Everest from Tibet - Classic Overland Tour

Everest from Tibet - Classic Overland Tour

Enjoy guided sightseeing and an easy walking tour of World Heritage Sites and other key cultural and spiritual sites in the vibrant and bustling capital of Kathmandu and the surrounding Valley before journeying into Tibet. Explore legendary Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lamas as well as other key sites in Lhasa including revered Jokhang Temple in the heart of Old Lhasa and Barkhor Bazaar, at the heart of the spiritual and social focus in Lhasa. Visit stunning Namtso Lake and travel across the Roof of the World as you drive across the high Tibetan Plateau, crossing high passes with breathtaking panoramic Himalayan views. See majestic isolated ruins, visit ancient monasteries and explore iconic Everest Base Camp from the north side before travelling onwards and crossing back into Nepal. This is a fantastic overland adventure taking you across the Roof of the World, exploring key sites and highlights of this ancient and wonderful land.

Itinerary

• Day 01

  Arrive Kathmandu (1300m).

  Namaste and welcome to Nepal! You'll be met on arrival and greeted by our representative in Kathmandu who will help you with your transfer to your hotel where a short trip briefing is given. Later this evening, enjoy complimentary dinner and cultural dance show at one of the finest traditional local restaurants. Rest and relax overnight at your five star luxury hotel in Kathmandu. 

  
  

  Hotel: 5 star luxury boutique hotel, Varnabas Museum Hotel or similar.

  Meals included: Evening dinner and cultural show.

• Day 02

  Kathmandu - full day guided sightseeing.

  After breakfast, you'll meet your tour guide for a day exploring some of the key sites and highlights of Kathmandu and the Valley. Enjoy time to visit and explore three important and impressive World Heritage Sites today, including Boudhanath (also known as Boudha) stupa, at the centre of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Nepal. Located in a vibrant and bustling area, this sacred site is one of the largest dome stupas in the world, surrounded by monasteries, cafes and handicraft shops, many of them owned by Tibetans, making the area a fascinating place to learn about Tibetan culture.

  
  

  Today we also visit Pashupathinath Temple, one of South Asia’s most sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The holy Bagmati river flows alongside the temple, where devotees take ritual baths and perform cremation ceremonies reminding us of the cycle of life and death. Many shrines, meditation centres and ashrams surround the main temple. Another impressive World Heritage Site is Kathmandu Durbar Square with it's wonderful Kasthamandap Temple and palace square where you'll have a chance to glimpse the Living Goddess Kumari who lives there. Evening at leisure to rest and relax or explore locally.

  
  

  Hotel: 5 star luxury boutique hotel, Varnabas Museum Hotel or similar.

  Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 03

  Kathmandu - half day guided sightseeing.

  After breakfast today, it's time to explore more of Kathmandu and the surrounding Valley. Today we'll visit Swoyambhunath, also known as the “Monkey Temple”, that sits on a hilltop overlooking Kathmandu. A long set of stairs reach the temple complex, where we can see a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism with a large dome of golden stupas surrounded by small Buddha statues, stupas, temples and small handicraft and tea shops. It's an interesting place where we'll mingle with the local people including pilgrims, monks and sellers. There's a small monastery where young monks train and also a museum holding Buddhist relics and scripts and you’ll often see locals celebrating special occasions as well as making their regular prayers and offerings. From here we take a short drive out of Kathamandu city to visit Patan, also known as the City of Fine Arts. Dating back to the 16th century, the historical site of Patan Durbar Square is filled with stunning temples and structures with intricate carvings and ornate façades. This is another important UNESCO World Heritage site and its most prominent attractions include the Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple and the Golden Temple. The ancient palace houses some of the most important museums and cultural centres in Nepal. Returning to central Kathmandu, the rest of your afternoon and evening is at leisure to rest and relax, enjoy the hotel or perhaps explore locally.

  
  

   Hotel: 5 star luxury boutique hotel, Varnabas Museum Hotel or similar. 

  Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 04

  Fly to Lhasa (3,650m).

  This morning you'll be picked up for the drive to the airport and your scenic flight to Lhasa, crossing the mighty Himalayan mountain ranges. On clear days, the views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga and the surrounding peaks, are spectacular. You'll be met by your guide and driver at the airport and begin the 45km drive to the ancient and holy city of Lhasa. Due to the high altitude, we ask that you take the rest of today to rest and acclimatise and over the next few days make sure to take things at an easy pace to allow your body to acclimatise before we travel further and higher across the Tibetan Plateau. Rest of the day is at leisure. 

  
  

  Overnight Lhasa at the 3 star Lhasa Kyichu Hotel or similar or the five star Hotel Shangri-La or similar (as per pricing options in the itinerary). Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 05

  Full day Lhasa.

  During today and tomorrow we’ll take time to explore the heart of Tibet, the holy and forbidden city of Lhasa. 
  

