East-to-West Tibet Traverse: Nyingchi, Lhasa, and Mount Everest

Fly into lower-altitude Nyingchi to acclimate, then head to Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, and Mount Everest, covering both the eastern and western highlights in one trip.

Acclimate at around 3,000 meters in Nyingchi first, visiting Sosong Village, Lulang, and Basum Tso. Take the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway to Lhasa, then travel through Gyantse and Tingri to Mount Everest Base Camp, before returning to Lhasa via Shigatse. The altitude rises gradually, which is much gentler than flying directly to Lhasa and immediately heading to Tsang (Shigatse region), though the driving distances remain long. Perfect for first-time visitors with a holiday of 10 days or more.

April–May and September–October offer the clearest views. In winter, confirm whether the tent guesthouses at the base camp have been packed away.

Day by day

Day 1 · Fly to Nyingchi and Bayi Town

Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Giant Cypress Park (King Cypress)、Biri Sacred Mountain Boardwalk）

Drive from Mainling Airport to Bayi Town (approx. 1 hour), and spend the afternoon acclimating in the outskirts of the city.

Border defense permits for Mainling, Tingri, and other areas are required for this route.

Stay: Bayi Town

Day 2 · Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon and Sosong Village

Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon & Lulang（Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon、Suosong Village）

Drive from Bayi Town via Pai Town into the scenic area (approx. 2 hours), and stay in Sosong Village in the afternoon to wait for the clouds to clear.

Stay: Suosong Village

Day 3 · Lulang Forest to Basum Tso

Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon & Lulang（Sejila Pass、Lulang Forest & Lulang Town） → Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Kading Valley）

Drive from Sosong over Sejila Pass to Lulang, then return to Bayi and head west to Basum Tso. Total driving time is about 6 hours.

Stay: Basum Tso Lakeside

Day 4 · Basum Tso to Lhasa via Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway

Nyingchi (Bayi Town)（Basum Tso (Draksum-tso)、Mila Pass） → Lhasa

Visit the lake in the morning, then take the Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway over Mila Mountain to Lhasa. Approx. 360 km, 6 hours.

Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple

Day 5 · Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

Lhasa（Potala Palace、Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street）

Explore the old town on foot and take short taxi rides. Visit the Potala Palace in the morning and Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street in the afternoon.

Book your Potala Palace tickets in advance and carry your ID card at all times.

Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple

Day 6 · Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

Lhasa（Drepung Monastery、Sera Monastery）

Take a taxi or charter a car within the city. Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and watch the sutra debating at Sera Monastery in the afternoon.

Stay: Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple

Day 7 · Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier to Gyantse

Lhasa（Yamdrok Lake） → Gyantse（Karola Glacier、Pelkor Chode Monastery (Gyantse)、Gyantse Dzong）

Drive over Gampala Pass to Yamdrok Lake, then pass Karola Glacier to Gyantse. Approx. 260 km, 6 hours.

Stay: Gyantse Old Town and Dzong

Day 8 · Tashilhunpo Monastery to Tingri County

Shigatse（Tashilhunpo Monastery） → Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Shegar Chode Monastery）

Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (approx. 1.5 hours), visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, and then drive to Tingri County. Total distance is about 330 km.

Stay one night in Tingri to buffer before heading up to the camps above 5,000 meters.

Stay: Tingri County Town (Xegar)

Day 9 · Gawula Pass to Mount Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp (Tingri)（Gawu La (Pang La) Viewpoint & 108 Bends、Rongbuk Monastery、Everest Base Camp (North)）

Drive from Tingri County over Gawula Pass to Rongbuk (approx. 100 km, 3 hours), and transfer to the eco-friendly shuttle bus for the final stretch.

If you experience severe altitude sickness, descend to Tingri immediately; do not force yourself to stay overnight.

Stay: Rongbuk Monastery Base Camp

Day 10 · Everest Sunrise and Return to Shigatse

Shigatse（Shigatse Old Town）

Watch the sunrise in the early morning, then drive back to Shigatse. Approx. 340 km, 6 to 7 hours.

Stay: Around Tashilhunpo Monastery

Day 11 · Shigatse to Lhasa for Departure

Shigatse（Shalu Monastery） → Lhasa

Drive from Shigatse along the Yarlung Tsangpo River to Gonggar Airport (approx. 4 to 5 hours), or return to Lhasa first.

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