I all the time wished to go on adventures and do stuff off the crushed path. Touring to Tibet and visiting Everest Base Camp was a kind of needs. When the prospect lastly got here from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, I knew I needed to take it.

Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, was my start line for this journey. Town felt completely different from wherever I’d ever been, quiet but filled with power, with deep non secular roots. Lhasa is the very best metropolis on this planet with an elevation of three,656 m above sea.

I do know that this wasn’t going to be a straightforward and leisurely tour. I got here ready, as everybody who travels to Tibet must be.

Include me from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

The journey contains going by means of valleys, winding mountain roads, and tiny villages the place life strikes slowly. On the best way to Everest Base Camp, we visited lovely lakes, peaceable monasteries, and snowy peaks that appeared to the touch the sky.

I’m Helen Wang, and that is the story of my first time journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp. If you happen to determine to go on a journey to Tibet, I’ve this Tibet Travel Guide that can make it easier to with all of the important info.

Lhasa

Lhasa was the place the journey started. Town felt like a spot between the earth and the sky. I arrived a number of days early to get used to the excessive altitude (over 3,600 meters) and to soak within the peaceable, non secular vibe of the town. When touring to Tibet, you have to keep in Lhasa for about 2 or three days to acclimatize, particularly in case you are touring to EBC.

A must-visit attraction in Lhasa is the Potala Palace. It stood tall on a hill, and climbing the steep steps was no joke. To be trustworthy, I needed to cease a number of instances to catch my breath, however the effort was value it. Inside, I wandered by means of rooms full of colourful wall work and golden statues.

The second must-visit attraction is Jokhang Temple. I joined the regular stream of pilgrims strolling in circles round it, their prayer wheels spinning of their fingers. The odor of yak butter candles blended with the smooth sound of prayers within the air. It was calm, grounding, and deeply transferring.

The Barkhor market was a complete change of tempo, a bit busy, loud, and energetic. There have been
stalls promoting all the things from jewellery and prayer flags to scorching bowls of thukpa, even a Tibetan noodle soup.

Quickly, it was time to move out. Our small group, 4 vacationers, a form driver, and our Tibetan information.

Observe: Once you journey to Tibet, you have to have an area tour information and an organized tour. You can’t journey in Tibet by yourself.

Ganden Monastery

About an hour east of Lhasa, we headed up a winding highway to our first cease, Ganden Monastery. Sitting excessive on a mountain at 4,300 meters, it felt prefer it was nearly touching the sky. The drive began off simple, mild curves by means of inexperienced valleys the place yaks grazed close to small, mud-brick houses. However as we climbed larger, the air obtained thinner. I felt a light-weight strain in my head, simply sufficient to remind me how excessive we had been.

Observe: Please concentrate on the signs of altitude illness.

After we reached Ganden Monastery, its golden rooftops stood out brightly in opposition to the naked hills. It regarded peaceable and highly effective on the identical time. I walked the kora path that wrapped across the monastery, with colourful prayer flags flapping within the wind. Their vibrant reds, blues, and greens stood out within the quiet, rocky panorama.

Contained in the monastery, there are monks in deep pink robes who transfer calmly by means of the halls. We moved quietly by means of the monastery, and after we got here to a small room, I noticed a monk who was lighting the butter lamp. The odor and the sensation if you end up in a sacred place like this are issues you can’t clarify with phrases.

Exterior the Ganden Monastery is the view that I’ll always remember. An enormous open valley under us, untouched and huge, with snow-capped peaks far within the distance. I sat right down to relaxation, respiration slowly, taking all of it in. It felt like a sacred place, heavy with historical past and peace.

Our information instructed us about Ganden’s previous, the way it had survived years of wrestle and nonetheless stood
sturdy. It was time that we would have liked to go on the highway to achieve some of the lovely lakes. Subsequent stop- Yamdrok Lake.

Yamdrok Lake – En route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

After leaving Ganden Monastery, we drove southwest towards Yamdrok Lake. The highway twisted and turned as we climbed larger. I used to be grateful that we had a fantastic driver. After we lastly reached Kamba La Move at practically 4,800 meters, the air felt heavy on my chest. Nevertheless, once I noticed the lake under, I forgot all the things else. These are memorable views, one thing that even a digicam can’t take, as your eyes can see it.

Yamdrok Lake is without doubt one of the three largest lakes in Tibet, the opposite two are Namtso Lake and
Lake Manasarovar. All three lakes are sacred to Tibetan Buddhists.

The particular turquoise water makes Yamdrok Lake appear to be a dream. The water glowed in vibrant shades of turquoise and inexperienced, surrounded by snowy mountains. It didn’t even really feel actual, extra like one thing out of a portray.

We had a good time right here. Our journey information pointed to a small monastery distant on a hill. Its white partitions blended into the panorama, and he instructed us that Yamdrok is taken into account sacred, believed to be the life power of Tibet.

