Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour-8 days

Tibet has enthralled travellers for centuries and a drive over the vast arid plateau coupled with a chance of meeting its people allow travellers of today a glimpse into what Tibet might have been before the Chinese occupation. The drive from Kathmandu to Lhasa promises to be an experience of a lifetime as you get to look at the stunning landscape, architecture and the spiritual populace of Tibet. When flights to Lhasa aren't operating the only way to travel there is by road from Kathmandu. However when flights are operating some prefer to go by road one way and fly the other.
 
The drive from Kathmandu to Lhasa, over spectacular Passes and revealing views of the majestic Himalayas, takes five-days over the "Friendship Highway". The drive is well worth it as you encounter some enchanting Buddhist monasteries and remote villages untouched by modern civilization. While approaching the city you will be able to notice the Potala Palace, a vast white and ochre fortress that dominates the Lhasa skyline. The historical seat of Tibetan power and the location of the tombs of previous Dalai Lamas, the Potala Palace has been reduced to serve as a symbolic feature for Tibetan aspirations. The Jokhang temple, 2 km to the east of the Palace, has become the spiritual hub of the country. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled Tibetan experience. The medieval Barkhor Bazaar with crowds, street performers, hawker's stalls selling everything from prayer flags to jewel-encrusted yak skulls and the devout touching their foreheads to the ground at every step to Jokhang is an exotic brew that few newcomers can resist. A visit to Drepung monastery is well worth the effort and for some can be a very enlightening experience. The Norbulingka Palace (summer palace of the Dalai Lamas) along with a round of the Sera monastery is the other highlight of this package.  Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour journey ends with two days sightseeing tour around Lhasa.

Route maps are just representation of the trekking routes. This does not represent the exact geographical conditions.Click here for Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour route map

Trip Cost Includes

• Hotel, arrival/departure transfer
• All necessary Tibet travel permits
• Getting Chinese visa
• Kathmandu - Tibet boarder (Zhang-Mu) transportation by comfortable vehicle
• Zhang-Mu - Lhasa transfer by non AC van or mini bus
• Accommodation in Tibet on twin sharing basis (except in Nyalam) with breakfast
• English speaking Tibetan guide
• Sightseeing and Monastery fees as per itinerary
• All applicable taxes and service charges

Trip Cost Does Not Include

• Chinese visa fee {US$ 175 for the US nationals and US$ 85 for other nationals (visa fee is subject to change without prior notice)}
• Nepal visa
• Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
• Your travel insurance
• Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
• Tips for staff
• Any additional expenses due to unforeseen circumstances
• Flight Lhasa/Kathmandu and flight tickets or train tickets to china

The Overland Journey to the Lhasa, usually planned for those do not want to walk and therefore this itinerary will appeal the best magnificent view of the Trans Himalaya, Tibetan people and culture, demand 5-7 hours (220km/) of driving over 4,000m (13123ft) everyday. And also you must need a positive attitude and a strong determination; previous high altitude experience preferred and walking is not mandatory on this trip.

A Day on your Overland Journey...
First day, the journey will be commenced early in the morning, stop for breakfast and lunch in route, deserve rest at Nyalam. Most of your journey on each day, trip start after your breakfast by 8.00am, will be top for lunch in route the pleasant surrounding. There will be 220km approx of driving which would take approx 5-7 except some day. Finally, go to bed which is two-man occupied room and foam mattress for a well deserved night's rest.

Seven nights accommodations are included in the trip cost and we chose accommodation options based on the following criteria; standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. Accommodations will be provided a twin share room with attached bath except in Nyalam. During your tour we will use Kyichu Hotel or similar hotel in Lhasa, Gyantse Hotel or similar hotel in Gyantse, Xigatse Hotel or similar hotel in Xigatse, Shanghai hotel or similor hotel in Lhatse and Snowland Hotel or similor in Nyalum.Single supplement will be charge US$280.

Only morning meal in each day is included which is a Tibetan and continental mix taste, from the lodge/ guest house/ hotel you stay and you can order your dinner in the same place and there will be stop for lunch in route to next destination. Please be prepared Yuan 60 to Yuan 100(US$10 to US$16) for Lunch & Dinner to spend a day and also it can exceed up to your expectation, meals are cheaper.

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

While packing for “ Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour”certain gears are essential to be considered.
Please Click here for the comprehensive packing list for this trip.

Keep in mind that you are traveling overland to highest plateau in the world; the drive goes constantly above 4000m/13123ft during your journey except Lhasa (3,650m/11,975ft). 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.

We provide you the best tour leader while touring in Tibet with excellent English speaking, the perfect Tibetan ethnicity although there are many mainland Chinese participation. For your kind information any trip to Tibet we operate together with our Tibetan counterpart; and hence there will some difference in attitude and customer service in between Nepal and Tibet and we always assure our best and high level of customer service for you as always.

We will have pre trip meeting in our central office in Kathmandu prior to the tour departure.People should report us with their original passport least 2 days prior to the tour departure and we will arrange a final trip briefing meeting a day before tour departure at 5:00 PM.

Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour do not include hotel in Kathmandu. But on your request we can help you to get any level of accommodation, airport pick up or other trip which you intend to do such as trek, walk, raft, safari, flight, sightseeing and more. Or you may contact Head Office at Thamel.

Himalayan Glacier Trekking (P) Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu Nepal
Telephone (Office Hours 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM)- 977 - 1 - 44 11 38 7
Cell Phone (Any time)
Sagar Pandey- 98510 32036 or Naba Raj Amgai- 98510 55684 or Narayan Regmi - 98510 10310

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Select Year 201220132014