Kathmandu Lhasa Tour – 8 days (Overland journey to Lhasa)
A good option for travellers with little time, this tour – one of our most popular – takes advantage of the so-called ‘Friendship Highway’ between the two capital cities. Highlights en route are Sukya, the largest monastery in Tibet; Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city; Tashilungpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama; Shalu Monastery; Gyantse (Tibet’s ancient trading hub) and the beautiful Turquoise Lake, Yamdruk Tso, which is Tibet’s largest freshwater lake.
This tour is available all year round. Please note that the tour comes in two versions – a basic tour for those on a limited budget, or a more deluxe tour for those with a little more money to spend.
The budget tour involves travelling in larger groups with one guide with basic, sometimes dormitory style accommodation and economy class transportation.
The deluxe tour can be tailored to your individual requirements. The tour would follow the itinerary below, but includes better quality (usually three-star) hotels, a luxury standard Land Cruiser and a personal guide whose services will be available to you at all times throughout your trip. This kind of tour is recommended for individual travellers and small groups or families.
Whichever tour option you select, you are at liberty either to ask us to plan your onward trip from Lhasa – or to make your own independent travel arrangements.
MODE OF TRANSPORT: Toyota Land Cruiser
Itinerary:
Day 01: Kathmandu – Nyalam (3750 m)
Early morning, you will drive from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border at Kodari (Zhangmu). The drive requires approximately 4 hours to reach the Border. After finishing immigration formalites both in Nepal and China side, you will continue drive up the steep switch back road to Nyalam (two hours).
Overnight Nyalam Guesthouse OR similar.
Day 02: Jeep tour: Nyalam to Lhatse (3950 m)
After driving approximately 10 km from Nyalam, you can visit a Cave Monastery (Milareppa Cave) that is belongs to the famous Tibetan saint Milareppa, who was known as a famous Tibetan tantrik and poet too.
You will continue drive across the Tibetan plateau with spectacular mountain views from Lalung-La pass (5050m). Passing through the town of Tingri there are more views of Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu.
Overnight Hotel Shanghai (Room with attached bath).
Day 03: Jeep tour: Lhatse to Shigatse (3900 m) via Sakya Monastery
Morning after breakfast, we set off for our further journey to Shigatse. On the way, we visit Sakya Monastery which is one of the largest Monastery in Tibet for Sakya sect of Buddhism. Sakya situated 21 km off the friendship highway.
We continue travel to Shigatse through beautiful landscapes and high passes on the way. Shigatse is the second largest city of Tibet. The famous Tashilungpu Monastery is situated in Shigatse. This is the official throne of Panchen Lama
Overnight Hotel Everest Friendship OR similar.
Day 04: Jeep tour: Shigatse to Gyantse (3950 m) via Shalu Monastery
After visiting the Tashilungpu Monastery in Shigatse, it’s a short drive to Gyantse (3 hours) with its amazing sites – Khumbum, Palkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Dzong. On the way to Gyantse, we visit Shalu Monastery.
Overnight Hotel Zongsan OR similar.
Day 05: Jeep tour: Gyantse to Lhasa (3650 m) via Yamdruk Lake (Turquoise Lake)
The highlight of this day is the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdruk – Tso. After crossing the Kamba- La and the Yarlung (Brahmaputra) River, the journey ends in Lhasa.
Overnight Hotel New Mandala OR similar.
Day 06: Lhasa guided sightseeing tour
Guided sightseeing tour of Lhasa – two days of guided sightseeing, encompassing all the major historic landmarks including the Potala Palace, Norbulinka, the Jokhang Temple and the bustling Barkhor bazaar.
Overnight Hotel New Mandala OR similar.
Day 07: Lhasa guided sightseeing tour
Guided sightseeing tour of Lhasa continues – You will visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and a Tibetan medical Centre.
Overnight Hotel New Mandala OR similar.
Day 08: Departure from Lhasa
We provide you options of flying back to Kathmandu OR traveling further to mainland China by Train OR by flight. Popular choice now is to take the new train trip from Lhasa to mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Xining etc.), which is the highest railway journey in the world.Tashilungpo
Price details for private tour:
Group size: 2 persons :
Package cost: US $ 890
Tibet Visa: US $ 114
Flight Ticket: US $ 369 (Lhasa – Kathmandu)
Total Cost: US $ 1373
Group size: 3 persons:
Package cost: US $ 675
Tibet Visa: US $ 114
Flight Ticket: US $ 369 (Lhasa – Kathmandu)
Total Cost: US $ 1158
Group size: 4 persons:
Package cost: US $ 550
Tibet Visa: US $ 114
Flight Ticket: US $ 369 (Lhasa – Kathmandu)
Total Cost: US $ 1033
Group Visa (Single Entry Only)
Visa Process Duration 5 days 3 days same day
Normal Urgent Top Urgent
American passport holder USD 142 USD 164 USD 198
Other Nationality USD 58 USD 80 USD 114
Our price includes the following services:
01. All Tibet travel permits
02. Transportation in Tibet by 4WD Land Cruiser
03. Accommodation in Tibet is on a twin sharing basis (Lhatse & Nyalam) with breakfast
04. Two days sightseeing tour in Lhasa
05. English speaking Tibetan guide
06. Monastery entry fees
07. Kathmandu – Zhangmu (Tibetan border town) transfer by private vehicle
08. Tibet visa (U.S. citizens need to add $83 for additional visa costs)
09. Lhasa – Kathmandu flight ticket
10. Airport tax in Lhasa (while flying to Kathmandu)
11. All applicable taxes and service charges
Our price doesn’t include the following services:
01. Meals other than breakfast in Tibet (one meal either lunch or dinner costs approximately US $8 to US $10)
02. Nepal re-entry visa fee (US $30)
03. Your travel insurance
04. Urgent visa fee
05. Any additional expenses due to unforeseen circumstances.
