Upon arrival at the TIA, Kathmandu, meet and greet with our office representative. Then, you will be transferred to the designated hotel. Our representative will escort you to the hotel and assist you with the check-in process. After a short briefing on the trip, the rest of the day is leisure. In the evening, you can stroll around Thamel’s local market, a tourist hub. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Early in the morning, pick up from your hotel in Kathmandu and you will start your Tibet Overland Tour with a long scenic drive along the Pasang Lahmu Highway via Dhunche-Syabrubesi. Along the way, you will see many magnificent snow-capped mountains at the southern foot of the Himalayas, covered by vast forest, towering into the clouds.
Upon reaching the border town, you will be dropped off at the Rasuwagadi Border of Nepal (the Nepal-Tibet border) and will go through the immigration and customs formalities in both Nepal and Tibet. The Nepal-Tibet border is called the Rasuwagadi border in Nepal and Kyirung/Gyirong in Tibet, but the border is popularly known as the Kerong Border.
You meet your Tibetan guide and driver on the Tibet side. After the meet and greet, you will have a 1-hour drive towards Gyirong town. Gyirong is a beautiful Sherpa village, covered with dense forests, serene villages, and beautiful snow peaks above the woods. Overnight at the Guest House in Gyirung.
On the third day, you will go uphill to the world’s highest plateau with the distinctive Tibetan landscape offering the surreal feeling of standing on the roof of the world. If weather permits, you can enjoy an astounding panorama view of majestic Himalayan ranges including Mt Cho Oyu (8201 m) & Mt Xishapagma (8012 m), dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. Passing by Mt. Shishabangma (8027m) and Pelku Tso Lake at its base, you will be hooked by the tranquil and peaceful beauty. From Tingri, one can enjoy the magnificence of Mt. Everest (8,849 m). Overnight stay at the Guest house.
Today you will see the north face of Mt. Everet. You will drive to Xegar via the Friendship Highway. Through the beautiful Tibetan countryside of Tingri, we will reach Rongbuk. Upon arrival, you will drive to the North Base Camp of Everest (5200 m), also known as Qomolangma Base Camp in Tibet. Tibet’s Everest Base Camp may not be as iconic as its Nepalese counterpart, but it still has a truly isolated atmosphere with mountain views. En route, visit the Ronbuk Monastery (the highest monastery in the world). Overnight at the hotel in Rongbuk.
On the fourth day, we will drive to Shigatse. Continuing the scenic drive, you will be crossing over Gyatchu La (5,220 m), the highest pass en route to Lhasa via Lhatse, from where a road to the west leads to Mt. Kailash. After arriving in Shigatse, transfer to the hotel. Later, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional monastic seat of the Holiness Panchen Lama. It is one of the Great Four Holy Monasteries of Tibet, whose grand and magnificent halls are stretched all over the entire hillside. It also houses the world’s largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel in Shigatse.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Gyantse.
Today we will visit Tibet’s Heavenly Lake, “Namtso Lake.” It is the highest freshwater lake in Tibet. After having breakfast at the hotel, you will leave for Damxung. It is the nearest town to Namtso Lake. Crossing the Kora La Pass (5,010 m) and Gampala Pass (4790 m), you will have an amazing birds-eye view of the turquoise waters of Lake Yamdrok-Tso (4450m) and the Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo) against the backdrop of snowy holy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m). It is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of water flow in south Tibet.
After a quick break on Damxung, you will head to Namtso Lake. Ascending and descending through the winding mountain road, you will reach Namstso Lake. While traversing the Lagen la Pass (5190 m), catch a glimpse of Namtso Lake’s expansive vista. When you arrive there, walk around the divine lake. The view of the magnificent Nyechen Tanglha mountain range that encircles the lake and the lovely white yaks grazing by the lakeshore is utterly mesmerizing. Depending on the weather, the lake changes its colour throughout the day from light greenish-blue to deep blue. The surrounding mountains of the Nyechen Tanglha mountain range are also often covered in snow during the summer months as well. Sit quietly on the lakeshore and enjoy the serenity of this place, far from all the bustle of the modern world.
After spending some time, we will drive back to Damxung. Overnight to Damxung.
Breakfast at the hotel, check out, and we will drive back to Lhasa. En route, visit the most famous Yangpachen Hot Spring and explore the lives of nuns at Chimelong Nunnery. After that, continue your journey to Lhasa. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Lhasa.
On this day, you will visit some of the popular attractions in Lhasa.
Potala Palace: It is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, located in the heart of Lhasa. The Palace is one of Tibet’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace was once the residence of the Dalai Lama and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings.
Jokhang Temple: It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tibet and one of the most sacred sites in Tibetan Buddhism. The temple was constructed during the Tibetan Empire’s Songtsen Gampo for his two wives, Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti.
Barkhot Street: It is the famous old market of Lhasa, where we can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Lhasa.
Breakfast at the hotel. On this day, you will visit some of the popular attractions in Lhasa.
Sera Monastery: It is one of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The monastery is known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant festivals, and the famous “monk debates” that take place in its courtyards at around 3–5 in the afternoon.
Drepung Monastery: Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries, resides at the foot of Mount Gephel, and is one of the “great three” Gelug University gompas of Tibet.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Lhasa.
Early in the morning, after having breakfast, check out, and you will drive to Xegar. Overnight at the hotel in Xegar.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive towards the Kyirung border. Upon arrival, your guide will help you with the border formalities and cross the border. Upon crossing the border, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to Kathmandu. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast at the hotel, you are free until your departure. On time, you will be transferred to the airport 3 hours before your flight time.
