10 Days Overland Tour from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Lhasa (Tibet)

Trip Length

10 Days

Route

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

Attractions

Mount Everest, Tashilumpo Monastery, Kumbum Stupa, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Yumbu Lagang, Samye Monastery, 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, Transfer from 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-Shegar

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.

Day 04 Shegar-Shigatse

Today's highlights:

Sakya Monastery

Details:

Drive to Shigatse. Visit Sakya Monastery en route.

Day 05 Shigates-Gyangtse

Today's highlights:

Tashilumpo Monastery, Pelkhor Monastery, Kumbum Stupa, Nunnery

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. Besides Pelkhor, we will also visit a Nunnery to watch the chanting.

Day 06 Gyangtse-Yamdrok Yumtso-Tsetang

Today's highlights:

Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Yumbu Lagang, Trun Druk Monastery

Details:

About hundred kilometers, 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.

Head to Tsetang, the cradle land of Tibetan.Visit Yumbu Lagang the first palace in Tibet. Also, take a look at Trun Druk Monastery.

Day 07 Tsetang-Samye Monastery-Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Samye Monastery

Details:

In the morning we drive to Samye Monastery which is the first Buddhist monastery erected in Tibet. The first floor is of the Tibetan style and the second the Han style and the third the Indian style. Head to Lhasa.

Day 08 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 09 Sightseeing in Lhasa

Today's highlights:

Drepung Monastery, Sera Debating, Norbulingka

Details:

Morning time will be spent visiting Drepung monastery which is on the hillside west of Lhasa. Drepung is a Gelugpa monastery. To reach it, you have to climb up a small hill which will be a kind of interesting.

Later, we will go to visit the Sera monastery where lively lama debating will be seen (except Sundays). This is very interesting. Many lamas sitting or standing in the yard debate a certain topic their teacher has given.

Rest time would be spent in Norbulinka which is Dalai Lama's summer palace.

Day 10 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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