8-Day Lhasa, Everest Base Camp & Namtso Lake Tour
Lhasa · Yamdrok Lake · Gyantse · Shigatse · Everest Base Camp · Namtso Lake
The Route
The essential Tibet in eight days: Lhasa, Everest and Namtso
A comfortable eight-day group journey that gathers Tibet's three great highlights into one trip — the holy city of Lhasa, the north face of Everest at base camp, and the heavenly lake of Namtso — without rushing the altitude. You begin with a full day among the Potala, Jokhang and Barkhor, cross the classic overland route past Yamdrok Lake and the Gyantse Kumbum to Shigatse, then climb to a heated tent beneath Everest for sunrise on the summit.
Where many Everest tours stop there, this one adds a day out to Namtso, the deep-blue 'heavenly lake' ringed by snow peaks. Comfortable 4-star hotels in the cities, an Everest base-camp tent, a private oxygen-equipped vehicle and an English-speaking Tibetan guide are all arranged, along with your Tibet Travel Permit.
It's a full, well-paced introduction to the roof of the world — see our best time to visit Tibet guide to choose your season.
Trip Highlights
- ◆Tibet's three icons in one trip — Lhasa, Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake
- ◆A full day in old Lhasa: the Potala, the Jokhang and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit
- ◆Sleep in a heated tent beneath Everest's north face at ~5,200m, and wake for sunrise
- ◆Turquoise Yamdrok Lake, the Karola Glacier and the Gyantse Kumbum on the overland road
- ◆A day out to Namtso, the 'heavenly lake' ringed by the Nyenchen Tanglha peaks
- ◆4-star hotels, an oxygen-equipped vehicle and your Tibet Travel Permit all arranged
Upcoming Departures
Guaranteed fixed-departure dates for this small-group tour. Private departures can run on any date you choose.
| Departure | Days | From (pp) | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24 – Jul 1, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Guaranteed | Reserve → |
| Jul 14 – Jul 21, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Almost Full2 seats left | Enquire → |
| Aug 6 – Aug 13, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Guaranteed | Reserve → |
| Aug 24 – Aug 31, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Guaranteed | Reserve → |
| Sep 10 – Sep 17, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Open | Enquire → |
| Sep 22 – Sep 29, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Guaranteed | Reserve → |
| Oct 6 – Oct 13, 2026 | 8 | $1,290 | Open | Enquire → |
| Oct 22 – Oct 29, 2026 | 8 | $1,190 | Guaranteed | Reserve → |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Lhasa
Your Tibetan guide meets your flight or train and brings you into Lhasa at 3,650m, settling you into the Meikang Hotel. The first day is for rest — the thin air asks for it. Unpack slowly, drink plenty of water, and let your body begin to adjust before the journey opens up. If you feel well by evening, the Potala glows gold above the rooftops from half the corners of the city.
Overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa: Potala, Jokhang and the Barkhor
A full day in the heart of old Lhasa. The morning belongs to the Potala Palace, the soaring winter seat of the Dalai Lamas, its golden tombs and chapels climbing the Red Hill. After lunch comes the seventh-century Jokhang, the holiest temple in Tibet, thick with juniper smoke and the murmur of pilgrims — and the Barkhor circuit around it, where the whole city seems to turn clockwise in prayer.
Meals: Breakfast·Overnight: Lhasa
Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok and Gyantse
Today the plateau opens. You cross the Gampa La for the first sweep of turquoise Yamdrok Lake, pass the icefall of the Karola Glacier almost at the roadside, and reach Gyantse to see the extraordinary tiered Kumbum stupa at Pelkor Chode. A short drive on brings you to Shigatse, Tibet's second city and seat of the Panchen Lama, where the Gesar VIP Hotel is home for the night.
Meals: Breakfast·Overnight: Shigatse
Shigatse to Everest Base Camp via Gawu La
From Shigatse the road bends toward the Himalaya, climbing past Lhatse and over the Gawu La, where on a clear day Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu line the horizon at once. The new switchback road drops you to Rongbuk, the highest monastery on earth, and on to base camp at around 5,200m beneath the great north face. Tonight you sleep in a heated tent at the foot of the mountain — and, weather willing, watch the summit turn gold at dusk.
Meals: Breakfast·Overnight: Heated tent / oxygen guesthouse at Everest Base Camp
Everest sunrise, Gyatso La, return to Shigatse
Wake for sunrise if the sky is clear — the single moment the highest mountain on earth turns from grey to rose is worth the cold. After time at base camp you retrace the high passes, pausing at the Gyatso La viewpoint for a last panorama of the Himalayan giants, then drop back down to the comfort and warmth of Shigatse for the night.
Meals: Breakfast·Overnight: Shigatse
Shigatse to Lhasa via Tashilhunpo
A morning at Tashilhunpo, the vast gold-roofed monastery of the Panchen Lamas and one of the great religious centres of Tibet, before the Friendship Highway carries you back east to Lhasa. The drive traces the Yarlung Tsangpo through its broad valley; by afternoon you are back in the capital, with the evening free to rest or wander the Barkhor once more.
Meals: Breakfast·Overnight: Lhasa
Day trip to Namtso Lake
A long but spectacular day out to Namtso, the heavenly lake. The road climbs onto the northern grasslands and over a pass above 5,100m to the lake's deep-blue expanse, ringed by the snow peaks of the Nyenchen Tanglha — one of the most beautiful sights in Tibet. After time on the shore among the prayer-flagged rocks of Tashi Dor, you drive back south to Lhasa for the night.
Meals: Breakfast·Overnight: Lhasa
Departure from Lhasa
After breakfast your guide sees you off at Lhasa's airport or railway station. In eight days you have taken in the holy city, stood beneath Everest's north face, and walked the shore of its most beautiful lake — the essential Tibet, comfortably and well-guided from start to finish.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
- ✓Tibet Travel Permit and all required local permits
- ✓Licensed English-speaking Tibetan guide and private vehicle throughout, with oxygen on board
- ✓4-star hotels in Lhasa (Meikang or similar) and Shigatse (Gesar VIP or similar); a heated tent or oxygen-supplied guesthouse at Everest
- ✓All entrance fees for the sites listed; breakfasts as listed
- ✓Airport / railway-station transfers per the itinerary
- ✓Service charges, government taxes and travel accident insurance
Not Included
- —International and domestic flights or trains to and from Lhasa (we book these on request)
- —Chinese visa (we can provide the documents you need to apply)
- —Lunches and dinners, and personal expenses
- —Single-room supplement (price on request)
- —Tips for your guide and driver
- —Costs arising from force majeure — weather, road or permit closures
Accommodation
Comfortable 4-star hotels in the cities — the Meikang Hotel in Lhasa and the Gesar VIP Building Hotel in Shigatse (or equivalent) — and a heated tent or oxygen-supplied guesthouse at Everest Base Camp, the standard at 5,200m. Hotel class is flexible; tell us your preference. Bring warm layers for the base-camp night.
Departures & Pricing
| Season | Per person |
|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | $990 |
| Shoulder (Apr, Nov) | $1,090 |
| Peak (May–Oct) | $1,190 |
| Golden Week | $1,290 |
per person, twin-share. Fixed small-group departures run on set dates — tell us your month and we'll confirm the next available group.
Frequently Asked Questions
On this itinerary Namtso is a full day trip from Lhasa, returning to the city to sleep — which keeps your nights at a comfortable altitude. If you would rather overnight on the lakeshore for sunrise, our 10-day Everest and Namtso tour includes that. Both are good; it depends how much high-altitude camping you want.
Gallery
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