Tibet Central Himalaya & Everest Base Camp Loop
The definitive foreign-driver compliance roadmap across the Tibetan Plateau. Journey from sacred Lhasa across turquoise Yamdrok Lake, navigate the legendary 108 switchbacks of Gawula Pass, stand before the majestic North Face of Mount Everest (5,000m), and circumnavigate celestial Lake Namtso with authorized permits and certified guides.
1,680 km
Lhasa circular circuit
8 – 9 Days
Paced for acclimatization
TTB + PSB + Guide
Agency-organized self-drive
Apr – Jun & Sep – Oct
80%+ clear Everest skies
Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Foreign Driver Legal Framework
Essential statutory compliance for self-driving in China's Himalayan territory
The Mandatory "Permit Trinity" (西藏法定涉外自驾三证)
Mandatory PermitsForeign passport holders entering the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) MUST hold three official government documents: 1) Tibet Travel Permit (入藏函 / TTB Permit) issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau; 2) Alien's Travel Permit (外国人旅行证 / PSB Permit) issued by local Public Security Bureaus for travel to Shigatse and Everest; 3) Frontier Defense Pass (边防通行证) for international border regions.
No Solo Driving: Licensed Tour Guide Required (必须资质旅行社组团)
Guide Escort LawUnder PRC regulations, foreign nationals CANNOT rent a car and drive completely solo without an organized tour in the TAR. You must book through a licensed Tibetan travel agency as a registered "Self-Drive Tour / Expedition". An accredited, licensed Tibetan tour guide must accompany your party (either in a lead escort vehicle or inside your vehicle) to handle security checkpoints, health monitoring, and official liaison.
Vehicle Registration & Temporary Plates (拉萨车管所验车备案)
Vehicle ComplianceSelf-drive rental vehicles operating inside Tibet must be registered with the Lhasa Municipal Vehicle Administration and the Tourism Bureau. Vehicles must carry official rental contracts, commercial insurance with high third-party liability, and a specialized expedition registration dossier kept in the glovebox for checkpoint inspections.
Everest Environmental Reserve Rules (珠峰自然保护区环保法规)
Eco ProtectionWithin the Qomolangma (Everest) National Nature Reserve, private internal combustion vehicles park at Zhaxi Zong township or the Rongbuk transfer station. Visitors transfer to pure electric zero-emission shuttle buses for the final 20 km to the Everest monument. Taking geological specimens, flying unauthorized drones, or leaving trash is subject to heavy legal penalties.
Strict Clarification on Solo Independent Driving: Unlike Sichuan, Yunnan, or Xinjiang where foreign nationals can rent a car and drive completely alone without guides, the Tibet Autonomous Region strictly requires all foreign self-drivers to book through an accredited Tibetan agency with a licensed guide accompaniment. You hold the steering wheel and drive, but your guide ensures compliance with government checkpoints and medical safety protocols.
Day-by-Day Expedition Itinerary (8 Days)
Exact driving distances, highway numbers, pass elevations, and foreign-compliant overnight bases.
Lhasa Arrival, Acclimatization & Self-Drive Vehicle Briefing
拉萨集结休整 / 高原适应与合规自驾车队交接
Route & Highways
Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) → Lhasa-Gonggar Airport Expressway → Lhasa Downtown (拉萨市)
Key Highlights
- Arrive in Lhasa (3,650m), met by your licensed Tibetan agency guide and driver liaison with your original Tibet Travel Permit (入藏函)
- Inspect your registered rental 4WD SUV, verify local vehicle temporary plate registration, and test portable medical oxygen cylinders
- Rest quietly in your foreign-authorized boutique hotel with centralized oxygen enrichment to allow natural acclimatization
- Gentle evening stroll along Barkhor Street (八廓街) admiring pilgrims circumambulating the sacred Jokhang Temple
Driver Advisory & Terrain
CRITICAL ACCLIMATIZATION MANDATE: Do not schedule heavy driving on Day 1. Avoid alcoholic drinks, hot showers, and strenuous physical exertion. Check resting pulse and blood oxygen (SpO2) with a finger oximeter (normal plateau resting baseline is 80-88%).
