12 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Our representatives warmly welcome you with great respect and greetings at the airport and drop you off at your hotel. After freshening up you will be visiting our office for further visa process. 

Day 02: Visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square

After the early morning we drive our guide will pick you up for today's sightseeing. The first stop we visit is Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur Durbar Square) which is one of the old royal palaces of the former Kathmandu Kingdom is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Several buildings in the Square collapsed due to a major earthquake on 25 April 2015. Durbar Square was surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries.  The Kathmandu Durbar Square held the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles, revealing courtyards and temples. It is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace.

Our second stop will be Swayambhunath Stupa which is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines, and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines, and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. Each morning before dawn hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims ascend the steps from the eastern side that lead up the hill, passing the gilded Vajra and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circumambulations of the stupa.

Our third and last stop for the day will be in Patan Durbar Square which is situated at the center of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.

The Durbar Square is a marvel of  Newar architecture. The square floor is tiled with red bricks.  There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite the western face of the palace. The entrance of the temples faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment beside the main temples.  The Square also holds old Newari residential houses. There are other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square built by the Newa People. Most of the current architecture is from the 1600s.  After the sightseeing, we drive back to the hotel and take a rest.

Day 03: Visit Boudhanath, Pashupatinath Temple, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Today we will be visiting Boudhanath which is located about 11 km from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The Buddhist stupa of Boudha Stupa dominates the skyline; it is one of the largest unique structure's stupas in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 gompas (Tibetan convents) around Boudha. As of 1979, Boudha Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhu, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.

Pashupatinath Temple is a famous and sacred Hindu temple complex that is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, approximately 5 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal. The temple serves as the seat of Nepal's national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. This temple complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1979. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river" and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site. One of the major Festivals of the temple is Maha Shivaratri which day over 1 million devotees visit here. 

And our last stop for the day is Bhaktapur Durbar Square which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four distinct squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square), the whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley. The Durbar Square is surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen from several countries.

Day 04: Rest and Preparation Day

Today you will take a rest for the long drive early tomorrow morning. Today you will be receiving the visa for Tibet. You can walk around the Thamel which is known for its narrow alleys crowded with various shops and vendors. Commonly sold goods include food, fresh vegetables/fruits, pastries, trekking gear, walking gear, music, DVDs, handicrafts, souvenirs, woolen items, and clothes. Many restaurants in Thamel serve traditional and continental cuisine. You can enjoy the walk around shopping for souvenirs for your loved ones and enjoy the food. Rest in the same hotel at night.

Day 05: Kathmandu (1300m) – Kerung (145) Km, approx 8 hours drive

We enjoy an early morning drive through typical Nepalese rural landscapes (Approx. 8 hours) from Kathmandu to Kerung (145 km). After completing immigration and customs formalities we drive uphill to Kerung. This is a Tibetan border town. The Tibetan guide will meet the group on arrival at the check post and we drive on further road climbs and climb up to Kerung for an overnight. We spend a night in guest houses.

Day 06: Kerung –Shegar (4350m) / 265 Km, Approx drive 6-7 hours

This is a day drive to the highest plateau in the world with typical rural landscapes offering the utter feeling of being on the roof of the world as we cross over the 5,050 meters LALUNGA pass, from where you can view the breathtaking mountain range of Mt. Cho Oyu at (8,201m) Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau (these views are only possible if weather permits). One can also get a magnificent view of Mt. Everest at (8,848m) from Shegar. Overnight in Guest houses.

Day 07: Shegar – Shigatse (3900m) / 204 Km, approx 6 -7 hours drive

To reach Shigatse with its huge Thangka wall which is visible from the north side of the road. Our scenic drive through the highest point of Gyatchu La pass at (5,220m) brings us en route to Lhasa via Shegar. Overnight at hotel with twin sharing rooms on BB basis.

Day 08: Xigatse – Gyantse (3,860m) / 90Km, approx 2 hours drive

After breakfast, we enjoy morning sightseeing at the Panchen Lama’s Tashilunpo Monastery & the free bazaar of Xigatse. We then drive through Tibet’s biggest Agricultural fields to Gyantse and visit the Khumbum Stupa and Phalkot Monastery. Overnight at a hotel with twin sharing rooms on a BB basis

Day 09: Gyantse – Lhasa (3650m) / 265 Km.

The drive to Lhasa takes around 8 hours, crossing 2 passes, the Karo La (5010m) and Khamba La (4794m) pass, and Lake Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake). You will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river and see far-off views of the Potala Palace. Overnight at a hotel with twin sharing rooms on a BB basis.