Karo La Glacier- A Glimpse of Ice

From Yamdrok, the highway climbed larger as soon as extra, this time towards Karo La Move at simply over 5,000 meters. The air turned icy, and I pulled my jacket shut round me as we stepped out of the automotive. In entrance of us was the Karo La Glacier, a wall of shining ice clinging to the facet of a mountain.

It was smaller than I anticipated, and that made me pause. Possibly it was an indication of how the world is altering. Nonetheless, it was beautiful. The snow round it sparkled within the daylight, and for a second, all the things was quiet. I felt a mixture of surprise and a little bit of unhappiness.

Prayer flags snapped within the wind on the go, their colours standing out in opposition to the pure white of the peaks. I took a deep breath, and the chilly air burned slightly because it stuffed my lungs. When instances like this happen, I all the time take into consideration how delicate these locations are. So distant, so excessive, and but so susceptible.

We didn’t keep lengthy. The altitude made it laborious to maneuver or suppose clearly. However as we drove on, I saved fascinated by that glacier. There was one thing mild and highly effective about it, like a chunk of one other world.

Gyantse

By late afternoon, we arrived in a quiet city referred to as Gyantse, which felt like getting into the previous. Our first cease was the Pelkor Chode Monastery. Its white partitions and golden stupa caught the final little bit of daylight because the day started to fade.

The spotlight was the Kumbum Stupa. It’s a tall, layered construction, and climbing it felt like exploring a small maze. Every stage had chapels with colourful murals, pictures of Buddhas, demons, and detailed patterns that instructed tales with out phrases. The air inside was cool and smelled slightly outdated, like stone and incense. I took my time strolling by means of, simply attempting to take all of it in.

Observe: You don’t have to rush if you end up in any attraction or vacation spot in Tibet. Take your time to soak up the calmness, simply be current.

Learn Extra – Exploring Tibet as Roof Of The World

On the prime, I regarded out over the city. Gyantse’s low buildings unfold out under, surrounded by smooth hills. Not distant, the outdated fort stood on a rocky hill. I hiked a part of the best way up and thought of what this place should have been like way back when merchants and vacationers handed by means of. From our tour information, I’ve discovered that the fort had as soon as held off invasions, and the way its sturdy partitions nonetheless stood as an emblem of Tibet’s energy.

Dinner that night time was easy, noodles and yak meat stew, nevertheless it was simply what we would have liked. We sat collectively, shared tales from the day, and felt slightly nearer to this land and to one another.

Subsequent Cease – Shigatse

Subsequent on our journey was Shigatse. That is the second-largest metropolis in Tibet. It’s quieter than Lhasa, however nonetheless with plenty of attraction and character. Our principal cease was Tashilhunpo Monastery, an vital place and the house of the Panchen Lama. Contained in the monastery, I walked by means of huge courtyards the place monks had been deep in debate. They spoke shortly, clapping their fingers to make a degree. It was full of life and attention-grabbing to observe. One of many principal highlights of the monastery is the large statue of Maitreya Buddha. It’s lined in gold, and it stood tall and calm. Standing in entrance of it, I felt small however peaceable, like I used to be a part of one thing larger.

The chapels inside had been filled with shade. The partitions had been lined with work and material Thangkas, and the altars had been stacked with choices. Every little thing felt alive and filled with which means.

Later, I wandered by means of Shigatse’s market. There have been stalls promoting all types of issues, prayer beads, snacks, and blocks of dried yak cheese. I purchased a small prayer wheel. It felt good in my hand, strong and easy.

Observe: Attempt yak butter tea. It’s salty and wealthy, perhaps not what you’re used to, however one way or the other comforting within the chilly Tibetan air.

We spent the night time in a small guesthouse. It was quiet, and once I stepped exterior, the celebrities above had been extremely vibrant, perhaps the clearest I had ever seen. It was a peaceable finish to the day, and a touch of what the high-altitude nights forward can be like.

Sakya Monastery – En route Lhasa to Everest Base Camp

The following morning, we made our approach to Sakya, a small city identified for its large monastery. Sakya Monastery regarded extra like a fortress than a temple. Nevertheless, it’s the house of the Sakya college of Tibetan Buddhism. It stood out sharply in opposition to the naked, open land round it.

Contained in the monastery, it felt outdated and quiet, which is comprehensible. The halls had been darkish, lit solely by the smooth glow of butter lamps. One of the crucial spectacular elements of Sakya Monastery was the library. Cabinets are stretched excessive, full of historical texts; a number of the texts are greater than a thousand years outdated. The air smelled dusty, and all the things felt heavy with historical past. There was a thangka hanging on the wall, with colours that had pale over time, nevertheless it was nonetheless very lovely.

A younger monk, most likely no older than 13, gave us a brief tour. He confirmed us a big prayer wheel and defined what it meant. He was shy, however variety, and it made the go to really feel extra private.

Exterior, Sakya was quiet. The streets had been practically empty, and I stood for some time watching a number of nomads main yaks throughout the plains. The entire city felt frozen in time. There was
one thing highly effective about its silence and ease, like I had walked right into a forgotten a part of Tibet’s lengthy story.