Night Stay & Base
Lhasa Downtown (Oxygen-equipped 5-star or heritage Tibetan boutique hotel)
Elevation Profile
3,650 m
Sacred Lhasa: Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple Heritage
圣城拉萨巡礼 / 布达拉宫与大昭寺藏传佛教精粹
Route & Highways
Lhasa City → Potala Palace (布达拉宫) → Jokhang Temple (大昭寺) → Sera Monastery (色拉寺)
Key Highlights
- Climb the grand stone stairs of the 13-story Potala Palace, former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, viewing jeweled stupas and murals
- Visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet housing the life-sized 12-year-old gilded statue of Jowo Shakyamuni
- Witness animated monk philosophical debates in the gravel courtyard of Sera Monastery in the afternoon
- Review tomorrow’s convoy driving protocol, PSB Alien’s Travel Permit documents, and checkpoint procedures with your escort guide
Driver Advisory & Terrain
Urban traffic in Lhasa is well-regulated with electronic speed cameras and pedestrian crossings. Yield to monks and elderly Tibetan pilgrims. Fuel tanks must be topped up in Lhasa before departing into remote mountain prefectures.
Night Stay & Base
Lhasa Downtown
Elevation Profile
3,650 m
Lhasa via Yamdrok Lake & Karola Glacier to Gyantse
拉萨经羊卓雍措与卡若拉冰川至英雄城江孜
Route & Highways
Lhasa → S101 / G349 → Gampala Pass (岗巴拉山口 4,790 m) → Yamdrok Lake (羊卓雍措) → Karola Glacier (卡若拉冰川) → Gyantse (江孜)
Key Highlights
- Ascend the winding switchbacks of Gampala Pass, catching your first breathtaking glimpse of the turquoise sapphire waters of Yamdrok Lake
- Drive along the lake shoreline beneath snow-capped Mount Noijin Kangsang (7,191m)
- Stop inches away from the towering hanging ice wall of Karola Glacier at 5,020 meters right beside the highway
- Arrive in historic Gyantse, admiring Gyantse Fortress (Dzong) and the unique 100,000-image multi-tiered stupa of Kumbum at Pelkor Chode Monastery
Driver Advisory & Terrain
G349 features steep mountain grades and narrow two-lane asphalt. Passing requires extreme caution due to heavy tourist coach traffic. Use low gears (M2/M3) on the descent from Gampala Pass to prevent brake disc overheating.
Night Stay & Base
Gyantse County Town (4,020m, comfortable Tibetan hotel)
Elevation Profile
3,650 m → 4,790 m (Gampala Pass) → 4,441 m (Lake) → 5,020 m (Glacier) → 4,020 m (Gyantse)
Gyantse to Shigatse & Tashilhunpo Monastic Seat
江孜经年楚河谷至日喀则 / 扎什伦布寺与后藏中心
Route & Highways
Gyantse → S204 Nyang River Valley Highway → Shigatse City (日喀则)
Key Highlights
- Drive down the fertile agricultural plains of the Nyang Chu Valley, lined with traditional Tibetan whitewashed stone farmsteads
- Arrive in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas
- Tour Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447, marveling at the world’s largest gilded bronze statue of Maitreya Future Buddha (26.2 meters tall)
- Present your passport, driving license, and vehicle documents at the Shigatse Public Security Bureau (PSB) checkpoint for Everest frontier clearance
Driver Advisory & Terrain
S204 is a flat, modern two-lane highway. Speed limit is 70-80 km/h enforced by section speed camera gantries. Relax and enjoy a restful afternoon to conserve physical energy before ascending into extreme altitudes tomorrow.
