11 Days Beijing and Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Welcome to China's capital for our 11-day Beijing and Tibet tour. Upon your arrival at the airport, your dedicated driver will be waiting to greet you and then transfer you to your hotel. Take some time to freshen up and relax after your journey. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city of Beijing at your own pace.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Great Wall Tour
   Step into Imperial History and Enjoy a Great Wall Hike

   Start the China tour in Beijing by visiting Tian'anmen Square, which is an landmark and the heart of Beijing. It is one of the largest public squares in the world. You will learn the stories of historical events and appreciate the iconic buildings around the square, including Monument to the People's Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.

   Then, take a short walk to the Forbidden City. Then, take a short walk to the Imperial Palace. It is one of the world's largest and best-preserved ancient wooden structures, and is one of the world's top five palaces, along with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US, and the Kremlin in Russia. Formerly known as the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace was built in 1406 A.D. It took 14 years to complete and was the royal palace for 24 emperors of China's Ming and Qing dynasties. Your tour guide will lead you through the halls, houses and artifacts and learn the stories behind them.

   

   After your morning explorations, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The Beijing tour continues with a hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall. It is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall in China. Its majestic walls and enemy towers, as well as its pristine natural scenery, make it one of the most popular sections among tourists. You can take a cable car or hike up to the top of the city wall to revel in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Take some time to walk along the border, take some memorable photos, and absorb the awe-inspiring history that surrounds you.

   After the Great Wall tour, we drive back to the hotel. On the way, catch a glimpse of two structures from the outside - the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube if time permits.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing Tour
   Uncover the Stories behind the World Heritage Sites

   After breakfast, we will go to visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the largest surviving ancient ritual complex in China, it is an architectural masterpiece from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Take a guided tour to explore its stunning complex of temples. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, where emperors held important ceremonies are main attractions.

   Then, explore the old Beijing by taking a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of the Beijing hutongs. We will make a special arrangement - visiting a local family in the Siheyuan. You will gain an insight into traditional Beijing life and culture.

   

   After lunch, continue your China tour of Beijing to the Summer Palace, a vast garden for emperors during the Qing Dynasty (1616-11911). This is a place suitable for visits in all seasons. In spring, various flowers bloom; in summer, the breeze brushes through the lotus ponds; in autumn, the garden is adorned with red leaves; and in winter, it is covered in pure white snow. Here, you can choose to appreciate the tranquility of Kunming Lake on a boat. (optional)

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

4. Day 4: Beijing to Lhasa Tour by Flight

   Enjoy a leisurely morning in your hotel before your private driver escorts you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Also known as the City of Light, Lhasa is a gathering place for devotees. Upon arrival in Lhasa, a local driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Along the way, you can enjoy the Himalayan landscape and unique Tibetan architecture.

   Warm Tips:

   To reduce or avoid symptoms of altitude sickness, you are advised to avoid strenuous exercise on your first day in Lhasa. Do not take a shower to avoid catching a cold. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drink plenty of water and get enough rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

5. Day 5: Lhasa City Tour
   Immerse in Lhasa's Spiritual Heritage

   After breakfast, you will take a spiritual journey to the Potala Palace. Perched on Marpori Hill, the palace is the highest palace in the world and the largest and most complete ancient palace complex in Tibet. Originally built in the 7th century, the Potala Palace with a blend of Tibetan and Han architectural styles was established in the 17th century. You will see many chapels, sacred relics, and remarkable murals in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

   

   Continue your Lhasa tour to the revered Jokhang Temple, with a history of more than 1,300 years. This spiritual center, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a blend of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. After that, stroll through the surrounding Barkhor Street, the busiest commercial street in Lhasa where you can purchase unique Tibetan souvenirs and experience vibrant local culture.

   Note that photography is not allowed inside the chapels of the monasteries.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

   

6. Day 6: Lhasa Tour
   Explore Norbulingka and Monastic Wonders with Monks Debating

   After your breakfast in the hotel, your driver and guide will drive you to Norbulingka Park, a UNESCO-listed park established in the 18th century to serve as the summer palace for successive Dalai Lama. It is a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles, where you can see beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces, elegant pavilions, and vivid murals.

   Following that, we will transfer to Drepung Monastery, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Founded in 1416, this sprawling monastery houses exquisite carvings, solemn statues of Buddha, and a large number of Thangka paintings, embroidery, murals and other valuable art treasures. It showcase Tibetan architectural brilliance and artistic splendor.

