Fly to Chengdu Transfer to hotel, permit formalities

Fly to Lhasa 3600m where we land at Gonggar airport. The drive from the airport to our hotel in Lhasa takes around three hour.

Sightseeing in Lhasa. In the morning we can enjoy the sights of Lhasa whilst our bodies begin the slow process of acclimatisation, we'll visit the impressive Potala Palace and Jokhang Monastery. Entry Fees extra.

Lhasa to Gyantse  3950m

Today we start our journey towards base camp crossing the many high passes of Tibet to further aid our acclimatisation and ensures we arrive at BC in good health. Kampala La (high Pass) at 4990m offers superb views of the turquoise lake Yamdrok Tso.  Karo La takes us to our high point 5010m of the day before reaching Gyantse (3900m).for our overnight stay. Gyantse lies on the old trade route between Sikkim (India) and Tibet, the  route originally taken by George Mallory used to reach Mount Everest in 1921

Gyantse 3950m–Xigatse 3900m

The following day, we'll drive to Xigatse, the second most important city of Tibet, where we'll visit the Thashilumpo temple and the fortress Samzhuzê, built in 1363, and is the oldest building in Xigatse and the residence of the Panchen Lama. Hotel

Xigatse–Xegar 4350m
Our high point today will be 5520m as we cross the Lhakpa La (5520m), from where you can see Makalu and Everest!. Hostel accommodation.

Xegar–Base camp 5200m
We leave the main road and head toward the famous village of Rongbuk, The road becomes rougher and rougher but the scenery becomes more spectacular and finally the awesome north face of Everest appears. If time permits we stop and visit the Rongbuk Monastery from where we can see Everest in its full beauty. A further forty minutes driving will see our arrival at base camp.

Equipment sorting, training and acclimatisation walks/scramble up the local hills around base camp aiming for 6000m. Skills Training in the use of fixed lines.

Trek to Interim Camp 5800m.  Leaving base camp Everest disappears behind 7500m Changste, initially a gentle flat walk before turning steeply up to the left through good rock scenery.  Eventually, the valley reveals the amazing pinnacles of the East Rongbuk Glacier and the camp for the night.  Yaks carry the equipment.

Trek to Advance Base Camp 6450m.  A short but hard day due to the altitude.  More of Everest gradually appears and finally the North Col.  Our comfortable Mess tent forms the centre of camp in full view of Everest, the North Col and the route ahead.  You can share in and watch our team prepare for their summit attempts.

Rest Day at ABC.  Time to relax and enjoy the views with a good cup of tea and a little more skills instruction

Acclimatisation days. We walk up to the edge of the glacier or to the base of the North Col.

Climb to the North Col 7066m.  Initially moraine, the gentle glacial travel to the foot of the North Col and onto the fixed lines.  The entire route to the Col is fixed to give assistance and security to those moving up.  Training will be given.  The route is about 20-40 degrees, with somer60 degree sections.  The views on the North Col are spectacular and so close to the summit, a truly emotional experience.

Rest day

Ascent of Lhakpa Ri-The route from base camp follows a lovely snow filled depression up its southwest face to gain the main ridge close to the Rapu La, a famous crossing point between Tibet and Nepal where you would get tremendous views of Makalu, Kanchenjunga and the Kangshung Face of Everest. We turn southwards up the final snow ridge to the summit of LhakpaRi and its spectacular uninterrupted views of Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Lhotse and Everest. (please note the ascent to the North col and LhakpaRi may be done in a different order depending on weather or other operating reasons e.g. Sherpa availability)

Reserve summit/ascent days

Trek to Base Camp.

Drive to Lhasa or Kathmandu.

Fly to Chengdu & Return International flight.