7 Days Overland Tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Trip Length

7 Days

Route

Kathmandu-Zhangmu-Tingri-EBC-Shegar-Shigatse-Gyantse-Lhasa

Attractions

Mount Everest Base Camp, Tashilumpo Monastery, Kumbum Stupa, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple

Overview

From Kathmandu we make our way towards Lhasa. The road between Kathmandu and Lhasa is known as the Friendship Highway. From Kathmandu (1300m) the road travels gently up to Kodari (1873m), before leaving Nepal to make a steep switchback ascent to Zhangmu (2300m), the Tibetan border town. The road then climbs to the top of Tong-la (5120m), continuing to Tingri (4390m) for the second night. The highway is very well traveled and is a pleasant journey.

It's an ideal route in that it takes in most of Tibet's main sights, offers superb scenery and features a spectacular roller-coaster ride down from high La Lung-la into the Kathmandu valley. It has stopovers at Gyantse, Shigates and EBC. Finally, we spend a couple of days in Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet and an object of devout pilgrimage, it is still a city of wonders. The medieval push and shove of crowds, the street performers, the stalls hawking everything from prayer flags to jewel-encrusted yak skulls, and the devout tapping their foreheads to the ground at every step is an exotic brew that few newcomers can resist.

Itinerary Day by Day

Day 01 Kathmandu-Tibet border-Zhangmu

Today's highlights:

Transfer from Kathmandu to Tibet border, pick you up at the border to Zhangmu

Details:

Transfer from your hotel in Kathmandu to Tibet border. Our guide from Lhasa will meet you and pick you up at the Kodari of the China side.

Day 02 Zhangmu-Old Tingri

Today's highlights:

Zhangmu, Himalayan Moutains Range

Details:

You can enjoy the panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan Range on the way to Tingri.

Day 03 Old Tingri-Mt. Everest Base Camp

Today's highlights:

Mount Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk Monastery

Details:

After hours of driving we arrive at the highest monastery of the world, the Rongbuk monastery. Take a carriage or hike to Mt. Everest Base Camp. You can appreciate the spectacular Himalayan and the highest mountain in the world-Mt. Everest.

Stay overnight at EBC if you want to appreciate the sunset of Mount Everest. Otherwise, go to Ronbguk guesthouse for accommodation.

Day 04 Mount Everest-Shigatse

Today's highlights:

Sunrise of Mount Everest, Local Market

Details:

Get up early to appreciate the sunrise of Mount Everest if you are lucky. Drive to Shigatse. Stroll around the Local Market if time allows. 

Day 05 Shigates-Gyangtse-Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Tashilumpo Monastery, Pelkhor Monastery, Kumbum Stupa, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake 

Details:

After visit Pachen Lama's seat palce, the great Tashilumpo monastery, a very big and complex monastery in Tibet, drive to Gyantse. When arrive in Gyantse, the historical city of Tibet, we will visit the Pelkhor monastery for its famous Kumbum pagoda.

On the way to Lhasa, you will appreciate the holy Lake of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.The sacred lake of Yamdrok Yutso is revered as a talisman, supporting the life-spirit of Tibet. It is said that should its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable.

Day 06 Sightseeing in Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Barkhor Street

Details:

Today, you will visit the highest palace in the world-Potala Palace which is the Dalai Lama's winter palace. It locates on the red hill, a good viewing point in Lhasa.

In the afternoon, we go to the renowned Jokhang Temple which will provide you one of your first sights of devout Tibetans. In the temple you will see the glistening Sakyamuni statue which is considered as Tibetan Buddhism's rarity.

After then, stroll around the bustling Barkhor Street.

Day 07 Bid farewell to Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Transfer from hotel to airport or train station, Say goodbye to Lhasa

Details:

Our guide will meet you at your hotel, and you will be transferred to Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station to take flight or train out of Lhasa.

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