Lhasa Nepal Overland Group Tour Details
Days 1-3: Lhasa highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor streets, Drepung & Sera Monastery
The first few days of the tour are focused on helping travelers acclimatize to the altitude and become oriented with Tibetan culture. Beginning in Lhasa, travelers will visit places like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera and Drepung Monasteries. After visiting important Tibet attractions in Lhasa, travel groups will head for Shigatse by way of Lake Yamdrok and Gyantse. In Gyantse, the travel group will learn about Tibetan Buddhism at Pelkhor Monastery and enjoy beautiful art in Kumbum Pagoda.
Accommodation: 3 star hotel in Lhasa and Shigatse city (B&B basis)
Day 4 Lhasa-Lake Yamdrok-Karola Glacier-Gyantse (Pelkhor Monastery)-Shigatse
Attractions to visit: Lake Yamdrok, Karola glacier, Pelkhor Choede monastery and Kumbum Pagoda.
At 8 am, we will start drive to the south west Lhasa direction, through the zigzag road climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m), from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color and snow capped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, then continues drive along the lake for few kilometers get us to the lunch stop at Nagartse. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that pass through; en route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. Arrival at Gyantse, we visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery, this magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls, late afternoon we will drive to Shigatse which is only 90km to the northwest of Gyantse. Overnight at Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel.
Day 5. Shigatse (Tashilhunpo Monastery)-Everest Base Camp, 340 km, about 8 hours
Attractions: Tashilhunpo Monastery, Landscape along the G318 National Way, Everest Base Camp
Today we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. We will drive straight to Mt. Everest Base Camp by crossing several passes along the way. shortly after the border check point at Shegar, turn off the Friendship Highway and drive toward south in the valley, cross over the Gawu la pass[5250m] through zigzags road, from the pass you will be amazed by the spectacular Himalayan Ranges and its mighty peaks beyond 8000m, Mt. Makalu(8463m), Mt. Lotse (8516m), Mt. Everest(8844m), Mt. Cho Oyu(8201m) and Mt. Shishapama (8020m) from Left to right, climbing down through numbers of switchback bends lead to the dry valley of Tashi Zom and then finally the day’s destination - Everest Base Camp located in the Rongpuk valley. Rongphu Monastery is the highest monastery in the world and it consists both monks and nuns. Afternoon you have an option to do a short trekking from the tent guesthouses community to Everest B.C, it will take you about 2 hours or more per your physical condition (6Km). Or you can take the dedicated minibus instead. We suggest you bring your own sleeping bags for the night as the local tent guesthouses reuse the blankets for several weeks due to their poor facility. Have overnight at local tent guesthouses from middle April to early October. (from Middle of October to next early April, the tent guesthouses close and only Rongphu monastery guesthouse is available.)
Everest Region accommodation: Rongphu Monastery guesthouse or the tent guesthouse in campsite which is 4 km to Everest B.C
Day 6 Rongphu Monastery (5000m) – Old Tingri(4390m) – Gyirong Border (2700m),
Tibet Travel Attractions: Beautiful scenery over the Thongla Pass, impressive view of Mt. Shishapama, Spectacular waterfalls within the Matsang River Gorge.
As we awake the next morning, a striking view of luminous peaks is highlighted by the sun and it is bittersweet to say goodbye to this landscape that we have gotten to know so well. Next, we will drive south to Nepal and traverse the Thongla pass. Then gradually descend into a deep valley with a series of switchback bends. There are spectacular waterfalls on both sides of these fertile hills and with a decrease in altitude, the dry climate changes into a warm, moist environment and it is clear that we drawing into the Indian subcontinent. Our destination is Tibet border town Gyirong. Overnight in Gyirong.
Day 7 Gyirong to Kathmandu (123 km), Nepal
Attractions: Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge, typical Nepalese villages and 2nd deepest Bungy Jump point in all of Asia.
Today we drive down to the friendship bridge and our guide will help you to clear the China Customs, from there our Tibetan staff are not allowed stepping further and time to say your farewells. Before your departure, we will appreciate if you can spend a short time to evaluate our services either by filling the feedback form or simply send us an email. When you cross the China Nepal Friendship bridge you will pay 25$ to obtain Nepal Tourist Visa (15 days valid time), Then you can easily find jeeps and buses from the Nepalese border town to Kathmandu city.
Travel Tips: To apply the Nepal visa, please prepare cash (US dollars) and two small photos of you (size as on passports).
