Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Price:
- From USD1684
- Route:
- Kathmandu-Tingri-Shigatse-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu to Gyirong, 160km, Approx.10hrs | Pick up from hotel and drive |
| 2 | Gyirong-Tingri | Milarepa’s Meditation Cave |
| 3 | Tingri - Rongbuk - EBC - Tingri | Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp |
| 4 | Tingri - Shigatse | Tashilhunpo Monastery |
| 5 | Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa | Pelkor Chode Monastery, Karola Glacier, Yamdroktso Lake |
| 6 | Lhasa City | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 7 | Lhasa Suburb | Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka |
| 8 | Departure from Lhasa | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseAfter breakfast, your driver will pick you from your hotel(altitude: 1300m) and drive to Gyirong port(altitude: 2000m). Although the distance is only 160km, it takes about 10 hours to Gyirong border due to the muddy road condition. Alternatively, you can choose to take a helicopter to Gyriong from Kathmandu, which only takes 25 mins but the price would be much higher.
After arriving at Gyirong port and getting through the custom, you will meet your Tibetan guide and driver. They will take you to Gyirong town（altitude: 2000m) for acclimatization.
Drive along the Highway to Tingri where you can get wonderful view of Himalayan ranges, specially Mt. Shisha Pangma and before Old Tingri 40km from where you can get lovely view of highest peaks on the world, such as Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag (8201m), Mt. Makalu (8463m).
Abt 3km from the Friendship Hwy, you get to the village of Chay. From Chay, it’s a winding drive up to Pang-la (5050m). The view here is stupendous on a clear day, and features major mountains of the Himalayan range, including Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu. The road then descends past a couple of photogenic villages and runs down into the fertile Dzaka Valley and Tashi Dzom village. The dirt road then runs up the wide valley, to Pagsum village. The next main village is Cho Dzom and from here the road turns south towards Rongbuk Monastery. The first view of Mt.Everest appears half an hour before you reach Rongbuk. After sightseeing at Rongbuk and Everest, return back to Tingri for the night.
Drive from Tingri to Shigatse today via G318, which takes about 7hrs. Please feel free to ask your driver to stop at any time if you want to take a photo of the fantastic view along the way.
Drive Shigatse to Lhasa via Gyantse by Southern Friendship Hwy. You will pass by the fertile Nyangchu Valley, a wide agricultural plain where colorfully decorated yaks and horses are used by Tibetan farmers to till the land, and Khamba-la Pass (4794m).
In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and first take you to visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt later by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Now it's a museum and world heritage site.
In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that, you will take a walk around the Barkhor Street - one of the most devotional circuits as well as a crowded central market of Lhasa. Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it‘s also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, we will go to visit Norbulingka. Norbulingka is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama. There are a lot of towering trees, exotic flowers and plants in the Garden, as well as many collections of cultural relics, Buddha statues, pagodas, thangkas, murals, etc. They are all very precious treasures.
In the afternoon, you are heading 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 covers the hillsides. Drepung monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, also the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Your tour ends today. Our guide and driver will collect you from your hotel to transfer to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for your next destination.
Tour Price and Service
From US$1684 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Sleeping bags;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included 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 --- 4.2%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Thank you for your mail. sorry for the late reply, I was a little bit sick after the trip LOL, Thank you for helping me organizing the trip, you were very helpful, fast respond, communicative, and informative During the trip, my guide Tenzin and Namka, taking care of all of us- ensuring that ....
Read more testimonials...
Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Thom***
2020-03-07
I arrive in Nepal on March 10. I am looking at different options and and I am very interested in the Kathmandu to Lhasa trip. If you can let me know dates and costs that would be great. I have a few questions. 1. Is there much trekking involved? It kind of sounds like there is a lot of driving but not much walking. Would it be possible to trek more? 2. Is it possible to join a group if there is one? 3. What equipment is needed? 4. I already have a Chinese Z visa. Does this change the visa situation?
Currently, Tibet is closed due to the breakout of coronavirus. So I'm afraid it's not applicable to have the Kathmandu to Lhasa tour starting on March 10th. Is it possible for you to postpone your Lhasa trip? I will quote the price for you if you can visit here later.
Regarding your questions, I will answer one by one,
1. Not too much trekking involved. You are right, there's a lot of driving for this overland tour and hike a little for visiting various scenic spots. It's possible to arrange more walks.
2. That's the same problem I mentioned above. Since Tibet is not available now, and all the group tours have been postponed or canceled, there's no group tour in March or April.
3. At this time, Tibet is a little bit cold. Just a down jacket for morning and night is enough.
4. Z visa can apply for Tibet Travel Permit. When we apply for the permit for you, another work certificate is also required.
Asked by Esth***
2019-10-28
Hi there, I am interested in your Kathmandu-Lhasa overland tour, but am wondering if you also do this tour in the other direction? Thank you!
In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have an overland tour between Tibet and Kathmandu. We can do this tour in the other direction. 7 Days Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour is available. The two packages are very similar except for one night stay in EBC. Because from Kathmandu (2500m) to EBC(5540m), the altitude rises up too quick to make one-night accommodation in EBC. So the 8 days tour will skip it for good for your health. On the other hand, the 7 days tour starting from Lhasa city (3600m). You can spend 3 days in Lhasa to acclimatize the altitude before heading to other higher elevations. Shall you fly from your country to Kathmandu first or to China first? And when do you plan to have this tour? Then we can check the flight availability and find out what will be the most suitable tour route for you.
Asked by Joze***
2019-05-24
Hi, 2 person from Slovenia, arrive on 23.06.19 in Kathmandu, departure from Kathmandu on 09.07.19. 10 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour via Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake. What will be a total cost for a Tour per Person? Best whises Jozef
In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have the 8 Days Kathmandu Nepal Mt Everest Lhasa Overland Tour which is a private tour.
From Nepal to Tibet, you are required to apply for China Group Visa at China embassy in Nepal with our assistance even if you have had China Visa already. After you book your Tibet tour with us, we will send an official invitation letter for you to our partner in Kathmandu. After your arrival in Kathmandu, our Nepali partner will meet you for your original passport. With invitation letter, your original passport and one photo (passport photo size with white background), our Nepali partner could help you get your China Group Vias there within 3 working days).
Asked by KAMA***
2019-03-03
5-6 days tour ktm-lhasa fly and lhasa -ktm by car for 3 pax A 4WD overland trip across Nepal & Tibet. From the moist, green oxygen-rich jungles of Nepal to the wild and wholly Tibetan countryside, then finally reach to Lhasa(the Place of the Gods). En route, visit Everest Base Camp, see Mt Everest’s north face framed in the prayer flags of Rongphu Monastery.
According to your request, how about having our 6 days Lhasa Kathmandu overland private tour?
What do you think of this tour? I will send you the quotation after you confirm the arrangement. Before that, please let me know more about your tour plan.
1. When will you do this tour? Different month, the price is different as well.
2. What kind of accommodation would you like to get? The comfortable (4-star), or the economy class (3-star) hotel?
Asked by Mila***
2019-03-03
Interested in this 8 day tour Kathmandu Nepal Mont Everest Lhasa in March - April 2019, what would be the cost and requested from me besides covering the cost? Thank you
Due to Tibet's unique background, apart from a Passport and a Chinese Visa, all foreign tourists allowed to enter Tibet must have Tibet Travel Permits. However, Tibet Travel Permit will not be issued for all tours from February to March.
So how about having our 8 days Kathmandu Nepal Mt Everest Lhasa Overland Tour on April 1st?
It's a private tour which we will arrange a private car and tour guide just for both of you.
Read More ...