From Lhasa, we head out on the southern Friendship Highway to the beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake, continue to the Tibetan cities of Gyantse and Shigatse, followed by a visit to the Everest Base camp and exit to Kathmandu, Nepal. En route we will visit religious sites and several famous monasteries, including: Gyantse Kumbum, Tashilunbo, and Rongbuk. The road runs parallel to the Himalayas and we will motor over some of the highest passes in the world, with stunning views of the mountains and the plateau. The clear sky, snow white mountains, barren landscape and its serenity are just overwhelming! We will also have opportunities to stop by villages and interact with the friendly Tibetan people.
From the Tibetan border, Kathmandu—the capital city of Nepal—is a 4 hour drive. We’ll spend a couple of days in Kathmandu to explore its cultural heritages. W. Kirkpatrick wrote in 1811, “There are nearly as many temples as houses, and as many idols as inhabitants” and that still continues to be true. We will explore the Durbar Squares, temples and monasteries of Kathmandu’s three medieval Principalities. About 100 miles (160km) south of Kathmandu in the lowland lay famous Chitwan National Park where we enjoy various safari rides, viewing the rich games of the park. We also visit Pokhara-regarded as the capital of nature of Nepal. Pokhara Valley nestled in the lap of Annapurnas and Fishtail Himalayas has lakes, caves, gorge and beautiful view points. After a wonderful week in Nepal, we will take flight back to Beijing or Bangkok.
Day 01: Arrive Beijing. Upon arrival at Beijing international airport, you are met by our representative and transferred to an airport hotel.
Day 02 Flight to Lhasa (Alt 3,595m/11,792ft) (B) Arrival in Gonkar Airport of Lhasa. You are met and greeted by our representative and drive to Lhasa City (60miles, 2 ½ hrs). Check in hotel and take rest for the acclimatization. Accommodation in a middle range hotel in Barkhor Area.
Day 03: At Lhasa (B) Full day sightseeing of Lhasa, visiting Potala Palace of Dalai Lama, the ancient Jorkhang Temple in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa and the Barkhor Street that forms the pilgrim circuit around the Jorkhang Temple. Accommodation in a middle range hotel in Barkhor Area.
Day 04: At Lhasa (B) Today, you will visit Drepung Monastery-the largest, richest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet and the Sera Monastery-the last of the three Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa. We will also attend the debating session of the monks. Accommodation in the middle range Dhud Gu or Kyichu or Gorkha Hotel Accommodation in a middle range hotel in Barkhor Area.
Day 05: Lhasa-Gyantse (13467ft, 176miles, 6 ½ hrs). (B) Drive to Gyantse-the third largest city of Tibet, largely Tibetan in character.The journey involves crossing of two high passes Kamba La (15,700 ft) and Karo La (16,500ft) and the follows the bank of beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Check in hotel and take rest for the day. Accommodation in Gyantse Hotel, the only hotel of the top end.
Day 06: Gyantse-Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs) (B) In the morning, visit the highlights of Gyantse such as Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Stupa-probably the landmark of Gyantse. Afternoon, drive to Shigatse-the second largest city of Tibet, previously the headquarter of Tsang region. About 20 km (12.5 miles) before Shigatse, we take Shalu Monastery turn off to visit the Shalu Monastery. At Shigatse, we visit Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet, after Dalai Lama. Time permitting, visit Shigatse’s free market. Accommodation in Shigatse hotel or Manasarovara Hotel
Day 07: Shigatse-Shegar (4050m/13500ft, 182km/121miles, 5 hrs) (B) Drive to Shegar, also known as New Tingri. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Tropu La (16,236 ft) and Gyatso La (17,122 ft). After some rest in the hotel, visit the ruins of historic Shegar Dzong, once the capital of Tingri region. Accommodation in Qomolongma Hotel of the top end.
Day 08: Xegar- Dza Rongbuk Monastery. (4980m/16,600ft, 63km/42miles, 2hrs) (B) We drive to Dza Romgbuk Monastery, crossing Pang La (5120m/16,794 ft) that rewards you with excellent views of several 8 thousanders like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Mount Everest. The journey mostly goes through dirt road, passing through several picturesque villages. Upon arrival, check in a guesthouse or monastery accommodation and after refreshment; take an hour walk trek to the Everest Base Camp (5200m/17,333ft). Enjoy an unobstructed view of Mount Everest, from bottom to the top. Walk or take ox cart ride back to the monastery for overnight. Basic guesthouse accommodation.
Day 09: Rongbuk-Tingri (151km, 4 ½ hrs) (B) Retrace drive to the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri, a small Tibetan town. Check in guesthouse and take chance of hiking Tingri Dzong or visit the hot springs.
Day 10: Tingri to Zhangmu. (193km, 6 hrs) (B) Continue driving along the Friendship Highway. You will cross two high passes Lablung La ( 5, 124m) and Tong La ( 5, 120m) and have the last views of Mount Everest, Sishapangma and Cho Oyu. Then the road drops to Nyalam-the last Tibetan town where you may stop for some refreshment. The road drops sharply along the bank of a river. Upon arrival in Zhangmu-the last Chinese frontier town, check in hotel and take rest.
