Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp-8 days

Potala Palace of Lhasa

Trip Introduction

Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp instills adventures and exhilaration of roof of the world, wilderness and Tibetan culture. Tibet is the origin of Mahayana Buddhism, home of the Dalai Lama and the target of devout pilgrimages as well as adventurers. Discover how human resolve can surpass even the harshest environment of the highlands. This 8-days adventure excursion includes Asia's most impressive ancient cultures along with geographical wonders. The tour further covers Lhasa's streets and Dalai Lama's Potala Palace to medieval towns of Tibet to ancient monasteries and to the Everest Base Camp with the sheer grandeur of Everest's north face. The tour detours everything that we are wishing to squeeze out in the shortest possible time and without missing any of the fantastic places.

This is a journey into the historical, adventurous and spiritual highlands that have long captured the hearts and minds of the travel enthusiasts around the world. In the initial days of the journey, we drive to the world's highest Mt. Everest Base Camp via Rongbuk Monastery. After exploring the historic treasure, we make a detour of Everest Base Camp, and make a face to face encounter with world's highest mountain. Continuing via Sakya, Xigatse - with the Tashihunpo monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama - and Gyantse, and discovering the medieval villages, cultures, and lifestyles of the highlands, we finally reach Lhasa. In Lhasa, we visit most holy Jokhang temple where we see the legendary eighth-wonder Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace (the summer palace of the Dalai Lama), Drepung, Sera Monastery and more. After two full sightseeing in Lhasa, we either get back to Kathmandu or continue to mainland China on our way to home.

Note: If we wish to get back to Kathmandu on our way home, Himalayan Glacier highly suggest to fly into Lhasa, and make an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu which help us in acclimatization with high altitude and thus avoid getting AMS symptoms.

Important Note and Optional Activities
Your safety is of paramount concern whilst traveling with Himalayan Glacier. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, as this is adventure travel in remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: KTM - Nylam (3,750m/12,300ft): 153 km, 5 hrs
After breakfast, we start our journey along the Friendship Highway for the Tibetian border. At the border we take our lunch and pass through the Nepal side of the customs and immigration. Upon crossing the Friendship Bridge, we will be at Tibet! Then, we take a 30 minutes drive from Kodari to Zhangmu where second immigration formalities have to be completed. From Zhangmu to Nylam, we will have an hour scenic drive. Overnight at Snowland Hotel at Nylam.

Day 02: Nyalam to Lotingri/old Tingri (4050m/13,284 ft): 147 Km, 5 - 6 hrs
In the morning, we stroll around Nylam which would help us to acclimatize with the high altitude. Then we rest for some time and take our breakfast before heading for Tingri. The journey to Tingri welcome us with two spectacular passes: Nyalam pass (3800m/12,464 ft) and Lalung La pass (5082m/16,668 ft). Along with the two passes, we will enjoy the fabulous views of the high mountains including, Mt. Everest (8848m/29,028 ft), Jugal Himal, Mt. Makalu (8464m/27,761 ft) and more. We spend our night at Ms. Snow Leopard or a similar rating hotels at Lotingri or at Old Tingri.

Day 03: Lotingri/old Tingri to Rongbuk (5050m/16564ft): 105 km - Everest Base Camp (5,250m/17,220ft)
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Rongbuk and have magnificent view of Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery in Tibet. Again we enjoy the unique view of Mt. Everest also known as Mt. Quomolangma in the Tibetan side. It will be certainly a great experience to be face to face with the greatest mountain on earth. We make about 16km round trip around the Everest Base Camp. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest are more than compensating. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above us. Overnight at Rongbuk at Everest View or a similar category hotel

Day 04: Drive to Sakya Monastery, Evening Arrival in Shigatse (3800m/12,464 ft): 345 km
At dawn, we drive for famous Sakya Monastery, the ancestral temple of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded by Khon Konchog Gyalpo of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) who is also the founder of Sakyapa sect of Lamaism. Sakya, means "Grey Soil" in Tibetan. In the evening, we will be in Shigatse, the second biggest city in Tibet. Overnight at Mansarovar or similar rating hotels in Shigatse

