Other Side of Everest
Active holidays within 22 days in Tibet!
This exciting and unique tour sees us trekking in three distinctly different areas of this fascinating region. We venture up to Lake Namtso in Central Tibet, then through a spectacular area south of Shigatse where we visit monasteries tucked away in the mountains. One of the major highlights of the tour is trekking into the Base Camp on the north side of Everest.
IN LHASA
We hope for views of Everest as we fly across the Himalaya from Kathmandu to Gongkar in Tibet, where we meet our vehicle and drive on to Lhasa. We have two full days of sightseeing in and around this fascinating historic capital city including visits to the sacred Jokhang temple and the incredible Potala Palace.
PILGRIMS & MONASTERIES
Heading north out of Lhasa we eventually reach Damzhung, then ascend the Largen La Pass (4970m). From here we get fantastic views of lovely Namtso Lake, one of the world's highest at 4590m. Camping at Tashi Do on its shore, we enjoy a spectacular vista of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and visit the nearby hermitage caves with their many prayer flags fluttering in the wind. After acclimatising walks near the lake we drive back over the Largen La to Yangpachen where we camp for the night near to the Gompa (monastery). After visiting the monastery we continue on foot to Dorjeling where we meet our vehicle. Driving south to Shigatse we visit historic Tashilumpo Monastery, one of the largest in Tibet. The second part of our trek takes us on a pilgrimage route from Zhalu (3890m) through rugged mountains and past several remote monasteries to Ja village, then over the Chak La (4470m) to Ngor Monastery where we stay overnight in the pilgrims' dormitory.
EVEREST APPROACH
Our final days trekking, although strenuous, are well worth the effort and take us over two high passes above 5000m. The second of these, the Pang La (5150m) is the highest point on the tour. Eventually we are rewarded with our first views of Everest (8848m) - a fantastic and memorable sight and a wonderful highlight of the tour. We camp at Dza Rongphu Monastery (4920m) from where we make our final trek to the Base Camp (5090m).
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Itinerary / Highlights
Trip HighlightsKathmandu - Half-day walking tour of the Old City and Durbar Square.
Lhasa - Included tour of the Potala Palace, Jokhang and the Norbulingka plus free time to explore nearby monasteries and nunneries.
Lake Namtso - Visit this high altitude lake in central Tibet.
Monasteries - Visit remote monasteries and stay overnight in the one at Ngor.
Everest Base Camp - Trek from Dza Rongphu Monastery to Everest Base Camp (5090m).
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Join tour Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu, check into hotel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2: In Kathmandu
After breakfast, we’ll make a walking tour visiting the bazaars and temples of Old Kathmandu accompanied by a local Nepali guide. Much of the everyday life of Kathmandu takes place in the local bazaars. There is a fascinating mixture of people selling spices and vegetables; potters spin their wheels to produce small household bowls and containers for temple offerings; pilgrims visit their favourite gods at small shrines dotted along the sides of the alleyways; rickshaw wallahs honk their horns and the ever-present sacred cow wanders among it all. The afternoon is left free for individual sightseeing. You may wish to visit the temple of Pashupatinath on the Bagmati river – the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal – and Bodnath Stupa, the largest in the country and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal. There are also a multitude of interesting places within easy reach of the Nepali capital. Perhaps you could take in Swayambunath, the monkey temple (a short taxi ride or about 40 minutes walk from the city centre). And there’s also Patan, Nepal’s one time capital situated just a short taxi ride from Kathmandu or Bhaktapur, one of the three ancient cities of the Kathmandu valley.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Fly to Lhasa
After a spectacular flight over the Himalaya with possible views of Everest, we continue to Lhasa. Located in a bowl-shaped valley, at an altitude of 3658m, Lhasa is the capital of Tibet and its name means ‘Abode of the Gods’. This evening, there will be time for a short introductory tour of the Old City.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4 to 5: In Lhasa
Our next two days are dedicated to extensive sightseeing of Lhasa. The city’s location is spectacular. Set in a ring of bare mountains (snow covered in winter), the valley is cut through by the gushing Kyi Chu (the Happy River), one of the headwaters of the mighty Indian Brahmaputra. For most of the year the sky above Lhasa is a deep intense blue, and the air is crisp and dry. Weeping willows wave over little streams and lakes, and peach trees blossom. Our sightseeing will include the Potala Palace, the former seat of the Dalai Lamas, where the genius of Tibetan architecture finds expression in the glistening white walls that seem to soar directly from every stone and rock face. The present (fourteenth) Dalai Lama, whose title has been carried through the centuries by an unbroken lineage of reincarnations, now lives in exile in India. We plan to visit the famous Jokhang Temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the country and an object of circumambulation by devoted pilgrims and we will also spend time at the Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former summer palace. You’ll also have free time to stroll around the colourful stalls in the market (Barkhor), or just sit back quietly and observe the noisy and jostling crowds of pilgrims and haggling merchants. Further visits over our two days here include the Ani Tsangkung Nunnery, (the only active nunnery in Lhasa) and the monastic university of Sera where the monks practice philosophical debates which take place in the Monastery garden, and Gregorian-style ritual chanting in the assembly halls.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Visit Ganden monastery and walk the kora; PM optional white water rafting
This morning we drive out of the city north east to the Monastery of Ganden perched at the top of a valley with commanding views, extensively restored and home to around 450 monks. Ganden belongs to the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect whose spiritual leader is his holiness the Dalai Lama, now resident in exile in North India. To help our acclimatization we aim to walk the monastery's kora (pilgrimage circuit). Later today and depending on the weather and water conditions, it may be possible to enjoy some optional white water rafting on the Brahmaputra river.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Drive to Tsurphu; visit monastery.
