11 Days Best Nepal Tibet Overland Tour with Kathmandu, EBC & Lhasa

Welcome to Kathmandu! Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you have the option to apply for a tourist visa on arrival. Our Nepali guide and driver will be waiting for you, ready to transport you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Once you have settled in, you are free to explore the city at your leisure for the rest of the day.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will begin exploring some of the most iconic sites of Kathmandu. First is Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley, and the royal residence for Nepalese rulers until the 19th century. This was also the site for important ceremonies such as the coronation of Nepalese monarchs for centuries. One interesting feature at the south end of Kathmandu Durbar Square is the Kumari Chowk - a gilded cage that holds the Kumari, a young girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother goddess, Durga. This “living goddess” is worshipped during religions festivals and makes public appearances at other times when the appropriate fees are paid to her guards.

From Kathmandu Durbar Square, you will move on to Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple due to the swarms of monkeys that inhabit the area. The Buddhist stupa at Swayambhunath is at least 1,500 years old and may be as many as 2,000 years old. It has a gilded spire and huge white dome located under thousands of multicolored prayer flags, with the spire having four faces of the Buddha looking out in all 4 directions. This religious complex consists of the ancient stupa and a variety of shrines and temples that are revered by both Buddhists and Hindus.

After Swayambhunath, you will travel about 14 kilometers (9 miles) on to the city of Bhaktapur, an ancient village notable for the best preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal and its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone works of art. After exploring Bhaktapur, travel back to Kathmandu for accommodation.

This morning, you will be thrilled to begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to Patan Durbar Square (World Heritage), which is the third Durbar Square in our Kathmandu Valley Tour. Located in Patan (Lalitpur), about 6 kilometers away from Kathmandu, this square is renowned for its ancient architectural masterpieces, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, pagodas, stone, and wood carvings. Like Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square served as the royal palace of the Malla Kings before Prithivi Narayan Shah conquered the Three Malla Kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur in 1769 and consolidated them to found the modern state of Nepal. He also established the capital of Nepal in Kathmandu. Patan is believed to have been established around 2,300 years ago and is the oldest of the three cities that make up the Kathmandu valley.

Then, drive about 6km to Pashupatinath Temple (World Heritage) - a stunning pagoda-style Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This magnificent temple, which dates back to around 400 B.C., is the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal and a must-see for any visitor to the region. The main temple complex at the Bagmati River is only open to Hindus, but non-Hindus can observe from the terraces on the east side of the river. The Bagmati River is Nepal's holiest river for both Hindus and Buddhists. It originates in the Himalayan Mountains, and it is believed that its waters have the power to purify souls. On the banks of the River Bagmati, there is a platform for cremation rites. For generations, families have carried the bodies of their loved ones who have passed away to the river to wash their feet and sprinkle drops of water on their faces. It is believed that the river washes away a person's sins and sends their soul to heaven. The body is then burned along the banks of the river, and the ashes are scattered into the water.

Afterwards, you will head to Boudhanath Stupa (World Heritage), which is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. The first stupa at Boudhanath was built sometime after AD 600 when the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism. Stupas were originally constructed to house holy relics, and some claim that Boudhanath contains the relics of the past Buddha, Kashyapa, while others believe it contains a piece of bone from the historical Buddha's skeleton, Siddhartha Gautama. The construction materials, including soil, bricks, and stones, were transported using elephants, horses, donkeys, and other animals.

The stupa at Boudhanath is a historical pilgrimage site for Buddhists around the world. You can follow the locals and walk in a clockwise direction around the stupa, turning the prayer wheels under the protective gaze of Buddha's eyes. The two eyes on each of the four sides of the stupa symbolize the Buddha's ability to see all. Boudhanath is also an excellent location for taking photos, especially at night when the stupa is illuminated by thousands of butter lamps. There are many shops around the stupa where you can purchase souvenirs, including singing bowls, prayer wheels, and prayer flags.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Altitude: 2700 meters | Distance: 137 km, about 7 hours’ drive

In the morning, you'll be accompanied by a local guide and driver as they pick you up from your hotel in Kathmandu. From there, you'll head towards Syabrubesi, situated near the border on the Nepalese side. As you travel along the winding mountain road, you'll be treated to primitive views of cascading waterfalls, flowing rivers, majestic gorges, and lush forests. You have a chance to view LuangTang National Park.

In this evening, you will stay overnight at a charming local guesthouse in Syabrubesi.

