Swapping the Itinerary: Heading Straight to Everest Base Camp
On our way to Shigatse, our tour guide gave us the option of swapping Day 8 and Day 9 of the itinerary and heading straight to Everest Base Camp (EBC) first instead. After a quick discussion with the group members, we decided to go for it – mainly because the weather was good, and physically, we were still feeling strong. Better to go while we still had the energy and the spirit. So yes… today is the day.
This post is part of our 13-day Tibet journey, documenting each day of our journey across Nyingchi, Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, and the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. Read the full itinerary here.
The Long Drive to Everest Town via Highway G318
After breakfast, we set off early for Everest Town, a 7-hour drive away. Long drive ahead. Along the way, we stopped at a rest point marking the 5,000km milestone on Highway G318 if you are driving from Shanghai to Tibet. Pretty cool to think how far we’d come.
Lunch was somewhere literally in the middle of nowhere. The restaurant had a heater placed right in the centre, and everyone instinctively gathered around it to warm up. Some of us joked about carrying it along for the rest of the trip – that’s how cold it already was.
Entering Qomolangma National Nature Preserve
After lunch, we headed to the border checkpoint to complete the necessary procedures before entering the Everest region. No photography allowed here. Once cleared, we finally arrived at the entrance of Qomolangma National Nature Preserve / Mount Everest Base Camp.
There was a long queue of tourists lining up to take photos at the entrance sign, but we didn’t have the luxury of time. We needed to reach EBC before sundown to catch 日照金山 (Rìzhào Jīnshān) – the magical moment when golden sunlight bathes the snow-capped peak at sunrise or sunset. So we did the next best thing.
Up the winding roads
From there, the journey turned intense. We began a long ascent through endless winding mountain roads – the kind that really test your motion sickness tolerance. Seriously, if you’re prone to motion sickness, you will need pills. Huge respect to our bus driver for navigating those roads so smoothly.
Gyawu La Pass: First Glimpse of Mount Everest
Then suddenly – there it was.
From Gyawu La Pass at around 5,200 metres, we caught our first glimpse of Mount Everest (8,848m). Standing quietly in the distance, surrounded by a dramatic lineup of Himalayan giants – Cho Oyu (8,201m), Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Labujikang Peak (7,367m) – the view was simply unreal.
Arrival at Everest Town and Hotel Check-In
After snapping countless photos while battling strong winds, freezing cold, and noticeably thinner air, we continued on to Everest Town. We checked into our hotel Vienna International Hotel Tingri first to drop off our luggage – and I have to say, the room was really nice, complete with heated flooring and heated toilet seat. Pure luxury at this altitude, I must say. From the hotel, we transferred to the Ecobus, the local shuttle service which ferries visitors around Everest Town and to Everest Base Camp.
Reaching Everest Base Camp at 5,200 Metres
Once we got off at the Everest Base Camp stop, reality hit – hard. It was SO COLD and the wind was SO STRONG. I genuinely felt like I was going to be blown off my feet. Every step forward felt like three steps back, and I was already panting… before even seeing Mount Everest.
Standing at over 5,200 metres, gazing up at the world’s highest peak at 8,848 metres, was overwhelming in the best way possible. The air was thin, the cold sharp, but none of that mattered. It truly felt like standing at the edge of the Earth.
We walked along the wooden boardwalk to get closer to the mountain. Against the strong winds, it took us a while, but every step was worth it.
Golden Sunset at Mount Everest (日照金山)
By the time we reached the visitor centre, the sun was already low, and we were incredibly lucky to catch golden rays lighting up Mount Everest – the moment we had rushed all the way here for. We stood there quietly, taking it all in. It felt surreal, humbling, and deeply emotional.
Once the golden light faded, everyone began heading back and so did we. We snapped a few last photos along the way, but then our tour leader called… and that’s when we realized we had missed our meeting time. Oops. We were the last ones still there; everyone else had already left for the hotel.
Rongbuk Monastery and the Highest Monastery in the World
Just around the corner stood Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, presided over by lamas of the Nyingma (Red Hat) sect. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we didn’t get to visit. Inside its main hall are statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava, and other deities.
Dinner and starry skies to end the night
We boarded the shuttle bus back to the hotel. The drive took over an hour, and by the time we reached, it was already 9pm. Dinner and back to the room to rest.
It was a long, cold, high, and demanding day – but also one of the most unforgettable experiences of the entire trip. I had finally achieved my lifelong dream of visiting Everest Base Camp, and I’m incredibly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Tips for Visiting Everest Base Camp (and a Few Laughs)
- Take the buggy shuttle from the Ecobus drop-off point to the visitor centre and closest viewing area. It costs around RMB 10 (if I remember correctly). We didn’t take it and deeply regretted it. Totally worth it – just note that there’s usually a long queue on the way back after sunset.
- Layer up and keep yourself warm. Don’t underestimate the wind. A windproof outer layer is absolutely essential.
- Oxygen, oxygen, oxygen. At this altitude, it’s a must. Pace yourself, take small steps, breathe steadily, and rest whenever you need to. Even walking feels like exercise up here.
- Keep your hands warm. Your face might survive the cold, but your fingers will suffer first. Good gloves (or ski gloves) make a huge difference, especially when holding a phone or camera in strong winds. Bonus points if you have mobile-friendly gloves so you don’t have to remove them just to take photos. Perfect.
- Bring snacks and stay hydrated. Chocolate bars or small snacks help when your energy dips. I brought ginger tea, which really helped warm the body – highly recommended.
- Look pretty for the photos. I was reluctant to unzip my jacket because half my face was frozen, but hubby reminded me: you’ve waited your whole life to come to EBC, and I can’t even see your face. Fine. Fair point.
Next: Tomorrow’s route slows things down slightly as we return to Shigatse for rest, recovery, and altitude adjustment after an intense day at EBC.
Continue reading: Day 9: From Everest Town to Shigatse