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I always wanted to go on adventures and do stuff off the beaten path. Traveling to Tibet and visiting Everest Base Camp was one of those wishes. When the chance finally came from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, I knew I had to take it.
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Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, was my starting point for this journey. The city felt different from anywhere I’d ever been, quiet yet full of energy, with deep spiritual roots. Lhasa is the highest city in the world with an elevation of 3,656 m above sea.
I know that this wasn’t going to be an easy and leisurely tour. I came prepared, as everyone who travels to Tibet should be.
Come with me from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
The journey includes going through valleys, winding mountain roads, and tiny villages where life moves slowly. On the way to Everest Base Camp, we visited beautiful lakes, peaceful monasteries, and snowy peaks that seemed to touch the sky.
I am Helen Wang, and this is the story of my first time journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp. If you decide to go on a journey to Tibet, I have this Tibet Travel Guide that will help you with all the essential information.
Lhasa
Lhasa was where the adventure began. The city felt like a place between the earth and the sky. I arrived a few days early to get used to the high altitude (over 3,600 meters) and to soak in the peaceful, spiritual vibe of the city. When traveling to Tibet, you must stay in Lhasa for about 2 or three days to acclimatize, especially if you are traveling to EBC.
Potala Palace
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 honest, I had to stop a few times to catch my breath, but the effort was worth it. Inside, I wandered through rooms filled with colorful wall paintings and golden statues.
The second must-visit attraction is Jokhang Temple. I joined the steady stream of pilgrims walking in circles around it, their prayer wheels spinning in their hands. The smell of yak butter candles mixed with the soft sound of prayers in the air. It was calm, grounding, and deeply moving.
The Barkhor market was a total change of pace, a bit busy, loud, and full of life. There were
stalls selling everything from jewelry and prayer flags to hot bowls of thukpa, even a Tibetan noodle soup.
Soon, it was time to head out. Our small group, four travelers, a kind driver, and our Tibetan guide.
Note: When you travel to Tibet, you must have a local tour guide and an organized tour. You can not travel in Tibet on your own.
Ganden Monastery
About an hour east of Lhasa, we headed up a winding road to our first stop, Ganden Monastery. Sitting high on a mountain at 4,300 meters, it felt like it was almost touching the sky. The drive started off easy, gentle curves through green valleys where yaks grazed near small, mud-brick homes. But as we climbed higher, the air got thinner. I felt a light pressure in my head, just enough to remind me how high we were.
Note: Please be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness.
When we reached Ganden Monastery, its golden rooftops stood out brightly against the bare hills. It looked peaceful and powerful at the same time. I walked the kora path that wrapped around the monastery, with colorful prayer flags flapping in the wind. Their bright reds, blues, and greens stood out in the quiet, rocky landscape.
Inside the monastery, there are monks in deep red robes who move calmly through the halls. We moved quietly through the monastery, and when we came to a small room, I saw a monk who was lighting the butter lamp. The smell and the feeling when you are in a sacred place like this are things that you can’t explain with words.
Outside the Ganden Monastery is the view that I will never forget. A huge open valley below us, untouched and wide, with snow-capped peaks far in the distance. I sat down to rest, breathing slowly, taking it all in. It felt like a sacred place, heavy with history and peace.
Our guide told us about Ganden’s past, how it had survived years of struggle and still stood
strong. It was time that we needed to go on the road to reach one of the most beautiful lakes. Next stop- Yamdrok Lake.
Yamdrok Lake – En route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
After leaving Ganden Monastery, we drove southwest toward Yamdrok Lake. The road twisted and turned as we climbed higher. I was grateful that we had a great driver. When we finally reached Kamba La Pass at nearly 4,800 meters, the air felt heavy on my chest. However, when I saw the lake below, I forgot everything else. Those are memorable views, something that even a camera can not take, as your eyes can see it.
Yamdrok Lake is one of the three largest lakes in Tibet, the other two are Namtso Lake and
Lake Manasarovar. All three lakes are sacred to Tibetan Buddhists.
The specific turquoise water makes Yamdrok Lake look like a dream. The water glowed in bright shades of turquoise and green, surrounded by snowy mountains. It didn’t even feel real, more like something out of a painting.
We had a great time here. Our travel guide pointed to a small monastery far away on a hill. Its white walls blended into the landscape, and he told us that Yamdrok is considered sacred, believed to be the life force of Tibet.
