Lhasa (Tibet) has regular air connections with other major cities of China such as Beijing, Chengdu, Xian and Shanghai etc. Therefore, people who are interested in commencing their tour from mainland China can join us from one of these cities. We have numerous choices of tours which can be arranged according to your requirements and the tour can commence at any time according to your convenience.
When making a tour to Tibet from mainland China, you are not required to obtain a Tibet visa. However, you do need a Tibet travel permit which will be issued by the TTB (Tibet Tourist Bureau) office in mainland China. The tour program and itinerary must be finalized before we apply to the TTB for the permit, and the permit will only be valid for the length of your tour. After completion of your tour you can take a flight back to either mainland China or Kathmandu, or alternatively, you can make the overland journey to Kathmandu via the Friendship Highway.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Upon arrival in Gonggar airport (Tibet) then drive to Lhasa (98 km – 2-hour drive)
Day 02: Lhasa tour – Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar
Day 03: Lhasa tour – Drepung Monastery, Potala Palace and Norbulinkha Palace
Day 04: Lhasa to Ganden tour. Evening travel back to Lhasa
Day 05: Tour: Lhasa – Shigatse
Day 06: Tour: Shigatse – Gyantse
Day 07: Tour: Gyantse – Samye
Day 08: Tour: Samye – Tsedang
Day 09: Tsedang sightseeing tour
Day 10: Fly out from Tibet
Lhasa has an age-old mystique, largely due to its isolation from the rest of the world. Tibet’s capital is situated at 3683 metres, next to the Kyichu, or Happy River. These days there is a Chinese facade to much of Lhasa, but this cannot hide the fact that the city is rich in history, dating back to its creation in the 6th century, when King Songtsen Gampo moved his capital there from the Yarlung valley. After King Langdrama was assassinated in 842, Lhasa lost its political importance, but acquired a more spiritual significance.
It was only in the 17th century that Lhasa once again became the seat of Tibet’s government. In the 1950’s Tibet’s history took a dramatic turn with the Chinese occupation in 1951, leading to Chinese administration being imposed after the uprising in 1959.
Tibet became an autonomous region in, with Lhasa designated as the capital. In September 1985 celebrations were held to mark the 20th anniversary of this autonomy, but restrictions on Tibetans and foreigners turned the policy into an unconvincing charade.
Lhasa has many historical and cultural attractions including the two palaces of the Dalai Lama, Potala Palace and Norbulinkha, the Jokhang Temple with the surrounding Barkhor bazaar and two major monasteries, Sera and Drepung.
Lhasa to Kathmandu tour (8 days)
The tour can be commenced from Chengdu, Xian, Xinning, Shanghai and Beijing as per your convenience and ends at Kathmandu. The tour covers all major highlighted places of central Tibet such as Lhasa, Gyantse, Yamdruk Tso, Shigatse, Sakya and Lao Tingri.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Fly, Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650 m) – 1 hour flight
Upon arrival in Lhasa by plane OR by train our guide / representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel. Overnight in Hotel Flora or similar accommodations (room with attached bath)
Gyantse TownDay 2: Lhasa sightseeing tour
After breakfast we set off for a full-day guided sightseeing tour. Today, we visit Potala Palace, Norbulinkha Palace (the summer palace of Dalai Lama) and Jokhang temple & Barkhor Square. Overnight at Hotel Flora or similar accommodation (room with attached bath).
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing tour
Today we visit two very significant monasteries: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery of Tibet. Both monasteries are located near the main city. Also, we will visit the Tibetan Medical Centre in the evening. Overnight at Hotel Flora or similar accommodation (room with attached bath).
