Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Lhasa
You'll fly from Kathmandu over the Himalayan ranges to Lhasa in about 1.5 hours, or alternatively arrive via mainland China. A representative meets you at the airport or train station and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for rest and acclimation to help with altitude sickness.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Airport pickup by private vehicle., 00:00 - 00:00)
- Day 2
Lhasa
After breakfast, you have a full day of guided sightseeing around Lhasa City (5-6 hours). Start with Potala Palace, which has 1,000 rooms across 13 stories, then head to the sacred Jokhang Temple from the 7th century with its huge Sakyamuni Buddha statue. Later, walk through Barkhor Street where pilgrims circle the temple, and check out several small temples along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Potala Palace
- Visit to Jokhang Temple
- Exploration of Barkhor Street and surrounding temples
Landmarks Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street - Day 3
Lhasa
Following breakfast, you'll spend a full day (5-6 hours) exploring more of Lhasa's spiritual sites. Visit Sera Monastery, known for teaching fundamental Buddhist precepts and largely surviving the Cultural Revolution intact. Then tour Drepung Monastery, one of the world's largest monasteries that was founded in 1416.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Sera Monastery
- Visit to Drepung Monastery
Landmarks Sera Monastery Drepung Monastery - Day 4
Lhasa to Shigatse
After breakfast, you drive from Lhasa to Shigatse (6-7 hours), passing through the 5km-wide Nimu Valley along the Brahmaputra River. This valley holds the county seat and main agricultural area. Upon arrival in Shigatse, you'll visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, home of the Panchen Lama and founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. The monastery sits on a hill overlooking Tibet's second-largest city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Nimu Valley
- Visit to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Landmarks Nimu Valley Brahmaputra River Tashi Lhunpo Monastery - Day 5
Shigatse to Rongbuk
Following breakfast, you drive to Rongbuk (6-7 hours) through beautiful villages. Along the way, you get your first view of Mount Everest from Gyatso La Pass at 5,220m. You'll visit Sakya Monastery, the ancestral temple of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, then continue over Lalung La Pass to reach Rongbuk Monastery at the foot of Mount Everest—the world's highest monastery. The mountain scenery here is dramatic and the views of Everest's north face are exceptional.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through villages towards Everest
- Visit to Sakya Monastery
- Visit to Rongbuk Monastery
Landmarks Gyatso La Pass Sakya Monastery Lalung La Pass Rongbuk Monastery Mount Everest - Day 6
Rongbuk to Gyantse
Early morning, you drive to Everest Base Camp at 5,250m/17,220ft for views of three 8,000m peaks: Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest (Mt. Chomolungma in Tibetan). A 16km round trip hike takes you to the base camp where you can see Rongbuk Glacier. After spending time there, you drive back to Gyantse (8-9 hours total). This is a major highlight of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Everest Base Camp
- 16km round trip hike to Everest Base Camp
Landmarks Everest Base Camp Rongbuk Glacier Shishapangma Cho Oyu - Day 7
Gyantse to Lhasa
After breakfast, you visit Palchoe Monastery (also called Pelkor Chode Monastery or Shekar Gyantse), the Kumbum Pagoda Stupa (considered the 'king of pagoda'), Phalkot Monastery, and Gyantse Dzong, one of Tibet's best-preserved dzongs. Then you drive back to Lhasa (6-7 hours). The route passes huge glaciers tumbling down mountainsides and offers excellent mountain views. You'll stop at Karo La Pass (5,045m) to see glaciers, cross Khamba La Pass (4,794m), and make brief stops at Yamdrok Tso Lake (Turquoise Lake), one of Tibet's three largest sacred lakes, and the Nazin Kang Sang glacier at 7,252m.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Palchoe Monastery
- Visit to Kumbum Pagoda Stupa
- Visit to Phalkot Monastery
- Visit to Gyantse Dzong
- Stop at Karo La Pass
- Stop at Khamba La Pass
- Viewing of Yamdrok Tso Lake
- Viewing of Nazin Kang Sang glacier
Landmarks Palchoe Monastery Kumbum Pagoda Stupa Phalkot Monastery Gyantse Dzong Karo La Pass Karo La Glacier Khamba La Pass Yamdrok Tso Lake Nazin Kang Sang - Day 8
Lhasa to Onward Destination
After breakfast, you fly from Lhasa back to Kathmandu or your next destination.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Airport drop by private vehicle., 00:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
