Nepal
+977 9841717139,
24 Hours Available
Nepal
24 Hours Available
Max Altitude: 5220 m
Group Size: 2 people
Best Time: April-Nov
Accommodation: 3-star hotels
Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour takes you on an epic overland journey from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. In a short span of ten days, you can visit ancient palaces, Buddhist monasteries, temples, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Your ride through the stunning Tibetan countryside will give you an insight into the Tibetan nomadic lifestyle and culture. As you drive towards the Nepal border, you are presented with breathtaking views of 8000-meter peaks – Mount Everest, Shisapangma, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
Your start your trip with a visit to Kathmandu’s historical and cultural sites. A flight over the grand Himalayan range transports you from Kathmandu to Lhasa. After reaching Lhasa you will get to visit the magnificent winter and summer palaces of the Dalai Lama -Potala Palace and Norbulingka. We will take you on a walk through the busy Barkhor Market and Jokhang Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Tibet. At Drepung and Sera Monasteries you will meet the monks and witness their lively debates.
Leaving Lhasa you begin your overland journey and drive to Shigatse via the gorgeous Yamdrok Tso Lake. En route, you stop at Gyantse to explore the cultural heritage sites – Gyantse Kumbum and Pelkor Choede Monastery.
Shigatse is Tibet’s second-largest city. We take you to the sacred Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama. After Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama is the most important spiritual leader of the Tibetans. You continue your journey on the Friendship Highway after a quick visit to the local market.
After Shigatse the next stop on your overland adventure is Shegar. You drive via Lhatse and the high mountain pass of Gyamtso La. Enjoy views of the glacier and the Himalayan mountains. Nomadic yak herders can be seen herding their yaks on the desolate highland. Gorgeous views of Mount Everest, Shisapangma, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and other Tibetan peaks, also keep you enthralled.
An exciting crossing of two mountain passes, Lalung La and Shung La, brings you to the border town of Zhangmu. After spending a night at Zhangmu, you cross over to Nepal and drive towards Kathmandu, where your trip ends.
The best time for Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour are spring, summer, and autumn. It snows a lot in winter in Tibet making travel near impossible. Lasting for just ten days this trip is ideal for those who want to explore Tibet and Nepal in a short time frame.
Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour is an easy journey on flight and vehicle. The sightseeing tours will be done on foot. Except for the long staircase climbing at Potala Palace, it is fairly easy walking on even ground at all the sites.
The only concern is the high altitude in Tibet. You will be driving across high mountain passes that are above 5000 meters. This trip may not be right for people who suffer from respiratory, cardiac, and knee problems. Most days you will be sitting and riding in a vehicle for 5-7 hours at high altitude. For this reason, we recommend you consult your physician before booking this trip,
All in all Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour is a great road trip that mixes adventure with Himalayan cultural experience. Not many people get to visit the Tibetan highlands because of the strict laws and extreme conditions. To be one of the few to ride through the ‘Roof of the World’ is an achievement itself. Challenge yourself and book this ride to Tibet, the ‘Roof of the World’!
Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Our airport representative will welcome you and explain the program further. There are no planned activities for the day, so check into the hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay at the Hotel.
Touring the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley that includes: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at Hotel, breakfast included.
The flight from Nepal to Lhasa (3660m/12004Ft) in Tibet is considered one of the most beautiful air routes in the world, as it provides sweeping views of Everest (8848m/2922ft), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8536m/27998ft) and other Himalayan peaks. If traveling via mainland China, there are a wide variety of flights in addition to the world’s highest train route to reach Lhasa. Upon arrival, you will be received by our Tibetan guide at the airport/train station. After approximately 1.45 hours of driving, you will reach Lhasa. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
We spend our day visiting several monasteries in Lhasa in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, a best-preserved monastery in Tibet within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs. After lunch we visit Norbulingka, a summer palace of the Dalai Lama and the Jokhang Temple, a most sacred shrine in Tibet. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor – a maze of narrow cobbled streets that is the central market of Lhasa. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
We visit Potala Palace in the morning. It is a palace that dominates the city of Lhasa. It is a spectacular building containing private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a Palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present Palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, we visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century. It used to be the largest monastery in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days the number has fallen down to hundred. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
Our drive follows the Tsangpo River. We ascend up to 15,700-foot Khampa La. We see Yamdrok Lake below and in the near distance rises a great snow peak of Ningdzingzonka. We then head westward along the lake and drive toward Gyantse. In Gyantse, we visit the famous Pelkor Monastery. The Pelkor Chode Monastery also includes Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum has nine floors and each tier has unique chapels. It is considered the largest of the three Kumbums in Tibet. After one and half hour drive, we arrive in Shigatse. Overnight at Hotel, Breakfast included.
Today we traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst the picturesque landscape and drive through the small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass (5220m). As the route opens into the plain, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible in the route to Shegar. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast included.
We cross two high passes, Lalung La (5124m) and the Shung La (5200m). On our way, we are rewarded with the magnificent landscape of the surrounding peaks which include Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Then our journey heads towards Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.
We leave Zhangmu behind and join the Friendship Bridge. We pass the Bhote Koshi River and mark the Chinese – Nepalese border. After a short drive, we bid our Tibetan guide a goodbye. We then walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari. Our Nepalese staff will complete the re-entry formalities and we head towards Kathmandu.Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.
Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from the Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport.
