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 7-Day Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour

Tour Route: Lhasa-Yamdock-Karola Glacier-Gyangtse-Shigatse-E.B.C-Kyirong

Trip Overview:

This 7-day 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:

  • Go down into the bowels of the Potala, the impressive but spiritless citadel of the Dalai Lamas.

  • Join the shuffling, murmuring pilgrims around the shrines of the Jokhang, the spiritual heart of Tibet.

  • Follow monks, mendicants and fellow pilgrims around the Barkhor, Lhasa’s fascinating medieval pilgrim circuit.

  • Take in a prayer meeting or some monk debating at Sera  Drepung, two of the largest and most intact of Tibet’s great monasteries, Sightseeing to Norbulingka ,Summer palace of Dalailama

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Lhasa TourTrip Notes

1. How to Get the Tibet Travel Permit?

The Tibet Travel Permit is essential for any Tibet tour. We help to obtain this permit free of charge when you book your Tibet tour through us. Simply send us copies of your passport and China visa at least 20 days in advance. Once we receive your documents, we will promptly process the permit application with the Tibet Tourism Bureau. After obtaining your permit, we will notify you and send it to your hotel in mainland China. In exceptional cases, our staff can personally deliver the permit to you at the airport or railway station. With years of experience in handling Tibet Travel Permit, we assure you a smooth visit to Tibet by ensuring the acquisition of your permit.

2. Where to Stay in Tibet?

Accommodation facilities and services in Tibet might not match those found in the coastal and central parts of China. However, there's a diverse range of hotel options available. However, you can choose from a wide range of hotel options. In big cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, from cheap and clean youth hostels to distinct Tibetan-style 3-star and international 5-star luxury hotels, you will find one that suits your interests and budget. As you travel to remote areas of Tibet, such as EBC and the Mount Kailash region, the accommodations tend to be more basic. Some may have air-conditioning in the hotel, while others may only offer electric blankets in the guesthouses. Nonetheless, we always handpick cozy and safe accommodations for you along your itinerary in Tibet, ensuring a pleasant night's stay for your Tibet tour.

3. How about the Guiding and Tipping in Tibet?

Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. Most are trained to offer Western-standard service. Throughout your stay in Tibet, we will monitor your health and provide prompt assistance to you. If you encounter any trouble, please do not hesitate to contact them or our customer service manager. Travelers' tipping to Tibetan guides and drivers is seen as extra gratitude for their excellent service, much like what you do in the West. Normally, a tipping amount of 7 USD per day is acceptable. The basic principle is rewarding good service with fair pay.

4. How are the Toilets in Tibet?

Undoubtedly, for many Western tourists, using toilets in Tibet can be a challenging experience. Therefore, it's advisable to moderate your expectations. If you travel to Lhasa by Tibet train, both western-style and squat toilets are available onboard. Staying in hotels rated above 3 stars in cities like Lhasa and Shigatse ensures access to standard Western flush toilets, eliminating any discomfort. However, when visiting attractions like Yamdrok or Namtso or outdoor sites like EBC, you're likely to encounter smelly and unclean pit toilets. It's recommended to carry sufficient toilet paper for such occasions.

5. When is the best time to visit Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake?

One of the notable weather features on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the significant temperature fluctuation between day and night. In Lhasa, the annual temperatures range from -2℃ to 12℃ (spring), 9℃ to 22℃ (summer), 7℃ to 19℃ (fall), and -7℃ to 9℃ (winter). Ensure proper clothing, such as thermal tops, a fleece jacket, breathable underwear, a down jacket, jeans, a beanie, and other essentials. Moreover, essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses are crucial to shield yourself from the intense, blinding sunlight of the plateau. Staying hydrated by drinking more water and including vegetables in your diet is advisable to prevent dehydration during your travels in Tibet.

6. How to Prevent from Altitude Sickness in Tibet?

For first-time visitors to Tibet, whether arriving by flight or train, allowing ample rest is crucial for quick acclimation to the high altitude in Lhasa. Avoid rushing to explore the streets or attractions independently. Walk at a slower pace and refrain from exerting yourself by running or jumping. Spending at least two days in Lhasa before venturing to places like Shigatse or Namtso allows for better acclimatization. If you experience any discomfort, inform your guide, and they will assist you.

7. Are There some Dos and Don'ts while Touring Tibet?

Photography is generally prohibited in monasteries. If you wish to capture images of Tibetan pilgrims, kindly seek their permission or maintain a considerable distance while taking photos. Swimming and fishing are prohibited in the sacred lakes of Tibet. Avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics. According to policy, international tourists are not permitted to travel alone in Tibet. While navigating Barkhor Street, adhere to the custom of walking clockwise. Refrain from exploring unfamiliar trails. Take proactive steps to preserve Tibet's delicate ecosystem. Given that Tibetan Buddhism profoundly influences the lives of Tibetans, always show reverence and respect for their unique customs. If uncertain about any practice, it's advisable to seek guidance from your tour guide before proceeding.

  • Tour Code: LDJ001     
  • ​Time to Visit : Available All Year Around
  • Tour Type: Small Group (Max 12) 
  • ​Trip Level : Easy for All Agesi

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 1: Mt. Everest Base Camp (EBC) to Gyirong border Day 2:  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. International flight to and out of China; 2. Chinese Visa 3. Domestic flight / train not listed in the itinerary (If you need ticket booking service, please leave your requirements in the Online Inruiry form.) 4.Meals not specified in the itinerary; 5.Tips to driver and tour guide, Tip as you wish 6.Personal expenses, such as laundry, phone call, optional tour activities and so on.

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