Rongphu Monastery, with Mt Everest in the background | Richard I'Anson
Rongphu Monastery, with Mt Everest in the background  | Richard I'Anson
Elderly Tibetan women  | Richard I'Anson
Stunning views across the Tibetan mountain range  | Richard I'Anson
Mount Everest viewed from Pang La Pass in Tibet.  | Colin Miller
Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.  | Peter Walton
Colourful streets of Kathmandu  | Joe Kennedy

Lhasa to Kathmandu via Tibet's Everest BC

A high-altitude cultural odyssey across the Tibetan Plateau - from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

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 7 reviews

13 Days from

$5170 USD

Trip Code: HRL
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement
$580 USD

Duration

  • 13 Days

Activities

  • 13 day overland experience

Accommodation

  • 1 night hotel in Chengdu
  • 7 nights basic hotels
  • 2 nights Tibetan lodge
  • 2 nights hotel in Kathmandu

Meals

Valued at USD$310

  • 6 Dinners
  • 7 Lunches
  • 12 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

77kg of CO2-e PP per day

(929kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Trip highlights

  • Cross the vast Tibetan Plateau on one of the world’s great overland journeys
  • Witness unforgettable views of Everest’s north face from Rongbuk Monastery - the closest non-mountaineers can currently access
  • Experience the spiritual richness, remote landscapes and enduring traditions of Tibet
  • Discover the sacred heart of Tibetan culture with guided visits to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery

Overview

Trace an ancient trade route across the vast Tibetan Plateau on this overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu. With our knowledgeable Tibetan-speaking guides, explore the sacred heart of Tibet - from the soaring Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple to the great monastic centres of Sera, Drepung and Tashilhunpo.

Travel west through Himalayan landscapes to Gyantse and Shigatse before venturing to the legendary Rongbuk Monastery - the world’s highest - for an unforgettable glimpse of Everest’s north face.

This is a journey few undertake: a high-altitude cultural odyssey through remote valleys, dramatic passes and the spiritual pulse of Tibet, ending in the vibrant streets of Kathmandu.

Itinerary

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You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the hotel. Remainder of the afternoon/evening at leisure. Overnight: Bhudda Zen Hotel or similar

Meals: Nil

This morning we are transferred to the airport for the flight to Lhasa. You will be advised which flight to book as the group are required to arrive into Tibet together due to the group permit. On arrival at Lhasa Airport you will be transferred to the city – a drive that takes around two hours. Due to the high altitude, you need to take it easy when you arrive in Lhasa. (Chengdu to Lhasa flights not included in trip cost.) A briefing will be given around 5pm by your guide, where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Drive: 65km, ~2hrs Altitude: 3,670m Overnight: Kyichu Hotel, Dekang Hotel Lhasa or Tarui Pozhang Hotel or similar

Meals: B

The following two days are scheduled to appreciate the long and rich cultural history of Lhasa. We include visits to the Jokhang, the Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama), and the famous Potala Palace. We also include visits to the nearby monasteries of Drepung and Sera. The Old City of Lhasa was built around the Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet. Drive: N/A Altitude: 3,670m Overnight: Kyichu Hotel, Dekang Hotel Lhasa or Tarui Pozhang Hotel or similar

Meals: B

From Lhasa we drive down the Kyichu Valley to the Yarlong Tsampo (Brahmaputra) before ascending to the Khamba Pass (4,900m). The views are outstanding – in the foreground is the vast freshwater Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake, while to the south the snow-capped ranges merge with the main Himalayan range. We drive around the lake before crossing the Karo La (5,200m) to reach Gyantse. The town is strategically located in the Nyang Chu valley on the ancient trade routes from the Chumbi Valley, Yatung and Sikkim, which met here. Note: while we endevour to stick to the projected itinerary, travel in Tibet is by nature unpredictable and a flexible approach is always needed. Drive: 7-8hrs Altitude: 3,977m Overnight: Gyantse Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Gyantse is a remarkable place that has escaped much of the Chinese influence evident in other major Tibetan towns. It is dominated by the ancient fort that was besieged by British forces in 1904 during the famous Younghusband Expedition. We also visit the remarkable octagonal chorten, the Kumbum (or Pango Chorten)- built in 1444 on a series of four levels, each of which contains separate chapels. In the afternoon we drive to Shigatse. Drive: 2hrs Altitude: 3,845m Overnight: Wanrun Gardan Hotel, Gesar Hotel Shigatse, Shiga Yangcha Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The drive to Shegar can be completed in half a day, which allows time this afternoon to visit the Shegar Fort and Monastery. Shelkar is famous for the Shelkar Chode Monastery, founded in 1266 by a Kagyu lama, but it has been a Gelugpa monastery since the 17th century, and formerly had over 400 monks. Although, destroyed by the Red Guard during the Cultural Revolution, the assembly hall has since been rebuilt and there is an active branch monastery in Boudhanath, Nepal. The ruins of the old dzong are located on the hill behind the monastery Drive: 5-6hrs Altitude: 4,330m Overnight: Everest Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The drive over the Pang La (5,150m) affords our first views of the north face of Everest (8,848m). From the pass we descend to the village of Phadhruchi, before driving up the Rongbuk Valley to Rongbuk Monastery and unrivalled views of the mountain's north face. At Rongbuk we stay in the small lodge attached to the monastery, which has recently been reconstructed following the excesses of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. Nowadays there are about twenty monks in attendance. Drive: 7-8hrs Altitude: 5,000m Overnight: Rongbuk Guesthouse or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Access to Everest Base Camp used by the famous interwar British expeditions is currently restricted to mountaineers with the necessary permits. That said the view of Everest from the monastery is definitely worth the trip as it dominates the valley carved by the glacier originating from the mountains northern flank. In the afternoon we will commence our drive to Kathmandu, stopping to overnight in the small remote town of Tingri. Drive: 5-6hrs Altitude: 4,300m Overnight: Snow Leopard Guest House or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Continue our drive to Kathmandu. Today we are heading for the border town of Kyirong. Following the 2015 earthquake the former friendship highway was badly damaged resulting in its continued closure. This new route was opened initially to ensure that trade between Nepal and China could continue. In 2017 the border post was opened to tourists allowing for travel along this legendary overland route to recommence. This road is sure to add to the sense of adventure as it traverses parts of both Tibet and Nepal new to tourism. Road conditions along this route are changeable as improvements to the road continue to ensure that it can accommodate the traffic using it. Drive: 4-5hrs Altitude: 4,130m Overnight: Kouan Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today we cross the border into Nepal and complete the final stage of our journey from Lhasa via the Langtang region. It is a fitting conclusion to an epic overland journey and the comfort of the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu will no doubt be welcomed with open arms. Drive: 160km, ~6hrs Altitude: 1,400m Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals: B,L

Today you have a full day at leisure to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square. Drive: N/A Altitude: 1,400m Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will be provided with an airport transfer. Trip concludes.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Airport transfers in Chengdu, Lhasa and Kathmandu
  • Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu
  • Comfortable hotels in Chengdu & Lhasa, best available guesthouses across Tibet
  • Expert bilingual guide
  • Use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag, down or fibre fill jacket and insulated mat
  • Souvenir World Expeditions 80l kit bag
  • Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed in itinerary
  • Private transportation
  • Portable altitude chamber for group use
  • Bottled Oxygen for emergency use
  • Group medical kit

Not included

  • International flights
  • Chengdu-Lhasa flight. Please contact your local World Expeditions office to arrange your flights.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas
  • Meals not included in the daily itinerary
  • Alcoholic and bottled drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, etc
  • Tips

Reviews (7)

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