17 Days Best Himalayan Sightseeing & Outdoor Adventure from India, Nepal to Tibet

Arrive at the international airport in New Delhi; you will be warmly received by our local Indian guide and get transferred to the hotel. You can relax and explore around for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, we are expected to explore the historical Old and New Delhi. The first stop will be Jama Mosque, one of the largest mosques in India. You may enjoy the stunning architecture and enjoy the crowds for praying, esp. on Friday. Afterwards, you can take rickshaw ride via old Chandni Chowk Bazaar to visit Old Delhi and one of the largest spice markets in Asia.

Then we keep moving to Raj Ghat, the memorial of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. You can enjoy the peace and tranquility while strolling the enchanting garden and monument. Later, we head to New Delhi, built by the British. You will pass the official office and residence of the president of India and visit the iconic India Gate, which is a memorial to patriotic Indian soldiers who died in WWI. Finally, we will cover the Qutub Minar, a magnificent UNESCO world heritage site in New Delhi.

After, dinner we enjoy the cozy ride to Agra for the sunrise in Taj Mahal tomorrow. The drive takes around 3hrs. Our guide will help you check-in in Agra and have a tight sleep for the early rise.

We will have an early rise to enjoy the sunrise at well-known Taj Mahal, believed to be one of the 7 wonders of the world. You may enjoy the spectacular architecture, take some brilliant pictures, and listen to the love story of Shah Jahan and his wife. Later, we drive back to the hotel for breakfast and after check out from the hotel. We manage to explore Agra Fort, the awesome military fort situated downriver from the Taj Mahal. Later, we will drive back to Delhi (3hrs’ ride). You may do some shopping and enjoy the last night in India.

Enjoy our private transfer to New Delhi’s airport and take the morning flight from Delhi to Kathmandu. The non-stop flight normally takes around 1h40m. Then our Nepali guide will be greeting you and transfer you to hotel. The rest of the day is for free exploration.

Start your day by visiting the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square. It’s the Royal Palace square in the city surrounded by ancient buildings from the early 16th century. You can take a glimpse of the house of the virgin goddess and admire exquisite decorations. The intensity of historical items gives a great insight into Nepali culture.

Then continue the tour and hike to the Swayambhunath Pagoda also known as monkey temple, which is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal. You can see many monkeys playing around and walk the kora around Buddha’s eyes and enjoy the great panorama of Kathmandu there.

After lunch, let’s head to Patan City, the second-largest city in the Kathmandu Valley area. Patan City has one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Nepal that dates back to the 12th century and is a great place to explore the Buddhist culture of Nepal. You can explore the exquisitely-made woodwork and statues in Patan Museum and discover the amazing artwork at the Golden Temple, etc. before driving back.

Get transferred to the airport and enjoy a short flight (1h35m) from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The enchanting Phewa lake is expecting you for leisurely boating. Jump in the colorful wooden boat and paddle the boat to the middle of Phewa Lake. You can admire the stunning view of the Fish Tail's Peak reflected in the silver surface of the water against the incredible backdrop of rolling Annapurna Range. As you reach the middle of Phewa Lake, take your time to visit the Barahi temple, a holy Hindu temple.

After lunch beside the lakeshore, follow our local leader to delve into the trailhead leading to the grand World Peace Pagoda atop of Anadu Hill. Though the hike can be strenuous, it offers you a spectacular vantage point for the bird’s-eye view of Pokhara city, Phewa Lake, and great vista of Annapurna Range. Visit the Pagoda, feel the breeze outside, or briefly meditate before the great nature.

Have an early rise and drive to Sarangkot to enjoy the incredible sunrise over the Himalayas. You will get amazed by the beautiful sunline that gradually transforms the peaks of Annapurna Range from snow-white to purple-pink and celestial gold.

Then, let’s head to the paragliding site. Have a brief training for the paragliding and then put on the gears and join the professional coach to fly from Sarangkot to the ground. The thrilling fly and amazing view of Anapurna range mountains view and Fewa lake will make your day.

