GLIMPSES OF KATHMANDU & LHASA

The Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour connects two old capital cities, Lhasa in Tibet and Kathmandu in Nepal.

  • Trip Duration :
    11 Days
  • Rating :
  • Highest Altitude :
    4050 m.
  • Difficulty :
    N/A
  • Season :
    N/A
  • Activity :
    Tibet Tour
  • Price:
    USD 0
  • Start-End :
    -
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The Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour connects two old capital cities, Lhasa in Tibet and Kathmandu in Nepal. The tour begins in Lhasa and ends in Kathmandu. Tibet, which boasts of spectacular mountain scenery and a rich cultural heritage, is a place worth visiting. As you drive across the Tibetan plateau, you will be expertly guided around all the Tibetan monasteries, temples, monuments and important tourist sites by expert local Tibetan guide. In Lhasa you explore the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery and the busy Barkhor Square. Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour offers opportunity to relish the beauty of both Tibet and Nepal. Leaving Lhasa on a 4WD, you will be driven past picturesque Tibetan settlements where nomadic herdsmen can be seen wandering across the wide arid plateau. This overland journey takes you over several high mountain passes with spectacular mountain views, including those of the majestic Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Shishapangma. Your adventure tour continues to the historic cities of Shigatse and Gyantse. As you explore the ancient monasteries, forts and citadels you get an insight into the rich Tibetan culture and history. As you leave Zhangmu and cross the Friendship Bridge, you enter Nepal. Your overland tour comes to a finale.

Day 1 :  ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Day 2 :  SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Day 3 :  FLY TO LHASA [TUESDAY] / 3660M
Day 4 :  SIGHTSEEING IN LHASA [WEDNESDAY]
Day 5 :  SIGHTSEEING IN LHASA [THRUSDAY]
Day 6 :  DRIVE TO GYANTSE [FRIDAY - 3950m] – 261 KM
Day 7 :  SIGHTSEEING AND DRIVE TO SHIGATSE [SATURDAY - 3900m] – 90 KM
Day 8 :  SIGHTSEEING AND DRIVE TO SHEGAR [SUNDAY - 4050m] – 244 KM
Day 9 :  DRIVE TO ZHANGMU [MONDAY - 2300m] – 181 KM
Day 10 :  DRIVE TO KATHMADU [TUESDAY - 1400m] – 123 KM
Day 11 :  DEPARTURE

It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from Nepal Himalayan Voyages will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into Hotel Malla. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities. Check In at Hotel Grand. Overnight at Hotel Grand.
The second day of the Kathmandu and Lhasa tour will be mainly spent sightseeing in Kathmandu. After breakfast at the hotel, commence the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city, Swayambhunath and Patan. KATHMANDU CITY: Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu means ‘made from the timber of a single tree’. Also known as Kantipur, the capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's art and culture. It is a place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments. Kathmandu Durbar Square with its arrays of temples, Seto Machhindranath and the ancient palace of the former Nepali Royals enriches your experience of the centuries old civilisation. SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA: Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hill. The main stupa is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire crowned by a pinnacle of Copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill of Swayambhunath is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples. You’ll get a scenic view of Kathmandu city from there. PATAN CITY: Located about 5 km south of Kathmandu, Patan is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments. Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty later expanded and enriched by the Licchavi and the Malla rulers in the medieval period. Patan Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former Royal palace complex is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a beautiful museum. One remarkable monument here is 16th century temples dedicated to the Hindu go Krishna, built entirely of stone. Overnight at Hotel Grand.
On the third day of the tour, you will fly to Lhasa. You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight at Hotel Gorkha Hotel or Yak Hotel or similar.
The fourth day of Kathmandu, Lhasa overland tour will be spent sightseeing in and around Lhasa. Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. While sightseeing in Lhasa, you will also visit to Barkhor Markets can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city savouring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Overnight at Hotel Gorkha Hotel or Yak Hotel or similar.
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery. This 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 Gorkha Hotel or Yak Hotel or similar.
Next, on the 6th day of Kathmandu Lhasa tour, you will drive to Gyantse. Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse. Overnight at Gyantse Hotel.
Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Ti betan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900 meter, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse. Overnight at Hotel Manasarovar or Wutse Hotel or Gesar Hotel.
On the eigth day of Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour, you will spend your time sightseeing and then drive to Shegar. Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. Overnight at Chomolamgma Hotel or Tingri Chomolangma Resort.
You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter. Overnight at Zhangmu Hotel or Caiyuan Hotel.
On the 10th day, you will get back to Kathmandu after completing your Kathmandu Lhasa overland trip. Few kilometres drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi River brings you closer to Immigration Control in Kodari where you will say good bye to your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet Nepalese escort to drive to Kathmandu. After 5 hours of driving for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu. Check in and Overnight at Hotel Grand.
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to airport fly onward destination. We ensure that you will leave Kathmandu with cherishing memories of the trip and an experience of a lifetime. Our representative from Nepal Himalayan Voyages will drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home.

Cost Includes

  • Assisted upon arrival at the airport by our office representative.
  • All arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary by a/c vehicles.
  • 03 Nights twin/double room accommodation at Hotel Grand in Kathmandu on BB basis.
  • 07 nights / 08 days Tibet Overland tour on bed & breakfast basis as per the above hotel in Tibet.
  • Transportation by 4WD land cruiser (Toyota 4500, the best available in Tibet).
  • Sightseeing tours with local English speaking Tibetan guide in Tibet.
  • All entry fees in Tibet.
  • Tibet travel permit.
  • Airport transfer in Lhasa.
  • All sightseeing tours mentioned above itinerary in Kathmandu with our local English speaking guide including entrance fees.
  • Surface transfer Kodari / Kathmandu with our office representative.

Cost Excludes

  • International Airfare and taxes.
  • Nepal visa fee.
  • Tibet visa fee [as above].
  • Airfare for the sector Kathmandu / Lhasa [as above, subject to change].
  • Any meals in Kathmandu and in Lhasa.
  • Personal gears and clothing.
  • Tips, any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation / road block due to any reason.
  • Table drinks and snacks.
  • Personal expenses & insurance.
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