3000+ Kilometers of Wonder: Remarkable Experience with Tibet Vista

What a remarkable experience we had with Tibet Vista!

We found this company through internet searches and were immediately impressed with the wide range or different tour options available in Tibet, as well as the long and well-reviewed experience of the company in this region (including the fact that they are Tibet-based).

Four Years in the Making: A Dream Trip to Tibet Finally Comes True

Our story begins back in late 2019, when we originally planned and booked a lengthy overland trip from Chengdu and ending in Kathmandu with Tibet Vista.

China-nepal Friendship Highway via Gawula Pass.

The trip was supposed to occur in the autumn of 2020, and we paid our deposit and then all travel worldwide was suspended, and no one was sure when it would be possible to travel again anywhere, much less Tibet.

We stayed in frequent communication with our contacts at Tibet Vista for all of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 – just checking in and making sure they remembered us and that our deposit would still be valid (it was!).

Finally, we were able to rebook our trip for the fall of 2024 – and were so pleased with the easy process and excellent customer service we received getting all the new plans in place, customizing the itinerary to our needs, and providing us with all the supporting information.

Also they helped us arranged the documentation we needed to secure visas, Tibet permits, etc. I can’t speak highly enough of the booking and customer service staff at Tibet Vista!!!! They are top notch!

Epic Overland Adventure: Chengdu to Lhasa on the Legendary Highway 318

Now as to the trip itself – wow!!! It was truly one of the most interesting and epic journeys we have done. The trip was actually two back-to-back tour itineraries offered by the company.

First, we were picked up in Chengdu in a private van (with just one other traveler with us), and we drove for the next week plus into and through Tibet on the iconic Highway 318.

Chengdu to Tibet overland tour.

There were so many interesting experiences along the way: beautiful landscapes and high mountain passes, fascinating views into Tibetan religion, culture, and people, and insights into history and modern dynamics.

Chengdu to Tibet highway G318 via Nujiang River 72 turns.

The road trip itself was such an adventure – with huge infrastructure projects, ‘challenging’ road conditions, and unexpected encounters everywhere.

Chengdu to Tibet highway G318 via Maoya Grassland.

Local Tibetan house.

The transport and accommodation were excellent, our guide and driver were fantastic, and we always felt safe and comfortable. When we finally pulled into Lhasa, we were so happy we chose take this overland route and experience Tibetan life up close and personal.

From Lhasa to Everest: Temples, Landscapes, and a View to Remember

Once in Lhasa, we picked up our second Tibet Vista tour with a different small group tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu, this time visiting some of the great Tibetan cities, but also Everest Base Camp and driving over the border all the way to Kathmandu.

Potala Palace.

Manla Reservoir.

We were blown away by the amazing temples, architecture and art, and culture we experienced in Lhasa. Then back on the road for more amazing vistas and landscapes as we worked out way down to Shigatse and Gyantse.

The stones with Buddha Statues in the Drepung Monastery.

Watching Monks debate in Sera Monastery.

Visit Yamdrok Lake via Lhasa to Everest Base Camp overland tour.

Karola Glacier.

Finally we arrived at the infamous Everest Base Camp, and after hours of patient watching in the evening and early morning, were eventually rewarded with clear, fantastic views of the Mt. Everest peak! Just gorgeous!

Visit Mt. Everest in Tibet Everest Base Camp.

As with the first segment of our trip, all the logistics (transport, accommodation, food) were excellent, and we also had a wonderful experience with our guide and driver.

Challenges during the Tibet Journey: Tibet Vista’s Support Through the Unexpected

Mostly both segments of our trip went incredibly smoothly, and exactly as planned. We did encounter one very big challenge towards the end of the second trip, however.

Monsoon flooding through Nepal and southern China had unfortunately caused several tragic landslides just as we were beginning our trip, especially on the Nepalese side. This resulted in the closing of the only open land border, with no clear date of reopening the road and border.

As a consequence, everything had to be rescheduled and rearranged in our itinerary so that everyone could get back to Lhasa in order to schedule flights down to Kathmandu or other final destinations.

Tibet Everest Base Camp return Lhasa road.

Main hall of theTashilhunpo Monastery.

Tashilhunpo Monastery Monks.

While this was certainly stressful, and we feared would mean that we would miss out of seeing much of our itinerary, the company was absolutely stellar in making sure we saw everything we had originally planned to, and return us to Lhasa safe and sound.

We (and the other people on the tour) were all able to schedule flights from Lhasa in a timely fashion, and we made our schedule Bhutan connection as well. We would like to thank the company for being so flexible and going the extra mile to make last minute changes.

We are also appreciative that our contact person was able to promptly provide us with all necessary paperwork for our travel insurance claims.

Look forward for a Return Trip to Tibet: We’ll Definitely Be Back!

We would definitely consider booking another Tibet tour with Tibet Vista in the future. There is so much to see in this region and spending only two weeks there is just scratching the surface of what there was to see and experience.

We love the diverse range of tours offered by the company (nature, culture, adventure, etc.) – all at an incredibly reasonable cost, and will definitely be recommending the company to others who are interested in visiting Tibet.