Day 01, Flight to Lhasa (Alt 3,595m/11,792ft) (B)

Arrival in Gonggar Airport of Lhasa. You are met and greeted by our representative and drive to Lhasa City (1hr). Check in hotel and take rest for acclimatization. You will experience mild symptoms of the altitude sickness such as headache, dizziness, disorientation, breathlessness etc but it should go away in a day or two. Please, drink plenty of water and consume liquid food. Accommodation in middle range Gyangyen or Denkang or Dhod Gu Hotel or similar.

Day 02, At Lhasa (B)

Full day sightseeing of Lhasa, visiting Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace-the principal attraction of Lhasa, Sera Monastery-the last of the three Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa and Norbulinkha- the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. If you are hiking enthusiast and if you do not show signs of altitude sickness, Sera Monastery kora (hiking on the pilgrimage path around the monastery) would be worth trying. We will also take chance to attend the debating ceremony of Sera Monks. Accommodation in middle range Gyangyen or Denkang or Dhod Gu Hotel or similar.

Day 03,At Lhasa (B)

Today, we will visit Drepung Monastery-the largest, richest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet and was the power center of Tibet before the 5th Dalai Lama moved to Potala palace. At Drepung, we will visit the Ganden Palace, Main Assembly Hall and Colleges of Drepung. (Optional: Hiking enthusiasts can also attempt 1 hr long circuit hiking but you should be fully acclimatized ) ancient Jorkhang Temple in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa and the Barkhor Street that forms the pilgrim circuit around the Jorkhang Temple. Accommodation in middle range Gyangyen or Denkang or Dhod Gu Hotel or similar.

Day 04, Drive Lhasa-Gyantse (13467ft, 176miles, 6 ½ hrs) (B)

Today, we drive to Gyantse town which still maintains Tibetan characteristics. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Kamba La (15,700 ft) and Karo La (16,500ft) and the follows the bank of Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes of Tibet and has turquoise green water. As we leave the lakeshore behind, the road climbs to Karo La (16,500ft), once again offering breathtaking views of the mountain and vast Tibetan plateau. We arrive at Gyantse town late afternoon. Gyantse, perhaps the only major town in Central Tibet which has been able to maintain its Tibetan characteristics. We check in hotel and take rest for the day. Overnight Gyantse Hotel (3*)

Day 05,Drive Gyantse-Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs) (B)

After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery-the main highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is the landmark of Gyantse and can be spotted from a long distance. If you are a hiking enthusiast, you may also attempt hiking the historical fortress of Gyantse. View from the fortress over to the city is just superb. From Gyantse, its less than 2 hrs drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. About 13 miles (20 km) before Shigatse, we take 4 km side trip of Shalu Monastery-the first of the major monasteries to be built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism, and was an important center of the Sakya tradition. Upon arrival in Shigatse, we check in hotel and later take a relaxing walk through the Shigatse's Flea market which is a nice bargain place for Tibetan souvenir. Accommodation in Shigatse Manasarovara Hotel.

Day 06 ,Drive Shigatse-Shegar (4050m/13500ft, 182km/121miles, 5 hrs) (B )

After breakfast, we check out hotel and visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery before we hit the highway for Shegar. Tashilunbo Monastery is the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet after the Dalai Lama. Tashilunbo is one of the 6 major Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet. The journey from Shigatse to Shegar, also known as New Tingri, involves crossing of two high passes Tropu La (16,236 ft) and Gyatso La (17,122 ft). The road passes through villages and the Mountain View follows us all the time. Upon arrival in Shegar, we check in hotel and take some rest. Later visit the ruins of historic Shegar Dzong-once the capital of Tingri region. Time permitting; we will also visit Shegar Chode Monastery, which is a small Gelugpa institution. Accommodation in Qomolongma Hotel which is the best available accommodation in town.

Day 07/08, At Kharta (B/L/D)

Today, drive drive and enter the Everest region. We cross a high pass Pang La (5,150m, 16, 890ft) and enjoy the great views of Mount Everest and other majestic peaks. We descend to Phadruchi Village from where the road bifurcates; the track to the west heads to the Rongbuk Valley - the one to the east leads to the Phung Chu or Arun Valley and the village of Kharta - the administrative headquarters of the region.We have an extra day in Kharta valley to explore around and get properly acclimatized.

Day 09,Begin the trek (B/L/D)

We follow the rough road along the Kharta River until we cross a substantial bridge and from there we have well-defined trail that gradually winds up a series of small scattered settlements set amid barley fields. After about 2 miles, the trail splits and we take the upper trail ascending towards the Shao La (4, 970m/ 16, 300ft). Our trail leads us to the village of Lundrubling, where we set up camp for the night.

Day 10,Trek to Kaamo Tsangpo Valley (B/L/D)

The trail goes steadily and steeply up along beautiful yak pastures before it drops down towards the Kaamo Tsangpo Valley. We’ll set up camp at Joksam at 4,000 m/13120ft which is a tranquil site, located amidst pine and fir forests just above the Kaamo Tsangpo Valley.

Day 11,Trek to Khangsung Valley (B/L/D)

We take a steep 300 m ascent through the conifer forest and arrive at the ridgeline high above the Kama Tsangpo Valley, from where we can enjoy the magnificent views south towards the Arun Gorge and Nepal. We pass yak herder’s camp and a series of beautiful lakes before ascending a ridge and gaining our first uninterrupted views of the Kangshung Face of Everest. We’ll set up camp in one of the meadows.

