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Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal

Nepal to Lhasa  Overland Tour Itinerary

This tour connects two capitals – Kathmandu in Nepal and Lhasa in Tibet. You start your journey in Nepal, on one side of the Himalayan mountain range, and our guide will meet you at the border, to take you to the other side of the Himalayas. We will begin by traveling to the Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side to spend one night there. After that, we will head to Lhasa. We will be driving through scenic areas, making stops at Shigatse, Gyantse, Yamdrok Lake and glaciers. Finally, we will reach Lhasa to explore the city and the most important religious and historical places there.

Buddha Statues in Kathmandu, Nepal

KEY FACTS

Main Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Barkhor Street, Yamdrok lake, Karola glaciers, Pelkor Chode monastery, Kumbum Stupa,Mount Everest.

Duration: 7 days

Maximum Elevation: 5, 200 m/ 17,060 ft

Best Time to Travel: Year-round

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrival in Tibet

Our guide will meet you at the Gyirong border entry point. If you arrive in the morning, we will continue our journey straight to the Everest Base Camp. However, you can spend one night by the border to acclimatize.

Day 2 – Driving to the Everest Base Camp: night by the Everest

Today we will spend a day traveling along Himalayan range and enjoying the sweeping mountain views. When we arrive at the Everest tent camp, we will settle in a tent for the night. Depending on the weather and the time when we arrive, we will visit the Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery in the world.

Day 3 – Driving to Shigatse

Depending on the weather conditions on the previous day, we might finish some of the activities today. Have breakfast and head to Shigatse.

On the way to Shigatse, we make several stops on the high passes to enjoy the view on the highest mountain range. If the weather permits, we can see 5 of the “Eight-thousanders”, the mountains higher than 8,000 m / 26,250 ft.

Day 4 – Driving from Shigatse to Lhasa: Yamdrok lake and glaciers

Today we will take some of the most beautiful roads in Tibet to drive from Shigatse to Lhasa.

First, we will make a stop at Gyantse. In Gyantse, we will visit the Pelkor Choede monastery and the Kumbum stupa, the largest stupa in Tibet.

We will continue driving towards the Karola glaciers. The ice peaked mountains are the source of water for rivers in Tibet. They are covered with ice and snow throughout the year.

Our next stop will be by Yamdrok lake. It is one of the holy lakes in Tibet, and it is famous for its turquoise color water.

Finally, we will cross the Kamba la pass (almost 4,800 m/ 15,750 ft) overlooking the valley, before reaching Lhasa.

Day 5 – Lhasa city tour: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple (Walking Tour)

We are visiting the two most important religious sites in Tibet.

The Potala Palace was the seat of the Dalai Lamas since the 7th century. We will go inside and spend approximately 1.5 – 2 hours there. You will see many of artifacts.

In the afternoon you will have lunch.

If time permits, you can walk around the Potala Palace and joins many Tibetans.

After that, we will walk towards the Jokhang temple. It was build in the 7th century to display the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue of the 12-year-old Buddha the time before the enlightenment. The statue was created at the time when historical Buddha lived. It is elaborately decorated with gold, jewels, and precious stones.

After visiting the temple we recommend you walking around Bakhor street.

Day 6 – Lhasa city tour: Drepung and Sera Monasteries

We are visiting the two most important monasteries in the capital.

First, we will visit Drepung monastery which once was the biggest monastery in the world with over 10,000 monks living there. It was the residence of Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built.

We have lunch after the visit.

In the afternoon we are visiting Sera Monastery. It was founded by Tsongkhapa’s disciple in the 15th century. Nowadays it is famous for monks debate that you can witness. Debates are a very important part of learning and understanding Buddhism. Monks gather in the courtyard in the shade of trees to refine their knowledge.

Day 7 – Lhasa to Airport/Train station

Please prepare in advance for departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport and 30 minutes to reach the train station. We will arrive at the airport 3 hours before your departure flight if you are traveling to Nepal, and 2 hours before any domestic flight takes off.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

INCLUDED

  • All necessary Travel Permits to travel in Tibet
  • All accommodations based on double occupancy in hotels, guesthouse or tent camp with dormitory rooms at the Everest
  • Breakfast when staying in hotels in Lhasa and Shigatse
  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • Ground transportation in a clean and comfortable vehicle
  • English speaking Tibetan guide
  • All entrance fees, tickets to the attraction sites and monasteries outlined in the itinerary
  • First Aid Kit
  • Oxygen supply

EXCLUEDED

  • Passport and Chinese visa fees
  • International airfare to and from China or Nepal
  • Photography fees inside monasteries
  • Flight or train tickets to Tibet
  • Lunch and dinner in the cities and all meals outside of Lhasa and Shigatse
  • Travel insurance
  • Medical expenses
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Personal expenses: laundry, shopping, phone calls, etc.

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