Lhatse

We made a brief cease in Lhatse. This can be a small, dusty city that felt like a quiet break in the course of the journey. It wasn’t a spot we deliberate to discover, simply an opportunity to have some drinks and snacks, and an ideal time to stretch our legs.

The panorama round us was beginning to change. The mild hills had been giving approach to sharper ones, forming rocky cliffs. Within the distance, there have been tents, which had been house to nomadic households who moved with the seasons.

There wasn’t a lot occurring in Lhatse, however there was one thing in regards to the place that stayed with me. Possibly it was the sensation of life persevering with, quietly and steadily, even in such a harsh and distant a part of the world.

Do learn: Chandratal Lake – Blue Lake of Lahaul Spiti Valley

Shegar

After we obtained to Shegar, the mountains had been now not simply one thing within the distance; they had been proper there in entrance of us, large and unattainable to disregard. The city is small, with a number of primary guesthouses and a checkpoint for coming into Qomolangma Nationwide Park.

We stopped to register for Everest Base Camp. It solely took slightly paperwork, nevertheless it felt like an vital step, like we had been lastly getting shut.

Observe: To journey to Tibet, you’ll want a Tibet journey allow, and if you happen to journey to a selected space, like I do to Everest Base Camp, additionally, you will want an Alien Journey allow.

Later, I hiked a brief path to a viewpoint. The climb wasn’t lengthy, however the altitude made it powerful. My coronary heart raced with each step.

On the prime, I noticed the Himalayan peaks clearly for the primary time. The sky was a deep blue, the air cool and sharp. Seeing these large mountains made all the things really feel extra actual. Shegar wasn’t a spot to remain lengthy, nevertheless it marked the second the ultimate a part of the journey actually started.

Rongbuk Monastery

Virtually there at Everest Base Camp. Nevertheless, the drive to Rongbuk wasn’t simple. The highway is tough and filled with twists, however the views are unbelievable. We crossed Gyawu La Move at 5,200 meters, the place colourful prayer flags flapped wildly within the wind. From there, we may see a number of the massive Himalayan peaks, reminiscent of Cho Oyu, Makalu, and extra, lined up on the horizon.

Finally, we reached Rongbuk Monastery, sitting at 4,980 meters. That is the very best monastery on this planet. Its stone buildings regarded small subsequent to the large north face of Everest rising behind it.

I sat and I used to be simply staring on the mountain. This was the view I had been dreaming of. The
monastery itself was quiet and easy, nevertheless it had a peaceful energy to it. It felt like the right place to pause and take a breath earlier than heading to the very finish of this journey, to the Everest Base Camp.

Do Learn: Kashmir Temples to see in and around Srinagar

Remaining Cease- Everest Base Camp

The final stretch to Everest Base Camp didn’t take lengthy, nevertheless it didn’t really feel actual at first. At 5,200 meters, the air was skinny and chilly, and the highway ended at a small group of tents and a stone signal marking the spot.

I stepped out of the automotive and regarded up at Everest’s large, snow-covered face. The altitude made me slightly lightheaded. Luckily, all of us had oxygen tanks. It’s advisable to hold with you in Tibet, due to the excessive altitude, even if you happen to get acclimatized to Lhasa for a number of days.

The camp itself was primary, a number of tents for climbers, some yaks wandering close by, and huge
open house below an enormous sky.

I climbed a small hill lined in fluttering prayer flags and stood for some time in silence. The wind was sturdy, and the mountain in entrance of me felt extra than simply massive; it felt alive, like a robust presence you couldn’t ignore.

I stayed so long as I may earlier than the chilly obtained to me. It wasn’t dramatic or loud, however the second caught with me. Standing on the foot of Everest was one thing I’d always remember.

The Means Again To Lhasa

The drive again to Lhasa adopted the identical route, nevertheless it didn’t really feel the identical. Locations like Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, and Tashilhunpo Monastery had been now not simply stops on a map; they had been a part of one thing larger. Every place had left a mark on me.

The views had been nonetheless lovely with huge open valleys, snowy peaks, and villages alongside the best way, however now they felt extra acquainted, nearly comforting. Tibet had gotten below my pores and skin in the easiest way. Its tough magnificence, deep religion, and quiet energy had modified one thing inside me.

After we lastly reached Lhasa once more and I noticed the Potala Palace glowing within the night gentle, I felt grateful. I wasn’t the identical one who had first arrived.

This journey, from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, was greater than only a highway journey for me. It felt like a pilgrimage. An opportunity to step right into a world that’s wild, sacred, and unforgettable. I promised myself that I might come again. And I’ve come again many instances since my first journey. And each time Tibet tells a special story, each time I’m studying extra about life and myself.

If you happen to ever get the prospect to go, do it. Let the mountains, the monasteries, and the skies communicate to you. I promise you’ll carry their tales with you lengthy after you permit.