Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour
- Duration:
- 13 Days
- Price:
- From USD2706
- Route:
- Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Tingri - EBC - Gyirong - Kathmandu - Paro - Punakha Dzong - Paro - Taktsang - Paro
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Group Tour
- Group Size:
- Max 12
Overview
This 13-day tour will take you to three separate countries - Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. In Lhasa, Tibet, you can explore the profound Buddhist cultural and historical sites, including Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Meanwhile, you can visit some monasteries such as Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. After catching a glimpse of Mount Everest, you will cross the vast expanse of the Tibetan Plateau to delve deep into the Kathmandu Valley and admire its historical Hindu architecture. Taking a short-hop flight across borders to visit the last Shangri-La Bhutan, you can take some unique sights of the Bhutanese culture and religion, as well as join the trekking and murmuring.
Day | Route | Attractions & Activities | Accommodation | Meals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | |
2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street | Lhasa, 3★/4★ | B |
4 | Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs | Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chöde Monastery | Shigatse, 3★/4★ | B |
5 | Shigatse - Tingri - EBC(5100m), 350km, Approx 7hrs | Tashilunpo Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, Sunset of Golden Everest Peak | Rongbuk Guesthouse or Nomad Tent(Dorm Bed) | B |
6 | EBC – Gyirong Border 370km, Approx. 8hrs | Everest Base Camp, Pekutso Lake, Far view of Mt. Shishapangma | Gyirong, Guesthouse | |
7 | Gyirong - Kathmandu, 160km, Approx 7hrs | Send off to Gyirong border/transfer to Kathmandu | Kathmandu, 3★/4★ | |
8 | Day tour in Kathmandu: Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan City | Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Pagoda | Kathmandu, 3★/4★ | B |
9 | Day tour in Kathmandu: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur City | Pashupatinath, Boudhanath | Kathmandu, 3★/4★ | B |
10 | Fly from Kathmandu to Paro (2300m) then Transfer to Thimphu | Send off and pick up, National Monument | Thimphu, 3★/4★ | B,L,D |
11 | Day tour in Punakha Dzong and Drive Back to Paro (1460m) | Punakha Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, National Museum | Paro, 3★/4★ | B,L,D |
12 | Trek to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) and drive back to Paro | Tiger's Nest, Kyichu Lhakhang | Paro, 3★/4★ | B,L,D |
13 | Departure from Paro | Send off to the airport | B |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseOur staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes about one hour; from Lhasa Railway Station, about 20mins. After being transferred to the hotel, you will be free to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself for the rest of the day. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not have a shower if you can help it.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
Our guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel in the early morning and then drive to Drepung Monastery, which means Monastery of Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. Drepung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism.
After lunch, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is renowned as the most beautiful Tibetan Monastery. Sera Monastery is famous for Buddhist debating. As a part of the study, lamas should participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of Buddhism.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today, we will go to the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m (12,359.55ft) at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit the temple, you'll have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa since the early days. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
- Meals:
- Breakfast
We will pass by Kampala pass(4,790m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Standing at the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar(7,191m) in the distance.
Next we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is about 300m from the main highway on your way to Gyantse.
Then visit the main monastery in Gyantse - Pelkor Chode Monastery, famous for its exquisite architecture and intact murals and statues.
Stay overnight in Shigatse, 3★/4★
- Meals:
- Breakfast
In the morning, you will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery and then drive to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in the local restaurant. After a short rest, you will go ahead to Tingri by passing through Tsola Pass(4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass(5,248m). In the late afternoon, you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, with countless prayer flags flying in the wind. Afterward, you will ascend to Gawula Pass(5,198m), where you can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas. Then you will drive along the new zigzag road to Rongbuk Monastery or Everest Base Camp to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of Golden Everest Peak.
Stay overnight in Rongbuk Guesthouse or Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed)
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at the lodging area if the weather is good. Then you will have Tibetan breakfast here, such as noodles, Zanba, etc. about CNY 30p.p. You are highly suggested to bring along some cookies, and instant coffee. etc. on your own. After sightseeing, we will drive to Gyirong, the border which connects Tibet & Nepal. On the way, tourists can enjoy the breathtaking vista of Mt. Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake. After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo(5236M), we will arrive in Gyirong in the late afternoon.
Stay overnight in Gyirong Town
In the morning, your guide will take you to the border of Nepal and our guide from Nepal will meet you on the other side. Then transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is for you to look around the area, or just rest in your hotel.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu
Today, we will explore the Kathmandu City. The guide will take you to visit the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Royal Palace Square in the city which is surrounded by ancient buildings from the early 16th century. The magnificent architecture, exquisite decorations, and the intensity of historical items give a great insight into Nepali culture.