After lunch, you will get transferred to explore the Old Pokhara. The distinctive Nepali houses, exquisitely-made wood cravings, and peaceful lives of locals, souvenir shops, etc. will give you more ideas of Pokhara. Finally, catch the flight back to Kathmandu.

Enjoy the easy transfer to the airport and take a flight to Lhasa, which is expected to last around 1h30m. Do take the left window seat, you can enjoy stunning bird’s eye view of Mt. Everest while flying past Great Himalayan Range.

Our expert local leader and your friendly drivers have been expecting you at the designated places at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Kindly accept our auspicious white Hada and simply leave your luggage to our driver to take care, then enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa city. Your handful Tibetan guide will help you check-in and remind you of the tour plan the next day. Then enjoy the comfy stay at your hotels in Lhasa for a fresh exploration tomorrow.

After a delightful breakfast in the hotel, you will be exploring the prestigious Jokhang Temple, the most sacred Buddhist site in Lhasa with our local leader. Walk past the prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and move in the dimly-lit rooms; you can hear the constant mumbling of Buddhist chanting and see local Tibetans adding butter oil to the oil lamps. Never miss the chance to worship the life-size statue of 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, you will walk clockwise along the most renowned Barkhor pilgrimage circuit and discover the bustling Barkhor Street that mirrors the past and present of Tibet. Find yourself ravenous? No worries. Let’s delve into the quiet alleys to the teahouse of Tsamkhung Nunnery, a peaceful spiritual haven where great local cuisines are found.

Sit beside a beloved Tibetan granny on a bench chair and enjoy the authentic local sweet tea and Tibetan momos and yak noodle soups, pickled radish, etc; you find yourself getting one step closer to the lives of local Tibetans.

After enjoying the laidback hours at the teahouse, you will enjoy a fabulous cooking class at popular Tibetan Family Kitchen. Choose a specific local dish you find interesting with, then follow your cook to Tromsikhang Market to pick up the ingredients. And get back to Family Kitchen and learn to transform the chosen ingredients into a savory masterpiece.

The highlights would be enjoying the communal feast, including your handiwork, at the rooftop terrace of the Family Kitchen overlooking the Jokhang Temple. Then, get transferred to the epic outdoor musical - Princess Wencheng, a grand feast to eyes. The romance between princess Wencheng and Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and many Tibetan customs will come alive via the dramatic modern choreography.

Today, it’s time to tick off your bucket list by having a selfie with magnificent Potala Palace as the backdrop; the follow the footsteps of your guide to hike the long stairs of impressive Potala Palace for the commanding view of Lhasa city; the UNESCO heritage site perched on the Red hill used to be the winter palace of the generations of Dalai Lama. You will explore the residence of Dalai Lama in White Palace and religious chambers in the Red Palace and gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas, etc.

Shortly after lunch, let’s head to Sera Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelugpa monasteries best-known for its lively monk debate. Sit at the outer perimeter of debate courtyard and watch attentively how monks debate with each other by yelling, slapping of hands, jumping and rolling of Buddhist mala, etc. Though you may not understand what they say, the animated debate scene gives you another side of intriguing Buddhist study in Tibet.

Besides, you may also enjoy exquisite sand mandala and Buddhist scripture printing press and take your time to visit the main assembly hall in this Buddhist academy.

The journey from Lhasa to Shigatse (3900m) would be a feast to your eyes. After 2hrs’ drive, around the bend appears the glittering turquoise Yamdrok Lake; Following the winding road along the holy lake, we will reach Gampala pass (4790 m), where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of Yamdrok with the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m). You may also pet the tamed Tibetan mastiff for a lovely shot.

After passing Nagarze, the massive Karola Glacier comes into sight. Stop briefly to view this incredible land glaciers cascading from the peak, right beside the highway. Then, the continuing journey will take us to Manla Reservoir where you can enjoy the turquoise lake and hang the auspicious prayer flags at Simila Pass (4200m). Soon, the awe-inspiring Gyantse looms ahead. Here we are. Gyantse, the third-largest city connecting Lhasa with Shigatse.

