommodation: Snow Heaven Hotel or the equivalent one

3. Day 3 One-day highlight tour in Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

   On this day, we will plan a highlight day-tour for you to visit three must-see attractions in Lhasa, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. In the morning, we will start the tour by visiting Potala Palace, the highest palace in the world. You will have around one hour to enjoy the marvelous Buddhism frescoes, religious artifacts, statues, and paintings inside the palace. After that, we will go to Jokhang temple, the most significant Buddhist temple in Tibet. Built by King Songtsen Gampo, Jokhang Temple has a very long history and there are thousands of Tibetan people pilgrimaging in front of Jokhang Temple. Around Jokhang Temple is Barkhor Street, where you can find local characteristic artifacts and religious objects sold by stores and vendors.

   Accommodation: Snow Heaven Hotel or the equivalent one

4. Day 4 Lhasa-Shigatse, 280 km, 5 hours

   On this day we will drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet from Lhasa. The total distance is about 280 km. Due to the limit of speed, we have to drive for 5-6 hours. When arriving at Shigatse, our tour guide will help you to apply for the Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) from Public Security Bureau (PSB). During this time, you can have a good rest. If you want, after the lunch, you can visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, which is close to the city. Others do not want to go there can have some leisure time in the city. As the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse also have many restaurants with various tastes, such as Han, Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese cuisine. You can also buy some energetic food for trekking in the following days.

   Accommodation: Gesar Hotel or Manasarovar Hotel

5. Day 5 Day5: Shigatse-Kharta (3,690m, Qudang Town)-Dampu, 4,300 m

   Today we will leave Shigatse and go for Kharta, also known as Qudang Town in Chinese. Kharta belongs to Tingri County and was built in 1961. Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are located in it. G318 National Highway goes throughout the town, so it has an important geographic location. We will have lunch in Segar or Zhaxizong before arriving at Kharta. In Kharta, you can take beautiful photos of amazingly high mountains, Mt. Everest, Lhatso and Makalu. You can also have a birdview of world class mountain road here. After arriving at Kharta, We will continue to driving until Dampu for today’s camping. The total distance from Shigatse to Dampu is 370km and we will drive for about 8-10 hours’ to get there.

   Accommodation: Camp

6. Day 6 Dampu-Shawu Tso (4,600m)

   Today we will start our trekking from Dampu to Shawu Tso for about 4-5 hours. The trekking distance is around 10 km. The ascending slope is gentle, so you can have time to get used to it. There are some beautiful villages along the road and you can have view them closely. We will have lunch at a flexible time according to your request. Our mountain cook will prepare stewed beef and vegetables for your lunch. After that, you can have some fruits to add vitamins.

   Shawu Tso will be the destination for today and we will camp there. You can view Makalu and Chomo Lonzo if the weather is good. There are other lakes around so you can explore more if you want.

   Accommodation: Camp

7. Day 7 Shawu Tso-Shawu La pass, 5,030 m-Joksham, 4,100 m

   Today we will start our trekking from Shawu Tso to Joksham. Along the way, we will pass Shawu La pass (5,030 m). When climbing the pass, it will be a bit strenuous but we can have a rest at any time if you want. There are two climbing periods before arriving at Shawu La pass. During the first period, you can have a birdview of Shawu Tso and the second period will be much easier than the first one. There are fluttering prayer flags at Shawu La pass. Shawu La pass also is the ideal location to view Mt. Everest, Lhatso and Markalu. Then we will go down the mountain. You should be very careful when descending because it is a steep slope. If the weather is good, you can see a valley full of bushes, trees, and flowers. There is a stream when we reach the foot of the mountain. Ahead of the stream is a vast of forest but we still need to go further until reaching our destination for today, Jokshsam. The total trekking distance is 12 km for about 7 hours. It is a long day trek so please eat well and have a good rest at night.

   Accommodation: Camp 

8. Day 8 Joksham-Sharlung Pasture-Thangsum, 4,300 m

   We will climb steeply from Joksham to Thangsum campsite. Along the way, we will pass a big forest growing birches, junipers, and rhododendron. At the end of the forest, we can see Kaamo Tsangpo Valley and take great photos on the ridge. Then we continue our trekking to Sharlung Pasture. In August, there will be flowers everywhere. You need to be careful because it is slippery when crossing the river. After crossing the river, we will have a steep climbing to Thangsum campsite. Then we have a rest there. It is a relatively short day so you can explore around the campsite in the afternoon. At Thangsum sightseeing platform, you can see Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu from a very excellent angle. This may be the spectacular sightseeing platform in the world.