Day 11: Zhangmu-Kathmandu (142km/95miles, 6-7hrs) (B/D) After breakfast at your hotel, we walk through Chinese immigration and customs and drive 20 minutes down to the friendship bridge. At the Friendship Bridge, see off Tibetan Guide and driver and continue to Kathmandu with the Nepali counterpart. We stay in a deluxe hotel in Kathmandu that we deserve after traveling in rugged Tibetan terrain with limited facilities. In the evening, we enjoy Nepali welcome dinner with folk dancing shows in a Nepali restaurant.
Day 12: At Kathmandu(B) We explore the wonders of Kathmandu Valley that includes temples, stupas and palaces, which are architecturally superb and religiously important. We visit Pashupatinath Temple-the holiest Hindu Temple, Boudhanath Stupa-the largest Buddhist stupa architecture and Bhaktapur-one of the three Malla Principalities of Medieval Nepal
Day 13: Kathmandu-Chitwan National Park (B/L/D) Drive to Chitwan National Park ( 160km, 100 miles, 5 hrs)-Asia’s one of the best game park. Chitwan National Park is one of UNESCO recognize heritage site and is known for the preservation of Great One Horned Rhinoceros which was almost extinct in early 70s. The National Park is also home to Royal Bengal Tiger, Sloth Beer, Leopard, and Wild Buffalo, Marsh Mugger and Gharial Crocodiles and more than 600 different species of resident and migratory birds.
Day 14: At Chitwan National Park (B/L/D) We will engage full day on various jungle activities such as canoe trip, elephant riding, bird watching etc. We will also visit the village of Tharu people-the aboriginal inhabitant of Chitwan. The lifestyle, culture and traditions of Tharu people remain unchanged over hundreds of years. In the evening, we enjoy dances performed by Tharu People.
Day 15: To Pokhara (140km, 88 miles, 4 hrs) (B) Drive to Pokhara-the second most popular tourists destinations after Kathmandu. Pokhara is nestled in the lap of Mount Annapurna and has beautiful lakes, gorge, caves and nice views points. After some rest in the hotel, we visit the lakeside and take boating trip to the Island temple of Barahi Goddess. Overnight in a top end hotel of Pokhara.
Day 16: At Pokhara (B) We rise before dawn and drive 35 minutes to Sarangkot-a renowned view point for sunrise and the Himalayan Panorama. On a clear weather day, we have spectacular views of Mount Fishtail, Annapurnas, and Dhaulagiri etc. We drive back to the hotel, en route visiting the famous Bindhebasini Temple. After breakfast, visit the attractions of Pokhara such as Gupteshwar Cave, Davis Fall, Tibetan Village, Seti Gorge etc. Overnight hotel in Pokhara
Day 17: Flight to Kathmandu. (B) We take 30 minutes Himalayan flight to Kathmandu. Once again, we enjoy the view of a huge sweep of the Western and Middle range of the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, we are transferred to the hotel. We have rest of the day at leisure for shopping or optional tours.
Day 18: At Kathmandu We have another day in Kathmandu to explore more of its highlights. We visit the two thousand years old Swayambhunath Stupa-also nicknamed as monkey temple, Patan-the City of Arts and Crafts and Kathmandu Durbar Square with old Royal Palace complex. We walk through the narrow streets of Indrachowk and Assan to see the traditional market hub of Kathmandu and conclude the walk tour at touristy Thamel, the center of all budget hotels and guesthouses and handicraft shopping areas.
Day 19: Flight Kathmandu to Bangkok (B) Transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok or your next destination.
Travel Note
Passport, visa and permits
Your passport should be valid at least 6 more months at the time of travel and must have enough blank pages for visa, arrival and departure seals.
You will obtain Chinese visa on your own or use the service of visa service centers. For some good reason, please do not disclose your Tibet intention. Once you have got Chinese visa, we will need a copy of this in order to process Tibet entry permits and other necessary permits.
You will collect the permits from our representative in Beijing.
You can obtain Nepal visa from any Nepali Embassies or Consulates before hand or you can also obtain it upon arrival in Nepal border. You will be required to complete visa application and attach two passport size photographs.
Airfares
The tour cost doesn’t include international airfares to Beijing and return from Bangkok. So, you will take care of it on your own or on request, we can also help you find the fare and book the flight for you. All internal airfares involved in the itinerary are taken care of by us. They are either booked in the US or by our local representatives. If locally booked, you will collect those tickets from the respective representative.
Tour Guides/Escorts/Driver
All trips are locally escorted. You will have English speaking Tibetan Guide in Tibet and a Nepali Guide in Nepal. Upon arrival at the airport, you are met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. On completion of the trip, again you are seen off by your guide our representative at the airport. The guide helps you check in hotel, coordinates with the driver and hoteliers, buys sightseeing admission fees for you and deals with the local bureaucracies as and when required. Guide and driver are different persons. Drivers usually do not speak English.