Today we leave Lhasa behind and drive to Tsurphu monastery to the northwest where we set up our first camp on the trip. There's time to explore the monastery which was founded in the 12th century and is the traditional seat of the Karmarpa, head of the Karma Kagyu sect. The monastery's popularity with pilgrims has fallen into decline since the Karmarpa himself fled to India in 2000. Interestingly, his authenticity as a genuine reincarnate was in dispute!
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Trek to Leten
Accompanied by our yak porters and their handlers we set out on a spectacular first day of trekking up a green valley criss-crossed with mountain streams. Several small communities of Dokpa nomads camp here for the summer herding months, and if we're lucky we may get invited into a yak-hair tent for a cup of salt butter tea or some fresh yak milk! After around 4 hours we crest a ridge and emerge onto a high plateau at around 5000 metres with a scattering of rock-enclosed huts and where we seek out a flat area to pitch camp.
Trekking 4 hours approx 11kms.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Trek to Bartso
After crossing a small pass, the Damchen Nyingtri, we descend into a magical valley of lichen-coated boulders and meandering streams. After crossing the Lasar pass we then descend into the Yangpachen valley with its wide open plateaus, spiky grass hummocks and tundra-like parched, cracked patches of earth, and head towards Bartso. The views of mounts Brize (translated as female yak herder) and Tarze (horse keeper) are superb. We camp near Bartso (4500m), a drokpa village of five or six houses surrounded by bushes of the juniper which is used for incense all over the Tibetan world.
Trekking 5-6 hours approx 15kms
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek to Dorje Ling nunnery; drive to Lake Namtso
Leaving the village of Bartso behind, we head towards a wide trail leading across the valley and over another ridge from where we will be rewarded with views of Nyenchen Tanghlha (7111m), the holiest mountain in central Tibet. Emerging at Tajung village, we then climb gently up rolling hills where young nomadic boys and girls picnic on the plateaus as they watch their yaks and sheep graze. The vistas are, again, just amazing! Around mid-day, we should reach the small Djore Ling Ani Gompa (nunnery) which, time allowing, we hope to visit. From here we drive via Yangpachen and Damzhung and over the Largen La pass (approx 4970m) to Lake Namtso where we set up camp on the south side of Tashi Do, near the mani wall (4200m).
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Lake Namtso
Beautiful and vast Lake Namtso (meaning Sky Lake), lies at an average altitude of 4700 metres and is some 80 X 30 kms. During our time here we will have the opportunity to explore the hermitage caves and Buddhist temples of Tashi Do which we circumambulate in a clockwise direction. These actually mark the start of a vast pilgrimage circuit around the lake. We may also climb to the top of Tashi Do (4,620m) for splendid views. A bird sanctuary is sited nearby and we may be lucky enough to see the black necked cranes and many other migratory birds that flock to this area.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Drive over the Shugu La to Gyantse
Today, we have a long but very scenic drive to Gyantse. The route takes us over the Shugu La (5,300m) and Si Gim La Passes before we descend to the mighty Yarlong Zangbo river for the final hours drive to Gyantse (3,950m). Whilst in Gyantse, we plan to visit the famous Kumbum Stupa (dating from 1440), one of the most magnificent buildings in Tibet. Gold-capped with two bewitching eyes painted on its circular upper wall above the ascending symmetrical storeys, it is built in Newari (Nepalese) style. The monastery walls are covered with extraordinary paintings and sculptures. Depending on our arrival time, the visit will be either this afternoon or next morning.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Drive to Zhalu; start 3-day Trek
This morning we set off to Zhalu village for the start of our second trek. Zhalu monastery at 3,890m was established in the 11th century and is a mix of Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian and Nepalese architecture. The 14th century murals are some of the best preserved in Tibet and the monks belong to the Buton sect, a branch of the Sakyapa sect. Scenically the area is very different to that at Namtso and our trek will take us through agricultural fields and villages then up the valley towards Showa La (a pass of 4,100m) with its red and grey rocky scenery. Our descent into the next valley will bring us to Ja (Iron village) where we camp for the night.
