14 Days Hong Kong Chengdu Lhasa EBC Kathmandu Tour

Welcome to Hong Kong, the vibrant and financial hub in Asia!

Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the Hong Kong International Airport and escort you to your hotel.

After you check-in, the rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or explore the surroundings yourself.

Stay overnight in Hong Kong.

After breakfast, you will get to the first stop of today - the floating community of Aberdeen. It is well known for its floating village and floating seafood restaurants. It’s advisable to hire Sampans (small boats) to enjoy the Aberdeen Harbor. Strolling along the Aberdeen Promenade is also a great choice for photographers.

Then, you will move to Repulse Bay, a beautiful beach without bustle and hustle as well as one of the most expensive residential areas in HK.

At sunset, you are about to reach the foot of Victoria Peak and gradually ascend (by tram or hiking) to reach the peak to enjoy the stunning panoramic view of HK harbor from the hill.

Stay overnight in Hong Kong.

Today is free for you until you take the flight from Hong Kong to Chengdu, the Land of Abundance.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, the Land of Abundance, our local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your downtown hotels.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

Insider Tips:
Chengdu has two international airports: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Please make sure to check which airport you're arriving at.

In the morning, drive for about half an hour to Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, the home to giant pandas, where you will catch pandas' feeding time. They are at their most active, both Adults and Babies. There's a wealth of information and a panda museum in this 230- hectare park 10 km (6 miles) north of Chengdu. It takes about 2.5 hours to visit this site.

In the afternoon, we are expected to drive about 2 hours from Chengdu to Leshan to have an overlook at the famous Giant Buddha by boat. The grand Buddha carved out of the cliffs at the confluence of the Dadu, Minjiang and Qingyi Rivers. You will take a sightseeing cruise to the center of the river and face the huge stone Buddha.

Later, we will spend the last night in Chengdu.

Stay overnight in Chengdu.

When you arrive, your guide will greet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport and take you to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River.

After settling into your hotel, take some time to rest and adjust to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, you’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet - Drepung Monastery, which was once the home to over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. Explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you will visit Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, start the overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse, which includes visits to Tibet's most beautiful lake, glacier, and charming Tibetan villages.

First, drive over the Gampala Pass (4790 m) to catch a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa. Continue to explore the lakeshore from various viewpoints, and at the end of the lake, you could visit a local family in the village and have lunch with the locals.

Next, you will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

Then, continue your journey to Gyantse. On the way, you will stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family.

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse. From Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, we will arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

After breakfast, you will head directly to Mount Everest.

First, you will pass Gyatsola Pass (5280m). At Gyatsola Pass viewpoint, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Hidden behind the mountain range, the Everest resembles a budding lotus flower, a captivating sight along the roadside.

Shortly after we enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5198m). At this viewpoint, you will marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Everest at the forefront.

Then , continue driving along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5200m). As you get close to the base camp, the majestic Everest gradually unfolds before you, drawing nearer with each winding turn.

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the colossal white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands towering before you. As the day transitions to dusk, witness the golden hues of the sun casting a warm glow on Everest's northern face.

As night falls, the sparkling Milky Way and the snow-white peak of Mount Everest reveal your final encounter with Everest.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the local village near EBC if the EBC tent hotels are closed during the winter season.

Insider Tips:
1. The visibility of Everest is subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
2. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp close. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

In the morning, before departing from the base camp, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, where nuns and monks live together at 5154 meters above sea level.

Then, you will cross the Himalayas and take a drive to Gyirong at the Sino-Nepal border. Across the 380-kilometer journey, marvel at the evolving scenery - from snow-capped peaks towering over 5000 meters to the lush forests and canyon vistas at around 2800 meters above sea level.

As you pass by Mt. Shishabangma (8027 meters), one of the world’s highest mountains over 8000 meters, you can enjoy a close view of the three main peaks of Shigabangma, as well as the golden glow of Pelku Tso Lake beneath the peaks.

Afterward, the altitude drops dramatically. You’ll be mesmerized by forests, waterfalls, and bottomless canyons as you enter the edge of the Himalayas.

When you arrive in Gyirong Valley, what you will see is the dense forest and the snowy peaks above the forests. In Gyirong town, you can breathe in the abundant oxygen.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your Tibetan guide and driver as our Tibet tour service ends at the Gyirong border.

After crossing the border, you can choose our border transfer service to your hotel in Kathmandu (Optional: 60 USD per person). Alternatively, you can take the public bus from the border to downtown Kathmandu and then take a taxi to your hotel from the downtown bus station.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Nepal Visa Application Tips:
1. You need to prepare a passport-size ID photo with a white background
2. You will pay the Nepal visa fee at the border. Only US dollars in cash are accepted, and not credit cards.

After breakfast, you will visit Durbar Square, the UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases a mix of architectural styles. There are types of temples, palaces, and shrines. You will pay a visit to the Nepalese Royal Palace, the Shiva-Parvati Temple, Makhan Pedestrian Street, the single-wooden temple, and the Kumari Goddess Temple.

Then, Walking through the narrow streets of Patan, you will get a close-up view of some ancient temples and the exquisite ancient wood carvings, metal carvings, and stone carvings on the surrounding buildings, and experience the charm of the "City of Fine Art".

Finally, you will visit Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. Located a the top of a hill in the west of downtown city, it offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. You can walk around the giant Swayambhunath stupa, which is over 40 meters high. While walking between pagodas and temples, you will also see monkeys enjoying their free time here.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Your morning visit starts from Changu Narayan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its exquisite architecture and intricate carvings. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal and houses ancient stone carvings from the 5th century.

Next, you will visit the medieval city of Bhaktapur. From the early 13th century to the 18th century, this small town has been the political, religious, and cultural center of Nepal. This 700-year-old town still retains its medieval charm after hundreds of years. The ancient palaces and temple, together with the local people who live here offer a unique experience of Nepalese town life.

Then, continue your journey to the east of Kathmandu city to visit the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. Situated along the bank of the Bagmati River, the temple is a revered pilgrimage site that hosts rituals, prayers, and cremation ceremonies. Here, you may encounter Baba, also known as Sadhu in Nepal, and experience spiritual energy and religious power.

Finally, you will visit the Boudhanath (Boudha Stupa), the iconic Buddhist monument in Kathmandu. Surrounded by Tibetan Buddhist temples, this majestic Tibetan Buddhist stupa is the center of life for Tibetan Buddhist followers in Nepal.

After today’s excursion, you will get back to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today marks the end of your adventure.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return trip in the future.