18-Day Shanghai, Lhasa, Shigatse, EBC, Kailash and Kathmandu Tour
(STN018) Shanghai - By flight - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigaste - EBC - Saga - Darchen - Kailash Kora - Darchen - Saga - By overland - Kathmandu
-
Tour Type:
Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!
-
Trip Level:
Easy - suitable for all levels of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
-
Trip Level Guide:
- Easy - suitable for all level of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
- Moderate - suitable for ones with average level fitness, family with kids bigger than 12 yrs.
- Moderate to Strenous - suitable for ones physically fit; have experiences of high altitude trek.
- Strenuous: suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
-
Season:春
Spring夏
Summer秋
Autumn冬
Winter
Overview
The 18-days tour will firstly take you to visit the characterized landmarks and historical places in Shanghai, like the Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, etc. Then, taking a flight from Shanghai to Lhasa. In Lhasa, you will experience another kind of lifestyle in this holy city. A visit to the famous Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and other ancient monasteries will get you to understand the devoutness and belief of Tibetan people. After fully exploring the city, you will start your Kailash tour via several famous scenic spots in Gyantse, Shigatse. The super highlight of this tour is that the three-day kora around the sacred Mt.Kailash in Ngari, Tibet. At last, you can enjoy an overland journey to Kathmandu via Gyirong, the new Sino-Nepal border.
At a Glance
Day 1Shanghai Arrival
Day 2Shanghai Tour: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Bund
Day 3Shanghai Tour: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
Day 4Fly from Shanghai to Lhasa
Day 5Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street
Day 6Lhasa Tour - Drepung and Sera Monastery
Day 7Lhasa (3,650m) to Shigatse (3,900m) via Gyantse
Day 8Shigatse - Rongbuk Living Area
Day 9Rongbuk Monastery - Everest Base Camp - Saga
Day 10Saga to Darchen (450km)
Day 11Trek Day One: Darchen-Drirapuk (driving 7km, Trek 13km)
Day 12Trek Day Two: Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk (Trek 18km)
Day 13Trek Day Three: Dzutripuk-Darchen (Trek 7km, driving 5km)
Day 14Drive from Darchen to Saga (450km)
Day 15Saga to Gyirong
Day 17Day tour in Kathmandu: Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Patan City
Day 16Rashuwaghadi to Kathmandu
Day 18Kathmandu Departure
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Shanghai Arrival
As you arrive in Shanghai, the megacity and financial hub of China, our local guide will be expecting you at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Later, the guide will escort you to your hotel. After you check in, the rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or explore the surroundings yourself.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 2: Shanghai Tour: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Bund
Today we are about to visit some of the highlights of highlights of Shanghai tour. Starting with fascinating Shanghai Museum, the magnificent 4-story building houses an incredible collection of bronzes, sculptures, ceramics, coins, paintings, calligraphy, costumes and other exhibits in different dynasties. It’s the perfect place for fans of Chinese history and art.
Next comes the Yu Garden. Built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden used to be the private residence of a senior Government administrator in the Ming Dynasty. For passionate photographer, never miss the chance to photograph Old Street of Yu Garden.
In the evening, we will visit the most iconic building of Shanghai, i.e. Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can enjoy the amazing panorama of the skyline of Shanghai at night. And as you stroll along the Bund, you will get amazed at the spectacular Huangpu River and dazzling light from buildings of Pudong.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 3: Shanghai Tour: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
In the morning, we are expected to visit picturesque Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, also known as the "Venice of China". It’s about 1 hour drive from downtown Shanghai. The ancient town dates back to Ming Dynasty. It’s highly recommended to enjoy the boat ride from one end of the water way to the other. Ke Zhi Garden and multiple shops and bridges, and street vendors selling handicrafts and goldfish and turtles provide a respite from boisterous metropolitan city.
Then, later we will get back to hotel and the rest of day is for free exploration. You may do some shopping around and have a good rest.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 4: Fly from Shanghai to Lhasa
Take the early morning flight from Shanghai to Lhasa via Xi’an. After long hours of flight, you will land in Lhasa Gonggar airport in Shannan prefecture in the afternoon. And the guide will be expecting you at the airport and later you will be greeted and get transferred to hotels in Lhasa. Then, you can have a good rest to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 5: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street
Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was 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 only most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. Around the temple is Barkhor Street where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, in the meantime, you can buy souvenirs.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 6: Lhasa Tour - Drepung and Sera Monastery
In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace used to be Dalai lama’s palace in the Drepung before he moved to the Potala palace.
In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7: Lhasa (3,650m) to Shigatse (3,900m) via Gyantse
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala Pass (4,790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4,400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa.
Later, you will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, you will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, you will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.
After one and a half driving, you will finally arrive at Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, if time permits, you may have a chance to visit the traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).
Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 8: Shigatse - Rongbuk Living Area
Morning in Shigatse, you will visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery (may be arranged at the end of the trip) where you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. The monastery itself is abiding place for the successive Penchen Lamas.
There are only 2-3 hours driving from Tingri to Rongpuk through 90km new winding road in the mountains. On the way from Tingri to EBC, you can enjoy the stunning mountain scenery; pass the wild grassland, the torrent, and soaring mountains. If it is in clear weather, you can see the panorama of Himalaya range and among mountains you can see 4 mountains which are 8,000 meters high and more to enjoy like Mt.Lhotse (8,516m), Mt.Everest (8,848m), Mt.Qowowuyag (8,201m) and Mt.Mayalu (8,463m) at the mountain pass Gawula Pass (51,80m). If the weather is good and time allows, you will have a chance to see the majestic view of the golden summit of Mt.Everest at sunset.
