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Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour

Duration:
13 Days
Price:
From USD2706
Route:
Lhasa - Shigatse - EBC - Gyirong - Kathmandu - Paro - Punakha - Paro
Season:
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Tour Type:
Group Tour
Group Size:
Max 12
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Overview

This 13-day tour will take you to three separate Himalayan Kingdoms - Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. In 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 Drepung Monastery and Tashilhunpo 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 go trekking and murmuring.

DayRouteAttractions & Activities AccommodationMeals
1 Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) Pick up and transfer to the hotel Lhasa, 3★/4★
2 Lhasa Sightseeing Drepung Monastery, Tibet Museum, Norbulingka 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, 350km, Approx. 7hrs Tashilhunpo Monastery, Sunset of Golden Everest Peak Nomad Tent(Dorm Bed) / Guesthouse 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

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Our staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes about 1 hour; from Lhasa Railway Station, about 20 minutes. 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

After breakfast in the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Drepung Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Drepung means Rice Heap in the Tibetan language. The entire monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.

In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

  • 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

  • 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

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast

In the morning, you will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo 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 Everest Base Camp (5,200m) to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of Golden Everest Peak.

Stay overnight in Nomad Tent (Dorm Bed) / Guesthouse

  • 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 that connects Tibet & Nepal. On the way, tourists can enjoy the breathtaking vista of Mt. Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake. After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo(5,236m), 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.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast

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

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast

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 one hour by 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

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
National Monument
National Monument

In the morning you will be driven from 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 get 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

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

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

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, take you to the airport, and help you check in for your flight from Bhutan.

  • Meals:
  • Breakfast

Cost & Calendar

All prices are in US Dollar / Person

Economic Class (3-Star Hotels)

2024-10-11 ~ 2024-10-31 2024-11-01 ~ 2024-12-31
USD2796 USD2706

Comfortable Class (4-Star Hotels)

2024-10-11 ~ 2024-10-31 2024-11-01 ~ 2024-12-31
USD3169 USD3066

Schedule

Starting DatePrice FromBookedBook Now
2024-10-14 USD2796 open for booking Book
2024-10-18 USD2796 open for booking Book
2024-10-21 USD2796 open for booking Book
2024-10-25 USD2796 open for booking Book
2024-10-28 USD2796 open for booking Book
2024-11-01 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-04 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-08 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-11 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-15 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-18 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-22 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-25 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-11-29 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-02 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-06 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-09 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-13 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-16 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-20 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-23 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-27 USD2706 open for booking Book
2024-12-30 USD2706 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.

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 about 30mins;
* 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 5-15 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 8-15 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;
* The accommodation condition at EBC is kind of basic due to the geographic and climatic situation. If you want a better tour experience, Rongbuk Monastery Hotel will be our recommendation for you. However, there are limited rooms, especially during the peak tourist season. Thus, if you want to stay at Rongbuk Hotel, please contact us in advance as there's some price difference, then we can upgrade the hotel for you;
* We need to pick up and drop off all members of the group on the first day from Lhasa Airport/Railway Station, thus there may not always be a guide's presence but a driver;
* Single Supplement: our quote is based on twin rooms. For single travelers, a 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 Cvet***

Hello
I would like to make me a day by day plan to visit for about three weeks (up to about 23 days) in September 2025 all interesting places in Nepal, Tibet, Mustang and Bhutan plus Kailash kora (3d/2n), plus visisting EBC (Tibet) and airplane flight over Everest.
Also, the visa requirements and the approximate price, please, for a public (shared) tour
Probably, the starting and the final point would be Kathmandu (international flight)
Thank you in advance!

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Cvet****,

We can arrange a Nepal Bhutan and Tibet tour for you. Tibet Kailash tour, I recommend 12 Days Lhasa Mt Everest & Mt Kailash Kathmandu Group Tour. We can open one for you in Aug. but it needs further confirmation. Or we can arrange a private tour for you but the tour cost is relatively high. Nepal and Bhutan are private tours. 

Regarding Mustang, we can’t arrange an upper Mustang permit for a single person as the minimum group size should be 2 pax to get a permit. We can try to find a group for you to join to share the permit if you can confirm the tour earlier.

A Mustang trekking tour needs 13-14 days while a jeep tour of Mustang needs 9 days.

A solo traveler can only take a connecting flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Chengdu.

Asked by Lorn***

Greetings from the USA- I am wondering about the following:
1. Interested in your 13 day classic Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan - is it recommended to visit in in late Aug or early Sept; how is the weather like then ?
2. Do you have any post trip tours available?
3. How far in advance do you accept reservations?

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Lorn****,

1. Regarding 13 Days Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour, late August and early September are both good seasons to visit Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.

In Tibet, the temperature in August/September varies from 7°C to 23 °C.

In Nepal, the temperature in August/September varies from 17°C to 26 °C.

In Bhutan, the temperature in August/September varies from 15°C to 25 °C.

2. We can open 13 Days Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour starting on 17 Aug, 2026 but it needs further confirmation. However, the earlier you book the earlier to confirm the tour.

3. We can accept the booking now. Your tour price won't rise as long as there's no big price rise in hotels and vehicles.

Asked by Yuki***

Can we start this tour in Nepal because we do not have China visa and we can issue it while we arrive in Nepal, then continue with the tour to Bután and Tibet?

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Yuki****,

If you apply for the China Visa in Nepal, it will take 3 working days to obtain the China Visa. Then we will apply for the Tibet Travel Permit along with your China Visa.  It usually takes 12 working days to apply for the permit. Then you can go to Tibet.

In addition, there's no flight between Bhutan and Tibet.

So the 13-day Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour is the easiest and most convenient plan.

Asked by Mabe***

Hi! I am coming from the Philippines, do you have a package that includes all airfares?

Emily
Answered by Emily

Dear Mabe****,

We can arrange the Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour for you. We can also help you book the related flights.

Asked by Laur***

Hello
Can you provide me quote about either joining a group either private for around 10 days in Nepal/bhutan and Tibet

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Laur****,

We can arrange the Tibet Nepal Bhutan tour for you. For 1 pax, I suggest you consider our group tour. Currently, we have a 13-day Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Group Tour on 11 October and you can join. According to our experience, 1 October to 10 October is the China National Holiday and we'd better avoid this period.

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What Our Customers Say
Paro Dzong

As I return home from my Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet adventures, I owe you a very BIG “ THANK YOU “, for making it one if not the best trip ever! Your thorough planning, flawless execution and above all your willingness to respond to ALL of my questions is most appreciated. I must give a big compliment ....

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