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I had always wanted to see Everest, and my partner Gio had always wanted to visit Tibet. Driven by our shared curiosity and knowledge of Buddhism and with our hearts filled with excitement, we began searching for a tour that would take us to both places. Finding Tibet Visa was truly a blessing as they offered exactly that.
From the beginning, they always replied quickly to our questions, and we felt very well guided by Mary, who gave us many tips so that we wouldn’t feel lost while visiting the roof of the world, which we assumed (and have now confirmed) is not so frequently visited by foreigners. Mary’s advice was of huge help for us to manage all the logistics for this trip.
Welcomed by our guide with a white Hada at Lhasa Airport, we could hardly wait to begin our journey to Mt.Everest.
Join the most popular journey from Lhasa to the legendary Everest Base Camp.
Sacred Lhasa - The Beating Heart of Tibet
Our first stop was the city of Lhasa. During our Lhasa city tour, I felt the altitude at the beginning, but I quickly adapted thanks to the planning and tips we received from the organizers of Tibet Visa, as well as the great facilities at our hotel, which included an in room oxygen machine. We were also fortunate to get a wonderful view of the Potala Palace.
One of the first monasteries we visited in Lhasa was the Drepung Monastery, an architectural jewel that left us speechless. Walking through its interiors, listening to its history, and learning about the symbolism of Buddhism that our friendly guide and friend Phurbu (hope I am spelling it correctly, we know you are Thursday!) told us about.
We also visited the Sera Monstery, where we walked through its interiors and admired the exquisite craftsmanship of every ceiling, every beam, and every wooden column, its beautiful carpets, and the incredible fabrics that adorn the inside. In here we were also able to watch the debates between the monks.
A long awaited day was our visit to the Potala Palace and its stunning architecture. That day we quickly reached our 10,000 step count, since the way up is long; however, every step was worth it for the interesting and beautiful architecture inside. It was a hot and sunny day that rewarded us with an amazing view of Lhasa, and sadly, we were left wanting to try the Potala Palace shaped ice pops, but we’ll come back someday to have one.
One of the things that amazed me the most about Tibet is how, in every monastery, you can see the devotion of the Tibetan people, but at the Jokhang Temple, we could feel this devotion completely. We saw people arriving there performing prostrations, or in Tibetan, chak tsal, a form of devotion and meditation that combines movement, breathing, and concentration. In this temple, going up to see its unique golden rooftops is a must.
Having time to buy some souvenirs and walk through Lhasa at night around the Jokhang Temple made our visit even more special because we got to experience the nightlife in Lhasa. We felt immersed in their society, learning about their customs, restaurants, and even some bars we got to visit.
Bathed in sunlight, the Potala Palace looked more majestic than ever.
Love the golden roof of the Jokhang Temple!
The Landscapes on the Way to Shigatse
The landscape we saw on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse was very different from what we expected, but it had an incomparable beauty, a desert like scenery with yaks and goats. I never thought I would see a yak so close; its strength inspires protection and calm, although I must confess it also tastes very good.
We had the opportunity to eat at a Tibetan family’s home, and they served us yak soup, something I must try again someday because it was delicious. They also gave us yak butter tea and cheese, which I wasn’t a fan of, but at least now I can say I know what they taste like.
We made stops at places with breathtaking views and even spent some time at Yamdrok Lake, where, besides taking pictures, we left our energy there by making a small pile of stones (Marnyi stones) by the shore of the lake.
Finally, we took the road to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, another of the most awaited moments of our tour. We spent several hours on the bus and made other stops at places where we could see the Tibetan prayer flags, or lungta; pieces of cloth printed with mantras. When the wind moves them, it’s as if the blessings are spread into the air, one of my favorite learnings from the whole trip. I was lucky to find a souvenir of small replicas that I now always carry in my backpack.
It was amazing to witness the Karola Glacier up close on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse.
Take the classic overland journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, with breathtaking scenery along the way.
Everest, The Greatest Witness
After several hours on the bus, a bus change, and reducing our luggage, we arrived at the Everest Base Camp in Tibet with just one backpack for the two of us. Walking through that long passage between the tents, which were much more comfortable than we expected, and realizing we were surrounded by mountains filled us with excitement.
Phurbu asked us to meet in the late afternoon to walk about one kilometer to the viewpoint where we could see Everest. When we arrived, a bit of fog covered it. There were many people gathered in the cold, waiting for the fog to clear.
Following some of Phurbu’s tips, Gio found a spot for us a little higher up, away from the crowd. He sat me down on a rock and while I was admiring the amazing views, he shared a beautiful haiku he had been working on for the last few days, he said he had found the perfect ending for it as he dropped on one knee and proposed to me, with Everest as our witness! It was one of the most special moments of my life, one that will remain printed on my soul and in Tibet.
The next day, we visited the Rongbuk Temple, the highest monastery in the world, just a few steps from the Base Camp. We lived a very special moment witnessing the monks praying. They invited us to drink yak butter tea, and I found a woman at the monastery’s door selling many traditional items, including Japa Mala, which I bought and now use very often.
Back in Shigatse, we visited the Tashilhunpo Monastery, with its mesmerizing architecture. With Phurbu’s help, I was able to ask a monk to charge my engagement ring with good energy, something I interpreted as the equivalent of a blessing in some religions. I placed my ring on the table, he then said some prayers over it and spread seeds on top of it. Phurbu then said to keep the seeds safe with us throughout life and now they rest in a small box at our home, while I wear my ring everyday.
With Mount Everest as our witness, Gio proposed to me - a memory that will stay with me always.
Visited Rongbuk Monastery near the base camp, the world’s highest monastery at 5,154 m.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Tibet Journey Filled with Love & Friendship
Visiting Tibet was a once in a lifetime experience for Gio, my now fiancé, and me, as it changed the way we see life. We came back engaged and are now starting to plan our big day.
It also must be said that what made this journey even more heartfelt was the people we met along the way. Being part of a Tibet small group tour brought us closer to Phurbu and to our lovely travel companions from Russia, Cuba, Australia, Ireland, and Sweden. We learned so much and shared unforgettable moments together that I’m sure none of us will ever forget.
Visited Rongbuk Monastery near the base camp, the world’s highest monastery at 5,154 m.
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"Tibet and Everest: The Trip that Changed Our Souls Forever"