   

   Continue your journey to the renowned Sera Monastery. Together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, this temple is known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa and is the latest of the three to be built. Here you will witness the monks engaging in lively debates, a centuries-old tradition. Sera Monastery is also home to many ancient murals and tens of thousands of Vajra statues, both locally made and a few brought from India.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

7. Day 7: Lhasa to Shigatse Tour by Van
   Take a Leisurely Walk along One of Sacred Lakes of Tibet

   After a hearty breakfast, we will depart for Shigatse, whose name means "estate with the best soil" in Tibetan. After approximately 1.5 hours, arrive at the Yamdrok Lake, which is known as the three sacred lakes of Tibet with Lake Manasarovar and Namtso Lake. In the hearts of Tibetans, the lake is regarded as "the goddess's turquoise earrings". Take a leisurely walk along its shores and capture the breathtaking beauty with your camera.

   

   Continue your drive towards Karola Glacier, the nearest glacier to the highway in Tibet, only more than three hundred meters. As a result of years of highway dust, the glacier as a whole was black and white layered form, but the upper part of the glacier in the sunlight is like a giant Thangka painting hanging on the mountain wall. We will have lunch in Gyantse town.

   In the afternoon, you will be guided to explore spiritual wonders of Palcho Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa. Palcho Monastery is a typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery building combined with a pagoda and a temple. Your tour guide will introduce the unique architectural features to you and you will learn the cultural significance of these sacred sites.

   After the visit, drive to Shigatse for the night.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shigatse

8. Day 8: Everest Base Camp Tour
   Visit the Highest Temple in the World and Stay Obernight at Everest Base Camp

   Today, we will drive for 8 hours from Shigatse to the sacred Mount Everest. Throughout the car ride, capture the ever-changing landscape with your camera, from beautiful valleys to clear lakes and towering snow-covered peaks. We will make many stops to capture the ever-changing landscape with your camera, from beautiful valleys to clear lakes and towering snow-covered peaks of the Himalayan range.

   

   Upon arrival, we will transfer to a tourist bus that will take us to Rongbuk Monastery. Located at the end of the Rongbuk Glacier at the foot of Mount Everest, 5150 meters above sea level, Rongbuk Monastery is a rare mixed temple of monks and nuns. The whole temple is built on the mountain, and there are five floors, now only two floors still in use. It is a good location for viewing Mount Everest, especially the Mani Stones Pile and the White Pagoda at the entrance of the temple.

   After a short rest, have an expedition to Everest Base Camp. It is the starting point for mountaineers aiming to conquer the world's highest summit. You will see a lot of Mani Stones, each inscribed with prayers. Take photos with the iconic stone tablet with Mt. Everest in the background.

   If you join the Tibet tour during the period from November to March, you will be arranged to stay overnight at a guesthouse near Everest Base Camp because of the cold weather.

   Warm tips:

   1. Usually, 8-12 people stay together in a tent, but it is clean. Please note that the tented camps have very limited facilities and food choices.
   2. Due to the high altitude and cold weather, you are advised to keep warm and drink plenty of water to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Everest Base Camp

9. Day 9: Drive to Lhatse
   Witeness a Majestic Sunrise at Everest

   Wake up early to witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Everest. You will see the morning light coloring the snow-covered mountain top in gold and pink. This is something you will never forget. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the elusive milky white "flag clouds", a unique spectacle on Mount Everest. From a distance, the clouds look like a flag flying over the peak.

   

   Then drive to Tingri Town for lunch. After that, drive to Lhatse, which in Tibetan means the top of the mountain where the light first shines. The region is known for its many distinctive Buddhist temples. Upon arrival, check in at local hotel and have a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhatse

10. Day 10: Back to Lhasa
    Be Guided to a Unusual Temple Where Monks and Nuns Lived Together

    Your Tibet tour today starts at the Sakya Monastery, which is the main monastery of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism, divided into two monasteries, North and South. The North Temple had suffered great damage. We now see the Sakya Monastery is the South Temple. The temple has vast treasures and many cultural relics, especially the murals of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). You will also see a large number of cultural relics such as seals, canonical books, and statues of Buddha.

    

    Continue the journey with a 3-hour drive to Shigatse for a relaxing lunch. Then drive approximately 5 hours back to Lhasa. Arrive in Lhasa and check into your hotel.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Lhasa

11. Day 11: Departure from Lhasa

    Today is your last day of the 11-day Beijing and Tibet tour. Savor your last moments in Tibet with a leisurely morning. Your driver will then escort you to the airport for your onward journey. Safe journey!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A