  
  

  After breakfast, your guide will meet you for the short walk to Potala Palace, around 15 minutes from your hotel. Potala Palace is considered one of the great wonders of the world and is held sacred by Tibetans as it is the former residence of successive Dalai Lamas and one of Tibet's most holy pilgrimage sites. A palace was originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, and was believed to have been nine stories high, but around the 9th century it is believed to have been destroyed by a fire. The present Potala Palace was constructed by the great fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century after he became ruler of Tibet. The Potala Palace is divided into two sections, the White Palace (completed in 1653) and Red palace (completed 1694). It has more than one thousand rooms and is thirteen stories high. The White Palace was secular in nature and mainly used for government administration, whilst the Red palace was mainly used for religious functions and still has numerous chapels, including those containing reliquary stupas of the successive Dalai Lamas which are richly decorated in gold, silver and semi-precious stones.  Explore the vast halls and chapels of impressive Potala Palace, former home of the Dali Lamas and an awe inspiring landmark that dominates the skyline over Lhasa. 

  
  

  This afternoon, join the medieval bustle of pilgrims, worshippers, performers and traders in and around Jokhang Temple, the most revered religious structure in Tibet. This is Tibet’s most sacred temple and the main focus of pilgrims from the entire Tibetan plateau. Located at the heart of the ancient town of Lhasa, it was built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo’s Queen Bhrikuti on a site identified by Queen Wencheng. The temple is 3 stories high and is constructed with enormous chapels including the most sacred enshrined statue of Budhha Shakyamuni. Currently around 70 monks live here.  Nearby you'll be able to follow the pilgrimage circuit along the ancient streets of the old town around Barkhor Bazaar.  Ancient Bharkhor Street is the most sacred pilgrimage site in Lhasa and is full of pilgrims from down till dusk. There are four huge prayer flags situated in Bharkhor street which surrounds the Jokhang, known respectively as Gadhen Dharchen in the northeast, Juyak Dharchen in the west, Kelsang Dharchen in the southwest and Shar Kyaring Dharchen in the southeast. This is also the most active market in all of Tibet and here it's possible to purchase traditional Tibetan artifacts, religious implements, antiques, modern goods, books, music, clothing, spices, fresh meat and vegetables. After time to explore, we'll return to the hotel where the rest of your evening is free to rest and relax or perhaps explore the local area. 

  
  

  Overnight Lhasa at the 3 star Lhasa Kyichu Hotel or similar or the five star Hotel Shangri-La or similar (as per pricing options in the itinerary). Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 06

  Lhasa - visit Drepung and Sera monasteries.

  After breakfast, we'll drive to Drepung monastery, around 15 minutes from your hotel.  Enjoy the solemnity of holy Dreprung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world and now the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, founded in 1416 and a place of study for many of the most learned lamas. The monastery is beautifully located on a hilltop around 7Km from the old section of Lhasa city. It has four main colleges with numerous small chapels and house chapels, known as Khangtsen in Tibetan. There are around six hundred monks based here nowadays. 

  
  

  This afternoon, we'll visit Sera and Norbu Lingka. Sera Monastery was founded around the 15th century and is the second largest monastery of Tibet. There are three big colleges with numerous chapels and house chapels. One of the key attractions of visiting here is to watch the monks animatedly debating the Buddhist scriptures as well as seeing the wonderful collection of ancient murals and statues as well as scriptures written in gold powder, wonderful scroll paintings, tapestries and thangkas that can be seen throughout. 

  
  

  We'll continue on to visit Norbu Lingka, the first summer Palace which was founded by the seventh Dalai Lama in the 18th century .The eight Dalai Lama Jampel Gyatso (1758-1804) did more work to develop work Norbulingka, expanding the gardens and creating a lake which can be found south of the new summer Palace. The thirteenth Dalai Lama (1876-1933) was responsible for the three Palaces in the north west corner of the park and the fourteen the Dalai Lama built the new summer Palace in 1956. Nowadays there are just a few monks who take care of the Palace. After returning to your hotel the rest of your day is free to rest, relax, explore locally and maybe make some local purchases of handicrafts or other items.

  
  

  Overnight Lhasa at the 3 star Lhasa Kyichu Hotel or similar or the five star Hotel Shangri-La or similar (as per pricing options in the itinerary). . Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 07

  Drive to Namtso Lake (4750m).

  Today we'll drive to beautiful Namtso Lake, just a few hours drive north of Lhasa. At an altitude of 4750m, this is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tibet. Namtso is a stunning deep turquoise blue salt lake over 70km long and 30km wide, with magnificent views of the surrounding 7000m + snow capped Himalayan peaks. There's a small monastery and also a short (around 1 hour) kora (pilgrimage circuit) path around the lake and you'll often see and be able to join the pilgrims here as they walk the circuit. You can also expect to see yak herders and their yaks along the shores of the lake. On the eastern edge of the Tashi Dor peninsula on the southeastern corner of the lake, there's a bird sanctuary where you can see migratory species. The scenery here really is breathtaking and it's well worth a visit. After time here we'll return to Lhasa where the rest of your day is at leisure to relax and perhaps explore the local area. 

  
  

  Overnight Lhasa at the 3 star Lhasa Kyichu Hotel or similar or the five star Hotel Shangri-La or similar (as per pricing options selected in the itinerary). Meals included: Breakfast

• Day 08

  Drive to Shigatse (3900m).

