7-Days Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour
Tour Route: Lhasa-Yamdock-Karola Glacier-Gyangtse-Shigatse-Everest Base Camp-Kyirong
This seven days overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu follows the Sino-Nepal highway, which offers amazing views of the Himalaya and the picturesque of Tibetan countryside.we spend three first days in Lhasa. It is enough time for most visitors to acclimatize and continue the journey to higher areas. Along the way, we will be traveling through various high passes.The visit to the old cities: Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, will give you a complete picture of Tibet’s religion, cultural treasures, and dreamlike landscape. The road trip to the top of the world, at Everest Base Camp, will be an unforgettable experience..
Highlights:
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Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.
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Roam around Drepung Monastery, the largest temple in Tibet, exploring the life of Tibetan monks in their practice.
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Immerse yourself in the daily life of Lhasa residents, visiting traditional homes, teahouses, and joining Tibetans in worship.
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Explore the most beautiful lakeside village in Tibet and savor a traditional lunch at a villager's home.
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Admire the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, from four different viewpoints.
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Stay at Everest Base Camp, witnessing its sunrise, sunset, and marveling at the starry sky at night.
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Private transfer service from Gyirong Border to Kathmandu (Optional)
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Time to Visit : Available All Year Around
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Tour Type: Small Group (Max 12) I.
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Trip Level : Easy for All Agesi
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Tour Price from: USD 498per person based on double occupancy in hotels.
Itinerary in short
Day 1: Arrival and pick up, either, at the Gongkar airport or at the Libu train station in Lhasa Day 2:Lhasa Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street Day 3:Lhasa to Shigatse, Stopping at Gyantse Day 4: Lhasa to Shigatse, Stopping at Gyantse Day 5: Shigatse to Mt. Everest Base Camp (EBC), via Tingri Day 6: Mt. Everest Base Camp (EBC) to Gyirong border Day 7: Gyirong to Nepal border
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. The distance from the airport to Lhasa is about 70km, approximately 1:30 hrs. drive. The distance from the train station is only 25km, about 30 minutes’ drive. Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River / Bhamaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on their way to Lhasa. After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. If you feel like venturing out into the city, then try to visit the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala Palace and its surroundings. Insider Tips: For the new comers to Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet having a good night sleep in your hotel is the best choice. Don’t rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city, there will be plenty of time to do that. Day 2: Today’s tour brings you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The most valuable collections of the Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. After visiting the Potala Palace we will have lunch around there. After lunch, we will head out to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you will see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of the Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market. With time permitting, you may go with your tour guide to visit a Tibetan handicraft art center or a Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy a Tibetan Culture Show in the evening ($60 for per person) We’ll take you back to your hotel. Day 3:In the morning, you will visit the Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries in Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung. In the afternoon, the group will visit the Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries in Tibet. The hot attraction is the monks’ debate at around 3 – 5 p.m. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you will see three sand Mandalas and a colorful Rock Painting of Buddha. Day 4:On that day early in the morning, we will drive from Lhasa (3650 m) to Shigatse (3900 m). We will cross the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso lake (4400m) . The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, you will enjoy spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang a praying flag at Simila Mountain Pass. Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the far view of the Gyangtse Fortress. After one and a half hour’s driving, we will arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer). Overnight stay in Shigatse. Day 5:In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then we will stop for lunch at the small town of Lhatse. Shortly after, we will enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. The group will be able to enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass (5198m). Then we will drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5200m). If weather permits, you will get closer look at the Mt. Everest sunset peak. We will stay overnight at the Rongbuk monastery guest house. Day 6:In the morning, if weather permits, you will be able to appreciate the sunrise of Everest Peak at the lodging area and then visit the Rongbuk Monstery – the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Later, if allowed, we will hike from the lodging place to EBC (4kms) and visit the EBC and take pictures of Mt. Everest at the closes distance in EBC. After that, we will drive from EBC to Kyirong border. On the way, the group will enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake. After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo (5236m), we will arrive, late afternoon at Kyirong. We will stay overnight at the guesthouse in Gyirong Day 7:Your guide will help you exit China through the Gyirong border. Our services will end at the border. Optional: Transfer from Gyirong to Kathmandu ($250 for per car, it is not included in the Package, so you will need pay extra if you choose that option)
What's Included?
1.Tibet Entry Permit 2. Comfortable, clean and safe vehicle depending on your group size with reliable local driver; 3. Admission fees of tourist sites listed in the itinerary; 4. Professional English speaking tour guide; 5. Accommodations depend on your preference. Please tell us your preferred accommodation class when submitting the enquiry, and we will arrange the best-value hotels for you. 6.All measl listed in the itinerary; 7.Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
What's Excluded?
1. Chinese Visa (for any visa assistance services, please contact us for details) 2.International airfare to and from China or Nepal 3. Flight or train tickets to Tibet out of Tibet (If you need ticket booking service, please let us know) 4. Single Room Supplement: Hotels are based on double occupancy (twin-bedded rooms) by default. If you prefer a single room or if room sharing isn’t possible, a single room supplement is required (please consult the travel consultant for specific price differences). 5. Lunch and dinner in the cities and all meals outside of Lhasa and Shigatse 6. Tips to the guide and driver based on your satisfaction with their services. We recommend paying a total of $7 per person per day for both the guide and driver. 7. Additional expenses resulting from force majeure events (such as natural disasters, traffic controls, loss of valuables, visa delays, flight delays, cancellations, Travel insurance and Medical expenses, etc.). 8. Personal expenses: laundry, shopping, phone calls, etc.
