Classic Nepal-Tibet Tour
This once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in fabled city Kathmandu, where the main Durbar Square serves up a maze of opulent palaces, ancient temples and elaborate statues in a social melting pot. Your trans-Himalayan flight over the snowcapped Himalayan ranges from Kathmandu to Lhasa, with a spectacular view of three highest mountains... More
This once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in fabled city Kathmandu, where the main Durbar Square serves up a maze of opulent palaces, ancient temples and elaborate statues in a social melting pot. Your trans-Himalayan flight over the snowcapped Himalayan ranges from Kathmandu to Lhasa, with a spectacular view of three highest mountains in the world – Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Mt. Makalu (8,463 m). You’ll visit Tibet’s spiritual and political capital of Lhasa, the heart of Tibet and highest city on earth, where you’ll explore stunning monasteries and temples, including Potala Palace that was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645.
You embark on an epic cross-Tibet jeep expedition from Lhasa to south west via the scenic southern route, thus seeing much of central Tibet and the Himalayan range, including a short visit to Everest Base Camp en-route. You visit the resplendent gompas of Tashilhunpo in Shigatse and palkhor in Gyantse and finally you arrive Tibet – Nepal border on your return journey to Katmandu. This diverse journey reflects the Silk Route trade of olden times; old men and women with weathered, turning the wheel of Dharma chanting prayers. The nomads, in their turquoise, coral and amber necklaces and Tibetan ‘chubas’ worship in their Tibetan Buddhist Gompas and animism still is visible in many forms. Tibetan culture exists in its pure form, untainted by the Chinese occupation which has affected much of Tibet.
This trip leads to some of the most remote and spectacular places on earth, however you’ll never need to give up big-city convenience as you rest and recharge in a collection of hotels with international standard.
LessHighlights
- Katmandu Valley: Unveil the spiritual mysteries of age-old cities of Katmandu Valley
- Trans-Himalayan Flight: Enjoy Sweeping views of Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,536 m) and other Himalayan peaks.
- Lhasa: Explore Buddhist landmarks such as seventh-century Jokhang Monastery, the hundreds of Buddha statues carved into the Sanggye Dhungu cliff and the towering Potala Palace.
- Lhasa – Katmandu: Travel along picturesque Friendship Highway crossing over few of the highest passes on earth, Karo la (5,010 m), Gyamtso La (5,220 m)
- Everest Base Camp: Enjoy a truly awe-inspiring place – the absolute north face of the highest mountain in the world (Mt. Everest) soaring above you.
Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival in Kathmandu a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.
If time permits, explore Kathmandu’s medieval streets, including buildings dating as far back as the 16th century. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu
Weather permitting, we have an option to start our day with an scenic mountain flight (optional) over the Himalayas. Or begin your morning visiting Kathmandu’s main sites, including Durbar Square, Teleju Temple and the House of the Living Goddess.
Next, we will visit Swayambhunath, perched high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. From here we can see the mighty Himalaya rising above the valley. Journey to nearby Patan, the city of arts and architecture founded in AD 250 and known for its fine works in bronze, silver and copper. Many of these treasures can be seen in the new Patan Museum. Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp to watch a demonstration in carpet weaving. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu
Meal: Breakfast
Visit Pashupatinath Temple, the most sacred of all Hindu temples, before heading to Boudhanath and joining Tibetan pilgrims for a walk around its Buddhist stupa.
Afterwards, drive to Bhaktapur, a town with abundant medieval architecture. As we walk along its cobblestone streets, notice the many ornately carved windows for which the town is famous. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu
Meal: Breakfast
This spectacular flight, on a China Airlines Boeing takes us to Lhasa. The flight from Katmandu to Lhasa is considered one of the most beautiful air routes in the world, as it provides sweeping views of Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,536 m) and other Himalayan peaks.
After landing at Gonggar Airport and meeting our Tibetan guide, it is 45 minutes more to Lhasa city through the new tunnel. Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet and one of the highest cities on earth at 3595 m /11,450 feet; Lhasa is also the most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau. Home of the Dalai Lamas and historic Potala Palace, the city reveals modern influences and a beautiful dichotomy between past and present. Spend the remainder of your day acclimatizing due to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Accommodation: Kyichu Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
NOTE: Please let us know if you wish to arrive Lhasa via mainland China. We will arrange and send the Tibet travelling permit and flight tickets accordingly.
This morning, make the pilgrimage to the vibrant Ani Tsangkung Nunnery where cheerful nuns bustle about. Next, discover the spiritual heart of Tibet and thick scent of incense at the sacred Jokhang, a 1,300-year-old temple housing Tibet’s most revered golden Buddha. After lunch, wander Lhasa’s Barkhor Bazaar, selling all manner of exotic goods.