After that, continue the tour to visit the Swayambhunath Pagoda which is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Swayambhunath is a huge golden stupa festooned with prayer flags that flutter in the breeze, on a hill that overlooks the entire city. Then make your way to Patan City, the second largest city in the Kathmandu Valley area. Patan City has one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Nepal dating back to the 12th century and is a great place to explore the Buddhist culture of Nepal.
Today, we are going to visit the ancient Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in Asia, and a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Set on the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is one of Nepal’s famous UNESCO sites, and the sunset over the temple roofs is spectacular. Then head to Boudhanath, located on the ancient trade route. It is a place of meditation and part of the spiritual journey around Kathmandu. As one of the largest stupas in the world, it has been the site of many Tibetan prayers over the centuries.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Jenpalegso La (Welcome to Bhutan). On arrival, meet your private guide and driver who will stay with you for the rest of your trip. You will start in Thimphu. The drive is a 1-hour driveby road. Thimphu is a charming city, probably the smallest capital in the world, resting in the heart of the Himalayas.
In the afternoon, visit the landmark - National Monument, which is not only to commemorate the late king but also for world peace. It is also the place where Thimphu people's daily koras are most concentrated. Locals believe that the kora can wash away previous sins.
Stay Overnight in Thimphu
In the morning you will be driven from Paro/Thimphu to Punakha, crossing the Dochu La Pass at 3,100 meters, where you are able to see the 108 beautiful Chortens, also known as Druk Wangyal Chortens. It's to commemorate those who lost their lives in the suppression of the Assamese rebels in southern Bhutan and to pray for world peace. In Punakha, you will visit the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan Punakha Dzong, which was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After visiting the Dzong, you will drive back to Paro.
Perched above Rinpung Dzong, the ancient Ta Dzong is a watchtower. It was built in 1649 to protect the undefended Dzong. And it was renovated into a National Museum in 1968. The unusual round building was built in the shape of a conch shell, with 2.5m-thick walls. The watchtower suffered damage in the 2011 earthquake but reopened in 2016 as the nation's premier museum.
Stay overnight in Paro.
In the morning you will trek from the bottom of Paro Valley to the Taktsang Monastery, perched on the side of the mountain. Taktsang (commonly known as Tiger's Nest) is the most sacred site in Bhutan and one of the top ten super temples in the world to go. Located at an elevation of 3120 meters, Taktsang is the birthplace of Bhutanese Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress, which was the manifestation of his divine consort Yeshe Tsogyal.
You can ride a horse or walk to Tiger’s Nest. It is a challenging trek so you will gain merit with every step. The view from the Paro Valley to the monastery is worth your climb. The hike starts from a gentle forest with some prayer flags. After passing a creek and some water-powered prayer wheels, the trail starts getting steeper.
On halfway up the monastery, there is a nice teahouse with great views of Taktsang Monastery that makes a welcome stopping point. You can get some tea and take a break here. You can continue climbing to the viewpoint, which's the best place to take photos of Taktsang. From here, you will walk down a series of steep stairs to a waterfall to achieve your final ascent to the entrance. Here you will be required to leave your backpacks, cameras, and phones.
In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan. After visiting today’s attractions, if time permits, the tour guide can also take you to visit the ordinary market in Paro, where you can buy some handicrafts with Bhutanese characteristics.
Stay overnight in Paro
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, take you to the airport, and help you check in for your flight from Bhutan.
Cost & Calendar
All prices are in US Dollar / Person
Economic Class (3-Star Hotels)
2023-09-01 ~ 2023-10-07 | 2023-10-08 ~ 2023-10-31 | 2023-11-01 ~ 2023-12-31 | 2024-04-01 ~ 2024-06-30 | 2024-07-01 ~ 2024-08-31 | 2024-09-01 ~ 2024-10-07 | 2024-10-08 ~ 2024-10-31 | 2024-11-01 ~ 2024-12-31 |
USD2876 | USD2796 | USD2706 | USD2746 | USD2926 | USD2876 | USD2796 | USD2706 |
Comfortable Class (4-Star Hotels)
2023-09-01 ~ 2023-10-07 | 2023-10-08 ~ 2023-10-31 | 2023-11-01 ~ 2023-12-31 | 2024-04-01 ~ 2024-06-30 | 2024-07-01 ~ 2024-08-31 | 2024-09-01 ~ 2024-10-07 | 2024-10-08 ~ 2024-10-31 | 2024-11-01 ~ 2024-12-31 |
USD3289 | USD3289 | USD3066 | USD3166 | USD3310 | USD3289 | USD3289 | USD3066 |
Schedule
Starting Date | Price From | Booked | Book Now |
---|---|---|---|
2023-10-07 | USD2876 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-09 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-12 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-14 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-16 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-19 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-21 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-23 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-26 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-28 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
2023-10-30 | USD2796 | open for booking | Book |
No desired date of departure? Please send us an inquiry and we will try to arrange your tour according to your plan.
