Everest Base Camp (Tibet)

Background

The base camp is in Tingri County, Shigatse, and looks up at Mount Everest, 8,848.86 metres high according to the measurement announced in 2020. Its Tibetan name, Qomolangma, is often explained as "Mother Goddess of the Universe", and Tibetans regard it as a sacred mountain. A short way north of the camp, at 4,980 metres, is Rongbuk Monastery, founded in 1902 by the Nyingma lama Ngawang Tenzin Norbu, with a basic guesthouse beside it. On the way you cross the Gawula Pass at 5,198 metres, where on a clear day five peaks over 8,000 metres line up: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.

Local customs

• Watch the sunlit north face of Everest from the camp at dawn and dusk, photograph the stars at night, and visit Rongbuk Monastery by day
• on the Gawula Pass, gaze across at the five 8,000-metre peaks.

Travel tips

• The camp is at about 5,200 metres, so acclimatise in Lhasa or elsewhere first, travel slowly and drink plenty of water
• if you develop a severe headache, vomiting or difficulty breathing, descend as soon as possible and seek medical help. Bring warm clothing and sun protection, as nights are cold. Entering Tibet requires a Tibet Travel Permit arranged through a registered travel agency, and border permits or other documents for the Everest area follow the official rules in force at the time. Lodging is mainly tent guesthouses and the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse, all basic.
• Travel by road from Lhasa via Shigatse, usually over two to three days
• from Tashi Dzom you must switch to the scenic-area eco-bus to Rongbuk and the base camp, and the climbing camps are open only to expeditions holding climbing permits. Visibility is best from April to early June and in September and October
• summer brings more rain and mist, and winter is cold and windy.