100 Travel Stories
Everest Base Camp Tibet
Lhasa to Everest Base Camp
In 2010 I took an amazing trip by air from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and overland from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp – via Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Rongbuk – and back to Kathmandu via Zhangmu.
This is a continuation of my previous post “Tibet: Om Mani Padme Hum“.
There are actually two Everest Base Camps on the opposite sides of Mount Everest: the South Base Camp in Nepal and the North Base Camp in Tibet.
Follow the journey to the North Base Camp in 21 photos.
Up to the North Base Camp
“I wanted to be an explorer, but gradually found the world had been explored and that there was nowhere left, really. Once they climbed Everest in 1953, when I was 10 years old, I thought, ‘Well, that’s pretty much it now.’ But the idea of travelling and exploring and adventure was very strong.” – Michael Palin
Himalaya
Just a glimpse of the Himalayan chain on the Tibetan side. Few days on the road gaining altitude and hardly getting adapted to the rarefied air. Lot of sleep in the bus!
It is quite different from the Nepalese side of Himalaya where I spent 6 days trekking in Annapurna.
Himalaya postcard
Tibetan shrine
Green Jade Lake
People and Villages
Tibetan man and yak
Tibetan house courtyard
Gyantse village
Tibetan Mastiff dog and his owner
Qomolangma Nature Preserve
“Qomolangma” is the Tibetan name for Mount Everest.
Qomolangma (Everest) National Nature Preserve entrance
Adventurers in Himalaya
Difficult road
Rongbuk
Rongbuk Monastery is the highest monastery in the world (5,000 meters) and the starting point to reach the North Base Camp.
Rongbuk Monastery
Rongbuk Monastery
Basic accommodation at Thingri Snow Land Hotel. A truly nightmare, not being able to cope with the reduced oxygen in the air.
One night in thin air at Thingri Snow Land Hotel
Everest Base Camp
The Ascent
Early morning wake up for 8 km trekking to the Base Camp.
Ascent to the North Base Camp. View of the Everest peak (8,848 m) in the background.
Passing by the “tourist Base Camp”…
Everest Bliss Limin Hotel
North Base Camp
The base camp was empty at the time of my trip in November. The best time to climb Everest is in the Spring, April – May, when the plateau in front of the Rongbuk glacier is occupied by tents from international expeditions.
Empty base camp, no access here without permit.
Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) sign
The north face of Mount Everest and the Rongbuk glacier are visible in the background towards the left side.
The Descent
Going back to Rongbuk via the “tourist Base Camp”. “Hotels” and tea houses in tents.
The “tourist Base Camp”
Himalaya tea house interior
Curious Tibetan girl
A trip to Tibet is highly recommended. It can be exhausting and the high altitude affects people in different ways, but the views are breathtaking and the experience is unforgettable.
- Part one: “Tibet: Om Mani Padme Hum“
“Chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains.” – Jeffrey Rasley