Discount Policy
You may only enjoy one of the advantageous policy, not both.
Option A: | 3 or More to Join the Same Group | $30 Off / person |
Option B: | Tour in Apr~Oct |
|
Our Service
INCLUSIONS
*Bhutan Visa
*Lodgings: 10 Nights, twin room en suite in 3★/4★; 2 Night in GUESTHOUSE;
*Breakfasts provided by hotels;
*Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
*Transfer from Gyirong border to Kathmandu by Jeep.
*Free Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all times on the first day;
*Free pick-up from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to your hotel at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the first day;
*Free drop-off from your hotel to the airport on the last day;
*Guide: experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
*Attractions: all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary;
*Permit: Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit; Alien's Travel Permit to be applied in Shigatse with your original passport which takes abt 30mins;
*Sleeping bags in Tibet;
*Travel Agency Liability insurance;
*Government Tax;
*Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express)
*Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
*Oxygen tank for emergency use;
*Two bottles of mineral water per person per day;
EXCLUSIONS
* Nepal Visa
*International flight to and out of China;
* Domestic flight/train to Lhasa, Flight from Kathmandu to Paro; (We can help you book the flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
* If you miss the free transfer schedule due to flight delay or cancelation, then you are required to pay a private transfer from USD 80/vehicle/time.
* Lunch & Dinner are not included in Nepal and Tibet but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 3-10 USD per person for each meal.
* While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 5-10 USD/day in total;
* All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
* Personal expenses;
* Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Note
*Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) usually takes about 12-working-day to apply. If you couldn’t provide the required docs & info on time, an extra handling fee will be charged. Please consult your travel consultant for details;
*We reserve the right to change the itinerary order and attractions in Lhasa;
*If you prefer to book your own hotels over those included in our group tour, please meet the rest of the group at their daily hotel on time. We don’t include the transfers to your own hotels;
*We need to pick up and drop off all members of the group on the first day from Lhasa Airport/Railway, thus there may not always have guide presence but driver;
*Single Supplement: our quote is based on twin rooms. For single travelers, the single supplement is required at the time of booking. If later we manage to match you with another traveler to share the twin room, the single supplement will be refunded.
Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Nabl***
2023-08-06
Hello, We are looking to inquire about an 13-day Nepal-Bhutan-Tibet tour in the beginning of November. Ideally the tour will be from Nov 1st - 13th/14th. Assuming 2 travelers and budget accommodation, can you please quote us a price? Note that we are US citizen and will need some help and guidance regarding the visa and permit process.
Dear Nab***,
As per your request, we can arrange 13 days Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan group tour starting on 1st November for you if you are booking now. We can provide docs for your China visa application after you book with us. And we can apply for your Tibet permit after you get your China visa.
Asked by la***
2023-04-18
We are four friends organizing a summer trip to Buthan & Tibet. We would like to ask for a quote / budget for a potential trip of 15-17 days in total for both regions. Could you please help us with that?
Dear Lai***,
Thank you for sending us an inquiry! We can arrange the summer trip to Buthan & Tibet for you and your friends. Here're the itineraries recommended for you. If I don't get it exactly right the first time around, I'll happily tweak it until your satisfaction. After your confirmation, I can quote you.
Tibet Part,
Bhutan Part,
Asked by Ma***
2023-04-16
Hi Great Tibet Tour Team, I am a 29 year old lady from Barcelona interested in the trip to Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and EBC mid October. Is it possible? What are the hotels? Could you please provide a budget of the trip? Thanks in advance, Kind Regards,
Dear Mar, We can arrange your Tibet including EBC, Nepal and Bhutan trip in October. If you want to plan a budget trip in October, we can open a group tour of Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. But it requires at least 3 pax to depart. If you book earlier, it's very likely to recruit the other two to share the costs with you. For the hotel class, we can arrange 3-star or 4-star hotels according to your budget. Even for 3-star, we arrange cost-effective and reputable ones.
Asked by Dr V***
2022-11-25
11 days Nepal and Bhutan From Ex Katmandu or Bagdogra
Dear Dr Vanit***,
We can arrange your Nepal and Bhutan tours. Before I design your trip, may I know a little bit more about your preference, sightseeing, adventure or hiking? If I don't get it exactly right the first time around, I'll happily tweak it until your satisfaction. Please let me know your idea.
Asked by Nico***
2022-10-31
I am traveling solo. Would be flying in from Tokyo, and then continuing on to India from Paro.
Dear Nicole***, We can arrange your Tibet Nepal Bhutan tour if Tibet opens in 2023. Since you will travel alone, we can plan a semi-group tour to lower your cost in the Tibet part. Currently Tibet is still closed. If not, we can still arrange your Nepal and Bhutan tours as both countries have opened right now. You may check with me in Jan or Feb 2023 as the gossip said that CPC would decide whether to open the border then.
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