Tibet: Over the Himalaya to Kathmandu

Airport to hotel

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to relax and acclimatise to the weather. Given Lhasa's high altitude at 3,650m, it is highly recommended to take it slow on the first day.

Potala Palace

Start your exploration of Lhasa with a bang. Visit the Potala Palace, built 1,300 years ago in the Tang Dynasty and now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as a historical and cultural museum of Tibetan Buddhism, the Potala Palace houses many artefacts of ancient Tibet, such as frescos, stupas and images of Buddha.

Please note that the Potala Palace restricts visiting time to one hour inside the palace and museum. If you are keen, join the devout locals to walk the “Kora”, the pilgrim route around the Potala Palace.

Barkhor Square and Jokhang Monastery

After lunch, explore Barkhor Square, the bustling market at the heart of old Lhasa with its narrow streets. In the afternoon, when it is less crowded, visit Jokhang Monastery, the “central cathedral” and the most important religious activity center for Tibetan Buddhism.

Princess Wencheng performance

Tonight, you might want to attend the real-scene drama show “Princess Wencheng” (performance time 20:00 to 22:00). With the mountain as the stage, the story tells of Princess Wencheng's marriage to the Tibetan king 1,400 years ago, subject to weather conditions.

Day tour in Lhasa

After breakfast we visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, set in a quiet and beautiful garden in the west of Lhasa. Norbulingka represents the confluence of Tibetan and inland cultures.

In the afternoon, visit the Tibet Museum, where you can see collections of treasures found in Tibet, including a series of thangkas from old times, said to be drawn with natural mineral material that has kept its color well and not faded with time.

Late afternoon, visit Sera Monastery, one of the best-preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. Catch the interesting monk debating session, held every Monday to Friday afternoon.

Lhasa to Gyantze, stop at Yamdrok Lake

Today, leave Lhasa for Gyantze, a well-preserved Tibetan old town. En route, discover the outstanding Tibetan landscape, including a stop at Kampa La pass (4,750m), where you can take in a panoramic view of holy Yamdrok Lake and make a wish by hanging your own prayer flags (110km, approximately 2 hours).

Enjoy some snacks and drinks by the lake, subject to weather conditions, before driving to Karo La pass (5,020m, 50km, approximately 1 hour) for a good view of the Karo La Glacier, said to have not melted for thousands of years.

Pelkor Chode Monastery

Continue driving to Gyantze (75km, approximately 2.5 hours). En route, visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum, where you can explore the biggest pagoda and colourful murals depicting different aspects of Buddhist religion. You will also stop at a local Tibetan family's home to enjoy their hospitality over snacks and a drink, gaining an insight into their daily lives.

In the late afternoon, reach Gyantze and check in to your hotel. If you are not too tired, we recommend a stroll in the old town. Today's total drive is about 300km, approximately 6 hours.

Gyantze Dzong

For the adventurous, we recommend an early morning hike, approximately 45 minutes, up to the top of Gyantze Dzong, where you can take in a panoramic view of the rustic old town and the vast fields beyond.

Pala Manor

A short drive out of town (4km) takes you to Pala Manor. The serf manor was owned by the famous noble Pala family, one of the richest families in Tibetan history. In the well-preserved manor, you can see the lavish rooms of the Tibetan nobles as well as the narrow rooms in which the serfs lived.

Gyantze to Shigatse

Continue onwards to Shigatse (60km, approximately 2 hours) and visit the impressive Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, second in seniority to the Dalai Lama.

Shigatse to Tingri

After breakfast we transfer to Tingri, approximately 250km / 5 hours, stopping at Sakya Monastery for a visit. Sakya belongs to one of the four primary schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the Sakyapa, whose main distinction is the hereditary lineage of its lamas.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Basong Town, the closest town to Everest Base Camp, before proceeding to Everest Base Camp itself.

Rongbuk Monastery

In the early morning, we visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.

Tingri to Jilong

It is a 6 to 7 hour spectacular drive today. From the barren, rugged landscape of Tibet, we cross the mighty Himalayas and the scenery changes to rich forests, typical of the Nepalese foothills.

Jilong to Kathmandu

Cross the border and walk across the Friendship Bridge to enter Nepal. Another 8 hours' drive brings you to Kathmandu, the exotic capital of Nepal.

Day tour in Kathmandu

After a well-rested morning, enjoy a private guided tour of three important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley: Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most revered Buddhist stupas in the world, followed by Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal.

In the afternoon, we visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur Durbar and Hanuman Dhoka, an old durbar square in the city center. In the heart of old Kathmandu, Basantapur never fails to impress first-time visitors with its intricate wood carvings and rich history.

Hotel to airport

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.