Hotels
While choosing hotels and services, we try our best that the locals get directly benefited. We choose middle range Tibetan managed hotels in Barkhor area of Lhasa and we stay in the best available hotels in rest of the places. Cities like Gyantse, Shigatse and Zhangmu offer 3 star range of hotels with en suite bathroom and hot water but places like Rongbuk and Tingri have only basic guesthouses to offer. We will have to use Tibetan style share toilet and hot shower, even available, will not be included in the room rent. In Nepal, we will stay in deluxe hotels and resorts which we deserve after traveling in such difficult terrain with limited facilities’.
Meals
Tour cost includes daily breakfast in the hotel and one welcome dinner in Lhasa and Kathmandu each. In Nepal, Chitwan National Park is in full board. Please, allow US$ 8-10 per meal both in Nepal and Tibet.
Trip Activity Level
This is basically a motor vehicle based tour, possible for people of regular health conditions to participate. In Tibet, we travel by 4WD Landcruiser Jeep where as in Nepal, its regular car or van, depending on group size. Some days are long; requires driving 6 to 7 hours and roads are not in good conditions, mostly a graveled one, particularly in Tibet.
Some sights are located high from the average ground level and might require hiking from the parking lot, eg Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery in Tibet and Swayabhunath Stupa in Kathmandu. For the first few days in Tibet, effects of high altitude can be an issue but the itinerary well is planned to allow you proper acclimatization. The tour includes some optional village hikes and jungle treks. Although the trip doesn’t involve any strenuous activities, its advisable for all participants to be physically fit. People with cardiac and pulmonary issues must consult their physician before they sign up for this trip.
Booking and Cancellation
When you are sure that you are going on this trip, please, don’t delay in placing your booking. Confirmation of your booking is subject to the availability of seats on Druk Air Flights. Druk Air is the only carrier and operates with a small craft with a capacity of 100 passengers only and remains fully booked throughout the year. Particularly, during festival time, the demand is very high.
Deposit. A non-refundable land deposit of US$150.00 plus the cost of internal airfares is requested. Also forward your trip application form and a copy of the photo page of your passport.
Balance Payment Balance payment is due 90 days prior to your departure. Depending on the number of applicants, we may set an early payment date. If balance of payment is not received by the requested date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without prior notice.
Cancellations Cancellations received 90 days prior departure will result in loss of deposit. Cancellation received less than 90 days and more than 45 days prior to the departure date will be charged 25% of the land cost.
Cancellations received less than 45 days and more than 15 days prior to the departure date will be charged 75% of the land cost.
There will be no refund on cancellations received less than 15 days.
Air ticket cancellation charges will be as per the policy of concerned airlines.
After the trip commences, any part of unused services for whatever reason will not be refunded or compensated in any form.
Activities:
Cultural touring, visiting temples, monasteries etc.
4WD Jeep Safaris.
Hikes and village visits.
Jungle safari rides.
Mountain Viewing.
Cultural Programs
Trip Grading:
Moderate
Trip Type:
Popular
Group Size:
2-10 pax
Start From:
Beijing
Finish In:
Kathmandu
Highest Altitude:
Gyantso La ( 5,220m/17,122 ft)
Best Season:
March to early October
Tour Cost
US$ 1850 per person ( Group Size 4 pax above)
US$ 2350 per person (Group size 2-3 pax)
US$ 450 Single Room Supplement
International airfare Beijing-Lhasa US$ 360 and Kathmandu-Bangkok US$ 330 Extra
Dalai Lamas's Potala and Norbulingkha Palaces, Drepung -the largest and most powerful of the Gelug monasteries, Sera-one of the largest monasteries of Tibet, ancient Jorkhang Temple and Barkhor Street in old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa.
Spectacular views of Himalayas and Tibetan plateau from Kamba La (15,700ft) and Karo La passes (16,500 ft).
Yamdrok Tso-the turquoise green water lake.
Kumbum Stupa and Pelkore Chode Monastery in Gyantse.
Shalu Monastery and Tashilunbo Monastery at Shigatse.
Rongbuk Monastery-the center of religious activities of Everest region.
Everest Base Camp North Face with unobstructed views of Mount Everest and other majestic peaks.
Highest passes (Gyatso La, 5 220m), Lablung La (5, 124m) and Tong La (5, 120m) with great views.
Tibetan villages.
Dubar Squares, Temples, Monasteries and Buddhist Stupas of Kathmandu Valley.
Jungle Safari rides in Chitwan National Park.
Cave, gorge, lake and mountain viewing from Pokhara
Accommodation on twin sharing.
Daily Breakfast..
All transfers and sightseeing by a private air conditioned car or coach.
Sightseeing admission fees.
English speaking Tour Guide.
Tibet Travel Permit
Exclusive
International and internal air fare .
Airport Taxes.
Chinese visa fee .
Lunch and dinner except as indicated. ( Please, allow US$ 8-10 per meal).
Travel & Health Insurance.
All extra expenses caused due to nature or unforeseen events. Excess baggage charges.
Optional tipping to local staffs, hotels etc.
Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone etc.