Karo La Glacier- A Glimpse of Ice
From Yamdrok, the road climbed higher once more, this time toward Karo La Pass at just over 5,000 meters. The air turned icy, and I pulled my jacket close around me as we stepped out of the car. In front of us was the Karo La Glacier, a wall of shining ice clinging to the side of a mountain.
It was smaller than I expected, and that made me pause. Maybe it was a sign of how the world is changing. Still, it was stunning. The snow around it sparkled in the sunlight, and for a moment, everything was quiet. I felt a mix of wonder and a bit of sadness.
Prayer flags snapped in the wind at the pass, their colors standing out against the pure white of the peaks. I took a deep breath, and the cold air burned a little as it filled my lungs. When times like this occur, I always think about how delicate these places are. So remote, so high, and yet so vulnerable.
We didn’t stay long. The altitude made it hard to move or think clearly. But as we drove on, I kept thinking about that glacier. There was something gentle and powerful about it, like a piece of another world.
Gyantse
By late afternoon, we arrived in a quiet town called Gyantse, which felt like stepping into the past. Our first stop was the Pelkor Chode Monastery. Its white walls and golden stupa caught the last bit of sunlight as the day began to fade.
The highlight was the Kumbum Stupa. It’s a tall, layered structure, and climbing it felt like exploring a small maze. Each level had chapels with colorful murals, images of Buddhas, demons, and detailed patterns that told stories without words. The air inside was cool and smelled a little old, like stone and incense. I took my time walking through, just trying to take it all in.
Note: You don’t need to rush when you are in any attraction or destination in Tibet. Take your time to absorb the calmness, just be present.
Read More – Exploring Tibet as Roof Of The World
At the top, I looked out over the town. Gyantse’s low buildings spread out below, surrounded by soft hills. Not far away, the old fort stood on a rocky hill. I hiked part of the way up and thought about what this place must have been like long ago when traders and travelers passed through. From our tour guide, I’ve learned that the fort had once held off invasions, and how its strong walls still stood as a symbol of Tibet’s strength.
Dinner that night was simple, noodles and yak meat stew, but it was just what we needed. We sat together, shared stories from the day, and felt a little closer to this land and to each other.
Next Stop – Shigatse
Next on our journey was Shigatse. This is the second-largest city in Tibet. It’s quieter than Lhasa, but still with lots of charm and character. Our main stop was Tashilhunpo Monastery, an important place and the home of the Panchen Lama. Inside the monastery, I walked through wide courtyards where monks were deep in debate. They spoke quickly, clapping their hands to make a point. It was lively and interesting to watch. One of the main highlights of the monastery is the huge statue of Maitreya Buddha. It’s covered in gold, and it stood tall and calm. Standing in front of it, I felt small but peaceful, like I was part of something bigger.
The chapels inside were full of color. The walls were lined with paintings and fabric Thangkas, and the altars were stacked with offerings. Everything felt alive and full of meaning.
Later, I wandered through Shigatse’s market. There were stalls selling all kinds of things, prayer beads, snacks, and blocks of dried yak cheese. I bought a small prayer wheel. It felt nice in my hand, solid and simple.
Note: Try yak butter tea. It is salty and rich, maybe not what you are used to, but somehow comforting in the cold Tibetan air.
We spent the night in a small guesthouse. It was quiet, and when I stepped outside, the stars above were incredibly bright, maybe the clearest I had ever seen. It was a peaceful end to the day, and a hint of what the high-altitude nights ahead would be like.
Sakya Monastery – En route Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
The next morning, we made our way to Sakya, a small town known for its massive monastery. Sakya Monastery looked more like a fortress than a temple. However, it is the home of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. It stood out sharply against the bare, open land around it.
Inside the monastery, it felt old and quiet, which is understandable. The halls were dark, lit only by the soft glow of butter lamps. One of the most impressive parts of Sakya Monastery was the library. Shelves are stretched high, filled with ancient texts; some of the texts are more than a thousand years old. The air smelled dusty, and everything felt heavy with history. There was a thangka hanging on the wall, with colors that had faded over time, but it was still very beautiful.
A young monk, probably no older than thirteen, gave us a short tour. He showed us a large prayer wheel and explained what it meant. He was shy, but kind, and it made the visit feel more personal.
Outside, Sakya was quiet. The streets were nearly empty, and I stood for a while watching a few nomads leading yaks across the plains. The whole town felt frozen in time. There was
something powerful about its silence and simplicity, like I had walked into a forgotten part of Tibet’s long story.