Night Stay & Base
Shigatse Downtown (3,840m, oxygen-equipped star hotel)
Elevation Profile
4,020 m → 3,840 m
Shigatse over Gawula Pass (Everest 108 Bends) to Base Camp
日喀则翻越加乌拉山口至珠峰大本营 / 108拐与五座八千米雪峰
Route & Highways
Shigatse → G318 Friendship Highway → Lhatse (拉孜) → Gyatsola Pass (5,248 m) → Tingri (定日) → Gawula Pass (5,198 m) → Everest 108 Bends → Zhaxi Zong → Rongbuk Monastery / EBC Monument
Key Highlights
- Pass the iconic "G318 5,000 km Milestone Monument" in Lhatse County
- Ascend Gawula Pass (5,198m), standing before the world’s most magnificent Himalayan panorama viewing 5 peaks above 8,000 meters: Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma
- Negotiate the world-famous "Everest 108 Hairpin Turns", an asphalt engineering marvel descending through barren mountain gorges
- Arrive at Rongbuk Monastery (5,000m), highest monastery on Earth, witnessing the sunset alpenglow turn Mount Everest’s North Face (8,848.86m) into fiery crimson gold
Driver Advisory & Terrain
EXTREME ALTITUDE WARNING: Elevation at Base Camp is 5,000 meters. Sleep with portable oxygen cannula active. Never run or jump. The road is 100% paved asphalt, but narrow hairpin curves require low speeds (20-30 km/h). Private vehicles park at Zhaxi Zong; transfer to official zero-emission electric buses for the final 20 km to the EBC monument.
Night Stay & Base
Zhaxi Zong Township or Everest Base Camp Tourist Tent Camp (5,000m, heated yaks-hair tents with oxygen diffusers)
Elevation Profile
3,840 m → 5,198 m (Gawula Pass) → 5,000 m (Everest Base Camp / Rongbuk)
Everest Golden Sunrise & Return Highway to Shigatse
珠峰日照金山雄姿 / 告别第三极返程日喀则
Route & Highways
Everest Base Camp → Electric Eco-bus → Zhaxi Zong → Gawula Pass → G318 Friendship Highway → Tingri → Shigatse
Key Highlights
- Witness the breathtaking golden morning sunrise illuminating the icy pyramid peak of Mount Everest from the Rongbuk viewing platform
- Send a postcard with the official Mount Everest postmark from China Post’s highest postal station at Base Camp
- Trace your way back across Gawula Pass, capturing stunning backward views of the Himalayan crestline
- Descend 1,160 vertical meters into Shigatse, enjoying a rich oxygen recharge, warm hotel showers, and a hearty Tibetan yak meat hotpot celebration
Driver Advisory & Terrain
Descending from 5,000m to 3,840m rapidly alleviates altitude-induced fatigue. Inspect vehicle tire pressure in Tingri; extreme mountain temperature fluctuations require adjusting cold tire pressure back to recommended factory specs.
Night Stay & Base
Shigatse Downtown (3,840m)
Elevation Profile
5,000 m → 3,840 m (Shigatse)
Shigatse along Northern Highway to Damxung (Namtso Gateway)
日喀则经尼木大峡谷至当雄 / 吞巴藏香之乡与念青唐古拉山
Route & Highways
Shigatse → G318 → Renbu bypass → S304 Nyemo Valley (尼木) → Tunba Village (吞巴) → Yangbajing → G109 / G6 Express → Damxung County (当雄)
Key Highlights
- Drive along the scenic Yarlung Tsangpo River canyon on G318, turning north through the dramatic rock gorge of S304
- Visit Tunba Village in Nyemo County, observing the 1,300-year-old heritage craft of water-mill cedar Tibetan incense making
- Emerge onto the wide alpine plateau of Damxung, framed by the jagged glaciated crest of Mount Nyenchen Tanglha (7,162m)
- Witness vast nomadic yak herds grazing on the golden high-altitude steppe beside the snow peaks
Driver Advisory & Terrain
S304 is a well-maintained two-lane highway with scenic river bends. Be prepared for sudden mountain weather changes and crosswinds on open plateau straights approaching Damxung. Keep vehicle headlights on low beam for daytime visibility.
