10 Days Kunming Shangri-La Lhasa Kathmandu Tour

After you land in Kunming by flight, our local travel expert will be expecting you at the exit gate of the Kunming Changshui Airport and whisk you off to the hotel in downtown Kunming.

Travel Options: If you arrive early in the daytime and wanna explore Kunming, you can Yunnan Minority Village, which gives a glimpse of the diverse minorities in Yunnan and their cultures, costumes, and customs.

Stay overnight in Kunming

Highlights:

Wander through Shilin Karst's stones, such as Ashima stone, etc.

Explore the Golden Temple and picturesque Green Lake.

Soak up the local vibes in Flower and Bird Market.

In the morning, drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. There is a local saying: It is a waste of time not to visit the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming. The quintessential karst landscape makes every tourist lost in wonder.

After lunch, drive back to Kunming and visit the Golden Temple. And then, take a leisurely stroll along Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings. After, visit the Flower and Bird Market in the downtown.

Stay overnight in Kunming

Highlights:

Explore the Tibetan murals, Thangkas, and ornate Buddhist statues in Sumtseling Monastery.

Take photos of Sumtseling Monastery surrounded by the serene Lamuyangcuo Lake.

Enjoy birding at the enchanting Napa Hai Lake Nature Reserve and the pastoral scenery.

In the morning, board the morning flight from Kunming Changshui International Airport to Shangri-la Airport. The flight takes 1hr 20min. Shangri La is a crucial hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road from Yunnan to Tibet.

Upon your arrival, visit the Sumsanling Monastery created by the fifth Dalai Lama in 1679 and characterized by its Han-Chinese and Tibetan construction style. The mural paintings and woodcarvings in the monastery are quite fine.

In the afternoon, walk to Napahai Lake Nature Preserve located 8km to the northwest of the Shangri-la and surrounded by mountains in three directions.

Stay overnight in Shangri La

In the morning, you may have some time to freely explore the Shangri La Dukezong Ancient Town where you can shop for some intriguing souvenirs and roam over the ancient architecture with locals dressed in their traditional costumes passing by.

After lunch, get transferred to Shangri-la Airport to board the flight to Lhasa. The flight takes about 2h20min. Our welcoming local Tibetan guide will be expecting you with auspicious white Hada at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport and later whisk you off to the hotel in downtown Lhasa.

En route, you may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the longest and largest river in Tibet, and the Lhasa River. After check-in, have a good sleep to acclimate to the altitude and unwind in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Highlights:

Scenic hike in the Drepung Monastery (3,800m).

Watch the fiery monk debate in Sera Monastery (3,700m).

Awake to a day of brilliant sunshine. Let’s head to Drepung Monastery for a 3km leisurely hike/kora. The Drepung Monastery is one of the great three Geluga monasteries founded by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Chöje.

As you follow the pilgrim route towards Loseling College, you will see the iconic huge rock paintings depicting the Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Geluga Sect, and Buddhist mantras.

You can gather junipers and burn them as an offering to Buddha, drink refreshing mountain springs, or meditate alongside the local pilgrims beneath the rock face. At the mountaintop, the sweeping view of the enchanting Lhasa Valley will take your breath away.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand Mandala and admire Buddhist paintings.

The biggest highlight is to watch the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Highlights:

Explore the secret chambers of Dalai Lamas and tons of treasures in Potala Place(3,700m).

Worship the life-size statue of Buddha Sakyamuni in Jokhang Temple (3,650m).

Experience the holy Barkhor Kora with local pilgrims.

Start your day with a visit to the fortress-like Potala Palace, an architectural marvel, and the winter palace of Dalai Lamas.

You can explore the Dalai Lama’s living quarters, and ceremonial hall, and marvel at gilded buddhas, intricate mandalas, and jewel-encrusted tombs of generations of Dalai Lamas, and enjoy the panoramic view of Lhasa city atop Red Palace.

Next, roam over the Zhongjiao Lukang Park nearby and view the Potala Palace from behind where you can take a glimpse of how locals spend their day lives, such as enjoying Guozhuang/circle dance, paddle boat in the pool, etc.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous Barkhor circuit/kora and unwind in a local teahouse to savor local obsessions,i.g. sweet tea, Tibetan noodles, Tibetan momos, Sha Phaley, or roam over the backstreet of Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Highlights:

Admire the panoramic view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake (4,441m) at Gangbala Pass (4,998m).

Savor the local Tibetan cuisines in a local family.

Enjoy the Karola Glacier and hang prayer flags at Simila Mount Pass (4,353m).

Marvel at the vista of the Gyantse Dzong fortress.

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.

Highlights:

Marvel at the highest peaks of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass.

Admire the sunset of Mt. Everest at EBC if the weather permits.

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. This is your second glimpse of Everest.

Then we drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200m). As you get close to the base camp, the majestic Everest gradually unfolds before you, drawing nearer with each winding turn. This marks your third view of Everest.

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—your fourth view.

As night falls, the sparkling Milky Way and the snow-white peak of Mount Everest reveal your fifth and 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 Rongbuk guesthouses or Zhaxizong village (4,200m) near EBC.

Highlights:

Explore the Rongbuk Monastery (5,154m), the world’s highest monastery.

Enjoy the stunning vista of Pelku Tso Lake (4,590m) and Mt. Shishabangma (8,027m).

Today, you will reach Gyirong Border, witnessing the breathtaking landscapes changing from 5200 meters to 2800 meters above sea level.

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.

We will say goodbye to Tibet here.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your Tibetan tour guide and driver. Our Nepali staff at the Nepal border port will warmly welcome you, assist you in applying for a Nepal visa, and be responsible for carrying large luggage (at your own expense). We ensure a safe transfer for you to your hotel in Kathmandu with Tibet Vista’s vehicle.

Tour service ends.

Insider Tips:

1. The cost of the border transfer service is not included in the package price and requires an additional fee of 60 USD per person.

2. There are public transportation options from the border to Kathmandu, costing approximately 30 USD per person. Alternatively, you can take public transportation to the downtown bus station and then proceed to your downtown hotel by taxi.