Base Camp Everest & Rongbuk Monastery - Dingri to Shigatse, Tibet

Wednesday October 15, 2025  

4:30 came way too early this morning! We also had the "worst" breakfast of the entire trip. It was small and there were some "steam" tables with some Asian food, but it didn't look or smell good and wasn't very hot. So, that left toast in a toaster that only toasted one side. Only a small amount of jam that was edible. The full jar was full of the hottest fruit spread I have ever tasted. There was also ice-cold fried eggs. 

It was about a 3-hour drive towards the top of the Roof of the World. We stopped at a viewpoint to wait for sunrise. It really was a beautiful sunrise, but the photos didn't do it justice.

Black-winged Snowfinch

We drove to another stop for the view.

We then had to transfer to an eco-bus to be taken to base camp. We thought we had an hour until the next bus, so we shopped for magnets and ordered coffees and hot chocolates. Next thing we know, he says let's go. So, drinks in hand we board the bus to take us to Base Camp. There was a nice boardwalk to the viewpoint and the monuments. Mt. Everest, called Mount Qumulangma in the Tibetan Language, with its' highest peak at 29,032 feet is the tallest mountain in the world. There were lots of sheep and yaks on the hillside.

views on the drive to Base Camp

Base Camp (tourist version) Many spend the night here.

Yellow-billed Chough

we are holding our certificates for visiting Base Camp

Brown Accentor

Black Redstart - female

After the boardwalk we visited Rongbuk Monastery which is the highest temple at an altitude of 16,728 feet.  

There was a small room we weren’t allowed to go, but he let us peak in. They were playing drums, bells, and other musical instruments which was awesome to listen to.

Lots of chanting in assembly hall

we passed this yak as we were leaving the monastery

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Brown Accentor

Snow Pigeons

Eurasian Tree Sparrows

we were now back at the van to take us back

We were disappointed that we didn't get the visit with a Tibetan Monk where we were to present him with a scarf. There may not have been an English speaking one available, but the guide didn't even mention it. Khada is the Tibetan name for the scarf. 

On the way back from base camp we had to stop to let a herd of yaks pass and later we had to stop for sheep.

Yak jam

sheep jam

driving to lunch

Tingri Roof of the World Kitchen - lunch stop

We split Chicken Biryani & naan

ride back to the hotel in Shigaste 

Tom enjoying the views of the Himalayas - it had been a long day....

these were the windows that were hard to see out - the seats weren't placed well

interior of the van

Our second room at the Hilton wasn’t hot or handicapped - much better! It had warm but not hot water

pizza - not fully cooked - cold on the bottom

magnet

our certificates

The other weird habit the guide has was after using your phone to take photos of you, he laid the phone on the ground. It has a wrist strap, and guides just put it on their wrist to change to a different camera or phone. The list grows with this guide......

Tomorrow, we drive back to Lhasa. We are looking forward to spending another night at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Photo Album: Base Camp Everest & Rongbuk Monastery - Dingri to Shigatse, Tibet https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hj5uyY9JsLA49k6P6