Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour - 8 Days

Quick Facts:

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 Kathmandu to Zhangmu
Meet at our Kathmandu departure location.
Departing at 530am from Kathmandu, approximately 5 hours drive along the Arniko Highway, will take us to Kodari (China-Nepal Border). We cross the Friendship bridge at the border & drive to Zhangmu by jeep (or truck) where after completion of immigration formalities, we will enter to the Chinese Autonomous Region and start the first night in the Tibetan plateau. We will be staying at the hotel/guesthouse nearby Zhanmgu. Overnight at Zhangmu Hotel.

Day 2 Zhangmu to Xegar
Breakfast at hotel; from Zhangmu, we drive to Xegar, following the Bhote Koshi River valley with the plenty of waterfalls on our eyes. This route is the most adventurous route among the others as it offers the panoramic views of the high mountains including the highest peak Everest (8848m) with Langtang (7,367m), Shisapangma (8,012m), Makalu (8,464m) Lhotse (8,516m), Cho Oyu (8,153m). We get chance to pass by the high passes like Nyalam Pass (3,750 m), Tong-La (5,120m) La Lung-la (5,124m) and Gyatso-la (5,220m), Gyatso-la will pass next day. We continue our drive passing Tingri (4,390 m) and stay at Xegar (also known as New Tingri). Overnight at Baiba Hotel.

Day 3 Xegar to Shigatse
Breakfast and we will continue our drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city, lying near the union of the Nyang Chu and the Tsang Po, on the main route between Gyantse and West Tibet. It is the place of famous Tashilumpo Monastery. Overnight at Shigatse Hotel.

Day 4 Shigatse to Gyantse
Breakfast at hotel and then visit Tashilumpo Monastery, one of the four great Gelug monasteries renowned as the seat of the Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. After visiting Tashilunpo Monastery in the morning including the Bazaar of Shigatse, we will drive to the capital of the small kingdom in 15th century Gyantse. Visit Gyantse Kumbum (the highest Chorten in Tibet) and Pelkor Chode Monastery founded in 1418. Overnight at Gyantse Hotel.

Day 5 Gyantse to Lhasa
Breakfast and continue overland journey to Lhasa, crossing the Karo-la Pass (5045m); we pass by the Yamdrok Tso, the turquoise lake and one of the four holy lakes in Tibet. Then after passing the Kamba-la Pass (4,794m), we find ourselves close to the Lhasa Valley. After crossing the Brahmaputra River, we reach Lhasa, our final destination. Lhasa lay in the Kyichu river valley at 3,595m and is dominated by the magnificent Potala Palace towering above, built in the 17th century by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. The accompanying guide will reconfirm your onward airline ticket. Overnight at Kyichu Hotel or similar.

Day 6 Lhasa: Jokhang temple, Norbulinka and Sera Monastery
Breakfast at the hotel and then we’ll spend the day exploring Lhasa, beginning with the 7th century Jokhang Temple, which combines architecture from the Tang Dynasty as well as Indian Buddhist temples. We’ll experience the moving sensation of immersion in the kora at the Jokhang, and as such, touch an ancient and enduring spiritual pulse. Stepping into the stream of humanity, you will be swept into a clock-wise circuit, or kora, around the temple grounds. It’s an electrifying experience to join the kora at Lhasa, like a water droplet uniting with a strong and ancient river. You’ll pass pilgrims performing chaktsal, or ritual prostration, around the entire kora circuit.

At the Barkhor Market that surrounds the temple, hundreds of merchants sell their wares to the innumerable pilgrims. One can buy everything from incense, prayer scarves and Yak butter. While literally rubbing shoulders with the local Tibetans, it becomes clear why these people are renowned throughout the world for their good humor and gentle, gracious ways.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Dalai Lama’s former summer palace, Norbulingka, a tranquil and shady retreat. We’ll then visit the New Tibet Autonomous Region Museum, which opened in 1999. It contains four galleries: Prehistoric Culture, Culture and Arts, Art of Thangka Painting, and Folklore and Culture. We’ll also visit Sera Monastery, noted for its theological debates. The monks grill each other on the profound insights and esoteric minutiae of sacred texts: if a monk answers incorrectly, the others clap and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber. It’s good-natured, boisterous fun.
Overnight Kyichu Hotel or similar.

Day 7 Lhasa: Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery
Breakfast at hotel and depart to visit Potala Palace, which is one of rich cultural heritage monuments in the world located at the top of Red hill in Lhasa valley found in 7th century by Yarlung king of Tibet. According to legends the king found a hermitage pavilion at the top of the hill (location of Potala Palace) where he took meditation for awhile and then later became residence of many kings thereafter. Later on it was divided into two parts, red palace and white palace. The red palace for religion where all the Buddhist relics is stored, making it one of most sacret spiritual pilgrimage in Tibet. So every Tibetan comes to visit there and pay worship. The white palace is living quarter of the Dhalai Lama, and it is for political activities by the successors of the Dhalai Lama. It was winter palace for him before his exile to India. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Drepung Monastery, which is the largest monastery of Tibet. Once it was the seat for more than 10 thousand monks. Many of the Gaden thrown holders were produced from this monastery. In the afternoon, you will get to see the Potala palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas and the seat of the local Tibetan government.
Overnight: Kyichu Hotel or similar.

Day 8 Lhasa to Kathmandu flight
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Gongkar Airport for the onward flight to Kathmandu. Our representative will assist you. The flight is 1 hours and 10 minutes departing at 10am CST and arriving Kathmandu at 09am NST. Arrive in Kathmandu, and transfer to our hotel. End of tour service.