Day 12,Trek to Pethang Ringmo (B/L/D)

We descend to the camp at Pathang Ringmo at 4,550 meters (14, 924 ft), a beautiful meadow camp beneath the impressive peak of Chomo Lonzo, 7,790 (25,551ft). We take chance to walk up to the sacred lake that lies immediately above the camp. We will also visit sacred cave of Guru Padmasambhava.

Day 13,Trek to Hoppo (B/L/D)

We have a tough day today; the grail goes through loose slopes but we are well compensated with great views of Kangshung Face of Everest and appreciate the impressive glaciers at Chomo Lonzo across the valley. Our camp at Hoppo is situated amid yak pastures at 4800m/15744ft.

Day 14,Kangshung Face Base Camp Excursion(B/L/D)

Today, we walk to the destination of this trip-Face Base Camp at 5,050 m/16,564ft which is completed in two hours or so. We gradually ascend to the grassy ridges to the muzzle of the Kanghung glacier. As the huge face of the mountain comes in view, it’s no brainer to understand why it has been attempted by a handful of expeditions. From our vantage point, the impressive North East Ridge of Everest is also seen. We return to Hoppo and camp.

Day 15/16, Cross Langma La and trek to Lundrubling(B/L/D)

We trek across the meadows and en route we, have impressive views of Himalayans and in particular, the summit of Mount Makalu is striking.We cross Langma La (5, 330m/ 17, 482 ft) that takes about 2 hrs from the base along a well-graded trail and we are rewarded with great views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. We take a steep descent to the valley floor and pass by yak herders' camps from Kharta and the nearby villages. We head down to the confluence of the Kharta Valley and where Kanchenjunga massif rearing above the ridges beyond Kharta on the Nepal- Sikkim border comes in view.

Day 17, Trek to Kharta, Drive to Tashidzong 4110m (B/L/D)

We explore the village just around the corner from our camp site. Today, we have less than 3 hours trekking to Kharta. Depending on the time, we may want to continue ahead to Tashidzong, the main transportation hub.

Day 18, Drive to Dza Rongphu (Rongbuk) Gompa, Trek to Everest Base camp (B/L/D)

In about an hour from Tashidzong, we reenter the Chomolungma Nature Preserve and we drive up to Dza Rongphu (Rongbuk) Monastery. The monastery situated at an altitude of 4980m (16,334m) is believed to the highest monastery in the world. The monastery, founded by a Nyingmapa Lama, is over a hundred years old. From here, we leave the Landcruisers behind and take a hike for about 1 hour (8km, 5 miles) through the ruins of two ani gompas, or nunneries, Changchub Tarling and Rongchung, older than Rongbuk Gompa. We enjoy an unobstructed view of Mount Kailash from bottom to the top, an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Today, we take refuge in the basic guesthouse accommodation available in the base camp.

Day 19: Explore Everest Base camp and drive to Old Tingri (4350m, 14400ft) 151km, 4 ½ hrs) (B)

We enjoy sunrise view in the morning and we trek or take horse carriage ride back to Rongbuk Monastery, hop on our land cruisers and take short cut to Tingri. The road was once a trekking route and is still beautiful. We take walk around for a glimpse of Tibetan village life in Old Tingri which has little more than 100 mud-brick houses crowded together in Tibetan style below the hillside. There are some real Tibetan characters roaming the streets doing business; or perhaps passing us on the street in their horse-carts or prayer-flag festooned tractors. Accommodation in Snow leopard Guesthouse or best available.

Day 20: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m/7544ft, 193km/120 miles, 6 hrs) (B)

After an early morning breakfast, we are back on Friendship Highway for our trip towards Nepal border. From Tingri, the road climbs up a wide valley and we bid farewell to Mount Everest and Cho Oyu. We motor over two majestic passes of Lablung La ( 5, 124m, 16, 806ft) and Tong La ( 5, 120m, 16794ft) where our driver and guide stop to pray and express gratitude for a successful trip. We will admire the glory of the Himalayas from the pass. The road then descends gradually and we arrive in Nyalam in about two hours. Nyalam (3760m, 12333ft) is the last Tibetan town, from where the road drops dramatically, following the course of Bhotekoshi River. Zhangmu is another one and half hour drive. Accommodation in Zhangmu Hotel (3*)

Day 21: Zhangmu-Kathmandu (142km/95miles, 5-6hrs) (B)

After breakfast at our hotel, we line up in Chinese immigration and custom office for the border formalities. We make sure that we get Chinese EXIT seal on our passport, otherwise Nepali immigration might want to send us all the way back up or we pay penalty. From here, Nepal border is about 20 minutes drive down hill. At the Friendship Bridge, we see off Tibetan crews and we continue the trip with Nepali staff. If you do not have Nepali visa yet, we can obtain it here. From here, it takes about 4 hours to Kathmandu-the Nepali capital city. The road follows the river most of the time and passes through picturesque roadside settlements. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we check in hotel and take rest for the day. Overnight Shanker Hotel (4*)

Day 22: Departure (B)

There are extension possibilities available in Nepal. If you have not been to Nepal before, you may want to add a couple of days for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You can go to Chitwan National Park (160km, 100miles) southwest of Kathmandu for jungle safari rides (2 nights/3 days) or simply relax in the tranquil atmosphere of Pokhara glacial valley (2-3 days).