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Tibet Overland

Departs Every Saturday

If you have a group of 4 or more people, you could also depart on Tuesday and do the tour in reverse--fly in, drive out.

Aplication for Tibet visa is done in Kathmandu and has to be before 11 am on Mon, Wed or Fri with passports. Flights to/from Lhasa are Tuesdays & Saturdays only.

Best Travel Dates: April - June and Sept - Nov

Kathmandu - Lhasa - Day 1 (3650m/11,972')
After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu airport for flight to Lhasa on China South West Airlines. This 1.15 hrs flight is very spectacular (weather permitting!), flying over the Himalayan Ranges with excellent views of the mountains including Mt. Everest (8848m), the highest peak on the earth. Arrive Gonggar airport (3400m) at 1500 hrs local time. Drive (2 hrs) to Lhasa. Complete rest to acclimatize. Overnight at the hotel Dudhgu.

Lhasa - Day 2
Visit Potala the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. It is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet & the cream of Tibetan culture. Drive (20 mins) to Sera monastery situated on a mountain slope north of Lhasa city. This monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is one of the three great monasteries of Tibet, the other two being Drepung & Ganden. Time permitting, we will visit Norbulingka, the summer palaces of the Dalai Lamas. Overnight at the hotel.

Lhasa - Day 3
Drive (20 mins) to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet and belongs to the Gelugpa sect. This monastery has plenty of historical relics, Bhuddist scriptures, arts & crafts. Visit the 7th century Jokhang Temple which has architectural features from the Tang Dynasty and from Indian & Nepali Buddhist Temples. It houses many historical relics from the Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songsten Gompo, Princess Wencheng from China and Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal. Explore the Barkhor market, which was until early fifties a grand, exciting year-round trade fair, crowded with merchants from all over central Asia. Overnight at the hotel.

Lhasa - Gyantse - Day 4 (3950m/12,956')
Drive (8 hrs) to Gyantse (3950m) via Kampa La pass (4794m), Yamdrok Tso (4482m) also known as Turquoise lake covers 600 sq. km. and is one of the three largest lakes in Tibet. Crossing Karo La pass (5010m) & two other smaller passes we come to Gyantse. Overnight at Hotel Gyantse.

Gyantse-Shigatse - Day 5 (3900m/12,792')
Visit Phalkor monastery & the Kumbum Stupa designed by Newari architects from Nepal. The Phalkhor has a special influence over Buddhism in Tibet owing to its unity of Gelugpa, Sakyapa & Bhuton sects. Drive 2 hrs to Shigatse. Visit Tashilunpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas. This is the monastery founded by Gedun Drup who was later recognised as the first Dalai Lama. The main statue of this monastery is the Maitreya Buddha. It is made of 275 kgs of gold & measures twenty six meters in height. Overnight at Hotel Shigatse.

Shigatse-New Tingri - Day 6 (4324m/14,24')
Drive (approx. 7 hrs) to New Tingri (4342m) crossing two passes; Tsuo La (4500m) and Lhakpa La (5220m). We will visit one of the Tibetan villages enroute. Overnight at Hotel Chomulangma.

New Tingri-Zhangmu - Day 7 (4324m/14,24')
Drive (approx. 7 hrs) to Nyalam (3500m) crossing two passes; Lalung La (5050m) and Nyalam pass (3800m). Nyalam used to be an important trading post and at one time belonged to Nepal. Overnight at Zhangmu Hotel.


Zhangmu-Kathmandu - Day 8
After immigration & custom formalities walk (approx. 45 mins) downhill to Kodari, the border of Nepal or ride in trucks, depending upon availability and road conditions. Arrive Kodari and again after immigration formalities a scenic drive (5 hrs) with waterfalls, through valleys & fields to Kathmandu.

Price: we have two different price tiers for guaranteed departures: very basic accomodations for budget travelers and the most comfortable accommodations for a slightly higher price.

Plus Air Supplement: KTM/LXA $285 + $10 service fee ( subject to change)


Note:The private tours can be expanded & modified; we can customize according to your preferences and interests. All prices subject to change.

Package Includes:

• all land transport
• accomodations, dble occ (Best hotel in Lhasa and best available enroute)
• daily breakfast
• local English speaking guide
• airport transfers
• entrance fees
• Tibet permit
  

• airport departure taxes
• Nepal re-entry visa
• China visa fee & visa urgent fee ($45
• meals, other than breakfast
• tips
• insurance
• personal expenses such as laundry, phone, etc