Kathmandu Lhasa Tour

In the morning, we cross the border to the Tibet side and meet your Tibetan guide. It’s your first day in Tibet, and it’s crucial to acclimate to the high altitude before heading to higher areas. Today you will stay at Gyirong Town at an altitude of 2800 meters, adjusting to the plateau environment while exploring the beautiful Gyirong Valley.

You will drive from Gyirong Port after breakfast and ascend towards areas above 4,500 m.; ultimately, you will cross the Everest Base Camp (5,200 m.). Today we drive around 380 km; the journey offers a varied landscape, transitioning from low valleys to high plateaus.

During the drive, we were enchanted by forests, waterfalls, and seemingly bottomless gorges before traversing the Kong Tang Lamu Mountain Pass (5236 meters) into the plateau. Along the way, you’ll pass the Shishapangma Peak at the altitude of 8027 m. and the serene Lake Paiku Tso, witnessing their tranquil and harmonious beauty. Continuing into the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, you’ll come across Gawula Pass (5198 m), acclaimed as one of the world’s most stunning Everest viewing platforms, offering a panoramic Himalayan view. Here, you’ll witness the breathtaking lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayan range.

Today, after breakfast, you will continue driving from Tingri and travel to Shigatse, the first big city on this trip. Along the way, you will make a stop at the 5,000 m milestone of the National Highway in Lhatse. In the afternoon, you will reach Shigatse and then visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the residence of the Panchen Lama and also the largest monastery in Shigatse. This expansive monastery occupies the hillside, housing the world’s largest statue of Maitreya Buddha, serving as the spiritual heart of Shigatse. You can see monks, wearing yellow hats and red robes, walking through the temple. If you are lucky, you will also see a Dharma ceremony held in the temple.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave Shigatse and drive to Lhasa. Along the way, immerse yourself in Tibet’s splendid scenery and discover the leisurely lives of local villagers. When you reach Gyantse, seize the opportunity to capture memorable photos of the ancient city and visit the Perklor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. You will pass by the Karola Glacier (5100 m). Positioned right by the roadside, it resembles a serene maiden grooming herself while gazing from afar at the majestic snow-capped mountains.

Almost evening, the final stop will be at Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. This stunning lake unveils its beauty from the Gambala Mountain Pass, curving like a blue ribbon, while the towering Mt. As you descend to the lakeshore, explore various viewpoints offering intimate encounters with the lake’s shoreline. Towards the lake’s end, you will be welcomed by a local family in the village.

Today you will explore the city of Lhasa; in the beginning, visit the Drepung Monastery. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet that once housed over ten thousand monks. Explore the Coqen Hall, where your guide will provide a detailed explanation of the Tibetan Buddhist worldview and narrate the stories of renowned figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Additionally, you’ll tour the Loseling College (or an equivalent) within Drepung Monastery to understand monks’ practices and studies. Exploring their dormitories will offer insight into their daily routines and living conditions. In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and long regarded as a significant Buddhist seminary. Here, you’ll observe the renowned monk debates, a highlight of Sera Monastery.

The Lhasa sightseeing tour began today with a visit to the magnificent Potala Palace, where you will stand atop its heights and gaze down upon the city of Lhasa. Potala is the icon of Lhasa. Your guide will narrate the life and tales of the successive Dalai Lamas within the Potala Palace and meticulously introduce the various halls and treasures housed within its walls. Next stop will be Longwangtan Park nestled at its base. This tranquil spot offers a unique vantage point to admire the majestic Potala Palace and partake in traditional Tibetan cultural experiences.

Then you will drive to Jokhang Temple, which is the heart of Tibetan faith and life. Within the temple resides the rare and revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, an image so lifelike that it resembles seeing the Buddha in person. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can take a clockwise kora, witnessing how local Tibetans practice their Buddhist beliefs. Your guide takes you to the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea house in Lhasa, where you will enjoy the Tibetan tea and get the chance to see the social relations and daily leisure life of Tibetans.

Today your guide will transfer you to the Lhasa airport to fly to Kathmandu and help you get on board. We hope your Lhasa, Tibet, journey has been truly memorable, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure in the Nepal Himalayas and beyond. Evening farewell Dinner.