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

Potala Palace of Lhasa

Trip Introduction

Make a truly adventurous and fun filled tour over the roof of the world and from wilderness to the center of Tibetan culture with our 8 days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp. 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. Our Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp includes Asia's most impressive ancient cultures along with geographical wonders. From Lhasa streets and Dalai Lama's Potala Palace to medieval towns of Tibet to ancient monasteries including monastery in the highest place of world, the Rongbuk Monastery, and to the Everest Base Camp with the sheer grandeur of Everest's north face. The Kathmandu to Lhasa via Everest Base Camp overland tour combines everything that you are wishing to squeeze out in the shortest possible time and without missing any of the fantastic places.

The Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp 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, 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 days in Lhasa, you can either get back to Kathmandu or continue to mainland China on your way to home.

Note: If you wish to get back to Kathmandu on your way home, we highly suggest you to fly in to Lhasa, and make an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu. That will help you 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 Trekking. 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 morning breakfast we start our journey along the Friendship Highway for the Tibet border. Lunch at the border. Then we pass through the Nepal side of the customs and immigration. Cross the Friendship Bridge to arrive at Tibet! Then we take a 30 minutes drive from Kodari to Zhangmu, where second immigration formalities have to be done. From Zhangmu to Nylam is to an hour's scenic drive. Overnight at Snowland Hotel in Nylam.

Day 02: Morning Acclimatization, Nyalam to Lotingri/old Tingri (4050m/13,284 ft): 147 Km/5-6 hrs
In the morning, we take some walk around Nylam which would help us to acclimatize with the high altitude. Then we rest for some time, take our breakfast, and head for Tingri. Cross two spectacular passes: Nyalam pass (3800m/12,464 ft) and Lalung La pass (5082m/16,668 ft). Enjoy the fabulous views of the high mountains including, Mount Everest (8848m/29,028 ft) Jugal Himal, Mt. Makalu (8464m/27,761 ft) and more. Overnight at Ms. Snow Leopard or a similar category hotel in Lotingri/Old Tingri.

Day 03: Lotingri/old Tingri to Rongbuk (5050m/16564ft): 105 Kms - Visit Everest Base Camp (5,250m/17,220ft)
After breakfast easy and short drive to Rongbuk. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in Tibet. Enjoy the unique view of Mt. Everest also known as Mount Quomolangma in the Tibetan side. It's certainly a great experience to be face to face with the greatest mountain on earth, Mt. Everest. We make about 16 kms 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 you. Overnight in Rongbuk at Everest View or a similar category hotel.

Day 04: Drive to Sakya Moanstery, evening arrive in Xigatse (3800m/12,464 ft): 345 Kms
Morning drive to Sakya to visit famous Sakya Monastery. Sakya Monastery is the ancestral temple of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded by Khon Konchog Gyalpo of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), also the founder of Sakyapa sect of Lamaism. Sakya, means "Grey Soil" in Tibetan since the soil surrounding it is gray. The monastery is to the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the evening we arrive in Xigatse, the second biggest city in Tibet. Overnight at Mansarovar or a similar category hotel in Xigatse.

Day 05: Drive Xigatse to Gyangtse to Lhasa (3650m/11,972 ft): 365 Kms/ 7 hrs
In the morning visit the Tashilunpo Monastery. After breakfast, embark on a pleasant 2 hours drive to Gyantse. Here, we visit the Khumbum Stupa and Phalkot Monastery. From Gyantse, we continue to Lhasa: cross the Karo La (5010m/16,432 ft) and Kamba La (4794m/15,725 ft) pass and lake Yamdrok Tso(Turquoise Lake). You will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamaputra) river and see the distant views of the Potala Palace. Overnight Hotel Kyichhu or a similar category hotel 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. Visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city. Overnight Hotel in Lhasa.

Day 07: Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepang Temple, Norbulinka Palace
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your 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 Hotel in Lhasa.

Day 08: Final departure from Lhasa or extend your tour
Your 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 you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. A representative from Himalayan Glacier Trekking will take you to the airport for your onward journey. You can either get back to Kathmandu or continue to mainland China on your way to home. We hope you enjoyed the tour with us, and we are sure you will be back for a trip to the Himalayas again.

Trip Cost

$ 1450 per person

Trip Cost Includes

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

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Accommodation in Kathmandu
Chinese visa fee {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 your tour we will use 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 provided on request it cost US$290 single supplement fee. Bear in mind this is a standard overland package; for private or upgraded tour, please contact us.

Information about Visa and Travel Permits

Aside from visas for China, travelers to Tibet must also obtain permits from the Tibetan Tourism Bureau. Himalayan Glacier Trekking will organize your Tibet travel permit. Please send copy of your passport if you are planning to enter Tibet via Nepal as soon as you book the trip. In the condition you are planning to enter Tibet via China; you need to send us copy of your passport and Chinese visa as soon as you book the trip. Read More

Acclimatization

Keep in mind that you are traveling overland to highest plateau in the world; the drive goes constantly above 5000m/16400ft during your 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 places like in Tibet. The higher the altitude the less is the oxygen in air. Your body needs few days to acclimatize to this less oxygen environment. Although we provide enough information regarding AMS precaution matters, if you get AMS, we do 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, we advise tourists to take some trek or altitudes activities in Nepal or elsewhere. So our sincere suggestion for those travelers who are thinking to fly back to Kathmandu from Lhasa after taking Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour would be better you fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu first and take the overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu, just vice versa so that you 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 their doctor before traveling. Mild headaches, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder are symptoms of AMS.

Best Season

Autumn (August, Sept, & Oct), spring (March & April) & summer (May, June & July) are the best seasons for attempting 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 your request.

Departure 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.

Trip Facts