Day 4: Drive, Lhasa to Gyantse (3950 m) – 7 hours
Early in the morning we proceed to Gyantse via Lake Yamdruk (Yamdruk Tso). Gyantse is the fourth largest city in Tibet (after Shigatse and Chamdo). It is small as cities go (population perhaps 15,000) and largely Tibetan in character as it has not been touched so much by outside Chinese influence. Strategically sited at a junction between Shigatse and Lhasa, it lies along the caravan routes from Sikkim and Bhutan in the south. Gyantse has assumed an important role as a military centre and market town- particularly for wool and handicrafts. Gyantse is also jewelled with ancient monasteries and stupa. We will visit the Khumbum stupa, Gyantse Dzong and Palkor Choide Monastery in Gyantse. Overnight at Hotel Utse or similar accommodation (room with attached bath).
Day 5: Drive, Gyantse to Shigatse (3900 m) via Shalu Monastery – 3 hours
After breakfast we head to Shigatse. On the way we will visit Shalu Monastery. In Shigatse we will visit the Tashilungpu Monastery, the official Panchen Lama’s residence, built in 1447, although it did not really become the seat of the Panchen Lama until almost 200 years later. Overnight at Hotel Everest Friendship or similar accommodation (room with attached bath).
Day 6: Drive, Shigatse to Xegar (New Tingri) via Sakya Monastery – 7 hours
Today you have an extensive distance to travel to reach Xegar (new Tingri) via two high passes en route. Also, you will visit Sakya Monastery along the way. Overnight at Xegarpost Guesthouse or similar accommodation (dormitory room + common toilet only).
Day 7: Drive, Xegar to Zhangmu (2100 m) – 8 hours
Today is your last journey on the Tibetan Plateau. Zhangmu, also known as Khasa or Dram, lies on a mountainside 10 km inland from the Friendship Bridge that spans the Bhotekoshi (the Sun Koshi) River. This small town has become a major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. The subtropical climate endows the small town with warm, humid weather and beautiful scenery throughout the year. The town is built along a winding road that is lined with private homes, shops, restaurants and government buildings. Overnight Hotel Gyangjong (dormitory room + common toilet only) OR Sherpa Guesthouse.
Day 8: Drive, Zhangmu to Kathmandu – 5 hours
A 15-minute drive from ZhangMu takes you to Friendship Bridge. In Friendship Bridge, our representative from the Kathmandu-office will meet you and help you to complete the immigration formalities in Nepal. After the immigration process is completed you will drive to Kathmandu. This scenic journey takes four and half hours.
Price:
Our price includes the following services:
1. All necessary Tibet travel permits
2. Transportation in Tibet with 4WD Land Cruiser (deluxe model)
3. Budget accommodation in Tibet on room sharing basis with breakfast
4. Two-day guided sightseeing tour in Lhasa
5. Tibetan Guide (English speaking)
6. Monastery entrance fees / sightseeing entrance fees
7. Nepal/Tibet border (Kodari) to Kathmandu transfer with private vehicle + office representative
8. All applicable taxes and service charges
9. Tibet visa (U.S. citizens need to add $83 for additional visa costs)
Our price does not include the following services:
1. Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
2. Nepal entry visa fee (US $ 30 per person)
3. Your travel insurance
4. Insurance for any loss and damage
5. Personal tip for guide and driver
6. Any additional expenses due to unforeseen circumstances.
It is possible to make a tour to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar combining with the major attractions of Central Tibet (Tsedang, Samye, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Yangpachen and Sakya). Generally our tour covers Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Sakya and eventually it merges with the main route from Kathmandu to Kailash in Saga (a small Tibetan town). Our tour to Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar from Lhasa requires at least 19 days. However, depending on the time frame and places you choose to cover in the tour, the tour can be made longer or shorter.
Lhasa to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar tour commences from Kathmandu with an hour Trans-Himalayan flight to Gonggar Airport in Tibet. Our Tibetan guide meets you at the airport and escorts you to the main city (Lhasa), which is 98 km away from the airport. In Lhasa, we will enjoy a two-day guided sightseeing tour that covers almost all the major attractions situated inside Lhasa. After that we start our journey to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Gynatse, Shigatse and Sakya Monastery. As usual, “Lhasa to Mt. Kailash Tour” consists of a 3-day circumambulation around holy Mt. Kailash. The tour ends at Zhang-Mu.
