1.Kathmandu - Gyirong Town (about 160km, at least 6~7 hours’ driving)

Currently, the Gyirong Port (or called Rasuwa Port in Nepal) is the only opened border port for foreigner tourists traveling overland between Nepal and Tibet. The driving distance is not long, but road condition is not so good. Our driver will drive carefully and slowly for your safety. Usually, this part takes more than half a day. It could be longer when being stuck in traffic jam in summer peak season.

After arrival at Gyirong Port, you need to check through border customs with the Immigration officials. Your Tibetan tour guide and driver will pick you up there and take you to Gyirong Town for a rest first. The small border town is merely about 25 km from Gyirong Port.

Note: For non-Chinese passport holders, independent travel Tibet in not allowed unless you book a tour package covering transportation, accommodation and planed itinerary with e travel agency.

2.Gyirong Town - Mount Everest (about 400km, 9 hours’ driving)

Next, you will drive to northward from Gyirong Town, and then turn to east, keep driving to Tingri County to get to Mount Everest. The whole journey lasts about 9 hours, but the long journey will gradually take you passing vast, open landscape with majestic peaks vaulting skyward. The plateau areas are dotted with castellated Tibetan residences, colorful prayer-flags, and an infinite number of contentedly munching yaks and goats. If the weather permits, the clear face of Shishapangma Peak (elevation: 8,027m, world's 14th highest mountain) and Pektso Lake (Padkhud Tso) will be revealed from afar.

You will get to Rongbuk Monastery by a road journey, which is the highest temple in the world and an ideal viewing deck of Mount Everest. Rest yourself and stay overnight at Rongbuk Monastery.

Tips:1.) Road condition is much better in Tibet, most are asphalt road. You may drive up and down along the winding road with many mountain slopes. 2.) Altitude will rise to about 5,000 meters since the second day. You should pay attention to that, and tell tour guide if you have any discomfort of high altitude sickness. Also, Everest tour is not suitable for those who never go to plateau before. 3.) Please understand that for eco-friendly protection and limited condition, the accommodation in the high-elevated temple is simple and basic.

Top Recommended Kathmandu Everest Tours via Gyirong Port:

√ 7 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour via Mount Everest

√ 9 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest & Tsetang

√ 14 Days Tibet Mount Everest Tour with Kailash from Kathmandu

Sichuan Airlines operates weekly non-stop flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It takes about 1.5 hours. Meanwhile, Air China has connecting flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu daily, with a long stopover in Chengdu. The connecting flight costs nearly 20 hours.

If you travel with friends up to 5 members, it's very easy to apply for a Group Visa (a special single-entry Chinese Visa) to get to Tibet from Nepal, both by flight and by road. If you travel alone or less than 5 applicants, we suggest you get a regular Chinese Visa to fly to Chengdu first, and then travel from Chengdu to Lhasa.

1) Lhasa to Shigatse: Mount Everest in located in Shigatse Prefecture, southwest of Tibet. Specifically, Shigatse City lies about 250km southwest of Lhasa. There are two ways of transportation between Lhasa and Shigatse. Most tourists more like the driving route via Gyantse, because the ride will go on well-paved Airport Express and G318 National Highway, wide and straight, road is in good condition, and scenery along the way is stunning, including the sapphire-like Yamdrok Lake and spectacular Karoala Glacier, majestically standing peaks, etc. (It is also top recommended by Tibet Discovery.) With short midway stops, you will get to Shigatse after about 8 hours. Accommodate in Shigatse where has starred hotels to choose from.

Another way to go is taking a Lhasa Shigatse train for about 3 hours. You will save time but miss beautiful scenery on road. Therefore, very few tourists choose the train.

2) Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery: Be prepare for another long driving journey of 7 ~ 9 hours. Road is quite good, but it may wind up and down on the mountain repeatedly. No special attractions along the road, but the distant hills are enough to wake you up. It’s a good idea to record the sight with your camera and bring some snacks to kill your time.

Most popular Kathmandu Lhasa Everest Tours:

√ 8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa with Mount Everest Adventure by Flight

√ 8 Days Lhasa to Mount Everest Private Tour

√ 14 Days Tibet Mount Everest Tour with Kailash from Kathmandu

①　Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla:

Before starting a real hiking, usually, trekkers firstly take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to get to Lukla, a small town which is wildly used as an important base and gateway to Mount Everest in Nepal. There are more than 20 daily flights offered by different airline companies, most are flying in the morning. The short-distance flight takes just about 25 minutes. (Better choose a reliable and experienced airline!) You will be shocked when you see Kathmandu turn to be a green city from sky.

If you get more time, it’s also doable to take a bus or drive to Jiri and then spend 2~3 days in trekking from Jiri to Lukla. It is not a hot route, but the landscape is pleasant and very attractive. As you reach Lukla, get ready for the following trekking.

②　Hike from Lukla to Everest Base Camp:

Your EBC trekking tour officially begins at Lukla. You can hire local porter to carry your baggage. Then it’s time to take your hiking equipment and greet with friends may meet. Ample Depots, guesthouses can be found at main rest areas, so you can get basic accommodation and food supply. You move on as the elevation rises, and the far you hike, you more beautiful landscape you will discover. The trekking leads you not only savor into the beauty of Mount Everest and its neighbors, Nuptse, Lothse, Makalu Choyu etc., in Sagarmatha National Park, but also opens a window for your to know the Sherpas culture and life. Enduring hardship and helping people realize their Everest dream tour has long inherited as their tradition and mission. Most Sherpas speak basic English, and some can speak fluently. They will be amicable and glad to help you if need them.

Make A Nepal Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Recommended Time: 1 day (several hours’ flight)

Flight Route: Kathmandu - Lukla - EBC or Kalapatthar

If you lack time or physical fitness to trek to Mount Everest but want to view the majesty of Mount Everest in Nepal side, you can book a special helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp at a very high cost.

Some airlines in Nepal provide you such great opportunity to enjoy panorama aerial view of Mount Everest and the Himalayan Mountains around, beautiful villages and town at a comfort helicopter.

The helicopter often takes off in the early morning from Kathmandu. Flight time from Kathmandu to Lukla is about 1 hour. Then take the second air travel from Lukla to the EBC., After flying through Dingboche, Gorashep and glacier, the helicopter may land at Kalapatthar, (5,550 meters), where you can witness Mount Everest and others peaks at closer proximity, or the Everest Base Camp. It takes totally about half an hour to view the snow-capped Everest region. Returning trip to Kathmandu by the helicopter costs another two hours. The helicopter takes you into a camera range of high peaks and cruising closely to the awe-inspiring rocks and ices. Like the unique angle to view Everest? You can contact and book with a local airline in Nepal.