Expedition Details
On this specially crafted expedition, take in some of the finest mountain views on Earth as we journey overland across the Tibetan Plateau to the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest and into Nepal. In the company of mountaineer Peter Hillary, delve into the fascinating world of mountain lore and Tibetan and Nepalese cultures while visiting Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyangzê, and Kathmandu.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the Himalaya with mountaineer Peter Hillary, son of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary.
- Venture into Tibet's wondrous monasteries and the fabled Potala Palace in Lhasa.
- Get a close-up, unforgettable view of Mount Everest from North Face Base Camp.
- Discover many layers of symbolism and belief at ancient Bodhnath—the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal.
Itinerary - 16 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Beijing, China
Depart for Beijing, cross the international date line, and arrive the next evening.
Peninsula Hotel
Day 3 — Beijing/Chengdu/Lhasa, Tibet
This morning, embark on one of the world's most astonishing flights, crossing the Hengduan Range and three of Asia's greatest rivers—the Salween, the Mekong, and the Yangtze—en route to Lhasa (11,970 feet). Drive to the Holy City, scanning the vast countryside for the first sight of the Potala Palace. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Kyichu Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Lhasa
Venture into the Potala Palace and explore the grandest of its myriad rooms. See the jeweled burial chortens of past Dalai Lamas as well as statuary, frescoes, and paintings. Then visit the lovely Jewel Park, where the Dalai Lamas spent their summers, enjoying an informality impossible in the Potala.
Kyichu Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Lhasa
Take an excursion to the historic Ganden Monastery, destroyed by China's Red Army in 1966 and now a working monastery once more. Later, visit the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest temple; and wander through the Barkhor, Lhasa's old market.
Kyichu Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Lhasa
Explore Tibet's two greatest monasteries: Drepung and Sera. Drepung once housed 10,000 monks, and Sera almost as many. If we're lucky, we'll see and hear the lilting, booming chanting of the sutras or the theatrical debate of the monks. Set out on a hike in the afternoon.
Kyichu Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Lhasa/Gyangzê
Our drive to Gyangzê (12,956 feet) traces the turquoise waters of the holy Lake Yamdrok and crosses two spectacular high passes with hanging glaciers. If you wish, go on a hike for close-up views of the glaciers.
Gyangzê Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Gyangzê
Take an optional hike to the Ganden Gyakgye Retreat, a monastic retreat badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution. Or choose an exploratory walk through the back streets of Gyangzê to visit houses and meet with locals. Later, visit the impressive Gyangzê Dzong fortress that dominates the skyline above and offers breathtaking views of the Nyang Chu Valley below.
Gyangzê Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Gyangzê/Shigatse
Explore the Pelkor Chode, a complex of monasteries and temples in which all four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism worshipped. Then, drive to Shigatse (12,792 feet), home to the immense Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. Venture into its warren of chapels and shrines linked by mysterious alleyways and steep staircases. Walk back to the hotel through the town of Shigatse, stopping to browse through the old market.
Manasarovar Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 10 — Shigatse/Xêgar
Drive across the Lakpa La (17,121 feet) to the small town of Xêgar (14,268 feet). During the 1920s, the first expeditions to nearby Mount Everest stopped here. At sunset, climb up to the Crystal Monastery for spectacular views of the Himalaya.
Qomolangma Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 11 — Xêgar/Everest North Face Base Camp
From Xêgar, cross the 17,000-foot Pang La. Here, take in a superb vista of ice-capped peaks dwarfed by majestic Mount Everest— described by George Leigh Mallory, who pioneered today's route, as the "prodigious white fang...[rising] from the jaw of the world." Visit Rongbuk Monastery before continuing to the North Face Base Camp of Everest. Return to Xêgar tonight.
Qomolangma Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 12 — Xêgar/Zhangmu
Today, journey from the barren Tibetan Plateau to the lush foothills of Nepal, descending more than 9,000 feet flanked by towering summits. In the border town of Zhangmu, settle into our hotel overlooking the Bhote Kosi river.
Cai Yuan Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 13 — Zhangmu/Kathmandu, Nepal
Cross the Friendship Bridge from Tibet into Nepal, and continue to the medieval city of Bhaktapur where much of Little Buddha was filmed. Discover ancient temples and palaces adorned with intricately carved wooden windows and latticework. Continue to Kathmandu and settle into our hotel.
Dwarika's Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 14 — Kathmandu
Spend today exploring the colorful capital city of Kathmandu. Visit the 2,500-year-old shrine at Swayambhunath. Delve into the bustle of Durbar Square and the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex. View the great Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath, the largest such structure in Nepal. Tonight, celebrate a remarkable journey with a festive farewell dinner.
Dwarika's Hotel (B,L,D)
Days 15 & 16 — Kathmandu/U.S.
Depart Kathmandu and connect in Bangkok or Delhi for flights home.
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Related Trip
View LargerNational Geographic Expert
Peter Hillary
When Peter Hillary first climbed Mount Everest in 1990, he and his father, Sir Edmund Hillary — who made the first ascent in 1953 — became the first father and son to reach the summit. Peter's second Everest expedition was sponsored by National Geographic and documented in the National Geographic Special "Surviving Everest." He has tackled many of the planet's tallest mountains; trekked in Antarctica, India, and the Andes; and filmed sharks off the Australian coast. He is the author of six books.
Peter will join the following departure:
Sep 12 - 27, 2009Expedition Dates 
indicates a departure that has a slightly different itinerary than the one shown on this page. Click the icon to see the day-to-day itinerary.
Expedition Costs
Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $1295 in 2009 and $1495 in 2010.
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Economy airfare between San Francisco and Beijing, and return from Kathmandu, is $1,750. Economy group airfare between Beijing and Lhasa is $400. All airfares are subject to change.
What To Expect
Throughout this expedition, we will be traveling at high elevations. The flight from Beijing to Lhasa carries us from near sea level to almost 12,000 feet in a few hours. We will spend 11 nights at elevations ranging from 12,000 to 14,268 feet and will travel as high as 17,200 feet.
As this is an overland trip, a considerable amount of time is spent traveling in four-wheel-drive Land Cruisers over rough road and dusty conditions. There are several optional hikes that ascend and descend over uneven terrain. Participants can bypass any hike and stay with a vehicle to explore villages along the route.
Participants should be physically fit. This expedition is not suitable for anyone who suffers from a respiratory, cardiac, or circulatory disorder or a disability that limits mobility. Service and accommodations have improved significantly in Tibet but are still basic compared to Western standards.
Please note: A State Department travel warning for Kenya is currently in effect (click here to view the State Department's information page on Nepal). We have taken the warning into account in developing this program and will continue to monitor events in the country. We currently expect to run this trip as planned.