Lhasa – Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar – Lhasa tour
Itinerary:
Day 01: Upon arrival in Lhasa – meet at the airport and transport you to your hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing tour of Lhasa: Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulinka
Day 03: Sightseeing tour of Lhasa: Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Square
Day 04: Jeep tour: Lhasa to Gyante
Day 05: Jeep tour: Gyatse to Shigatse
Day 06: Jeep tour: Shigatse to Lhatse via Sakya Monastery
Day 07: Jeep tour: Lhatse to Saga; overnight camping
Day 08: Jeep tour: Saga to Paryang; overnight camping
Day 09: Jeep tour: Paryang to Lake Manasarovar (Chhurgu Gompa)
Day 10: Jeep tour: Lake Manasarovar to Darchen via Chiugompa; overnight in guest house
Day 11: Trekking around Kailash – early morning drive to Tarboche then start trekking to Deraphuk Gomba
Day 12: Trekking around Kailash – Cross Dolma-La pass then trek to Zutul Phuk Gomba
Day 13: Trekking around Kailash – finish trek and drive to Lake Manasarovar (Horaa Qui)
Day 14: Jeep tour: Lake Manasarovar to Paryang ; overnight camping
Day 15: Jeep tour: Paryang to Saga; overnight camping
Day 16: Jeep tour: Saga to Lhatse; overnight in guest house
Day 17: Jeep tour: Lhatse – Shigatse
Day 18: Jeep tour: Shigatse – Lhasa
Day 19: Free time in Lhasa
Day 20: Fly out from Lhasa.
This is a good tour option for travellers who would rather travel in Tibet independently. Due to Chinese regulations, travellers must join an organized tour to Lhasa, but from Lhasa onward, you can travel on your own. Our Company can obtain a visa valid for 16 days only. So, after 16 days, travellers must travel onward to mainland China or return back to Kathmandu. Both overland travel and air travel options are available for you to travel onward from Lhasa.
This tour takes you to Lhasa via the friendship highway (Kathmandu – Lhasa highway). On the way, we visit Sakya Monastery, Shigatse, Shalu Monastery and Gyantse. You will spend two-days on a guided sightseeing tour in Lhasa that covers all the historical monuments. From Day 8th, you are free to travel on your own.
MODE OF TRANSPORT: Toyota Land Cruiser
TOUR DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU: Year round
Itinerary:
Day 01: Kathmandu – Nyalam (3750 m)
Drive from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border at Kodari (Zhangmu). Continue up the steep switchback road to Nyalam
Day 02: Jeep tour: Nyalam to Lhatse (3950 m)
A remarkable day’s drive across the Tibetan plateau with spectacular mountain views from Lalung-La pass (5050m). Passing through the town of Tingri there is more views of Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu.
Day 03: Jeep tour: Lhatse to Shigatse (3900 m) via Sakya Monastery
En route you will visit Shakya Monastery before crossing the Lalung-La (4500m) and continuing across the plains to Shigatse.
Day 04: Jeep tour: Shigatse to Gyantse (3950 m) via Shalu Monastery
After visiting the Tashilimpu Monastery, it’s a short drive to Gyantse with its amazing sights – Khumbum, Palkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Dzong.
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.
Day 06: Lhasa sightseeing tour
Guided sightseeing tour of Lhasa – You will visit Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Norbulinkha Palace (the Summer Palace of Dalai Lama).
Day 07: Lhasa sightseeing tour
Guided sightseeing tour of Lhasa – You will visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Tibetan Medical Centre.
Day 08: Time on your own…………..
Price:
Our price includes the following services:
01. All Tibet travel permits
02. Transportation in Tibet by 4WD Land Cruiser
03. Accommodation in Tibet on 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 (if flying back 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.
Lhasa (Tibet) has regular air connections with other major cities of China such as Beijing, Chengdu, Xian and Shanghai etc. Therefore, people who are interested in commencing their tour from mainland China can join us from one of these cities. We have numerous choices of tours which can be arranged according to your requirements and the tour can commence at any time according to your convenience.