In the evening, travel just outside the city to the renowned Sera Monastery where you witness lively “monk debates.” Later, discover the Dalai Lama’s former summer residence at Norbulingka, a 99-acre enclave of gardens, ponds and palaces. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Accommodation: Kyichu Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, visit Sanggye Dhunghor (One Thousand Buddha Cliff), where more than 200 statues are carved into a dramatic rock face, including that of Buddha Akshobya. Next, venture beyond the towering walls of the incredible Potala Palace, a 13-story architectural masterpiece and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and a UNESCO World Heritage celebrated for its priceless treasury of Buddhist artifacts and bejeweled tombs of past Dalai Lamas. The Potala was also the tallest building in the world for 200 years following its construction in 1645.
Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to explore more of Lhasa or to rest at your hotel. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Accommodation: Kyichu Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
The real adventure begins today. Travel along picturesque Friendship Highway crossing over Karo la (5,010 m), Kambala (4,794 m) colorful Yamdrok lake and the Tibetan country. Appreciate the majestic views of Yamdrok lake, a deep blue body of water renowned for its unique beauty, and the Nazin Kang Sang glacier standing proud at 7,252 m.
Driving about 261 km, you will enter the town of Gyantse, a stunning example of a traditional Tibetan village filled with beautiful stone farmhouses. Gyantse is the third largest city in Tibet and it’s also known as the granary of Tibetan plateau. Overnight stay in Gyantse.
Accommodation: Gyantse Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
This morning, venture the jewels of Gyantse, the Gyantse Dzong and the Kumbum monastery. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century, and overlooks Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum rises 35km above the town, and is crowned by a golden dome. The grounds boast a chorten (stupa), several chapels and a stunning collection of Tibetan Buddhist murals, which inspired the name of the complex. The word ‘Kubum’ means 100,000 images in Tibetan. After lunch, take a 90 km drive to Shigatse.
En route, stop at Shalu monastery; the structure embodies the Han, Tibetan and Indian styles of architecture. Following a brief look at Shalu, the journey continues to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet with perhaps the best preserved but controversial monastery, the Tashilhunpo gompa. Tashilhunpo Monastery of Gelugpa order, home to the Panchen Lama, is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. The main chapel – Maitreya Chapel posses a giant 26 meter high sculpture of Maitreya Buddha (the future Budhha). Overnight stay in Xigatse.
Accommodation: Shigatse Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Continue along the Friendship Highway. Beyond the small town of Lhatse you cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La, 5,220 m. From here descend to some of the most spectacular panoramas of the drive. As the landscape opens into vast plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible in the distance. En-route opportunity to visit Sakya Monastery, the seat of the Sakya or Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism, it was founded in 1073 by Konchok Gyelpo. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century after the downfall of the kings until they were eclipsed by the rise of the new Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. There is also preserved in this temple the largest book in the world in the great library written in gold letters; the pages are six feet long by eighteen inches in breadth. Overnight stay in Xegar.
Accommodation: Qomolungma Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Shortly after leaving Xegar, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La pass 5,150 m towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma, and including Everest. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the upper Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever. The view here are stupendous on a clear day. Take horse cart to Everest base camp & back. It is now being feasible to drive up to EBC from Rongbuk, we easily reach base camp by our Jeep.
In Rongbuk, make the pilgrimage to Rongbuk Monastery, a Buddhist pilgrimage site founded in 1902 by a Nyingmapa Lama. Rongbuk is claimed to be the highest monastery in the world. Venture the cluster of meditation huts used by monks and hermits for over 400 years and feel the powerful spirit of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to the huts, hermits retreated to the many caves that dot the cliff walls around the monastery and valley below. Explore the very paths used by hermits – ancient trails lined with hundreds of carved stones that embody sacred syllables and prayers. Overnight stay in Rongbuk.
Accommodation: Everest View Hotel or Local Guest House
Meal: Breakfast
At first light of the day enjoy watching sunrise on Mt. Everest. It is a truly awe-inspiring place – the absolute north face of the highest mountain in the world soaring above you. After breakfast, take the short cut from Ronbuk to Zhangmu on the southern route past old Tingri rounding some hills at the start of the vast Tibetan plain looking to the south there are views of Shisa Pagma (8,012 m), the only 8,000 m plus mountain planted completely inside Tibet. Driving past Tingri, you will cross Lalung La pass at (5,124 m) and Shung La pass at (5,200 m), Nalyam pass (3,800 m) which offer enchanting & stunning Himalayan views in the south which compensate for the discomfort. As you descend gradually from the dry Tibetan Plateau, you will find yourself amidst the verdant and fertile vegetation of Zhangmu at 2,300 m in the Nepalese border. Overnight stay in Zhangmu.