Night Stay & Base
Damxung County Town (4,200m, comfortable heated hotel with oxygen supply)
Elevation Profile
3,840 m → 4,200 m (Damxung)
Damxung over Nagenla Pass to Sacred Namtso Lake & Return to Lhasa
当雄翻越那根拉山口至纳木错天湖 / 念青唐古拉与拉萨闭环
Route & Highways
Damxung → Scenic Highway → Nagenla Pass (那根拉山口 5,190 m) → Namtso Lake Tashi Peninsula (纳木错扎西半岛 4,718 m) → G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway → Yangbajing → Lhasa
Key Highlights
- Ascend to Nagenla Pass at 5,190 meters, stepping out amidst fluttering prayer flags overlooking the vast celestial blue mirror of Namtso
- Arrive at Namtso ("Heavenly Lake"), one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes, marveling at the contrast between brilliant cyan water and towering white snow peaks
- Walk along the sacred Tashi Peninsula, photographing Mani stone mounds, natural karst sea caves, and hermit meditation grottos
- Join the ultra-modern G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway, cruising smoothly back to Lhasa past the Yangbajing geothermal steaming valley to complete your grand Himalayan circuit
Driver Advisory & Terrain
Nagenla Pass (5,190m) can experience sudden snow squalls even in summer. Drive slowly on shaded pass switchbacks. Once on the G6 expressway from Yangbajing to Lhasa, speed limit increases to 100-110 km/h on divided four-lane highway.
Night Stay & Base
Lhasa Downtown Hotel or evening onward travel
Elevation Profile
4,200 m → 5,190 m (Nagenla Pass) → 4,718 m (Namtso) → 3,650 m (Lhasa)
5,000-Meter Altitude Safety & Everest Switchback Dynamics
Crucial medical protocols, oxygen therapy, and brake temperature management
Descending Gawula Pass to Everest Base Camp drops 1,200m over 108 tight hairpins. Shift into manual gear (M2/M3). Relying exclusively on footbrakes causes boiling brake fluid and total brake failure on sheer cliff edges.
If pulse oximeter readings fall below 70% SpO2 accompanied by confusion or severe vomiting, administer continuous oxygen and descend immediately toward Tingri or Shigatse. Immediate altitude reduction saves lives.
Keep your original passport, TTB permit, and PSB permit organized in an easily accessible folder. Your guide will present them to border defense guards at every county line; remain seated and respectful during identity checks.
Vehicle Selection for Extreme Altitude Driving
Why turbocharged 4WD SUVs are the only safe option above 5,000 meters
High-Clearance 4WD Turbocharged SUV (Essential Pick)
Toyota Prado / Land Cruiser, Tank 300 / Tank 500, Haval H9
Verdict: The only strongly recommended choice for foreign travelers undertaking the Everest Base Camp and Namtso Himalayan circuit.
Standard Compact 2WD Sedan
Volkswagen Lavida, Toyota Corolla
Verdict: NOT recommended for the central Himalaya circuit. Tibetan agencies will generally refuse to register standard compact sedans for Everest expeditions.
Pure Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Tesla Model Y, BYD Song Plus EV
Verdict: Strictly prohibited for self-drive expeditions beyond Lhasa and Shigatse due to severe range and charger deficits.
Estimated Expedition Budget (Per Person / 2 Travelers)
Realistic expense model including licensed guide, TTB permits, and 4WD SUV
| Expense Category | Estimated Total (RMB) | Per Person (RMB) | Details & Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4WD Rental SUV (8 Days Prado / Tank) | ¥5,600 – ¥7,200 | ¥2,800 – ¥3,600 | Toyota Prado 4WD or Tank 300 with full insurance & mountain tires |
| Licensed Guide & Permit Administration | ¥5,500 – ¥8,000 | ¥2,750 – ¥4,000 | Mandatory English/Tibetan guide fee, TTB permit issuance, PSB permits |
| Fuel (1,680 km) | ¥1,600 – ¥2,100 | ¥800 – ¥1,050 | 95-octane petrol (~11 L/100km @ ¥8.9/L at high mountain stations) |
| Accommodations (7 Nights) | ¥3,500 – ¥6,500 | ¥1,750 – ¥3,250 | Oxygen-equipped hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and EBC tent camp |
| Scenic Entries & EBC Eco-Shuttle | ¥2,200 – ¥2,800 | ¥1,100 – ¥1,400 | Potala (¥200), Yamdrok (¥120), EBC entry + eco-bus (¥320), Namtso (¥120) |
| Food & Emergency Oxygen Supply | ¥2,200 – ¥3,200 | ¥1,100 – ¥1,600 | Tibetan yak hotpot, guide meal allowance, medical oxygen cylinders |
| Total Estimated Cost | ¥20,600 – ¥29,800 | ¥10,300 – ¥14,900 (~$1,430 – $2,070 USD) | Per person sharing 1 4WD vehicle with 2 travelers + licensed guide |
Bilingual Emergency & Checkpoint Communication Cards
Screenshot or show directly to frontier checkpoints, clinics, or petrol attendants
你好，这是我们的入藏函、外国人旅行证和护照，请问检查站需要登记吗？
Nǐhǎo, zhè shì wǒmen de rùzànghán, wàiguórén lǚxíngzhèng hé hùzhào, qǐngwèn jiǎncházhàn xūyào dēngjì ma?
