7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour

Day 1 Arrive in Lhasa by flight or train [3658m]

You will be greeted by your Tibetan guide once you arrive in Lhasa Gonggar airport or train station. From airport to Lhasa city is 68km, around one hour and half drive will take you to the holy city Lhasa; from the train station it is only 15km and takes 20 minutes by drive. Afternoon, have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing

Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Jokhang Temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was built in 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa. The circuit around the Jokhang called Barkhor Street is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Afterwards stroll on the narrow streets of Lhasa old town to meet local people and visit their markets. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 3 Lhasa Sightseeing

About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung Monastery, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Drepung is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera Monastery. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4 Lhasa / Gyantse [3980m] / Shigatse [3840m], 360km, 6-7hrs drive

Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise colored Lake Yamdrok Tso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier from Karo la pass are the wonders of the day. Then along the Friendship southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon, drive to Shigatse. Overnight in Shigatse.

Day 5 Shigatse [3840m] / New Tingri / Rongbuk [4900m], 350km, 7hrs drive

In the morning, we will visit the largest monastery in west Tibet, the Tashilunpo Monastery, which is also the home of Panchen Lama. Then drive westwards the Friendship way to New Tingri via Gyatso La pass 5248m, which gives you distance view of Himalayan range. When we reach E.B.C (Everest Base Camp), If it is in clear weather, we can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which are 8000m high or more. Overnight in Rongphu Monastery Tent or Guest House.

Day 6 Rongbuk / Old Tingri / Zhangmu [2300m], 280km, 6hrs drive

Sunrise at E.B.C is most popular picture spot in Tibet, If you are lucky, you will see sunrise at E.B.C. You can hike from the Tent guesthouses community to E.B.C, it will take you about 2 hours (6km) or you can take the dedicated minibus (In winter season our driver will drive you up to Base Camp). Afterward drive to Zhangmu via Old Tingri & Nyalam, cross Thongla pass [5120m], savor the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma [8020m], Cho Oyu [8201m], Menlungtse and Gauri, the road driving over the pass of Tongla is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks and it is like a road to the sky. Overnight in Zhangmu.

Day 7 Clear Customs & end the trip

Tips: After you cross the "Friendship Bridge" and enter Nepal, you need clear customs at the Nepal Immigration office. If you don’t have your Nepalese visa you can apply at the same time, normally the fee is 35 USD for the single entry visa which is valid for 15 days, 45USD for 30 days and 100USD for 90 days. To apply for the Nepalese visa, you will need to have one passport photo. After the immigration process, you can start your journey to Kathmandu. Outside of the Immigration office, there are lots of taxis or buses waiting for the passengers to Kathmandu, you can take a car with other passengers at a price about 600-900RS (about 15-20USD) each person.