Altitude: 2800 meters | Distance: 40km, about 4-5 hours’ drive

After breakfast, you will be transported to the border for entry into China, where you will be greeted by your local guide and driver on the Chinese side. Upon passing through the Gyirong Border, you will be escorted to Gyirong Town (about 1 hour’s driving), which sits at an altitude of 2800 meters and serves as a vital entry and exit point for travelers moving between China and Nepal, being located on the border between the two countries.

In this afternoon, you have the opportunity to explore the Paba Monastery, established in 637 AD. According to legend, when Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti married Songtsen Gampo and entered Tibet, she brought along three statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, one of which was the statue of Wadisambhava. This statue was placed in Gyirong Town, and the Paba Monastery was erected to house it. After your visit to the monastery, take some time to explore the surrounding area of Gyirong.

Stay overnight in Gyirong Town.

Travel Note:
The Friendship Highway is an 800-kilometre scenic route that connects Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to the Chinese/Nepalese border at the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge between Zhangmu and Kodari. (Note: Currently, the Zhangmu Port is primarily used for freight, while Gyirong Port is used for tourism.)

Altitude: 5200 meters | Distance: 480 km, about 10-11 hours’ drive

On this day, you will be transferred from Gyirong Town to Tingri. Along the way, you will pass by the breathtaking Pelkhu-tso Lake, a stunning cobalt blue lake and the largest in Shigatse, with an elevation of 4590 meters. Mount Shishabangma, regarded as a lucky holy mountain, stands nearby, while Pelkhu-tso Lake is the holy lake, shimmering like a diamond and complementing the mountain's beauty. From Pelkhu-tso, you'll be able to take in the awe-inspiring and majestic view of Mount Shishapangma. It is about 120km from Mount Everest and stands at an elevation of 8,027 meters, making it the 14th highest mountain in the world and the only 8,000-meter peak that lies entirely within Tibet.

Then, continue your drive to Mount Everest Base Camp, the highlight of today's trip. On the way, you will enjoy the beautiful and unique scenery of the pass, including incredibly snow-capped mountain ranges, blue skies, floating high clouds, and endless grasslands. You will finally arrive at Rongbuk Monastery for the first good view of Mt. Everest. At an altitude of 5,154m, Rongbuk Monastery is the world's highest monastery and a must-visit for spiritual travelers. It is also photo-worthy. It used to be an area of meditation huts, and you can find hermitage meditation caves with a history of over 400 years, dotting the cliff walls all around the monastery and the valley. Along with brilliant Mt. Everest views, at Rongbuk Monastery, you will be touched by the breathtaking scenery, such as large white chortens, piles of mani stones, colorful prayer flags, and devout pilgrims passing by. After visiting EBC, make a stop at Gyawula Pass (5200m) where you can marvel at Mount Everest and other high peaks in the distance. You'll be amazed by the winding road that seems to go on forever.

In this evening, you will accommodate in Tingri.

Altitude: 4000 meters | Distance: 280 km, about 7 hours’ drive

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Tingri to Shigatse. During the journey, you will visit the 5000m G318 National Highway Milestone in Lhatse. Upon your early afternoon arrival in Shigatse, you will pay a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery. Founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drup in 1447, Tashilunpo Monastery is the largest monastery in Tsang Area of Tibet. In Tashilhunpo Monastery, you can visit the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, Tibet's second-highest incarnation. Pay a visit to the ancient tombs of the fourth and tenth Panchen Lama, as well as the chortens, which hold the bones and remains of the sacred Tibetan lamas. Learn more from your guide about Panchen Lamas and Dalai Lamas while appreciating the brilliant religious painting on Tibetan architecture, listening to the Tibetan Buddhism chanting by local monks, and even participating in the kora like locals. Don’t forget to hike up to the top of the monastery for a stunning bird’s eye view of the monastery itself and Shigatse City.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Altitude: 4000 meters | Distance: 280 km, about 7 hours’ drive

In this morning, you will be taken from your hotel in Shigatse to Gyantse to first visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. Pelkor Monastery (Palcho Monastery) is an important site for Tibetan Buddhism, as it houses different sects including the Gelug, Sakyapa, and Kadampa. Pelkor Monastery, with a history over 600 years, is also renowned for its impressive architecture, which blends Tibetan, Nepalese, and Han Chinese styles. One of the main attractions of Pelkor Monastery is the Kumbum Stupa (Gyangtse Kumpum), which is a nine-story tower adorned with thousands of images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It is said to be the largest such structure in Tibet. Visitors can enjoy their time by witnessing the daily rituals and prayers of the monks, and have a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape from the top of the Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda). You can also catch the far view of Gyantse Fortress (Gyantse Dzong).