Accommodation: Zhangmu Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
A few kilometers drive downhill from Zhangmu to the Friendship Bridge over the Bhote Koshi River brings you to Immigration Control in Kodari, where you say thank you & good bye to your Tibetan guide and walk across the river to Nepal. Your Nepalese guide/escort, meets you at the border immigration and escort you to Kathmandu.
The scenic drive through the Nepalese country side along the Katmandu – Lhasa Friendship highway brings you back to fabled city Katmandu. Rooms are booked, showers are hot, and celebrate your successful trip tonight with a few cold beers when you attend a farewell dinner. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.
Meal: Breakfast
Included
- Airport (pick up/drop off) transfers by private A/C vehicle
- Twin-Sharing accommodation in all Hotel/Lodge as mentioned
- Daily breakfast throughout the trip and other meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Kathmandu - Lhasa Flight
- All sightseeing and long distance transportation in private air-condition vehicle (cars/SUVs or mini/micro-van etc. depending on group size). This includes toll taxes, parking, allowance for driver, outstation overnight charges for the driver
- Entrance fees to the monastery & monument
- Special Tibet Travel Permit
- Local escort /guide and representative throughout the tour
- Applicable government taxes
Not Included
- International flight tickets
- Nepal visa & China visa fees
- Travel insurance & vaccinations
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Tips for trip leader/guide, driver, hotel staff and porters
- Items of personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, laundry, telephone calls and other unforeseen expenses
- Items/services not listed in the "included"
- Extra expenses/payment for 'Optional’ activities/programs if opted in
Price: US$ Please contact us.
Your Feedback
Hotel Manaslu, Kathmandu
Hotel Manaslu located in the immaculate area of Lazimpat, Kathmandu is a heritage hotel established in 1972. We have kept the proud heritage of Nepal alive throughout its operation by offering unparalleled service and warm hospitality, that defines the values and culture of Nepal. The architecture of our hotel includes many ancient pieces that have been carefully restored and incorporated.
Kyichu Hotel, Lhasa
The Kyichu Hotel is named after the Kyichu River, which in Tibetan is known as "the river of happiness". A tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo (also known as Brahmaputra), and the cradle of the ancient Tibetan civilization, the river meanders through the fertile valley in which the fabled and formerly forbidden city of Lhasa is situated.
Gyantse Hotel
You can’t get more central and convenient than the well-established Gyantse Hotel. The imposing Gyantse Dzong, one of the best preserved dzongs in Tibet, is within walking distance, and Gyantse’s iconic 15th century monastery, Pelkor Chode is less than two kilometres away. Views over the medieval town, the dzong and surrounding scenery can be enjoyed from the hotel’s upper floors.
Shigatse Hotel
Shigatse Hotel is located in the south of the Shigatse town, on the Middle Shanghai Road and about to Tashilhunpo Monastery. It is a good base to explore the surrounding scenic spots including the Sakya Temple, Tashilhunpo Monastery and the Qomolangma Natural Protection Area. It is built in typical Tibetan architecture and inside decorated in popular Tibetan tradition with modern equipment.
Qomolangma Hotel, Shegar
Qomolangma Hotel is the best local hotel in Tingri which has dozens of standard rooms with private bath room. Rooms are modern and clean, especially the newer and fresher superior rooms. Hot water is only available from 7am to 7pm and heating units at times can be unreliable due to frequent power cut offs.
Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, Rongbuk
Very basic accommodation of Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse is reminiscent of the spartan interiors of monastic cells but plenty of blankets are provided to keep you cosy during the chilly Himalayan nights. Bathroom facilities are the sparsest element, with hot water available but no showers, and basic toilets in a separate block a short walk away.
Zhangmu Hotel
Zhangmu Hotel near the customs post is a mid-rate hotel offering the best accommodation facilities at Zhangmu town. It has 40 double rooms with all the basic amenities along with a restaurant that provides excellent breakfast. This hotel also offers other services like coffee house, sauna, currency exchange, etc. Especially, its massage center can help you release fatigue.Giving back to the communities is our responsibility!
With every trip, you also support the SWAN and thus projects for Sustainable Community development and Biodiversity protection.
Our primary NGO partner is Social Welfare Association of Nepal (SWAN), with whom we have carried out multiple CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) projects. Besides carrying out regular CSR activities in the areas of education and women empowerment, we have supported relief and rehabilitation initiatives in the aftermath of several natural disasters like earthquake, immediate response to COVID-19 pandemic across Nepal.
Giving something back to the world is a special and responsible affair of travel-to-nature Asia right from its inception. When you travel with travel-to-nature Asia and SWAN-Nepal, you become an integral force for change in addressing the most pressing social and wildlife conservation issues. Your tourism funds help transform the future of under-privileged and marginalized communities and transform the future of at-risk natural places you travel. Portion of our profit flows to local communities who live with and steward nature, creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
By joining one of our holidays you are playing a vital role in bringing positive changes in the lives of local community.