Day 05: Drive Shigatse to Gyangtse to Lhasa (3650m/11,972 ft): 365 Km, 7 hrs
In the morning, we pay our visit to the Tashilunpo Monastery. After breakfast, we embark on a pleasant 2 hours drive to Gyantse. In Gyantse, we visit the Khumbum Stupa and Phalkot Monastery. From Gyantse, we continue to Lhasa crossing the Karo La (5010m/16,432 ft) and Kamba La (4794m/15,725 ft) pass and lake Yamdrok Tso(Turquoise Lake). Further we cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamaputra) river and see the distant views of the Potala Palace. Overnight at Hotel Kyichhu or similar category hotels in Lhasa

Day 06: Lhasa sighsteeing: Potala, Sera, Jokhang Temple
Foremost, our tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter will guide us through this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Then we visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. We further stroll through Barkhor Market which will be distinct experience from other sites as we roam around the city. Overnight Hotel at Lhasa

Day 07: Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepang Temple, Norbulinka Palace
Like the previous day, we experience invaluable insights during our visits to Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery. The 17th century Potala Palace offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans' respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery. Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa

Day 08: Final Departure from Lhasa or Extension of Tour
Our adventure in the Himalayas comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If time permits we can engage on shopping or sightseeing. A representative from Himalayan Glacier Trekking will take us to the airport for our onward journey. We can either get back to Kathmandu or continue to mainland China on our way to home.

What's Included

Hotel, arrival/departure transfer
All necessary Tibet travel permits
Everest National Park admission fee and Grass dame charge.
Getting Chinese visa and Tibet Travel permit
Kathmandu - Tibet boarder (Zhang-Mu) transportation by comfortable vehicle
Zhang-Mu - Everest Base Camp - Lhasa transfer by non AC Land Cruiser (4WD Toyota)
Accommodation in Tibet on twin sharing basis (except in Nyalam) with breakfast
English speaking Tibetan guide
All fees for sightseeing and Monasteries as outlined in the itinerary
All applicable taxes and service charges

What's Not Include

Accommodation in Kathmandu
Chinese visa fee which is US$ 175 for the US nationals and US$ 85 for other nationals (visa fees subject to change without prior notice)
International flights to Kathmandu and out of Lhasa
Travel insurance
Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
Tips for guides and driver
Nepal visa

Accommodations

All accommodation lodgings have been chosen for their standard of hygiene, standard of service, location and food quality. All accommodation is based on twin share except Nyalam (common shared room). During our tour Himalayan Glacier employs hotel Snow Land or similar in Nyalum, Snow leopard hotel in Lotingri/old Tingri, Everest view hotel or similar hotel in Ronbuk (Optional: tent guest house in Everest base camp ), Xigatse Hotel or similar hotel in Xigatse and Kyichu Hotel or similar hotel in Lhasa. Single supplement will be served on request and it cost US$290. We should bear in mind this is a standard overland package. So for private or upgraded tour please contact at Himalayan Glacier.

Visa and Travel Procedures

Himalayan Glacier understands the dreams of many to be at Tibet and hence would like to assist in making our Tibet tour an adventure of a lifetime. Therefore, presented below is a list of rules and Tibet entry procedures we should know about before traveling to Tibet Read More

Equipments & Packing List

While packing for Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp certain equipments are essential. Please Click here for this trip's comprehensive checklist.

Acclimatization

We are traveling overland to highest plateau in the world. Since the drive goes constantly above 5000m/16400ft during journey. Driving fast in such an elevation could cause medical conditions (Acute Mountain Sickness) which could be fatal. There is 50% less oxygen compared to sea level in high-altitudes like Tibet. The higher the altitude the lesser is the oxygen in air. Our body needs few days to acclimatize to this less oxygen environment. Although Himalayan Glacier provides enough information regarding AMS precaution matters, if we get AMS, we will not have other options to treat it other than medication.

Sensible planning would help to minimize AMS during the tour. Thus, before taking this tour, Himalayan Glacier advises tourists to take some trek or altitudes activities in Nepal or elsewhere. So, Himalayan Glacier sincerely requests for those travelers who are thinking to fly back to Kathmandu from Lhasa after Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour it would be better visitors fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu first and take the overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Just vice versa so that visitors get time to acclimatize in Lhasa and on the way back.
We advise specially the guest(s) with known heart or lungs or blood diseases to consult doctor before traveling. Mild headaches, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder are symptoms of AMS.

Best Season

Autumn (August, Sept, and Oct), spring (March and April) & summer (May, June and July) are the best seasons for this wonderful Trans Himalayan overland journey. No matter about the group size, this tour can be arranged for both individuals and small group travelers any time on visitors' request.

Trip Start Dates & Price

Additional Information

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us.

Send Quick Email