1. When is the deadline to book this 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu Small Group Tour?
To ensure a seamless trip, it is recommended to book your Tibet tour at least 15-20 days before the departure date. Certainly, booking your tour 1-2 months or earlier in advance will assist us in arranging your Tibet Travel Permit and other necessary documents, as well as securing accommodations. Additionally, early bookings may qualify for early-bird discounts. This arrangement facilitates better preparation and a more relaxed journey.
2. What travel documents are required for the overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu?
For the Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour, various tourists require specific travel documents: 1)Foreign tourists:Passport, Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit 2) Tourists from Hong Kong and Macau: Home Return Permit, Frontier Pass 3) Tourists from Taiwan: Mainland Travel Permit (MTP), Tibet Travel Permit, etc.
3. How to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit? How long does It take, and when can I get the permit?
For foreign tourists applying for the Tibet Travel Permit, photos or photocopies of a valid passport and Chinese Visa are needed. Holders of a working visa need to additionally provide a work certificate, while student visa holders require student certification. However, Taiwanese tourists only need to provide photos or photocopies of Mainland Travel Permit for the Tibet Travel Permit application. Generally, processing the Tibet Travel Permit takes 7-14 working days. Once the permit is successfully issued, we'll mail it to your address in mainland of China 3-5 days before your departure date, ensuring you have it in hand for your train or flight to Tibet.
4. When is the best time to take a Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour?
The best time for a Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour is typically from April to mid-June and from September to November, offering favorable weather and stunning Himalayan views. Tibet experiences summer rain mostly at night, with clear and comfortable days. If you don't mind occasional rain during the drive and prefer warmer weather, summer is suitable for the tour. However, be cautious near the Gyirong border due to potential landslides and heavy rain making roads hazardous. Winter, from November to early February, is a budget-friendly option with fewer crowds and lower expenses at attractions. Also, visiting Tibet during winter showcases beautiful snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes, presenting breathtaking landscapes.
5. How is the road condition from Lhasa to Kathmandu?
The road from Lhasa to Kathmandu is surprisingly good due to the growth in Tibet's tourism and economic development. Most of the route consists of well-paved asphalt roads suitable for regular vehicles. The smooth road covers about 820 km to Gyirong Port at the Sino-Nepal border. From there to Kathmandu, the road spans around 180 kilometers and becomes dusty and bumpy. However, the scenery along this stretch is stunning. Additionally, we provide seasoned drivers with years of experience driving in Tibet to ensure your overland trip is as comfortable as possible.
6. Are there instances When Mount Everest might not be visible on the way from Lhasa to Kathmandu?
Due to factors like high altitude and ever-changing weather, there might be times when Mount Everest isn't visible during the visit. However, this isn't a common occurrence. To increase the likelihood of seeing Mount Everest, it's best to plan your visit to Everest Base Camp during the stable weather seasons of spring and autumn. Even if there's rain, showers around Mount Everest tend to pass quickly. Of course, you can always reach out to our experienced travel advisors before your trip to get insights into Mount Everest's weather conditions. To maximize your chance of spotting Mount Everest, our itinerary provides four opportunities to witness its beauty; at least one should offer a clear view. Furthermore, before heading to Mount Everest, keeping a positive mindset and appreciating the diverse beauty of Tibet, not solely focused on Mount Everest, is important. Even if you miss seeing Mount Everest, the surrounding breathtaking natural scenery and unique plateau landscapes will still captivate you. Missing a sunset may lead to a stunning sunrise. The journey to Mount Everest is about more than just the mountain itself; it's an adventure embracing natural marvels and the mesmerizing plateau scenery
7. What are the dinning and accommodation options along the route from Lhasa to Kathmandu?
In cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, there's a range of accommodation options available, from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. You can choose based on your budget and preferences. However, at Everest Base Camp, the only lodging option is the tent guesthouse, which provides basic accommodation with relatively simple facilities, often consisting of several beds in one tent. During winter, the tent guesthouses at Everest Base Camp might close, necessitating accommodation in places like Tashi Dzom Town or Basong Village. In the small border town of Gyirong, there are only standard guesthouses available. While the lodging conditions are simple, they are clean and comfortable. Regarding dining, there are plenty of dining options in the towns along the route and scenic areas, with Tibetan restaurants and Sichuan cuisine eateries being common. Whatever your food preferences, these places usually cater to various tastes, and even vegetarians can find suitable restaurants along the way
8. What to pack for traveling overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu?
1) Clothing: Upper garments can include thick underwear (or thermal underwear), a sweater/fleece, and a thick down jacket (thick winter jacket). Lower wear can consist of windproof pants and warm thermal leggings. Footwear can be non-slip sports shoes or hiking boots. Additionally, scarves, gloves, and hats are essential. Layering clothing is advisable for adjusting to temperature changes. 2) Personal items: Skincare products like facial cleanser, moisturizer, facial masks, body lotion, lip balm, and sunscreen. Personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, and towels. Shampoo and shower products can be selectively packed based on personal needs. Sunglasses are a must due to Tibet's strong sunlight. Given the long driving trip, carrying a U-shaped pillow for comfort during long journeys is recommended. Also, prepare a thermal flask to ensure access to hot water anytime. 3) Common medications: Adhesive bandages, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, eye drops, altitude sickness medication, and other commonly used medications should be carried for emergencies. (Always follow medical advice and avoid misuse of medication.) 4) Electronic devices: Bring chargers, power banks, cameras, earphones, or other electronic devices as per personal requirements. 5) Small amounts of cash and bank cards: Although mobile payment methods are becoming more common in Tibet, there might still be instances in remote areas where cash is needed. It's advisable to carry a small amount of cash and at least one bank card.
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