Everest Advance Base Camp Trek

Everest Advance Base Camp Trek

Overview And Highlights

Trip Facts

Trip Type

Lodge / Camping

Grade

Moderate

Altitude

4,050 m

Transportation

Land

Group Size

1+

Best Season

Spring and Autumn

This is really an incredible adventure trek along the Rongbuk Glacier to Camp III at 6340 meter, the advance base camp for the north Col route up Mount Everest.

One of the prominent features is that this is the world’s highest trek that takes you as close to the summit of Everest as any non-climber can go without using any technical climbing gears and without mountaineering skill.

It offers you an awesome glimpse of the rock summit of Mt. Everest. Excellent view of entire Mount Everest from Rongbuk turns you speechless. Among other noticeable features of the trek are breath-taking display of picturesque mosaic of Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen, ancient monasteries, high mountain passes, wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain views.

You spend 4 amazing nights in Lhasa visiting Potala Palace, Norbulingkha monastery, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Markets, Drepung monastery and Tashilumpu in Shigatse. And finally there are high chances to witness many Everest climbers fighting their way to the summit.

Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650m.).

Day 02: Sightseeing in Lhasa.

Day 03: Sightseeing in Lhasa.

Day 04: Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization.

Day 05: Drive to Gyantse (3950m).

Day 06: Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m).

Day 07: Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m).

Day 08: Drive to Kharta (3690m).

Day 09: Rest day in Kharta for acclimatization.

Day 10: Trek to Lhundrubling (3990m).

Day 11: Cross Shao La [4970 m] and trek to Kaamo Tsangpo valley.

Day 12: Trek to Khangsung valley (4300 m).

Day 13: Trek to Pethang Ringmo (4960m).

Day 14: Trek from Pethang Ringmo to Hoppo (4800 metres).

Day 15: Trek to Kangshung base camp (5090 metres).

Day 16: Trek to Base of Langma La (4800m).

Day 17: Cross Langma La [5390m] and trek to Lundrubling (3990m).

Day 18: Trek to Kharta (3690m).

Day 19: Drive to Rongbuk (5000m), trek to Everest North face base camp (5150m).

Day 20: Drive to Nyalam.

Day 21: Drive to Kathmandu.

Itinerary Expand All Close All

Food
Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3650

If the weather is clear there is a wonderful view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks en route. On arrival at Gonggar airport (which is 90 km. from Lhasa), you meet your vehicle and drive east along the broad Yarlung Tsangpo valley to Tsedang (3400m.). After checking in to your hotel, you drive south to see the oldest building in Tibet, the Yumbu Lakhang, a beautiful castle-like dwelling and monastery, dramatically perched on a spur looking out over the fertile valley below. If time permits you may be able to visit a small monastery close to Tsedang or an interesting carpet factory where you can see the whole process of carpet making. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3650

Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3650

Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3650

You get an entire day free for acclimatization. After proper rest, you can either indulge in sightseeing, shop or do whatever you fancy. You also get an option of undertaking an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this will incur extra costs. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3950

Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3900

Gyantse prides on GYANTSE DZONG and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900 meter, you find yourself at Shigatse second largest city of Tibet. TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
4050

Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
3690

Ten kilometres after the town of Shegar you divert from the main highway and drive south towards the Everest region. From the top of Pang La (5150 meters) you gain views of Everest and the lie of the surrounding country. From the pass you descend to the village of Phadhruchi where the jeep track divides - the track to the west heading to the Rongbuk Valley - the one to the east leading to the (Phung Chu) Arun Valley and the village of Kharta - the administrative headquarters of the region. Your camping support team will pitch tent just on bank of glacier and cook tasty three course meals. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
3690

Since the days that lie ahead are pretty adventurous, you can utilize this day acclimatizing thoroughly. This will retain your adventure spirit and keep you physically and mentally fit for the forthcoming venture. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
3990

As you head away from Kharta Valley, you will find a bridge over Lang Chu. On crossing this bridge the trail progresses towards north bank of crystal-clear Kharta Chu westward. Transversing past barley fields, you have to follow the upper trail that ascends to Shao La. Few kilometers ahead the trail opens into Lundrubling where you can camp for the night.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
4000

