7 Nights 8 Days Overland Tibet Tour

Trip Facts

  • Duration 8 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Destination Tibet
  • Transportation Flight/Car/Jeep/Van/Bus
  • Activity Cultural and Historical Tours
  • Best Season March - May and Sept -November
  • Group Size Mini 2, Max 12 Peiple
  • Trip Start/End Kathmandu
  • Max Altitude 3950m

Highlights

  • The amazing city of Lhasa
  • Potala Palace, the former residence of Dalai Lama
  • Explore Buddhist monasteries
  • Visit Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier
  • Drive through splendid Tibetan landscapes
  • Visit two of three great Gelug university Gompas of Tibet
  • Jokhang Temple, the most important and sacred temple in Tibet
  • Khumbu Stupa, a three-dimensional mandala
  • View of the Yamdrok Lake and Kharola Glacier
  • Explore the Tashilhunpo Monastery

 7 Nights 8 Days Overland Tibet Tour Overview 

Trans Himalayan overland tour is truly an amazing tour. It is, in fact, an experience of a lifetime. It gives us an opportunity to view the natural beauty along with its rich culture and history from a different perspective. This tour starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Zhangmu and then to Naylam, passing through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. Then the drive uphill takes us towards the highest plateau of the world amidst the unique landscapes, which gives us the feeling of standing on the roof of the world.

The scenic drive will pass from the sand dunes along the Brahmaputra basin through high and adventurous passes ornamented with colorful prayer flags floating along with the high winds against the stone cairns, to the beautiful cobalt blue salt lakes of Namtso. This tour will take you through an ancient trail alive with color, ritual, and history. The unique cultures and traditions of the Tibetans Monpas, Lhopas, and Moslems and they're larger than the lifestyle of exciting celebrations that we will encounter on the way to keep us astonished and mystified throughout the journey.

Passing through the breathtaking Himalayan vistas dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau, the continuous scenic drive will lead us to the beautiful Lhasa city where we can immerse ourselves in the grandness of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung, and Sera monasteries and many other rich cultural heritages. So if you are looking forward to an opportunity to immerse yourself in the enchantment of Tibet in a different way, this is the perfect choice for you. 

Itinerary

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We enjoy an early morning drive through typical Nepalese rural landscapes (Approx. 5 hours) from Kathmandu to Kodari (1,873m/6,140ft). After completing immigration and custom formalities we cruise up the hill to Zhangmu (2,300m/75,44ft). This is a Tibetan border town. The Tibetan Guide will meet the group on arrival at the check post and we drive on further road climbs and climb up to Kerung for an overnight. On the way, you will have fantastic views of deep valleys with some lovely overflowing waterfalls.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude1300m

This is a day drive to the highest plateau in the world with typical rural landscapes offering the utter feeling of being on the roof of the world as we cross over the 5,050 meters LA LUNGA pass, from where you can view the breathtaking mountain range of Mt. Cho Oyu at (8,201m) Mt. Xishapangma (8,012m) dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau (these views are only possible if weather permits). One can also get a magnificent view of Mt. Everest at (8,848m) from Tingri/ Lhatse.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude4350m

To reach Xigatse, the point of the famous Tashilunpo Monastery and the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989, with its huge Thangka wall which is clearly visible from the north side of the road. Our scenic drive through the highest point of Gyatchu La pass at (5,220m) brings us en-route to Lhasa via Lhatse.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3900m

After breakfast, we enjoy morning sightseeing of the Panchen Lama’s Tashilunpo Monastery & the free bazaar of Xigatse. We then drive through Tibet’s biggest Agricultural fields to Gyantse and visit the Khumbu Stupa and Phalkot Monastery.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3,950m

The drive to Lhasa takes around 08 hours, crossing 2 passes, the Karo La (5010m) and Khamba La (4794m) pass and Lake Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake). You will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river and see far-off views of the Potala Palace.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3650m

After checking into our hotel & refreshing with some snacks, our foremost tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts us to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. An adventurous and exciting tempo builds up as we tour the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site that unravels more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Our visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city taking in every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchasing their goods which is an exhibition of Tibetan culture, customs, and traditions. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel for a well-earned rest.

  • AccommodationHoel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Max. Altitude3650m

Today you are free; you can do your own things or contact us to extend your trip. However, if you would like to fly out from Lhasa to Kathmandu or any other city in mainland China, we can manage the air or train tickets for you in advance. We make an early morning drive to Gonggar airport for our departure flight to Katmandu or to your onward destination home sweet home.

  • MealsBreakfast

Note: Your safety is of the utmost concern whilst you are traveling with Adventure Club Trek. We will make every effort possible to follow the original itinerary but we reserve the right to change that itinerary if a segment of it becomes a safety issue. Certain mountain regions are remote, natural disasters can happen, weather conditions can decline and there can be illnesses or an injury. To avoid dangerous situations we may occasionally have to make changes to the itinerary to ensure everyone’s safety. That having been said, Adventure Club Trek will strive to provide you with the best possible Tibet Tours and Trekking experience and to keep your safety our number one priority. We thank you for your understanding.

Cost Details

Price Includes

  • All airport/ hotel /airport transfers on a private tourist vehicle.
  • All Land transfer by Land Cruiser up to 4 people and comfortable Van for above 4 people.
  • Transfer by comfortable coaster/tourist bus from Kathmandu to Tibet border.
  • Accommodation in standard hotels and guesthouses on bb basis.
  • Assistance in acquiring a Chinese visa. 
  • All necessary Tibet travel permits.
  • Lhasa - Kathmandu airfare and airport departure tax.
  • English- speaking, trained and experienced Tibetan guide.
  • All fees for sightseeing and visits to monasteries as outlined in the itinerary.
  • All applicable taxes and service charges.

Price Excludes

  • Nepal entry Visa fee
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu
  • Chinese visa fee
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Train ticket from China to Lhasa
  • Any emergency evacuations

Useful Info

Visa Information

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

  • All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 month's valid passport
  • Passport - valid for 6 months
  • Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)
  • Group Visa — entry from Nepal to Tibet after Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.
  • Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for a group visa (if a visa is in the passport)
  • Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.
  • A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:
  • Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to the movement to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.
  • Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

Weather Information

The weather in Tibet is similar to that of Mainland China, though with lower temperatures due to higher altitudes. Summers have warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights, but summer days can even be chilly at higher elevations. Winters are cold but there isn't all that much snow. Lhasa enjoys a lot of sunshine even in winter. Most Tibet experiences frost at least 6 months of the year. Some high lakes are frozen from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. Lhasa is an ideal destination because it is in a valley area of lower elevation.

Safety Guidelines

We recommend you to go through our following safety guidelines and stay tuned with the latest happenings.

  • Have at least 2 copies of the Tibet Permit.
  • Keep your belongings properly.
  • When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have any troubles, report to train staff promptly.
  • Never rush to visit attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa.
  • Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.
  • Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.
  • Spend a few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when traveling to higher places to avoid altitude sickness.
  • Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.
  • Respect the religion, and customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.
  • Pay special attention to the unique alpine climates (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)
  • Keep the necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.
  • Never travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.
  • In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and small changes.
  • If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.
  • Don’t carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or feel Tibet.
  • We also recommend not carrying any guidebook to Tibet.

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