15-day Tibet & Nepal deep-dive tour
This 15-day overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu follows the Sino-Nepal highway, which offers you amazing views of the Himalayas and the picturesque Tibetan countryside.
Visit the old cities of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse to get a complete impression of Tibet's religion, cultural treasures, and dreamlike landscape.
The trip to the Everest Base Camp en route will be the experience of a lifetime. Overcome this challenge and make your way to the top of the world!
Experience the hightlights of Nepal's cultural and natural heritages. Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Bhagwan Buddha and admire the sunrise and views of the Himalayas from Pokhara. For wildlife lovers, you'll even get to go on a Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park!
Services
Included:
- Entrance fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
- Private transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver
- All breakfasts as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
- For Tibet we suggest that you pay for your meals directly so that you have more choice. If you prefer we can arrange lunch and dinner for you for 12€ per meal per person
- English-speaking guide and driver, who will remain with you throughout the entire trip
- Accommodation based on two people sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the itinerary serve daily Western or Chinese breakfast
- Tibet Travel Permits
- Planning, handling, operational and communication charges
- Travel Agency Liability insurance
Excluded:
- International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
- China entry visa fees
- Excess baggage charges
- Medicines for sickness or any accidents while on the road
- Expenses of purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals other than those included in the itinerary
- Any extra meals
- Single room supplement
- Please notice that the price will be much higher during the Labor Day Festival, National Day or Spring Festival
- Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended 8-10EUR/guest/day)
- Tourist accident insurance. You are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country
Optional:
- No
Itinerary at a Glance
Lhasa
Welcome to Tibet!
Drepung Monastery - Sera Monastery - Norbulingka
Visit the Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Plus Norbulingka
Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Bakhor Market
Discover the Breathtaking Potala Palace
Kampala Pass - Yamdrok Tso Lake - Pelkor Monastery
Visit Gyantse and the Famous Gyantse Kumbum
Shigatse - Lhatse - Mt. Everest Base Camp
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shigatse
Rongbu Monastery - Gyirong Border - Gyirong
Enjoy the Breathtaking Vistas of Mt. Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake
Gyirong
Cross the Border to Nepal
Chitwan National Park
Transfer to Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park - Elephant Safari Tour - Tharu Cultural Program
Go on an Elephant Safari Tour
Chitwan - Lumbini Buddha Garden - Monasteries
Go Birdwatching and Transfer to Lumbini
Pokhara - Phewa Lake
Go Boating on Phewa Lake
Dhaulagiri Himalayas - Annapurna - Manaslu
Take a Sarangkot Sunrise Excursion
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square With a Guide
Bouddhanath Monastery - Monkey Temple - Kathmandu Durbar Square
Discover Kathmandu's Highlights
Kathmandu
Farewell, Nepal!
Detailed Itinerary
Lhasa
Day 1: Welcome to Tibet!
Take a flight to Tibet.
Drive to glorious Lhasa, 100km away from the airport.
On the way enjoy the heart-stopping highland view along the Lhasa River and stop to photograph the local villages.
As you have just made a sudden ascent to 3,670 meters, transfer to the hotel for a good rest.
The rest of the time is free for you to relax and acclimate to this high elevation. We suggest that you take it easy, drink lots of water, and avoid heavy foods.
Drepung Monastery - Sera Monastery - Norbulingka
Day 2: Visit the Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Plus Norbulingka
Since we have just made a sudden ascent from lowland to an altitude of over 3,700 meters, today’s itinerary is not so intense.
Visit Drepung Monastery, the Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka.
Drepung is about 8km west of Central Lhasa, and was once the world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks.
Today's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside.
Walk uphill for an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels.
Enjoy the views over the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
The Sera Monastery sits at the foot of the mountains.
Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. If you're lucky, you could watch the Lamas in their traditional theological exercise of lively debating.
Norbulingka means beautiful garden and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama.
Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Bakhor Market
Day 3: Discover the Breathtaking Potala Palace
Visit the Potala Palace, landmark of Lhasa and spiritual symbol of Tibet.
Join many pilgrims on your way to the top of a hill where this 13-story architectural wonder is perched upon.
The approach to the Potala is not easy, and it requires climbing many steep steps, so take it slowly and allow yourself to leisurely enjoy the Palace and its surroundings.
Enjoy strolling through its winding corridors and peeking in some of its thousands of rooms.
In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Lhasa.
From the rooftop you'll be amazed at the stunning views of the Potala Palace and the snow capped peaks off in the distance.
