From the sacred peaks of Tibet to the cultural hub of Kathmandu, explore overland the best of the Himalayas on this 12-day tour. Discover mighty temples and small outposts on a journey that offers incredible vistas at every turn of the trail. Camp in yak hair tents at the base of mighty Everest, and try your hand at making Tibetan momos. This adventure takes you from China through Tibet's incredible mountain scenery and delivers you straight to Kathmandu, Nepal's heart and soul.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Tibetan Cooking Class, Lhasa
Your Local Living Moment: Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent, Everest Base Camp. Orientation walk in Lhasa, Durbar Square. Gyantse, Jokhang Temple Tour. Barkhor Square Orientation Walk. Tibetan Cooking Class. Potala Palace Tour. Sera Monastery Tour. Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum Visit. Tashilhunpo Monastery Visit. Sakya Monastery Visit. Rongbuk Monastery. Everest Viewpoint. Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent. Border crossing to Nepal. Bhaktapur Excursion.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Stay in a Yak hair tent, traditional to nomadic Tibetans, with an incredible view of Mt. Everest, Explore Lhasa and take a tour of the famed Potala Palace, Witness Tibetan Monks debate at the Sera Monestary.
How large will the group be?
Max 15, avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Train, private vehicle, walking, plane.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Nomadic tent (1 night), hotel (10 nights).
Itinerary
Chengdu
Arrive at any time and get settled in. Your China and Tibet adventure kicks off with a welcome briefing with your CEO and fellow travelers. If you're up for a meal, join your CEO for a local dinner after the briefing.
Chengdu/Lhasa
Today begins your journey to Tibet. Board a flight to Lhasa and as you make your way off the plane, you will be greeted by your Tibetan CEO. Grab your bags and head to the hotel and join your CEO for an orientation walk of Lhasa.
Lhasa
Spend the morning with your CEO exploring the Unesco World Heritage site of Jokhang Temple. Walk throughout the complex and take note of the many original pieces still intact from the original construction. Then, continue the tour in Lhasa's oldest district to explore Barkhor Street, an ancient and holy pilgrimage path. Then enjoy free time in the heart of the Tibetan Quarter. We recommend getting some lunch at a local teahouse. In the evening, we'll have a cooking class of traditional Tibetan food and then sit down together to eat what we made.
Lhasa
Start today's adventure with a visit to the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This dzong fortress was the winter palace of Dalai Lamas for over three hundred years. Then in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery and witness the monks at debate. This unique cultural practice allows for a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy and visitors are allowed to observe as per a set schedule.
Lhasa/Gyantse
Set off early this morning for Gyantse. The drive to Gyantse is a spectacular one, crossing three passes over 5,000m (16,404 ft) and skirting the shores of the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdrok Tso. Enjoy a visit to the lake in the morning. Then visit Karola Glacier en route and grab a bite of lunch if you wish in Nagarze. As you make your way from Lhasa to Gyantse, make a few important stops along the way. First, visit Yamdrok Lake, a stunning freshwater blue lake thought to be part of a sacred group of four lakes guarded by a local deity. Then, drive through Karola Pass en route to Karola glacier where you will stop to admire the view of the Tibetan stupa flanked by glacial mountains all around. Arrive to Gyantse and if you have steam left, join your CEO to hike to the Gyantse Fortress for a birds-eye view of the area.
Gyantse/Shigatse
Today provides another opportunity to visit a sacred Tibetan Buddhist site in Gyantse. Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery this morning to admire the many sculptures and paintings lining the walls. See Gyantse Kumbum, the iconic multi-leveled edifice. Then, travel to Shigatse and visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the most culturally significant monasteries in Shigatse. Witness monks going about their day and choose to join in with the kora, a meditative practice.
Shigatse/Sakya
Bid Shigatse farewell and travel onward to Sakya, and visit the Sakya Monastery and Nunnery. Return to the hotel on foot and choose to join your CEO for dinner.
Sakya/Everest Base Camp
Pack an overnight daypack, and depart to make your way towards your overnight near Everest Basecamp. Visit the Rongbuk Monastery on an easy walk. Tonight, spend the night in yak hair tents that allow you to get as close as possible to Basecamp in the hopes of getting glimpses of Mt Everest. Choose to go on additional hikes to the upper monastery with your CEO. Please note that the yak hair tents are closed for the winter (October-Early April). Everest Base Camp area may also close without warning due to bad weather, political issues, natural disasters, etc. If we do not stay in the tented camp, we will stay in a local guesthouse with an incredible view of the Himalayas on a clear day.
Everest Base Camp/Kyirong
Depart Everest and make your way back the way you came to the entrance of the park. Board a private vehicle headed to Kyirong. This border town is known for it's warmer climate and green landscape. Relax and enjoy the view.
Kyirong/Kathmandu
Today, cross the border into Nepal. The overland journey from Tibet to Nepal is considered one of the most stunning drives in Asia. Once across the border, travel to Kathmandu to enjoy a final evening in the city. Prepare for another beautiful driving day on your way to Nepal. Cross high mountain passes amongst fluttering prayer flags, enjoy jaw dropping views of the Himalayan range, stunning lakes and forest, then begin to descend in altitude towards lush, green Nepal. After immigration, cross the bridge joining Tibet and Nepal by foot. Jump in the vehicle and make the winding, bumpy, yet extremely scenic drive to Kathmandu. Kyirong-Rasuwa is the main customs border crossing between Tibet and Nepal, for tourists and for commercial purpose. As such, it can be quite busy and there can be long wait times.
Kathmandu
Join your CEO on a morning exploration of Bhaktapur. A World Heritage Site, Bhaktapur is made up of three large squares filled with shrines, temples and plenty of activity. In its heyday, Bhaktapur was the most powerful of the Kathmandu Valley kingdoms and its capital for 300 years. Return to Kathmandu for the afternoon at leisure. Join your CEO for an optional farewell dinner to your incredible journey through China, Tibet and Nepal.
Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