Day 10-11: Sightseeing in Lhasa​

On the 10th & 11th day, you will be engrossed with a sightseeing tour to the magnificent Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkor market, Deeprung Monastery, and Sera Monastery. Overnight in hotel  

Potala Palace: Situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa, Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m (12,359.55ft) at the topmost point. Potala named after a holy hill in South India is a Sanskrit word meaning "Abode of the Avalokiteswora (God Of Compassion)." Legend has it that in the 7th century, to greet his bride, Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty (618B.C. - 907B.C.) of China, the then Great  Tibet King Shrongtseng Gompo built a 9-story palace with a thousand rooms up on the Red Hill and named it Potala. Later, with the collapse of the Songtsen Gampo Dynasty, the ancient palace was almost destroyed in wars. What we see at present is the architecture of the Qing Dynasty (1644B.C. - 1911B.C.) and the continuously expanding work outcome since the 17th century

Jokhang Temple: Jokhang temple was built by: Great  King Songtsem Gampo (617 – 650, the 33rd king of Tibet) and it is Included on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2000 as part of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple is located in central Lhasa. With an area of 25,100 square meters (about six acres), it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims.

Barkhor Street: Located in the heart of old Lhasa, this circular route is the oldest street in the city dating back to the foundation of the Jokhang

Deprung Monastery: The monastery was established in 1416 by Tsong Khapa's disciple Jamyang Qoigyi, Situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the western suburb of Lhasa, the Deprung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism.

Sera Monastery: Located at the foot of Tatipu Hill in the northern suburb of Lhasa City, Sera Monastery is one of three famous monasteries in the city along with the Deprung Monastery, and the Ganden Monastery. It is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built it in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when it was built.        

Day 12: Departure from Lhasa

Today your tour is finished and fly out from Lhasa to Kathmandu or any other city in mainland China, we can manage the air on train tickets for you in advance. We make an early drive to Gonggar airport for our departure flight to Kathmandu or your onward destination.

Visa Information

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa — entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if the visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

Weather Information

The weather in Tibet is similar to that of Mainland China, though with lower temperatures due to higher altitudes. Summers have warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights, but summer days can even be chilly at higher elevations. Winters are cold but there isn't all that much snow. Lhasa enjoys a lot of sunshine even in winter. Most Tibet experiences frost at least 6 months of the year. Some high lakes are frozen from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. Lhasa is an ideal destination because it is in a valley area of lower elevation.

Safety Guidelines

We recommend you go through our following safety guidelines and stay tuned with the latest happening.

• Have at least 2 copies of the Tibet Permit.
• Keep your belongings properly.
• When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have any troubles, report to your guide promptly.
• Never rush to visit attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa.
• Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.
• Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.
• Spend a few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when traveling to higher places to avoid altitude sickness.
• Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.
• Respect the religion, and customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.
• Pay special attention to the unique alpine climates (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)
• Keep necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.
• Never travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.
• In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and small changes.
• If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.
• Don’t carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or free Tibet.
• We also recommend not carrying any guidebook to Tibet.

1. Where is Tibet?

Tibet is situated toward the southwest of China, likewise bordering India, Nepal, Burma, and Bhutan. Tibet's three original provinces are U-Tsang, Kham, and Amdo. The general population in these locales all thinks about themselves as Tibetan, although everyone has a solid identity and diverse tongues of Tibetan is used.

Under China's occupation, Tibet has been partitioned up, renamed, and joined into Chinese territories, with little reference to the original borders between Tibet's areas. At the point when China refers to Tibet, it implies the Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR, which incorporates just U-Tsang and part of Kham. The rest of Kham was isolated amongst Sichuan and Yunnan Chinese areas. Amdo was partitioned between Gansu, Sichuan, and Qinghai territories. The region covers a region of around 1.22 million km2, which represents 12.8% of the aggregate of China. The pristine snow-capped view and inescapable Tibetan Buddhism environment and simple access to its neighboring nation Nepal make Tibet rank high on the movement travel bucket list. Its unmistakable geography and land area enable it to share the world's most amazing mountaineering and trekking asset with its neighbor nation Nepal.

2. What is the time difference in Tibet?

Tibet  Standard Time ( IST ) is 0800 hours (6 hours) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).