Starting early, you have to head along the trail past Shao La Pass at 4,970 metres amid stunning views of Mount Everest [8,848 metres], Makalu [8,475 metres] and Lhotse [8,501 metres]. The trail steeply descends along picturesque yak pastures leading to the Kaamo Tsangpo Valley (4000m). You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
4300

The trail skirts away from Kaamo Tsangpo Valley through conifer forest and ascends steeply to 300 to 400 meter altitude. Herein, you can savor majestic view of Arun valley and Nepal. Alpine ridges can be viewed along the trail. Yak herders from Kharta village choose these ridges as their summer camps. The trail then ascends crossing emerald green lakes. Along the route, you can view the Kangshung Face of Everest. Camping at lush meadows of Khangsung valley provides an exceptional experience. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
4960

Sacred lake lies to the north from your camp. If you think you can deal with moraines and landslides, then you can right away begin trekking along the trail to this lake for 40 minutes. A sacred cave most popularly renowned as a meditation place of Padmasambhava, the lotus-born Buddha, rests at the end of the lake. This cave has prayer rooms and shelters pilgrims. Few kilometers ahead you will approach a bend, known as Orga, beyond the Kangshung Glacier and at this spot Mt Everest [8848 m] becomes distinctly visible. Then you have to transverse to the right ascending to a 150 m ridge that overlooks the Karma River and glacier. 3 hours of trekking will take you to Kangshung Face base camp at 5000 m. After few rock-strewn descents, you will enter picturesque alpine camp of Pethang Ringmo at 4,550 metres beneath the impressive peak of Chomo Lonzo [7,790 metres] and Makalu. You may even trek westwards along the glacier to a 5950 m ridge. You need to trek along another 5 km to reach up to Mt Everest. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
4800

While heading away from Pethang Ringmo towards Hoppo, the trail crosses lush verdant meadows and then follows several ascents. Thereafter, Kangshung Face of Everest zooms into picture showcasing towering Chomo Lonzo with its glistening glaciers. Few hours of more trekking bring you close to Hoppo at 4800 metres. Hoppo lies surrounded by rich yak pastures. It makes a perfect campsite. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
5090

Kangshung Base Camp lies few kilometers away from Hoppo at an elevation of 5050 meters. En route, you ascend grass-strewn ridges along magnificent Kangshung Glacier. While journeying along this trail, you will not only get enlightened on the topological features of the surrounding places but will also bond with the nature on spiritual level. Along the way you get plenty of opportunity to witness North East Ridge of Everest. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
4800

On this day you trek along the trail that leads to a valley from Pathang Ringmo and then skirts northwards to Langma La pass. Savoring the majestic sights of Himalayan range, you walk past yak pastures. Shortly after hours of adventurous and fun-filled transverse, you will spot an ideal campsite at Shurimo [4,800 metres] located at the base of Langma La. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
3990

It is advisable to make an early start while ascending to Langma La for about two hours. Transversing amidst mesmerizing vistas of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, you will descend steeply from Langma La pass to the valley. On entering the valley, you may encounter yak herders from Kharta at their camps. Several pristine villages are beautifully landscaped in the vicinity. Along the trail, you will meet up with the confluence of the Kharta Valley. You can also view Kanchenjunga massif nestled above the ridges beyond Kharta on the Nepal- Sikkim border. Further ahead, the trail advances towards village of Lundrubling where you will set your overnight camp.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
3690

You trek along the trail turning away from Lundrubling towards Kharta for about 3 hrs and board the waiting 4WD Land cruiser to drive back to Tashidzong. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
5150

Less than an hour after leaving Tashidzong you reenter the Chomolungma Nature Preserve and have to change Landcruisers for reasons the authorities cannot satisfactorily explain. So a local Landcruiser/bus takes us up to Rongbuk Monastery and from here we trek the 9 kms to Everest Base Camp (horse carts are also an option). The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. You stay overnight at camps.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
3750

After catching the sunrise in the morning you will trek back to Rongbuk to board land cruisers to drive past Tingri across Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar you will finally arrive Nyalam. You stay overnight at hotel.

 

Food
BLD
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1350

From Nyalam, you drive to the border town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it’s a short drive to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border where you will part with your Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where you will be met by our Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5-6 hours.

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