Must-Have Documents for Foreign Travelers on an Everest Base Camp Tour

If you're looking to enjoy the breathtaking view of Everest without trekking or climbing, the core documents you'll need are Chinese Visa, passport, Tibet Travel Permit, Border Pass and the Alien's Travel Permit. First off, the Tibet Travel Permit is a must-have to enter Tibet legally—you can't board a flight or train to Lhasa without it, and it's checked at all major entry points. Unlike some other travel documents, this permit can't be applied for individually; it has to be processed through a local Tibetan travel agency. To apply for Tibet Travel Permit, all you need to do is provide scanned copies of your passport and Chinese Visa (if you're not eligible for visa-free entry), and our team will handle the rest with the Tibet Tourism Bureau. The processing usually takes 8-9 business days, and we'll either ship the permit to your mainland China address or hand it to you in person at the airport or railway station. Once you're in Lhasa and ready to head to Everest via Shigatse, you'll need the Alien's Travel Permit and Border Pass to enter restricted border areas like Everest Base Camp. Our local Tibetan guide will help you get this permit at the official office, a process that takes a bit time. Keep in mind that due to ecological protection efforts, tourists can't enter the core zone of Everest National Park—instead, the best viewing spot is near Rongbuk Monastery, just several kilometers from the former base camp, where you can still take in the full grandeur of the peak.

Documents for Trekking to Everest Base Camp

For travelers eager to explore the landscape on foot, it's important to know the latest regulations about trekking permits in the Everest region. Many people ask about the Tibet Trekking Permit, which was previously required for treks from the standard Everest Base Camp (5,200m) to the Advanced Base Camp (ABC, 6,400-6,500m). Unfortunately, this permit was canceled in April 2018 to protect the fragile ecosystem of Mount Everest, and there's no word yet on when it might be resumed. This means that trekking into the core zone beyond Rongbuk Monastery is currently not allowed for tourists. But don't worry—there are still wonderful trekking options available in the surrounding areas of Shigatse that let you experience Tibet's natural beauty without entering restricted zones. For these shorter treks, you'll still need the basic Tibet Travel Permit and Alien's Travel Permit, and it's always best to arrange your trip through a local agency to ensure compliance with all regulations.

Documents for Climbing Mount Everest from the Tibet Side

Climbing Mount Everest via the north route in Tibet is a ultimate challenge for experienced mountaineers, and the document requirements here are more stringent. First, you should know that individual climbing is not permitted—you must join a commercial climbing and expedition tour organized by the Tibet Mountaineering Association (TMA). The TMA is the only authority that issues the Everest Climbing Permit, which is mandatory for anyone attempting to summit from the China side.

Conclusion

As a well-established local Tibetan travel agency, we've been helping foreign travelers explore the Lhasa to Shigatse to Everest route for years, offering one-stop services for all permit applications within our capacity.