Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

EBC to Nepal border

Country forums / North-East Asia / Tibet

Hey guys

Just a few questions,
What are the operating times for the border post at Zhangmu?
How long should the drive from EBC to the border post take?

We are in Gyantse at the moment.Our guide is telling us that we can't drive from EBC to the border in one day even though the tour company indicated we can do this on their itinerary.

Please reply if you have done this before or have the correct information.

Thank you

Hello,
From EBC to Kodari Border it is quite long way . But, it is possible to drive with in 1 day . Now a days you have seen already the way is fine only between Nylam Thongla (Lalungla) Pass to old Thingri the way is quite bad rest of all very nice way. Maby Nylam to Zhangmu 1 plade still land slide you need to wait few times.

Please try to start very early drive from EBC then no problem . Takes about 7 to 8 hours by Landcrueiser.

In Border they will open 9AM to 5PM in local time in Working days.

Hope it helps to you.

Onenepali
Namaste!!!!!!

Edited by: onenepali

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If you do drive in one day then you need to listen to what your guide and driver says and leave when they say to and stop when they say to, the road off the plateau and down from Nyalum to the border is a difficult road especially if you are tired , and that does not include the drive from ebc to the main highway and then from the highway to the edge of the plateau.

eventhough the road has been improved as the above post says , you are still dropping from Nyalum to zhangmu in altitude about 1500 metres, in a couple of hours so this means lots of curves and concentration required., after the last maybe 6 hours of driving from the ebc to nyalum ....
this will mean on the day you arrive at ebc is the day you will have to try and see the base camp probably, ( but could be puke making if you have already come up about 700 metres already to Rhongbuk that day, the base camp is another 200 metres ascent so you will be going well up over the recommended 500 metres ascent in a day to minimise altitlude sickness).. so you can leave very very early the next morning back out, like maybe 6am

I would not push them so you get there to cross the border even if you do it in a day plan to stay in zhangmu and cross the next morning,

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