  Today we leave Lhasa and drive to Shigatse, with stops en route at key sites. It's around 350km and a 6-7 hrs drive today.  We'll leave around 8 am from your hotel and then drive towards Gyantse crossing 3 big mountain passes en route - the Gampa La, Karo La and Simi La respectively. Karo La (5036m) is the highest pass amongst them at over just over 5,000m altitude with beautiful surrouding glaciers. We'll also see the wonderful colours of Yamdrok Lake  from the top of Gampa La pass before we drive along this very picturesque lake and the Karo La glaciers. Arriving into Gyantse around lunch time we'll also visit Palchoe monastery and Kubum Pagoda stupa. After lunch and time to explore, we'll continue on towards Shigatse passing through one of the largest farming areas in Tibet where people grow barley, wheat and different kinds of vegetables.  The rest of your day is free to rest and relax or explore locally. Overnight Shigatse.

  
  

  Overnight at the 3 star Shigatse Xigayangcha Hotel or the 5 star Hilton Hotel or similar, as per pricing options in the itinerary. Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 09

  Drive to Shegar (4,200m).

  This morning we’ll visit Tashilumpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. Tashilumpo lies at the foot of Drolmari, or Tara's Mountain, on the western side of Shigatse. It is one of Tibet's most influential monasteries, founded in 1477 by Gendun Drubpa, the first Dalai Lama. Inside the monastery, the Maitreya Chapel is the tallest building and houses the world’s largest brass statue of Buddha at 26.2 meters (86 feet) high, seated on a 3.8 meter (12 foot) high lotus throne made of gold, brass and precious gems. From here, we'll continue on towards Rongbuk, driving through two big mountain passes, Gyatso La 5,220m and Pang La 5,000m. It's around 240km 5-6 hrs drive today and we'll also pass through some beautiful villages. You'll have your first view of Mount Everest from the foot of Gyatso La pass, ready for your visit to Base Camp tomorrow. Arriving at Shegar, the rest of your evening is free to rest and relax.

  
  

  Overnight at best available local hotel: Tibet Roof of the World Hotel or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. 

• Day 10

  Drive to Rongbuk Monastery (5,000m) via Everest Base Camp (5150m) 100km 4-5 hrs.

  We'll get an early start this morning from Shegar so you can have a fantastic view of the five peaks - Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse and Shisha Pangma. After around two and a half hours drive, we'll reach Rongbuk monastery,  where we'll be staying overnight.  As well as time to explore Rongbuk Monastery – the highest monastery in the world, the key highlight of today is our visit to iconic Everest Base Camp.  This afternoon we'll explore the base camp of the highest peak in the world, a truly amazing and memorable experience where you'll have fantastic close up views. Tonight rest, relax and reflect on the day. 

  
  

  Overnight at best available local accommodation, EBC Rongbuk Monastery Hotel or similar.  Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 11

  Drive to Kyirong town (2,800m).

  It's a long drive today of around 367km and 7 to 8 hours so we'll get a fairly early start around 830am. It's a rough road for around 65km until we reach the  Friendship Highway where Old Dingri is located. Old Dingri is one of the popular places to stop a night in order to view mount Everest especially for those who are unable to visit Everest Base Camp due to problems acclimatising to the altitude. We cross the last high mountain pass after Pekutso. From the top of the pass we can say farewell to the views of the awesome Tibetan Himalayan range including Shisha Pangma mountain which is over 8,000m and popular with climbers. Reaching Kyirong the rest of the day is to rest and relax before we cross back into Nepal tomorrow.

  
  

  Overnight at best available local hotel: Phuntsok Rebsal Hotel or similar. Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 12

  Drive to Sybrubesi border to Dhulikhel (1550m).

  It's a short drive, around 20km to reach the border crossing at Sybrubesi where you'll re-enter Nepal. From here it's around 5 hours drive to reach the peaceful hill station of Dhulikhel.  Dhulikhel lies just off the Arniko Highway to Tibet and is a great place to break the journey before heading back to Kathmandu tomorrow. You'll be staying overnight at the luxury five star Dusit Thani, a tranquil retreat in a beautiful rural setting. Enjoy the wonderful views of the Himalayan range and Kathmandu Valley from the hotel grounds, the infinity pool and your room. Rest and relax in the peaceful surroundings, take in the amazing Himalayan views or perhaps explore the local village and surrounding walking trails.

  
  

  Overnight at the five star luxury Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort. Meals included: breakfast.
  

  
  

• Day 13

  Drive to Kathmandu (1,300m).

  It's a short drive of around one to two hours to reach Kathmandu today. After checking in to your hotel the rest of your day is free to rest, relax, perhaps explore locally or buy any last minute purchases.

  
  

  Overnight at the five star luxury boutique hotel Varnabas Museum Hotel or similar.
  

  Meals included: Breakfast.

• Day 14

  Depart Kathmandu.

  This morning is at leisure until time to check out. When it's time to leave for Tribhuvan International Airport, you'll be transferred around three hours before your departure flight home or onward to your next destination.