How to get to Mount Everest 2024

Everest Transportation Overview

Located in the deep region of Himalaya Range, Mount Everest can be reached only by road. There are two choices for you – driving from Lhasa to Mount Everest or from Kathmandu of Nepal to Mount Everest.

Lhasa to Everest

Visiting Everest from Lhasa is so far the most chosen way. Why? Firstly, Lhasa is more convenient for your flight arrival in Tibet. You can get to Lhasa by flight from many major cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, etc. Secondly, visiting Lhasa before Everest is more suggested not only because Lhasa is much lower than Everest at altitude, but also because Lhasa is the most popular tourist cities in Tibet with top class attractions and facilities. Thirdly, the route from Lhasa to Everest itself is a tourist route on which there are many famous attractions, such as Yamdrok Lake, Pacho Monastery, Sakya Monastery, etc.

Flight to Lhasa

Lhasa to Mount Everest Driving Route

Route A: Lhasa – Shigatse – Tingri – Everest

Route A starts from capital city Lhasa, driving along the China section of Sino-Nepalese Highway which is a part of the National Road 318. It usually takes about 5 hours (270km) to get to Shigatse city where you can visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery. Leaving Shigatse, you will keep drive along the 318 Road to Tingri Town which will take you about 5 and half hours (237km). In Tingri, you can have a lunch, and get supply of food and water. Then you have to drive about 70km of dirt road to Rongbuk Monastery which is located near to the Everest Base Camp.

Mount Everest Transportation

Route B: Lhasa – Gyantse - Shigatse – Tingri - Everest

Route B also starts from Lhasa, instead of going the Sino-Nepalese Highway, you will take the S307 Road to Gyantse which takes about 7 hours (262km). On route, you can visit the holy lake Yamdrok, Karuola Glacier and Palcho Monastery. Then you will drive about 2 and half hours to Shigatse via the S204 Road. From Shigatse, you will take the same route as Route A.

Mount Everest Transportation

Kathmandu to Everest

Compared to Lhasa, Kathmandu is more convenient for your international flights arrival. From Kathmandu, you can also travel to Mount Everest (northern section in China). Firstly, you have to drive about 2 and a half hours (113km) from Kathmandu to the border of China and Nepal at which you will pass the custom and get Tibet. You will drive about 4 and a half hours (195km) on the 318 Road to Tingri Town via Zhangmu and Nyalam. After arrival at Tingri, you can have a lunch there. Then keep driving to Rongbuk Monastery.

Please Note: Due to the 2015 earthquake in Nepal and several damaged landslides in 2016, the Tibet-Nepal borders are closed and the reopening time is still unknown. Flight is the only way to transfer between Tibet and Nepal (Lhasa and Kathmandu).

Sino-Friendship Highway

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