Visit the famous Pelkor Monastery where multiple Tibetan Buddhism schools coexist in a single monastery; climb multi-story Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, the symbol of Gyantse County, for an amazing vista of Gyantse fortress. With more time to spend, you may take a leisurely stroll in the old street nearby. Shortly after one and a half-hour drive, we will finally reach Shigatse(3900m), Tibet’s second-largest city, and the gateway to Mt. Everest.

Have an early start to visit the celebrated Tashilunpo Monastery, home to successive Panchen Lamas; roam over the alleys of this massive Buddhist academy and explore the tremendous golden statue of Future Buddha (26.2m high) and visit the golden stupas of Panchen Lamas and Amitabha Buddha; you may even join the monk’s chanting at assembly hall or quietly watch the monk debate at the courtyard.

Then, we will leave Shigatse for EBC. The long yet exhilarating drive (350km) promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to you. The idyllic farmland scene gradually gives way to the barren land and rolling Himalayan Range.

Feel the adrenaline rush as you follow the dozens of hairpin bends to awe-inspiring Gawu La Pass (5198m), where the top 4 highest peaks along the Himalayas may take your breath away. Stay briefly here for an epic selfie with the giants of the world.

The final leg of the journey will take your past Rongbuk Monastery (5154m) to the tented camp of EBC (5200m) nearby. Enjoy your stay in a traditional yak tent; at night, if you dare to brave the cold, get out of the cozy tent to enjoy the stunning galaxy above the EBC which will make your jaw drop.

HGet up earlier because no one wants to miss out the dramatic spectacle of the sunrise over the summit of Mt. Everest; you will find that you are not alone for the long-awaited sunrise over the world’s highest peak, together with dozens of well-equipped photographers. Do bundle up for the biting wind outside.

Later, stroll to tour the legendary Rongbuk Monastery (5154m), the world’s highest Buddhist site where pious nuns and monks coexist. You will also be awarded a certificate for making it to EBC.

Finally, say farewell to the lofty Mt. Everest through the rear mirror as the tour vehicle takes you back to Shigatse.

Hop on the scenic Tibet train for a swift ride back to Lhasa. The train takes about 2:35hrs and has 3 departures to reach Lhasa from Shigatse. You may have a good rest or wander around in the daytime and board the train in the later afternoon.

The train ride is smooth and comfortable, and takes you along a slightly different route back to the Tibetan capital, giving you great views of the landscapes and the famous Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains and closer encounter with local Tibetan passengers.

Have a tight sleep coz tomorrow we will head to heavenly Namtso Lake.

Have an early rise and pack your camera gears for the exhilarating ride to Namtso Lake(4718m), the world’s highest saline lake; the winding roads take you past enchanting villages around Lhasa Valley; keep heading north, you will be traveling along parts of Tibet train railway. If lucky, you may find yourself traveling abreast with a Tibet train dashing on Tibetan Plateau.

As we approach Damxung, aim your camera for the packs of grazing Tibetan yaks and Tibetan yak tents scattered around the hillside and valley. Before we descend to the shore of Namtso Lake, you may take a glimpse of pristine Namtso from lofty Lagenla Pass(5190m). 

At the Namtso Lake, stroll the heavenly lake, while hearing the cry of gulls (esp. in summer) and marveling at the picture-postcard Namtso Lake against snow-tipped Mt. Nyenchen Thanglha. It’s an utterly surreal experience.

Besides, never miss the photo opportunities with lovely white Yaks or follow your guide to explore Tashi Dor Island nearby, or quietly admire the devoted prostrating Tibetan pilgrims. Cherish the moments for the incredible sunset at Namsto; finally, we feel reluctant to say goodbye to Namtso Lake and head to Damxung. 

The long drive must be tiring. To soothe your nerves, let’s stop by the most famous Yangpachen hot spring on the way back to Lhasa. Soak yourself in the refreshing and mineral-rich hot spring surrounded by lofty peaks. It feels like in heaven.

After the hot spring joy, our journey continues to Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery). Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet; you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibetan funeral site) in the distance.

After a refreshing breakfast, your guide and the driver will be waiting for you for the friendly transfer to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey. The tour ends.