   Accommodation: Camp

9. Day 9 Thangsum- Kaamo Tsangpo Valley (4,260 m)-Pethang,4,300 m

   Today is the 4^th of our trekking so you may feel a little tired. But we need to continue our trekking and we will go through the famous Kaamo Tsangpo Valley where is definitely worth visiting. As the only valley near Mt. Everest has no road in, Kaamo Tsangpo Valley is kind of isolated and maintain the primitive ecological system. The Britain explorer Mr. Barley spoke highly of Kaamo Tsangpo Valley as the most beautiful valley in the world in this book Mt. Everest Investigation. We will take a descending road before arriving the valley. The road is steep so you need to keep watching of your steps. There is a river at the bottom of the valley. After crossing the river, we go up in a gentle slope. For about two hours’ walk, we will arrive Pethang campsite. Along the road, we can see Markalu all the time and the valley is surrounded by the snow-capped mountain. On the river banks stand various kinds of trees, which beautifully decorate the valley.

   Accommodation: Camp

10. Day 10 Pethang-Pethang Ringmo, 4,900 m

    Today will be very tough because we need to go through a landslide area which challenges a lot. The rocky trail is very long and steep. You should be very careful about your steps and keep safe all the way. Our tour guide will remind you constantly about your safety. When crossing the scree slope, we can take a close of Makalu, which is only 10 km from the road. Pethang Ringmo is a huge meadow which is the final destination of today. We will camp there and you can enjoy the panorama view with Kangshung Valley Glacier. This campsite was once George Mallory’s Base Camp and also the campsite for the 1921 Reconnaissance Team.

    Accommodation: Camp

11. Day 11 Pethang Ringmo- Kangshuang base camp (5,100 m)-back to Pethang Ringmo

    This trekking day is not easy because only few of mountain climbers have been there. After Pethang Ringmo, there is a scree slope and you need to stay on the right track because there are many branches and people can easily get lost. We will arrive at the morainic lake and that is the key point. You can see the whole glacier aside with a wide perspective. When you reach the Kangshuang Base Camp, you can see the fantastic view of Mt. Everest. The whole trekking progress is tough but when you reach, you will feel very accomplished. After viewing Mt. Everest and Lhotse in the base camp, we will go back to Pethang Ringmo and camp there at night.

    Accommodation: Camp

12. Day 12 Pethang Ringmo-Rabgachu 4,300 m

    Today we will head to Rabgachu from Pethang Ringmo for 4-5 hours trek. We will go descending to Kaamo Tsangpo Valley at first. Along the way, we can enjoy the glaciers, forest and stream. The road can be slippery when crossing the river so you should watch the steps. After lunch we continuing trekking until reach Rabgachu, our destination for today. Tomorrow we will go to Tsoshutima, where you can have a wonderful view of all mountain peaks.

    Accommodation: Camp

13. Day 13 Rabgachu-Tsoshutima,5,000 m

    Today we continue our trekking until we reach Tsoshutima, a famous sightseeing site for all mountain peaks view including Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. We need about 5-6 hours to get there. The ascending road take patience and perseverance. There is a scree slope and many branches along the way. So you need be careful and keep the right track always. But the fantastic view of all mountain peaks is definitely worth all effort to climb there. We will camp at Tsoshutima and enjoy the beautiful night views. You can take some photos at night for the starring sky.

    Accommodation: Camp

14. Day 14 Tsoshutima-Langma La pass (5,330 m)-Lhundrobling (4,250 m)-Kharta-Zhaxizong-Rongbuk Monastery-Campsite, 4 km to North EBC

    Today we will go to the North EBC to have a different view from the north side of Mt. Everest. Starting from Tsoshutima, we will ascend to Langma la pass, which is the highest pass. There will be three climbing periods. The first one is steep but you can look back to Tsoshutima surrounded by four plateau lakes when reaching the platform. There are fluttering prayer flags in Langma la pass. It may be snowing there. From there, you can see five plateau lakes with different colors. Then we descend for about 1,500 m. The way is long and you will meet a narrow plateau lake called Lhaze Tso. Continue going down and we will arrive at the bottom of the valley. Then we will reach a small village called Lhundrobling. From there, we will drive to Rongbuk Monastery passing by Kharta and Zhaxizong. From Rongbuk Monastery, you can trek to Campsite and North Everest Base Camp.

    Accommodation: Camp

15. Day 15 Campsite-Everest Base Camp-Shigatse

    Starting from the Campsite, you can trek 4 km to EBC for closer look at Mt. Everest. With the sunrise, Mt. Everest will definitely leave you a deep impression. You can take more photos and leave after that. We will drive back to Shigatse after the long Mt. Everest trekking tour. In Shigatse, you can have a good rest and compile all the photos taken during the trekking.

