Overland Tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome in Tibet – the roof of the world

Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Barkhor Street

DAY
2

Lhasa

Potala Palace – landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang and Barkhor Street

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Potala Palace

DAY
3

Lhasa

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera

In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks' "Buddhism scriptures debates". Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

Overnight at 3*Yak Hotel

Breakfast

Debate in Sera Monastery

DAY
4

Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum

Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterwards drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

356 km
6 hours 41 minutes
Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Breakfast

Yamdrok Lake

DAY
5

Shigatse – Shegar – Paiku Tso/Xixiabangma– Kyirong

Yalung La (4,520 m) and Gyathso La (5,220 m) passes, Paiku-Tso Lake

Drive to Shegar, crossing the Yalung La (4,520 m) and Gyathso La (5,220 m). Continue via Paiku Tso Lake and Xixiabangma Mountain to the Chinese border station Kyirong (Jilong). Paiku-Tso Lake covers an area of 300 square kilometers, is the largest lake in Shigatse. Paiku-Tso locates between three mountains, is rich in fish. There live various wild animals such as wild horses, wild donkeys and yellow ducks, etc.

480 km
10 hours
Overnight at 2*Raosai Hotel

Breakfast

Mountain Xixiabangma

DAY
6

Kyirong – Kathmandu

Hello Kathmandu, Nepal

Driving to the official border crossing of Kyirong China in the morning. Say goodbye to colleagues from Tibet and the colleagues from Nepal are waiting for you at the Nepalese border post. After finishing formalities for leaving Nepal, continue to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

185 km
7 hours
Overnight at 3*Nirvana Garden Hotel

Breakfast

Kyirong

DAY
7

Kathmandu

Villages Khokana and Bungmati, city of Patan

In Kathmandu visit the villages Khokana and Bungmati, where you can experience the daily life of the Nepalese in the countryside. Then visit the city of Patan, which is also known as Lalitpur "City of Art".

Overnight at 3*Nirvana Garden Hotel

Breakfast

Kathmandu

DAY
8

Kathmandu

Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu: Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka Palace. When the weather is nice you can enjoy a good view over the Kathmandu valley. In the afternoon, visit the Bagmati River's Pashupatinath Temple, the most famous temple of Indian religion. About 2 km away is Bouddhanath, the largest stupa of its kind. It locates on the ancient Tibetan trade route.

Overnight at 3*Nirvana Garden Hotel

Breakfast

Kathmandu

DAY
9

Leave Kathmandu

Home flight or travel to the next destination

Transfer to the airport, say goodbye to Nepal.

Breakfast

Ascetic Monk in Kathmandu

Tailor-make this tour

This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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