3. How can I obtain a Visa?

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

China Visa or Tibet Group Visa

To enter Tibet using Mainland China, right off the bat, you have to apply China visa for entry to China. Tibet is a part of China, under the Chinese Central Government's Sovereignty. Therefore to travel from China to Tibet, you need to acquire a China Visa at the first stage before all are followed up. Visas for individual travel in China are very easy to get from most Chinese embassies. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will issue a standard 30-day, single-passage visitor visa in three to five working days (an 'L' Visa means to travel). If you are lucky, some embassies abroad may give you 60 or even 90 days. However, in Hong Kong it is very easy to get a 90-day visa; most agencies can organize it in one day. If you need greater adaptability to enter and leave China a few times, most Chinese embassies will issue a double-entry visa. Indeed, for individuals who are to work, study or live temporarily in China, you may require other related China Visa, for example, an "F" Visa, "X" Visa, or "Z" Visa, and so on. All these sorts of visa holders can go to Tibet with Tibet entry permits and other travel permits which can be obtained by a neighborhood travel agency in Tibet with strict and serious procedures.

4. How to enter Tibet?

By Road: There are five main highways in Tibet, to be specific:

Sichuan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, and Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – it runs between Xining, the capital city of Qinghai, to Lhasa.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Yunnan territory and Tibet.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway – it runs crosswise over boundless deserts and lofty and steep peaks.

The China-Nepal Highway – it is the main international highway in Tibet

By Air: Flying to Lhasa dependably requires a stopover in either China or Nepal. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated around 98 kilometers (around 61 miles) toward the south of Lhasa City. The main international trip to and from Tibet is between Lhasa and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

By Rail: The Gormo to Lhasa railway extends for 1,142 kilometers (710 miles) and serves in as a connection between territory China and Tibet.

5. How is the weather in Tibet?

Since the country expands at a high elevation, usually difficult to predict the climate. It is cold for the most part. Lhasa and around it is a cool, and bright day during the day time however evening, night, and morning will be cold. Need to bring sufficiently warm clothes.

6. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The Tibetan atmosphere isn't as harsh as we imagine it to be. Tibet's climate is ideal to travel from April to the start of November, and most perfect in August and September. In any case, Lhasa's climate is more clement than the rest of Tibet and is suitable to travel year-round. The sun radiation in Tibet is extremely strong. It's not for nothing that Lhasa is known as the Sunlight City. The months of May, June, and September are the primary tourist season in eastern Tibet.

7. What are the documents necessary for visiting Tibet?

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa —entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if a visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

8. Can I organize a Tibet visa myself? Can I travel alone in Tibet?

Sadly, because of China's extremely strict tourism policy for Tibet, it isn't possible for you to get a visa independent from anyone else and it isn't conceivable to not possible to travel Tibet on your own. As an authorized travel company we can organize everything; visa, allow to permit, and all other paperwork.

9. Is altitude sickness a problem?

As Tibet is known as the Roof of the World it is one of the highest places on the earth. Due to this many visitors from lower altitude areas may suffer from altitude sickness. Most people endure minor effects of altitude sickness only including loss of appetite, headache, and a propensity to have no vitality until the point when their bodies conform to the high landscape. This adjustment can take place for a few hours and in a rare cases for a few days. If visitors do some simple preparations before going to Tibet, most of the symptoms of altitude sickness can be avoided. We recommend you talk to your local physician about AMS pills to help combat altitude sickness. Your guide will be there to assist you and help you throughout the trip.

10. Are there ATM counters in Tibet?

There are ATM facilities easily available in Lhasa and Shigatse; however, it might be difficult to find one in other small towns.

11. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?

The unit of currency is the Chinese Yuan. The Bank of China can exchange all foreign currencies. The bank in Tibet /China is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Traveler’s cheques and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks, especially outside Lhasa.

12. Is politics a problem? 

Most tourists, who stay with their tour and avoid getting engaged in the politics of the country, will not encounter issues.

13. What vaccination is recommended for Tibet travelers?

The suggested vaccination you should consider for this trip includes the following:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria & Tetanus Vaccinations
• Hepatitis A The vaccine for Hepatitis A (eg Avaxim, Havrix 1440, or VAQTA)
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza The flu vaccine
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• Pneumonia A vaccine
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

14.  Will the language barrier be there are problems?

Visitors to Tibet don't have to worry about the language barrier at all. Every visitor will have an English-talking visit guide, and most of the front work area staff in the big hotels can communicate in English. The main languages used in a part of Tibet are Chinese, Tibetan, English, and Nepali.

15. Is there internet access in Tibet for foreign travelers?

Certainly, there is web access for foreign travelers in Tibet yet just in limited areas like Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Tsedang where some bistro gives web offices. Moreover, hotels in some cities like Lhasa and Shigatse also provide internet facilities to their customers.