    Accommodation: Gesar Hotel or Manasarovar Hotel 

16. Day 16 Shigatse-Lhasa

    It is time to go back to Lhasa. After a good breakfast, we will start the drive from Shigatse to Lhasa. The distance is 280 km and it will take us about 5-6 hours to get to Lhasa. At Lhasa, you have free time to spend the last hours in Tibet and enjoy the final moments there.

    Accommodation: Snow Heaven Hotel or the equivalent one 

17. Day 17 Final Departure

    After the long trek tours, it is time to leave Tibet. Our local tour guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or train station to say goodbye. Hope you have a great memory with us and welcome back to Tibet again!

FAQs

1. How can I get my Tibet Travel Permit?

   It is critical to book your Tibet tour with a local travel agency like “Tibet local Guide travel service” for smooth travel permit application. Photo copy of your passport and the China visa copies are required for applying Tibet permits.

   Please note that you will have to show the original permit in hand while asking for boarding pass and security checking in for flight to Lhasa or Copy of it while boarding the Train to Lhasa. However, Chongqing, Xi’an and Lanzhou railway station may also check original permits.

   We will send it to your hotel in your flight departure city in China. While in urgent cases, we can send our permits delivery person to drop it to you at any China domestic airport if you just have few hours transit flight stop.

   We do not send your Tibet permits to your home country, because permits come out regularly only 1 week to 2 weeks prior to your arrival date, and Tibet post companies have no efficiencies for handling international package delivery, so it is not trustworthy and not reliable to send your permits to your home county.

   For more details of Tibet travel permits, you can email to info@tibetlcoalguide.com for instant Tibet local policy update.

2. What are the differences between travelling to Tibet from Nepal and entering Tibet from other Parts of China?

   Foreign travelers have only two possible ways of getting to Tibet, one is from Nepal to Tibet by air or overland, while the other is from mainland city in China by train, air or car. Here below are the major differences.

   1. If you travel to Tibet from other provinces of China, you will need a valid China visa which allows you to travel, work or study in China, with this visa you can come to Tibet (but journalist, diplomats, public government service people, military persons and reporters, etc. must travel via Chinese government specified authorities, in most cases, these people are not allowed in), any Tibet travel agencies here in Tibet do not organize tours for those people whose jobs are listed as above. And the regular China visa categories are “L” tour visa, “Z” or “M” “Q” visa etc.
   2. Foreign travelers from a few countries such as Singapore and Japan may not need a China visa for specific period of time, in this case, these travelers can get Tibet entry permits without China visa. But please be noted that, you need to double check with your local china consulate to assure how long you can travel in China without a visa.
   3. Once you can travel in China legally, you can also get Tibet entry permits from local Tibet travel agency like us easily.
   4. To apply travel permits for foreign travelers entering Tibet from a city in China, none-restricted occupation travelers need to provide valid passport, valid China visa at least 2-3 weeks prior to arrival date to Tibet, and different travel destination in Tibet may require you to provide these documents even 30-40 days prior to arrival date because of many more complicated permits application process. These destinations are Kailash, North-loop-the Grand of Tibet, east Tibet bordering Kham (Sichuan province).
   5. Foreign travelers entering Tibet from mainland China can choose flight, train or overland driving. All the trains to Tibet will go through Xi’ning, Qinghai province, while the popular driving route is from Chengdu and Shangri-La or Kashgar or Xi’ning. The most picturesque driving adventure is between Tibet and Sichuan or Yunnan.
   6. If you enter Tibet from Nepal, you can go only by air from Kathmandu to Lhasa or by overland driving via Gyirong port or Purang (Taklakot) border, these are the only open borders between Nepal and Tibet. Currently the Indian-Tibet Sino border is not open for public.
   7. All foreign travelers from Nepal to Tibet must have 3 working days in Kathmandu to wait for the “Tibet Group Visa” prior to departure date for Tibet. This A4 size Tibet group visa (actually it is a china visa) document paper can only be issued through a registered travel agency in Kathmandu, but the important point is: any registered travel agency in Nepal has to obtain an official visa invitation letter photo copy issued from Tibet tourism Bureau here in Lhasa. To get this visa letter, a local Tibet travel agency like us can apply together with the Tibet permits around 2-5 weeks before visitor’s arrival in Tibet. So, travelers only need to bear in mind that, they do not apply any visa or permits by themselves, they just need to provide passport photo copies to Tibet based agency like us and we will handle all the rest.
   8. There is no train between Nepal and Tibet however. Kathmandu-Lhasa airfare is more expensive than via Chengdu, Chongqing, or Xi’an city in most cases.
   9. The overland driving between Kathmandu to Tibet border Gyirong is time consuming. The overall short distance may take around 10-15 hours especially in rainy seasons of July and August.
   10. No matter you enter Tibet from Nepal or mainland China, valid China visa (or Tibet group visa from Nepal) and Tibet permits are mandatory. And different permits are for different travel itineraries and specified schedule.
   11. When you fly from a city in China to Lhasa, original permits will be needed, however, if you fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you only need Tibet group visa for flight checking in(our Tibetan tour guide will take original permits to pick you up)

