Starting from Shigatse and heading west until you stand at the foot of Mount Everest, this journey’s charm lies in its combination of stunning scenery and real challenges. For many travelers, it is not just a sightseeing trip but a high-altitude expedition that requires careful preparation. If you are planning this trip, you may have many specific questions: How to get there? Where to stay at night? Can your body handle it? The purpose of this Shigatse to Everest Base Camp travel guide is to skip vague talk and directly provide clear answers and action steps to these key questions, so you know how to prepare every step of the way and feel more at ease.
Two Essential Pre-Departure Preparations Before Departing from Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
Before packing your bags to enjoy the scenery, there are two practical things you must take care of first—missing any one of them may prevent you from going.
First: Obtain a Border Defense Permit
There are many checkpoints on the way to Everest Base Camp, and you must have a “Border Control Area Pass”, commonly known as a Border Defense Permit. This document is crucial and cannot be supplemented on the road after leaving Shigatse.
– How to apply: The best way is to apply in advance at the public security bureau of your hometown (place of household registration) for tourism purposes. Be sure to fill in the location as “Xigazê Prefecture, Tingri County”. If you are already in Lhasa or Shigatse, you will need to ask a travel agency to handle it on your behalf, which will cost money and time, and you will have to provide your ID card. Therefore, this is the first thing to add to your schedule when making a Shigatse to Everest Base Camp travel guide.
Second: Prepare for High Altitude
From Shigatse (over 3,800 meters above sea level) to the base camp (5,200 meters above sea level), your body will feel obvious changes. Altitude sickness is no joke, but it can be adapted to in advance.
– How to adapt: After arriving in Shigatse, don’t rush to set off. Stay for a day or two first to let your body acclimatize. Walk slowly, don’t run or jump, and get a good night’s sleep.
– What medicine to bring: Painkillers (such as ibuprofen for headaches) and glucose powder (for quick energy replenishment) can be prepared. The most useful item is actually an oxygen cylinder, which can be bought or rented on the way and at the base camp.
– What clothes to wear: Even in summer, the base camp can be as cold as below zero at night. Be sure to bring a thick windproof jacket, fleece, woolen hat, gloves, and sunglasses. Wear warm and non-slip hiking shoes.
Curves of the Tibet Everest Highway
Shigatse to Everest Base Camp Transportation Guide
There are no public buses that can take you directly to the foot of Mount Everest, so how to get there is key. Most people choose the following two methods.
Charter a Car: Be in Control, Most Convenient
Chartering an off-road vehicle (such as a Toyota Prado) is the first choice for many people. The advantage is flexible time—you can stop to take photos whenever you see beautiful scenery, and drivers are generally familiar with the routes and checkpoint procedures. The cost needs to be negotiated with the driver in advance, usually calculated for the entire trip, including fuel costs and the driver’s accommodation and meals. If you pursue freedom and want to arrange your own rhythm in the Shigatse to Everest Base Camp travel guide, chartering a car is the best option. You can find a car yourself or arrange it through an agency like China Dragon Travel, which will take care of both the vehicle and the driver, making it more worry-free.
Share a Car/Join a Small Group: Cost-Effective and Worry-Free
If you are traveling alone or with one other person, chartering a car is not cost-effective. In that case, sharing a car or joining a small Everest group departing from Shigatse is a good choice. Travel agencies will package the car, accommodation, and tickets together—you just need to follow the group without worrying about anything. The price is relatively transparent, and you can meet friends to travel with. Before signing up, remember to ask clearly whether the cost includes the sightseeing bus ticket to the base camp and the accommodation at night.
Must-See Attractions from Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
Traveling to Everest Base Camp is not just for the destination—the scenery on the way is also worth stopping for.
Gawula Pass: The Best Place to See Snow Mountains
When crossing Gawula Pass, be sure to stop. This is a unique viewing platform in the world. If the weather is good, you can see four snow-capped mountains over 8,000 meters in a row at a glance, which is extremely spectacular and an excellent spot for taking photos.
Rongbuk Monastery: The Closest Monastery to Mount Everest
Just a little below the base camp, there is an ancient Rongbuk Monastery. It is one of the highest-altitude monasteries in the world. Looking quietly at Mount Everest in front of you here feels particularly different, adding a sense of tranquility to your journey.
Everest Base Camp Tent Area: Experience the Closest Distance
This is the closest place ordinary tourists can reach to Mount Everest. In addition to looking up at the snow-capped mountains, the starry sky at night is as clean as if it has been washed, with countless bright stars. Although the conditions of staying in a tent are simple, this experience is unparalleled elsewhere.
Rongbuk Monastery Tourist Photos
Accommodation and Meals at Everest Base Camp
About Accommodation: Experience a Tent
Now, the base camp where tourists can stay is actually an area of tents. These tents are run by local herdsmen, with common bunk beds inside and thick quilts provided. There are no private toilets, and forget about taking a bath, but hot water and simple meals are available. Staying for one night is to experience the atmosphere, not for comfort. If you are really afraid of the cold and can’t sleep well, you can stay in Zhaxizong Township a little lower down, but you will have to get up very early the next day to watch the sunrise.
About Food: Don’t Expect a Feast
Tents mainly serve simple food such as noodles, fried rice, and butter tea, and the prices are higher than those at the foot of the mountain. It is recommended that you buy some of your favorite food from Shigatse to bring with you, such as chocolate, biscuits, and beef jerky, which can satisfy your hunger when needed.
Necessary Checkpoints and Ticketing
You will pass several checkpoints on the way: the first is a checkpoint to check ID cards and border defense permits; the second is where you buy tickets for Everest National Park—both people and vehicles need to buy tickets; at the last checkpoint, all private cars are not allowed to go further, and you must transfer to the scenic area’s unified electric vehicles to reach the final viewing area.
Tent Camp at Everest Base Camp
Frequently Asked Questions about Everest Base Camp
Q: Which month is the best time to go?
A: Generally, April to October is the best period. Among them, May and September to October have stable weather, and the chance of seeing the complete Mount Everest is high. July and August are the rainy season, with clouds often covering the mountain, but it is not too cold. Winter is extremely cold, and roads may be blocked by snow, so it is not recommended to go.
Q: What if altitude sickness is severe at the base camp?
A: At 5,200 meters above sea level, most people will experience slight headaches, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. Move slowly and never get excited. If you feel particularly unwell, with severe headaches or nausea, don’t endure it—immediately tell your companions, use oxygen, and consider going down to a lower altitude.
Q: Can I pay with a mobile phone there? How much cash should I bring?
A: Mobile payment works fine in Shigatse city. But after entering the Everest scenic area, cash (RMB) is the most convenient for staying in tents, buying oxygen, and snacks. It is best to exchange more small change and 100-RMB notes in advance.
Final Essential Tips for First-Time Travelers from Shigatse to Everest Base Camp
Traveling west from Shigatse to Everest Base Camp is not only about reaching a destination, but about being fully prepared for the challenges of high altitude. Before departure, make sure your border permit is properly arranged and allow sufficient time in Shigatse for acclimatization. During the journey, move slowly, avoid overexertion, and carry essential medication and backup oxygen.
For first-time Everest Base Camp travelers, choosing an experienced local operator is especially important. China Dragon Travel has extensive experience operating the Shigatse–Everest route, offering reliable support in transportation coordination, accommodation arrangements, and high-altitude travel logistics. With the right preparation and professional assistance, standing at the foot of Mount Everest becomes more than a moment — it becomes a memory worth keeping for a lifetime.
