14 Days Germany to Tibet Tour with Epic Overland Experience from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our local guide will greet you at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to your hotel.

After checking in at the hotel, you can take a good rest to relieve the fatigue of the long-distance flight from Germany to Nepal or take a stroll around the surrounding areas.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Insider Tips:
1. The international flight from Germany to Kathmandu is suggested to be booked by yourself.
2. Our local guide will confirm the time with you to get to our Kathmandu office for the Chinese Group Visa application. You need to provide the original passport and pay the visa fee & service fee.
3. It usually takes 4 working days to obtain the Group Visa. We ensure you receive the Group Visa on time before departing for Tibet.

• Patan Durbar Square
• Enjoy the local cuisine in Kathmandu

After breakfast, you’ll first 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 at 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.

• Durbar square in Patan City
• Swayambhunath stupa is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu valley.

In the morning, you will continue to explore the highlights of Kathmandu Valley. After breakfast, you will first visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal.

Then, you’ll go for a walk to see the huge stupa of Buddha, also known as Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal.

Afterward, you’ll take a ride to Bhaktapur, a fascinating town, to visit Bhaktapur's Durbar Square which features the Victorian illustrations style with temples and temples complex.

After the half-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley, you’ll keep the route connecting to Nagarkot. The rest of the day is free for you. You can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayan Ranges from the village.

Stay overnight in Nagarkot.

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an assortment of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood.
• Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important Hindu temple in Nepal.

Get up early today to enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas (weather permitting).

After breakfast, you’ll take a scenic drive to Pokhara. It takes around 4 hours to reach Pokhara.

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy boating at Phewa Lake with an incredible reflection of Machhapuchhare and visit Barahi temple at the center of Phewa Lake. 

Stay overnight in Pokhara.

• In clear weather the Himalaya range can be seen in Nagarkot.
• Breathtaking scenery of sunset at fewa lake.

In the early morning, you will get to Sarangkot Hill for the stunning sunrise of the Himalayan Ranges (weather permitting).

After breakfast, you will visit David’s Fall, Mahadev Cave, and Seti River George.

Then, enjoy a Buddha Shanti Stupa hiking in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Pokhara. 

• You can also see the wonderful Annapurna panorama forms a superb backdrop to Pokhara from the lake.
• Mahendra cave

After breakfast, you will take a 6-hour drive back to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will get the Group Visa for your following trip to Tibet. The rest day is free for you.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

In the morning, you will take a 7-hour drive from downtown Kathmandu to Rasuwa Gadi, the small town at the Sino-Nepal border. Along the way, you will see magnificent snow-capped mountains at the southern foot of the Himalayas, covered by vast forest towering into the clouds.

When pass through Langtang National Park, you will go through a very bumpy road section, with the vehicle swinging on the muddy road. But the exciting thing is that you may encounter some interesting wild animals on the way.

Upon arrival in Rasuwa Gadi, check in at your hotel and have a good rest.

Stay overnight in Rasuwa Gadi.

• Passing through the Langtang National Park while overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa
• Admire magnificent snow-capped mountains at the southern foot of the Himalayas

After breakfast, you’ll take a 15-km drive to the border and enter China via the Gyirong border. Our Tibetan guide will meet you at Gyirong side and take you to Gyirong town within a 1-hour drive.

Upon arrival, you will explore Gyirong Valley described by British explorer Howard-Bury as the most beautiful valley in the world in his book 'Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance'.

Here, you can visit the Sherpa villages and admire dense forests, serene villages, and beautiful snow peaks above the woods.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

• You will be transferred to Gyirong Port.
• Immersed in the local way of life here in Gyirong Valley.

After breakfast, you’ll leave Gyirong and drive 380 kilometers to Everest Base Camp. En route, you will cross the Kong Tang Lamu Pass at an altitude of 5236 meters. The landscapes will change from the lower Himalayan valleys to the Tibetan Plateau.

When passing by Mt. Shishabangma (8027m) and Pelku Tso Lake at its foot, you will be shocked by the tranquil and peaceful beauty.

After that, you will enter the Mount Everest area. When passing through the world's most beautiful Everest viewing platform - Gawula Pass (5198m), you will see five peaks above 8000 meters in the Himalayas lined up. The world-famous Mount Everest stands among them, and beneath the peaks is the churning sea of clouds.

Later, you will arrive at Everest Base Camp (5000m), which is the second observation deck of Mount Everest. Here, you'll admire the world's highest peak from the foot of Mount Everest's North Slope and visit the world's highest temple, Rongbuk Monastery (5154m).

After visiting Everest Base Camp, we will continue our journey to Tingri (4300m).

Stay overnight in Tingri.

Insider Tips:
Since today’s itinerary rises sharply from low altitude to over 5000 meters, in order to ensure your travel safety and avoid altitude sickness, we choose to spend the night in Tingri County (4300m) instead of Everest Base Camp (5000m).

• Rongbuk Monastery, the higest monastery in the world
• Take a life-time trip to Everest Base Camp with local guide

Start the journey to Shigatse in the morning, you will first visit the 5000m G318 National Highway milestone in Lhatse on the way.

After your arrive in Shigatse in the early afternoon, you will visit the seat of Panchen Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. The grand and magnificent halls of the largest local monastery occupy the entire hillside. This is the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha.

Stay overnight in Shigatse (3900m).

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama
• Yarlung Tsangpo River in autumn

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

After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse and visit the Perklor Monastery and Kumbum stupa.

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.

After that, drive to Yamdrok Lake, one of the ‘top three holy lakes’ in Tibet. The Yamdrok Lake, at 4400 meters above sea level, is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains. In the distance, you can have spectacular views of the 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.

After a leisurely visit to Yamdrok Lake, continue your journey to Lhasa. Finally, you will arrive in Lhasa. After checking in at your hotel, allow yourself a well-deserved rest following today’s lengthy journey.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Yamdrok Lake at Gampala Pass, where you can get a marvelous bird's-eye view of the lake.
• The Karola Glacier is so close that you will appreciate a spectacular view of the white glacier contrasted with blue sky.

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.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

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.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Today marks the end of your Nepal Tibet tour.

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

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

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.