Hello, here are our Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit, and passports. Does the checkpoint need to register?
我们车里有人出现严重高原反应，血氧低于70%，请问最近的高压氧舱或卫生院在哪里？
Wǒmen chēlǐ yǒurén chūxiàn yánzhòng gāoyuán fǎnyìng, xuèyǎng dīyú bǎifēnzhī qīshí, qǐngwèn zuìjìn de gāoyā yǎngcāng huò wèishēngyuàn zài nǎlǐ?
Someone has severe acute mountain sickness with blood oxygen below 70%. Where is the nearest hyperbaric oxygen chamber or clinic?
请问去珠峰大本营的加乌拉山口今天有大雪封路吗？需要挂防滑链吗？
Qǐngwèn qù Zhūfēng Dàběnyíng de Jiāwūlā Shānkǒu jīntiān yǒu dàxuě fēnglù ma? Xūyào guà fánghuáliàn ma?
Is Gawula Pass to Everest Base Camp closed by heavy snow today? Do we need tire snow chains?
请问去珠峰大本营的纯电动环保大巴在扎西宗哪里换乘？
Qǐngwèn qù Zhūfēng Dàběnyíng de chúndiàndòng huánbǎo dàbā zài Zhāxīzōng nǎlǐ huànchéng?
Where in Zhaxi Zong do we transfer to the pure electric eco-shuttle bus for Everest Base Camp?
请帮我加满95号汽油，请问中石油加油站需要刷验身份证和登记吗？
Qǐng bāng wǒ jiāmǎn jiǔshíwǔ hào qìyóu, qǐngwèn Zhōngshíyóu jiāyóuzhàn xūyào shuāyàn shēnfènzhèng hé dēngjì ma?
Please fill up with 95 petrol. Does the PetroChina station need ID scanning and registration?
车胎在高海拔路段被碎石扎破了，请问附近有修车补胎的地方吗？
Chētāi zài gāohǎibá lùduàn bèi suìshí zhāpò le, qǐngwèn fùjìn yǒu xiūchē bǔtāi de dìfang ma?
A tire got punctured by sharp gravel on the high pass. Is there a tire repair shop nearby?
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential legal, medical, and procedural answers for driving in Tibet
Q:Can a foreign national rent a car and drive completely independently in Tibet without a tour guide?
NO. Under PRC border security and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) tourism laws, foreign passport holders CANNOT rent a car and drive solo without a tour guide anywhere within the TAR. You must book through an authorized Tibetan travel agency that secures your Tibet Travel Permit (TTB) and arranges a licensed Tibetan guide to accompany your journey. You are permitted to physically sit behind the wheel and drive the vehicle yourself, but the authorized guide must be present in the convoy or vehicle to navigate checkpoints and manage emergency safety.
Q:What is the exact process to obtain the necessary permits for this central Himalaya circuit?
You must apply through an accredited Tibetan agency at least 20 to 30 days prior to arrival. You provide clear color scans of your valid passport and Chinese visa. The agency submits your application to the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) in Lhasa for the Tibet Travel Permit. Once in Tibet, your guide presents your original documents at local Public Security Bureaus (PSB) in Shigatse to obtain the Alien’s Travel Permit and Frontier Defense Pass required for Tingri and Everest Base Camp.
Q:How severe is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) at Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake?
At 5,000 meters (Everest Base Camp) and 4,718 meters (Namtso), atmospheric pressure and oxygen content are roughly 50% of sea level. Headaches, breathlessness, and disrupted sleep are normal. Severe conditions like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or Cerebral Edema (HACE) are medical emergencies. Our itinerary includes 4 days of progressive acclimatization in Lhasa (3,650m) and Shigatse (3,840m) before ascending to 5,000m. Your expedition vehicle must carry pulse oximeters, prescription acetazolamide (Diamox), and medical oxygen cylinders.
