8 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa

   Welcome to Tibet, the roof of the world, with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters! Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, your knowledgeable guide and experienced driver will meet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Along the way, you will first glimpse Tibet's beautiful nature along the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

   To reduce or avoid symptoms of altitude sickness, you are suggested to avoid strenuous exercise on your first day in Lhasa. And don't take a shower to avoid catching a cold. Avoid drinking alcohol and drink plenty of water and get enough rest.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

2. Day 2: Lhasa Highlights Tour
   Discover the Cultural Gems of Lhasa Such As Potala Palace

   Begin your Lhasa tour after a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Your guide will then lead you to the must-see landmark in Tibet - the Potala Palace. Perched on Marpori Hill, the palace is the highest palace in the world and the largest and most complete ancient palace complex in Tibet. Originally built in the 7th century, the Potala Palace with a blend of Tibetan and Han architectural styles was established in the 17th century. You will see many chapels, sacred relics, and remarkable murals in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

   

   After lunch, continue your culture tour to the famous Jokhang Temple, with a history of over 1,300 years. This spiritual center, located in the heart of Lhasa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a blend of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. Taking photos is not allowed inside the chapels of the monasteries. After that, stroll through the surrounding Barkhor Street, the busiest commercial street in Lhasa where you can purchase unique Tibetan souvenirs and experience vibrant local culture.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

3. Day 3: Lhasa Tour
   Witness the Monks Engaging in Traditional Debates

   In the morning, your tour guide takes you to visit the tranquil Norbulingka Park, a typical Tibetan-style garden established in the 18th century as the summer palace for successive Dalai Lama. After more than 200 years of expansion, the whole garden covers an area of 360,000 square meters. There are more than 100 species of plants in the garden, not only common flowers in Lhasa, but also exotic plants from the northern and southern foothills of the Himalayas, as well as rare flowers introduced from abroad. It can be called the Plateau Botanical Garden.

   

   Following that, we drive to Drepung Monastery, which holds historical significance as the largest monastery in Tibet. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and founded in 1416, this sprawling monastery houses exquisite carvings, solemn statues of Buddha, and a large number of Thangka paintings, embroidery, murals and other valuable art treasures.

   Last, transfer you to the Sera Monastery, where you can witness the monks engaging in traditional debates. The temple houses tens of thousands of Vajra Buddha statues, mostly made locally in Tibet, as well as many bronze statues brought from India. In addition, you will enjoy a large number of colorful murals.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

4. Day 4: Lhasa to Gyantse Tour
   Take a Leisurely Walk along the Sacred Yamdrok Lake

   Today, a scenic drive leads us to Gyantse. After approximately 1.5 hours, we first arrive at the beautiful Yamdrok Lake, which is known as the three sacred lakes of Tibet with Lake Manasarovar and Namtso Lake. In the hearts of Tibetans, the lake is regarded as "the goddess's turquoise earrings". You can take a leisurely walk along its shores and capture the breathtaking beauty with your camera. If interested,you can pat extra to ride a yak for a unique photo by the lake. (at an additional cost)

   

   Continue to Gyantse and we make a stop at a Tibetan family's home. You will enjoy some authentic home-cooked Tibetan food. Following that, your drive will take you to Karola Glacier, the nearest glacier to the highway in Tibet, only more than three hundred meters. As a result of years of highway dust, the glacier as a whole was black and white layered form, but the upper part of the glacier in the sunlight is like a giant Thangka painting hanging on the mountain wall.

   As we arrive in Gyantse,we will pay a visit to the Palcho Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa. The Monastery is a typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery building combined with a pagoda and a temple. Your tour guide will introduce the unique architectural features to you and you will learn the cultural significance of these sacred sites. Last, take pictures of the Gyantse Dzong Fortress, a historic structure against the backdrop of the Tibetan landscape.

   

   Note: You are suggested to pack some snacks and drinks for today's Tibet tour. So you can stay refreshed and energized throughout the day.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Gyantse

5. Day 5: Gyantse to Shigatse Tour
   Have a Cultural Exploration in Pala Manor

   After breakfast, you guide will take you through a cultural exploration. Your first attraction is the Pala Manor, currently Tibet's most complete preservation of the old Tibetan manor. The main building is three stories high, which is quite spectacular. There are 57 existing houses, with carved beams and painted rafters in the house. In addition, there are breweries, mills, and other facilities within the Pala Manor.

   

   After that, drive for about 2.5-hour drive to Shigatse. Arriving in Shigatse, you will explore the spiritual heart of the city - Tashilhunpo Monastery, which the first Dalai Lama founded and served as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. You can wander through the alleys, marvel at the tall statues of Buddha, and witness the prayers of the devoted monks.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shigatse

   

6. Day 6: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp Tour
   Marvel at the Roof of the World Up Close

   Today, we will drive for 8 hours from Shigatse to the sacred Mount Everest. Throughout the car ride, capture the ever-changing landscape with your camera, from beautiful valleys to clear lakes and towering snow-covered peaks. We will make many stops to capture the ever-changing landscape with your camera, from beautiful valleys to clear lakes and towering snow-covered peaks of the Himalayan range.

   

   Upon arrival, we will transfer to a tourist bus that will take us to Rongbuk Monastery. Located at the end of the Rongbuk Glacier at the foot of Mount Everest, 5150 meters above sea level, Rongbuk Monastery is a rare mixed temple of monks and nuns. The whole temple is built on the mountain, and there are five floors, now only two floors still in use. It is a good location for viewing Mount Everest, especially the Mani Stones Pile and the White Pagoda at the entrance of the temple.

   After a short rest, have an expedition to Everest Base Camp. It is the starting point for mountaineers aiming to conquer the world's highest summit. You will see a lot of Mani Stones, each inscribed with prayers. Take photos with the iconic stone tablet with Mt. Everest in the background.

   If you join the Tibet tour during the period from November to March, you will be arranged to stay overnight at a guesthouse near Everest Base Camp because of the cold weather.

   

   Warm tips:

   1. Usually 8-12 people stay together in a tent, but it is clean. Please note that the tented camps have very limited facilities and food choices.
   2. Due to the high altitude and cold weather, you are advised to keep warm and drink plenty of water to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Lhasa

7. Day 7: Drive to Gyirong Town
   Capture the Majestic Sunrise over Mount Everest

   Today, you can get up early to witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Everest. You will see the morning light coloring the snow-covered mountain top in gold and pink. This is something you will never forget. You may see the elusive milky white "flag clouds", a unique spectacle on Mount Everest. From a distance, the clouds look like a flag flying over the peak.

   

   Then drive to Gyirong Town. Along the journey, you will see the peaks that surround you. Upon arriving in the town, check into your hotel and take some time to relax.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Gyirong

8. Day 8: Drive to the Border

   After a leisurely breakfast, the 8-day Tibet to Kathmandu Overland tour is going to come to an end. Your driver will take you to Gyirong Port, a crucial gateway for border trade between China and Nepal.

   

   We can arrange a driver to escort you from the border of Tibet to Kathmandu, which will be charged extra.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A