In the afternoon, you’ll be driven 280km to Lhasa, and you will pass over the Karola Pass (5010m) and Kambala Pass (4794m). While driving, you will see the beautiful Karola Glacier, Yamdrok Lake and Brahmaputra River and finally reach Lhasa. Visit one of the most beautiful glaciers in Tibet - Karola Glacier, the filming location of the movie "Red Valley" (Hong He Gu). As one of Tibet's three major continental glaciers, backed by the southern slope of Naiqin Kangsang Peak (7,191 meters), one of the four highest peaks in Tibet, this white glacier is also the source of the eastern part of the Nianchu River. The Karola Glacier (5,012m) is only 300 meters away from the highway connecting Lhasa to Gyantse town, and you can view it right from your vehicle. You can also easily walk to the foot of the charming glacier, which has a shape like a frozen waterfall right above the road and you. Besides the fantastic hike to the Karola Glacier, on the opposite side of the road, you can appreciate the beautiful snow-capped mountain of Mt Kalurong.

After that, you'll have a breathtaking view of Yamdrok Lake, a freshwater lake down below, as well as spectacular views of the holy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. It is one of the four largest sacred lakes in Tibet, along with Lhamo Latso Lake, Manasarovar Lake, and Namtso Lake. Yamdrok Lake offers stunning views of the Tibetan plateau and is said to be able to help Tibetans find the reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama.

After the tour, drive back to Lhasa and accommodate here.

Altitude: 3650m

Today you will explore Lhasa for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and experience the daily kora life of Tibetans.

In the morning, you can walk up to the Potala Palace to explore. Not only is it the landmark of Tibet, but it is also the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). After climbing 365 steps from the gate of the Potala Palace to reach the Red Palace, you will arrive at the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m, where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Lhasa city. As you explore the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be amazed and moved by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace, you will meet many Tibetan pilgrims who come from afar to pray at this sacred site, making it a lifetime destination for them. You can also ask your guide to provide more stories about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first built the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. Please note that the visit order may be adjusted based on the visiting time specified on your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors are required to visit the palace with a tour group and remain inside for one hour. Please be advised that photography is prohibited inside the palace.

After exploring the Potala Palace Museum, move to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet and a world cultural heritage site. It is said that the Jokhang Monastery is built for King Songtsen Gampo's two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Bhrikuti. "Jokhang" means "House of Buddha", it houses the statue of the life-size 12-year-old Sakyamuni which is the treasure of the Buddhism world. That is why Buddhist pilgrims take it as the holiest destination. The time seems to stand still when you watch them pray in front of the temple during the day and night.

Afterward, take a walk on busy Barkhor Street near the Jokhang Monastery, which was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) in ancient times. Nowadays, it has become a thriving local market where you can drink a pot of yak butter tea, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

Altitude: 3650m

Today you will enjoy the culture tour of Lhasa via a visit to two of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, the Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

In the morning, drive about 35min (12km) to visit Drepung Monastery which was the largest Tibetan monastery (Gelug Sect, Yellow Hat) in Lhasa. It used to be Dalai Lama’s palace before he moved to the Potala Palace in the 17th century. Now it is famous for Drepung Shoton Festival held each August, people come to offer yogurt to the monks who finished the 100 days’ meditation while enjoying the grandest Buddha (thangka) unfolding ceremony. Besides the unique architecture and amazing buildings, you can watch monks debating in Tibetan Buddhism vibrant and active with expansive gestures, clapping, and stamping. After Drepung Temple, you will have about a 2-hour Tibetan culture tour, which includes an introduction, Tibetan incense making, and block printing.

In the afternoon, drive another 40min (14km) to visit Sera Monastery. Step on one of the most beautiful monastery compounds, and its white stone roads and walkways makes you feel almost Mediterranean. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watch the monks’ debate at around 15:00 - 17:00 (except Sundays). It is an interesting form of debate, you can see one monk, the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers, sitting. The standing monk will ask question and slap his palms and stomp, each action has its special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive.

After that, be escorted back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Altitude: 3650m | Distance: 100km，about 1.5 hours’ drive

It is time to end your 11-day Nepal Tibet overland tour. You will have some free time in Lhasa and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or train to your next destination.

Extension Ideas: If you prefer to travel longer in Tibet, you can extend your trip to other highlighted parts of Tibet, including Namtso Lake, Mount Kailash and Ancient Guge Kingdom. Tell us your likes.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Asia tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!