3. What documents do I have to send to you to secure all necessary Tibet Travel permits?

   A short document list as below:

   1. Photocopies of valid passports data page for all travelers.
   2. Photocopies of valid China visa.
   3. Working certificate or student Id card copies if you do not hold “L” China visa but Z or F type of China visa.
   4. Marriage certificate or relatives’ statement with signature if you hold Q category China visa.

   While booking your Tibet tour, we would like you to send us the copy of your Passport and China Visa for every member of the group. The copy of passport should be the same one you will be using to get your Chinese visa. If you renew your passports, but the China via is on the expired passport, please provide both passports photo copies.

   If your visa is not the “L” category, i.e., tour category china visa, you will need to provide us the additional supporting document such as student certificates, resident and Work Permit and so on.

   Please provide passport copies at least 2-4 weeks before arrival date. For Tibet tour without Kailash, eastern Tibet, North-loop Grand Tibet, we can accept urgent tour booking 2 weeks before your arrival date, but if your trip covers the places mentioned here, you’d better send us your passport photo copies 4 weeks to 5 weeks in advance at least, most of our Kailash travelers provide us passport copies half year in advance. And they can provide China visa copies 1 month in advance.

   If you travel to Tibet from Nepal, we will only need your valid passport copies. Yet, we will have to apply for the Chinese Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.

   Can I apply for Tibet Travel permit or Tibet group visa by ourselves?Definitely No, you cannot apply for Tibet travel permit or Tibet group visa directly. Tibet Travel Permit is only issued by Tibet Tourism Administration in Lhasa, together with other Chinese authorities such as military office, and foreign affairs office, national security office, public security bureau, etc. Therefore, an only local registered travel agency based in Lhasa can help you apply for it. Hence it is impossible for you to apply permits by yourself, and you will have to book your Tibet tour directly or indirectly with a local travel agency in Lhasa.

4. What is the Tibet travel documents list so I can check before coming?

   During your traveling in Tibet, the three main primary documents are passports, China visa (or Tibet group visa) and Tibet entry permits. Different tour destination will need further document such as military permits, foreign affairs border passing permit, alien’s travel permits,

   1. Valid Passports.
   2. Valid China visa (for entering from China);
   3. Tibet group visa (for entering from Nepal);
   4. Tibet entry travel permits for all Tibet tours;
   5. Alien’s travel permits for trip covering Everest. Tsetang (Samye monastery), Kailash and north-loop Grand Tibet, eastern Tibet such as Draksumtso lake;
   6. Foreign affairs permit (policy keeps changing on this section)
   7. Border defense passing allowance permit (trip between Nepal and Tibet)
   8. Military permits.

5. Can a foreigner travel Tibet without travel permit?

   Definitely No. it is not possible to travel to and in Tibet without a Tibet travel permit. No international travelers can visit in Tibet autonomous region of China without Tibet travel permit. It is mandatory for all the foreign nationals to get this permit prior to your arrival in Tibet. Only a local Tibet travel agency here in Tibet can help you make this document in Lhasa.

   At all the entry and exit point to Tibet, the authority people will check the permit, passport, and Visa.

6. Can I have a few days as my own free time in Lhasa without hiring a guide?

   Definitely Yes. it is possible but your activity is very limited. You can have some days free time in Lhasa to walk around, and do your shopping, try some local food, drink tea, coffee, and spend your leisure time, etc., BUT never enter a tourist attraction if without a tour guide. Furthermore, you cannot leave Lhasa for any other places in Tibet individually, especially when there is no tour guide and a licensed tour vehicle. You cannot extend further since there are many permits and identity checking points for exiting Lhasa.

7. How can I apply for a Chinese visa from my home country?

   You can apply it through the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Tibet local guide travel service team strongly recommend applying it without mentioning about your travel plan to Tibet. Your application might get rejected as Tibet is a sensitive region of China. We helped many foreign travelers providing China tour itinerary references together with their own flights booking references, hotel booking references, etc., they can normally get China visa without any hassles.

