8 Days Himalaya Overland Adventure from Kathmandu to Lhasa

You will be picked up by our driver in your hotel from 9:00-9:30 am and then transported to the Sino-Nepal border. After about 7 hours of driving (130km) you will reach the border town - Rasuwa Gadi.

Stay overnight in Rasuwa Gadi.

Insider Tips:
1. Arrive in Kathmandu ahead of time for your Chinese Group Visa application. Visit Tibet Vista's office in Kathmandu at least four working days prior to your departure.
2. Ensure you have your original passport and necessary fees ready. Our staff will handle the Chinese Group Visa application process on your behalf.

After breakfast, we will drive 15km to the border to enter China. You will meet our guide in China side. Then we will drive down along the winding road to Gyirong (2800m), where is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains and dense forests. You will see the green gorges at the edge of Himayala mountain, and the landscape makes big change from snow land.

Upon reaching your destination, you'll delve into Gyirong Valley, hailed by British explorer Howard-Bury as the world's most exquisite valley in his renowned work, 'Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance'.

Here, you'll have the opportunity to wander through Sherpa villages and marvel at the dense forests, peaceful settlements, and stunning snow-capped peaks that grace the horizon.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

Today, we will leave Gyirong, which is densely covered with forests and snow-capped mountains, and officially head to Mount Everest region with an altitude of more than 4500 meters.

Firs, we will cross the Kong Tang Lamu Pass at an altitude of 5236 meters and enter the plateau.

Next, we will drive to pass through Peikutso Lake and grassland. 40km to the east of Gyirong county, Peikutso is a beautiful alpine lake, with a water area over 300 square kilometers. The light salty lake is near the world's fourteenth highest mountain,Shishapangma.

Then we will continue to drive to the amazing Everest Base Camp (EBC). The road to EBC passes over the famous Gawu La Pass, at an elevation of 5,198 meters, where you get a great view of the four highest peaks in the world - Mt Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Everest (8,848m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Mt Makalu (8,463m). EBC is one of the most popular sites in Tibet for foreign visitors, and the views of the Himalaya mountain ranges are spectacular.

After taking plenty of photos at EBC, you will then transfer to the nearby Rongbuk Monastery. The highest monastery in the world, at 5,000 meters above sea level, it is part of the Nyingmapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and is unique in that both monks and nuns live together in the same monastery. After that, you will be transferred to Tingri for the night.

Stay overnight in Tingri.

Insider Tips:
To guarantee your safety during the journey, and to prevent altitude sickness as we ascend sharply from lower elevations to over 5000 meters, we've opted to stay overnight in Tingri County (4300m) rather than at Everest Base Camp (5200m).

Today, we will drive from Tingri to Shigatse. On the way, you will visit the 5000m G318 National Highway milestone in Lhatse. After your arrival in Shigatse in the early afternoon, you will get to visit the famed Tashilhunpo Monastery, with its ancient statue of Jampa, the "future god". Tashi Lhunpo is also the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today, we will drive to Lhasa via Gyantse. On the way you can see many Tibetan farmer villages. Afterwards, you will drive the short distance to Gyantse and visit the famed Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. The monastery is the main monastery for Buddhists in Gyantse, and houses thousands of Buddhist sutras, scripts, and artifacts, as well as many paintings, which have left a deep influence on Tibetan art.

Then on the way to Lhasa, you will also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside, which is the largest glacier in Tibet. Besides, you can also visit the beautiful and turquoise Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibetan Buddhism, and see the spectacular Nyenchen Khangsar Mountain, the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Keep discovering different perspectives of the lakeshore, and once you reach the lake's end, you could share a meal with a local family in the village.

Following a relaxed exploration of Yamdrok Lake, proceed with your trip to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After having breakfast, we’ll keep exploring Lhasa with a trip to Drepung Monastery, the biggest in Tibet and once home to over 10,000 monks. Here, dive into Tibetan Buddhism at Coqen Hall, where your guide will share insights into its teachings and the lives of its most famous figures.

Then, take a stroll through Loseling College, or a similar place, within Drepung Monastery. This gives you a peek into how monks live and study, including a look at their dorm rooms.

In the afternoon, head over to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and an important place for Buddhist study. The monk debates are the highlight of this spot, a key part of their learning process that your guide will explain.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, begin your day with a trip to the magnificent Potala Palace, which offers stunning views of Lhasa. Listen as your guide recounts the histories of the Dalai Lamas and shows you around the palace's many halls and treasures. And then, you’ll participate in the folk activities of the local Tibetan people at the Longwangtan Park near the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, head to the sacred Jokhang Temple, home to the remarkable statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha. Afterwards, take a walk around Barkhor Street to see the religious customs of the local Tibetans.

Finish your day with a tour to visit a bustling Tibetan tea house in Lhasa to enjoy some sweet tea and learn about Tibetan social customs.

End your day with a farewell dinner in a local Tibetan style restaurant.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board. Please confirm your departure flight or train details in advance with your guide.

The tour ends.