9 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour with EBC

Our driver will pick you up in your hotel during 9:00-9:30 am. Then we will drive to China Tibet border. While driving near Mt.Himalaya, you can see the deep gorges, snow-capped mountain on the way. We will also drive across the LuangTang National Park.

Stay overnight in local guesthouse

After breakfast, we will drive 15km to the border to enter China. You will meet our guide in China side. Then we will drive 1 hour to Kyirong (2800m) where is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains and dense forests. In the afternoon, you take a stroll to visit Paba Temple (2850m), a Gelugpa temple built by Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo at the proposal of his wife Nepali princess Bhrikuti. The Nepali style temple with delicate murals is only within minutes’ walk from your hotel.

Stay overnight in Gyirong

Today, we will first drive to pass through Peikutso Lake and grassland. Then we continue to drive to Everest Base Camp. On the way, you can view the splendid panoramic Himalaya Mountain Range at Gyawula Pass (5200m).

Stay overnight at Rongphu Monastery (Tent or Guest House).

In the morning, you can see the sun rise on the top of Mt Everest, and have a full view the magnificent Mt. Everest standing like a snow-capped pyramid in front of you at Rongpuk, which is the vantage point for watching Mt. Everest.

After base camp, you can visit Rongphu Monastery which is the highest monastery in the world (5000m) and belongs to Nyingma sect.

After noon, drive back on that same bumpy road to reachTingri on Friendship Highway and move to Sakya.

Stay overnight in Sakya.

Today you visit Sakya Monastery founded in 1073 by KhonKunchokGyalpo. It is the principal monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Sakya was once recommended to be listed to World Heritage List in 90’s and was known for its huge collection of Buddhist scriptures and of vivid and artistically amazing murals.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we drive 90km to Gyantse, an ancient county between Shigatse and Lhasa, which boasts a variety of important cultural and historical sites – Palkhor Chode monastery (Gyantse Kumbum) and Gyantse Dzong. The Gyantse Kumbum is commissioned by a Gyantse prince in 1427, the 35m-high chörten, with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome, is awe-inspiring. Also you can explore the real Tibet town in Gyantse.

In the afternoon, we drive 280km to Lhasa, and we will pass over the Karo la Pass (5010m) and Kambala Pass (4794m). While driving you will see the beautiful Karo la Glacier, Yamdrotso Lake (Truquoise Lake) and Brahmaputra River and finally reach Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will visit the Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It is started since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The Palace contains the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After lunch, we head to Jokhang temple, founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism. Around the temple Barkhor street where you can do kora( circle religious sites) with pilgrims and locals, and you can buy the souvenirs.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “threegreat”Gelug monasteries of Tibet founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before he moves to the Potala palace.

In the afternoon, Sera Monastery: It is also one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet founded in 1419 by Jamchenchojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The highlight is that Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

You will be accompanied with tour guide to airport/train station by private car, see good-bye and end the trip.