Q:Can private self-drive cars drive all the way to the Everest Base Camp monument?
No. To protect the fragile high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem, private internal combustion vehicles are halted at Zhaxi Zong township or the Rongbuk vehicle staging area. Tourists park their vehicles and transfer to zero-emission, pure electric shuttle buses operated by the reserve administration for the final 20 km transit to the 8,848.86m Everest Survey Marker viewing monument.
Q:What are the road conditions like on the "Everest 108 Hairpin Turns"?
The road crossing Gawula Pass down to Everest Base Camp is 100% paved asphalt with modern steel crash barriers, cat-eye reflectors, and parabolic road mirrors. It is an engineering masterpiece, not a gravel off-road track. However, the road features over 100 continuous switchbacks with a 1,200m vertical drop; you must maintain speeds under 30 km/h and shift your transmission into low/manual mode (M2/M3) to prevent brake failure.
Q:Can foreign drivers fly camera drones (DJI) at Mount Everest or Yamdrok Lake?
Drone flying is heavily restricted across Tibet. At Everest Base Camp and along the China-Nepal border corridor, unauthorized drone flights are STRICTLY PROHIBITED due to national border defense and civil airspace regulations. Military radar actively scans the mountain valley, and flying will result in immediate confiscation and police detention. At Yamdrok Lake and Namtso Lake, drone flying is occasionally permitted outside military zones, but requires checking with your guide and obtaining local police clearance.
Q:What is the best time of year to see Mount Everest without clouds?
April to early June (pre-monsoon spring) and late September to November (post-monsoon autumn) are the premier windows, offering over 80% clear-sky visibility of Everest’s summit. July and August bring the Indian summer monsoon, which shrouds the Himalayan peaks in thick storm clouds and rain for days. Winter (December to February) offers crystal-clear skies, but temperatures at Base Camp plunge to -20°C with severe blizzards.
Q:How does gas station refueling work in Tibet for foreign drivers?
Gas stations across Tibet (predominantly PetroChina and Sinopec) have strict perimeter security gates. All passengers must exit the vehicle outside the gate. The driver drives the vehicle to the barrier. Because automated gates require scanning Chinese National ID cards, your guide or the station attendant will manually register your passport number and vehicle license plate in the registry logbook before fueling with 92 or 95-octane petrol.
Q:Are hotels equipped with oxygen in remote areas like Tingri and Damxung?
Yes. Most modern tourist hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse, Tingri, and Zhaxi Zong are equipped with centralized oxygen diffusers or provide in-room molecular sieve oxygen generators. In the tourist tent camp at Everest Base Camp, tents are equipped with localized oxygen concentrators and heavy quilts. Portable canned oxygen cylinders can be purchased in Lhasa for ¥25–35 RMB each.
Q:What type of clothing is essential for this Himalayan road trip?
Dress in thermal multi-layers. Even in mid-summer, night temperatures at Everest Base Camp (5,000m) drop to 0°C to -5°C with biting mountain winds. Essential items include: a windproof and waterproof GORE-TEX down jacket (-10°C rated), thermal fleece base layers, UV400 polarized sunglasses (snow blindness defense), high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and warm wool beanies and gloves.
Q:Are high-speed expressways available in Tibet?
Yes! Tibet now boasts several world-class expressways: the Lhasa-Gonggar Airport Expressway, the Lhasa-Nyingchi High-Grade Highway, and the newly completed G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway segment between Yangbajing, Damxung, and Nagqu. Expressways in Tibet are currently 100% toll-free for passenger vehicles, featuring four divided lanes and high tunnel safety standards.
Q:What happens if someone in the vehicle suffers severe altitude sickness at Base Camp?
The golden rule of altitude medicine is: DESCENT IS THE ULTIMATE CURE. If someone exhibits severe lethargy, fluid in the lungs (coughing pink foam), or loss of coordination, administer high-flow oxygen immediately and drive down Gawula Pass toward Tingri or Shigatse (which drops elevation by over 1,200 meters). Zhaxi Zong township has a 24-hour high-altitude emergency clinic with hyperbaric chambers.
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