Around the Temple runs the Barkhor, a holy circuit that pilgrims undertake. You'll also find a bustling commercial market here
The rest of the time is free for you to venture around Bakhor Market. You will feel you are right at the heart of Tibet.
Kampala Pass - Yamdrok Tso Lake - Pelkor Monastery
Day 4: Visit Gyantse and the Famous Gyantse Kumbum
Go on a morning drive up to the Kampala Pass to catch a glimpse of the Yamdrok Tso Lake and enjoy spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Tanglha in the distance.
Lying at the southern foot of the snow-capped Himalayas, the turquoise-colored Lake Yamdrok Tso appears like a holy sapphire and evokes solemnity.
Drive to Gyantse and visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum. Gyangtse is famous for its giant architectural stupa.
The Pelkor Monastery was built when different religious sectors conflicted in Tibet, occupying a relevant position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.
The most symbolic architecture in the monastery is the Kumbum Stupa, which is composed of nine layers of nearly 77 temple halls with numerous Buddha statues and murals in the halls.
Shigatse - Lhatse - Mt. Everest Base Camp
Day 5: Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shigatse
Today you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. Built in 1447 and the seat of the Panchen Lama, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama, which contains masses of jewels and gold.
Near Tashilhunpo is the Old Town of Shigatse, a great place to wander around.
Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and an interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid picture of local life.
Proceed to Lhatse, a small town located 150 km from Shigatse, where you can have lunch in local restaurant.
After a short rest, continue to Tingri.
Cross the Tsola Pass, and Gyatsola Pass.
In the late afternoon, enter the Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve.
Enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass.
Then, drive along the new zigzag road to Rongpuk or the tent camp to stay overnight.
Rongbu Monastery - Gyirong Border - Gyirong
Day 6: Enjoy the Breathtaking Vistas of Mt. Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake
After a simple breakfast, drive from Rongbu Monastery to the Gyirong border.
On the way tourists can enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake.
After passing the Ghungtang Lhamo we will arrive in Gyirong in the late afternoon.
Gyirong
Day 7: Cross the Border to Nepal
Your guide will assist you as you exit China today and cross the border into Nepal at Gyirong.
Then you'll transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.
Check in and have a rest.
Chitwan National Park
Day 8: Transfer to Chitwan National Park
Have breakfast at your hotel in Kathmandu.
Afterwards, transfer to Chitwan National Park in a private car.
Check in at Hotel Green Park/Hotel Parkland or similar.
Have lunch at the hotel and go for a walk in the village in the late afternoon. Enjoy the sunset views from the Rapti river bank.
Chitwan National Park - Elephant Safari Tour - Tharu Cultural Program
Day 9: Go on an Elephant Safari Tour
Head out for an exciting Elephant Safari Tour after breakfast.
Have lunch at your hotel and go canoeing.
In the evening, attend the Tharu cultural program.
Chitwan - Lumbini Buddha Garden - Monasteries
Day 10: Go Birdwatching and Transfer to Lumbini
Today you can enjoy some great early morning bird watching in Chitwan.
Later, return to the hotel for breakfast, then drive to Lumbini.
In the afternoon, visit the Lumbini Buddha Garden and monasteries.
Pokhara - Phewa Lake
Day 11: Go Boating on Phewa Lake
After breakfast at your hotel in Lumbini, transfer to Pokhara by private car.
In the late afternoon, you will have the opportunity to take a breathaking boat ride on Phewa Lake.
Dhaulagiri Himalayas - Annapurna - Manaslu
Day 12: Take a Sarangkot Sunrise Excursion
Take an early morning excursion to Sarangkot.
Enjoy the sunrise views from Sarangkot plus the jaw-dropping views of Annapurna, Manaslu, Fishtail, and Dhaulagiri Himalayas.
Have breakfast at the hotel and go for an afternoon hike to the Peace Stupa.
Visit a Tibetan camp and the Gupteshwar Cave.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Day 13: Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square With a Guide
Fly back to Kathmandu.
Upon your arrival, our driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Bhaktapur.
Take a guided tour of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Bouddhanath Monastery - Monkey Temple - Kathmandu Durbar Square
Day 14: Discover Kathmandu's Highlights
After breakfast, go on a guided tour to Bouddhanath monastery, Monkey Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
These are all Kathmandu must-sees!
Kathmandu
Day 15: Farewell, Nepal!
Transfer to Kathmandu Airport in time for your departure flight.
Safe travels, and visit again soon!