Lhatse
We made a short stop in Lhatse. This is a small, dusty town that felt like a quiet break in the middle of the journey. It wasn’t a place we planned to explore, just a chance to have some drinks and snacks, and a perfect time to stretch our legs.
The landscape around us was starting to change. The gentle hills were giving way to sharper ones, forming rocky cliffs. In the distance, there were tents, which were home to nomadic families who moved with the seasons.
There wasn’t much going on in Lhatse, but there was something about the place that stayed with me. Maybe it was the feeling of life continuing, quietly and steadily, even in such a harsh and remote part of the world.
Do read: Chandratal Lake – Blue Lake of Lahaul Spiti Valley
Shegar
When we got to Shegar, the mountains were no longer just something in the distance; they were right there in front of us, huge and impossible to ignore. The town is small, with a few basic guesthouses and a checkpoint for entering Qomolangma National Park.
We stopped to register for Everest Base Camp. It only took a little paperwork, but it felt like an important step, like we were finally getting close.
Note: To travel to Tibet, you’ll need a Tibet travel permit, and if you travel to a specific area, like I do to Everest Base Camp, you will also need an Alien Travel permit.
Later, I hiked a short trail to a viewpoint. The climb wasn’t long, but the altitude made it tough. My heart raced with every step.
At the top, I saw the Himalayan peaks clearly for the first time. The sky was a deep blue, the air cool and sharp. Seeing those massive mountains made everything feel more real. Shegar wasn’t a place to stay long, but it marked the moment the final part of the journey truly began.
Rongbuk Monastery
Almost there at Everest Base Camp. However, the drive to Rongbuk wasn’t easy. The road is rough and full of twists, but the views are incredible. We crossed Gyawu La Pass at 5,200 meters, where colorful prayer flags flapped wildly in the wind. From there, we could see some of the big Himalayan peaks, such as Cho Oyu, Makalu, and more, lined up on the horizon.
Eventually, we reached Rongbuk Monastery, sitting at 4,980 meters. This is the highest monastery in the world. Its stone buildings looked small next to the massive north face of Everest rising behind it.
I sat and I was just staring at the mountain. This was the view I had been dreaming of. The
monastery itself was quiet and simple, but it had a calm strength to it. It felt like the perfect place to pause and take a breath before heading to the very end of this journey, to the Everest Base Camp.
Do Read: Kashmir Temples to see in and around Srinagar
Final Stop- Everest Base Camp
The last stretch to Everest Base Camp didn’t take long, but it didn’t feel real at first. At 5,200 meters, the air was thin and cold, and the road ended at a small group of tents and a stone sign marking the spot.
Everest Base Camp – Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
I stepped out of the car and looked up at Everest’s massive, snow-covered face. The altitude made me a little lightheaded. Fortunately, we all had oxygen tanks. It is advisable to carry with you in Tibet, because of the high altitude, even if you get acclimatized to Lhasa for a few days.
The camp itself was basic, a few tents for climbers, some yaks wandering nearby, and wide
open space under a huge sky.
I climbed a small hill covered in fluttering prayer flags and stood for a while in silence. The wind was strong, and the mountain in front of me felt more than just big; it felt alive, like a powerful presence you couldn’t ignore.
I stayed as long as I could before the cold got to me. It wasn’t dramatic or loud, but the moment stuck with me. Standing at the foot of Everest was something I’d never forget.
The Way Back To Lhasa
The drive back to Lhasa followed the same route, but it didn’t feel the same. Places like Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, and Tashilhunpo Monastery were no longer just stops on a map; they were part of something bigger. Each place had left a mark on me.
The views were still beautiful with wide open valleys, snowy peaks, and villages along the way, but now they felt more familiar, almost comforting. Tibet had gotten under my skin in the best way. Its rough beauty, deep faith, and quiet strength had changed something inside me.
When we finally reached Lhasa again and I saw the Potala Palace glowing in the evening light, I felt thankful. I wasn’t the same person who had first arrived.
This journey, from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, was more than just a road trip for me. It felt like a pilgrimage. A chance to step into a world that’s wild, sacred, and unforgettable. I promised myself that I would come back. And I have come back many times since my first adventure. And every time Tibet tells a different story, every time I am learning more about life and myself.
If you ever get the chance to go, do it. Let the mountains, the monasteries, and the skies speak to you. I promise you’ll carry their stories with you long after you leave.
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