   If you do mention your trip covers Tibet, we will have to apply and send the Chinese Visa Invitation from Tibet Tourism Bureau office here in Lhasa. For this, you will need to go to the Chinese Embassy, not the consulate to apply China visa. The Visa invitation will only address to Embassy, not to the consulate. So, we suggest you try to avoid complicated and time-consuming process but choose the simplified and workable process. However, China visa application is beyond our Tibet travel agency, and policy keeps changing due to many factors such as political climate, international relationship, etc., please consult with your local visa agent for more information.

   For your reference, the Visa invitation letter can be only applied after Tibet permits application approval. Therefore, you will have to book the tour with us and send us the Passport copies to start making the permit at least 2-3 months beforehand. Please remember, we can never complete the Permit process without the copy of your China visa. So, you will have to email your passport copies to us as soon as you get it.

8. For what kind of Tibet tour do I need additional permits?

   Technically Tibet entry permit is enough to go if you are only visiting the Lhasa Prefecture. If you are visiting other prefectures in Tibet, you will need the additional permit depending on the region you will be visiting.

   The military permit is required if you are traveling to Mount Kailash, traveling overland from and to Xinjiang and traveling overland to and from Yunnan and Sichuan.

   Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) is needed if you are visiting from Lhasa to other prefectures in Tibet. Therefore, Mount Kailash in Ngari prefecture, Mount Everest in Shigatse prefecture, Samye Monastery in Lhoka prefecture and Nyingchi prefecture.

   Additionally, there is another permit called Borders Permit. You will require it if you are traveling to any border region and arriving from Nepal to Tibet by flight.

   But you will not need to worry about it all. Experienced Tibet travel agency in Lhasa will know which permits are required as per the tour itinerary.

9. How long does it take to apply our Tibet travel permit?

   The duration of the Tibet travel permit application process varies from 2 weeks to 4 weeks prior to your arrival date. The authorities do not accept very early permits application submission. Sometimes those people in authority slow down the process without prior notice and all agents have to wait. As professional and experienced Tibet local travel agency and tour operator, “Tibet Local Guide travel service” team always suggest foreign travelers book Lhasa tour at least 3 weeks before arrival date, and book Kailash tours or other restricted regional tours at least 4-6 weeks prior to arrival date. To submit permits application for any Tibet tours around 4 weeks in advance can ensure on time application. If you have urgent booking, please talk with our consultants and see if it is doable or not, and urgent handling cost may occur. Every year, we did help some travelers for last minute Tibet tour booking.

10. Do I need multiple entry China visa to continue with china tour after Tibet?

    Definitely No, Tibet is a part of China, called TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region of China) , single entry China visa or the Tibet group visa can allow your China tour after Tibet. BUT, please remember that, if you hold Tibet group visa (entering Tibet from Nepal) but want to travel to China after Tibet, you will need to hold individual pieces of the group visa to travel individually in China by yourself; while if you travel with the name listed group members together, all people can hold one “Group visa paper documents) since all are travelling together. Otherwise you will get issues when checking in hotel in China. Since 2019, most hotels in China need passengers to have face scanning and ID and or passports registry to check in a hotel room. Most travel agencies in Tibet do not know this, especially many agencies out of Tibet do not have this kind of experiences.

11. Do you provide Tibet Permit only service?

    No, we don’t sell Tibet Permit service only since it is illegal. No agent is allowed to sell the Tibet Travel Permit. Even though on the permits itself, it says free and no commission fee, the permits application process and responsibility of managing foreign traveler’s travel in Tibet is strictly regulated. Tibet permits application is locally and lawful per the China local rules in Tibet for foreign travelers to ensure Tibet long run development, we have to obey the local rules and respect local policy regulations. So do not just book a permit only service, as local experienced Tibet travel agency, we can organize your trip with your maximum free time in Lhasa, meanwhile, not requesting you to hire a guide all the time. This is good for LHASA tours, if your trip covers places out of Lhasa, you will need to book tour including guide, driver and car at least.

    Furthermore, we are only allowed to apply the permit when we provide Tibet tour service, which includes professional tour guide, tourist licensed vehicle with a driver and/or hotel accommodation.

    All Tibet travel permits application is submitted by local registered travel agencies here in Lhasa, Tibet. No matter the agency is Han Chinese registered or Tibetan registered, if there is legal tourism license, permits can be applied. However, an agency like “Tibet Local Guide Travel Service” official name is Tibet Norpel Lin Travel service has many years experiences with focus on serving only foreign travelers, we can provide hassles free permits and quality Tibet tour services. It is one-stop shop Tibet tour solution with better local prices.

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