(5 hours walking approx)
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Trek Chaklung Valley to Ngor Monastery
Setting out from Ja village, we continue up the valley, passing hamlets before our ascent of Chak La (4,470m). There are some rewarding views from this pass, including our first sight of Ngor Monastery below (4240m). We head down to the monastery where we’ll stay the night in the pilgrim’s dormitory. Ngor monastery was founded in 1429 and is part of the Sakyapa sect and is currently renowned for its summer schools of debating and teaching of the Buddhist scriptures. Restoration of the monastery is currently underway. (4.5 hours walking approx)
Overnight Monastery (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Trek to Dzong Luguri; visit Tashilumpo
We continue today on the track through Pelrong village and down through the valley to Dzong Luguri village where we’ll have a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we head back in our truck to Shigatse where we visit the splendid monastery of Tashilumpo. Founded in the 15th century it is the seat of the Panchan lamas and one of the six great Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet.
(3 hours walking approx)
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 16: Drive to our camp after the Pang La
Today we have a very long drive from Shigatse to the Everest region along the Lhasa/Kathmandu Highway, often referred to as the 'Friendship Highway'. We cross 2 passes: Tso La (4,500m) and Gatso La (5,220m) before turning off the Highway along the newly sealed road to Mount Everest.The scenery constantly changes both in colour and formation from rocky valleys to soaring mountains.We plan to set up camp some time after crossing the Pang La pass (5120m) the high point on this road
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Drive to Dza Rongphu
Today we've a much shorter drive as we continue our journey to Dza Rongphu monastery (4,920m) where we’ll camp for the night at the base of the monastery walls. Weather conditions allowing, sunset views of Everest will fill our evening with wonder.
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18: Trek to Everest Base Camp
This morning we will trek via the ruined monastaries, nunneries and hermit cells in the valley to Everest Base Camp (5,090m). Please note, this trek involves walking on a dirt road. En route we stop at Guru Rimpoche’s underground meditation cave. After summer rains, wild flowers bloom in the short season and can be seen tucked away behind the glacial boulders. Base camp is a grey treeless area sheltered by mounds of glacial moraine and here we have lunch.
Trekking Approx 5 hours
Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19: Drive to Nyelam
Today we have a long day’s drive towards the Nepal border. Heading north up the Dzakar Chu valley on the very bumpy base camp road through villages and terraced mountain sides, we cross Gya-u La (5,090m) from which on a clear day we can see the panoramic views of all the main peaks of the Himalayan range. Rejoining the Friendship Highway we head west to Tingri and then south over Thong La (5,050m) with Shishapangma Mountain (8,046m) towering nearby, before we arrive in the village of Nyelam (3,720m).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 20: Drive to Kathmandu
After an early start, we may see the sun rise over the northern flanks of the Himalaya with views across – Mount Everest, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. Finally, we leave the high Tibetan Plateau, dropping down a series of steep switchbacks to the sub-tropical landscapes of the Nepali border. After completing the border formalities, we drive to Kathmandu. Please note; Landslides occassionally occur on the stretch of road that descends towards the Nepalese border. It may be necessary to walk across landslides for several kilometres – porters will carry our luggage.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 21: In Kathmandu
Today is left free in Kathmandu. If you would like to see more of Everest there is the opportunity to take a mountain flight over the Himalaya (optional and weather permitting) with outstanding views of the Everest region. Local airlines operate this flight every morning. The flight lasts one hour and flies initially from west to east towards Everest, then turns back to Kathmandu so those on the left of the plane get good views on the outward leg and those on the right get them on the return.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 22: Tour ends Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast
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