Stay overnight at Tent Guest House.
Day 9: Rongbuk Monastery - Everest Base Camp - Saga
In the morning, you will visit Everest Base Camp, either by trek or by Eco-bus, the magnificent Mt.Everest is standing in the sky like a huge white pyramid, thus you are standing at the top of the world. Take pictures here before getting back to Rongbuk.
In late morning, we need to take the old Tingri road to Saga County. From the old Tingri, you can see the Mountain Everest ,Chuyo, and Shishapangma which is at 8012m was the least of the world's 8000m peaks to be climbed. The road runs parallel to the Himalayan ranges and Nepalian sides called Anapurna ranges. The main road passes through the desolate plain of Digur tang, and the closely neighboring snow peaks of Shishapangma and Langtang to the south. Leaving the bum-chu basin, and then ascends into the depression of Peiku-tso (4,600m), a cobalt blue lake. Today we drive to Saga, a small town 69km from the Phelgu-tso.
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen Hotel.
Day 10: Saga to Darchen (450km)
Moving towards the Drongpa County, the region around the sources of Brahmaputra River, which is about 167km from the Saga town. In the late afternoon, we will reach Darchen, a small town at the foot of Mt.Kailash. The tour guide will help clients to make a reservation of porters and Yaks if clients need (cost on tourists' own) and do some preparation for your following 3 days trekking around Mt.Kailash.
Stay overnight in Tarchen Chongqing Hotel.
Day 11: Trek Day One: Darchen-Drirapuk (driving 7km, Trek 13km)
8 kilometers after leaving Darchen with Eco-bus (20 minutes), we get to a village called Sershung, where porters are waiting for their clients. From here we begin our trek around Mt.Kailash, during your trek you can see a lot of pilgrims prostrating along the path and plies of Mani stones, small scenic sites and west face of Mt. Kailash. On the way, there are some tent shops you can refresh yourself and drink some soft drinks. First day's trek ends at guest house on the opposite side of Drirapuk Monastery. If you have more energy, you can visit Drirapuk Monastery on your own. from the guesthouse, you can have stunning view of north face of Mt.Kailash.
Stay overnight at the guesthouse.
Day 12: Trek Day Two: Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk (Trek 18km)
The second-day is the hardest and most tough circuit with the Dolma-la Pass lying 6.4km ahead. The peak of Dolma-la Pass is about 5630m above sea level, so it is better to set off early in the morning as the sun rays break over the ridges above. After taking a rest at the peak of Dolma-la Pass, you will descend staircase bringing you to Lhachu Valley floor, on the way you can see the small beautiful lake called Khandotso. From here it is still four hours trekking to the today's final destination with no shelters on the way. the second day trek's destination is Zutulpuk. if have energy, you can visit the Zutulpuk Monastery and its miracle cave of Milarepa.
Stay overnight at the guesthouse.
Day 13: Trek Day Three: Dzutripuk-Darchen (Trek 7km, driving 5km)
We continue our Kora to Darchen, is easy and the exit from the valley can be reached within 4 hours walk. At the ending point of the valley, you can take the ECO-friendly bus to Darchen(4km).
Stay overnight in Tarchen Chongqing Hotel.
Day 14: Drive from Darchen to Saga (450km)
Drive from Darchen to Saga.
Stay overnight in Saga.
Day 15: Saga to Gyirong
Today, you will go exit China in the afternoon after 5-6 hours driving from Saga to Chinese Gyirong border, also called Rashuwaghadi in Nepal, living in the border to wait for the Nepalese driver to pick you up in the next morning.
From Saga to Gyirong border, you will find a whole new world quite different than the snow land, waterfall, flourish forest, deep gorges accompany you traveling all the way. The most amazing view is the snow-capped mountains standing behind the forest, which makes scenery take varied forms.
Overnight in the hostel at Rashuwaghadi, the border town in Nepal side.
Day 16: Rashuwaghadi to Kathmandu
The road between the border to Kathmandu is small, it takes 8-9 hours driving to Kathmandu, you are free to stop anywhere on the road if it is safe to park and enjoy the mountain view. Tour ends in Kathmandu, the driver will send you to your reserved hotel.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 17: Day tour in Kathmandu: Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Patan City
In the morning, we will the Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, which is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and when important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, still take place today.
Then, we will tour Swayambhunath. It is one of the most recognizable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch all who ascend the worn stone steps. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the source of the Valley’s mythical beginning.
In the afternoon, the tour group will head to Patan City, which is 15 minutes driving from Kathmandu. Patan's central - Durbar Square, is absolutely packed with temples: It’s an architectural center point with a far greater concentration of temples per sq. meter than in Kathamandu or Bhaktapur. You may shop around and finally we will head back to Kathmandu.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 18: Kathmandu Departure
You will be transferred to the International airport to connect onward flight.
Service Guide
Service Included:
- Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
- Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
- Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel or budget hostel, guesthouse or tent. Please tell us your accommodation preference when submitting the enquiry; we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.
- Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
- All meals listed in the above itinerary;
- Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
- First aid kit;
Service Excluded:
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
- Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary. (We can provide you the domestic flight/train ticket booking service at the BEST discount price; please contact us our travel experts for the details.)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
- Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.
Contact us for your dream trip now !
Enquire NowYou May Also Like
-
12-Day Shanghai Lhasa Kathmandu Epic Tour by Flight
Shanghai - By flight - Lhasa - Namtso - Lhasa - By flight - Kathmandu
-
14-Day Shanghai Lhasa Namtso EBC Kathmandu Tour
Shanghai - By flight - Lhasa - Namtso - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - By overland - Kathmandu
-
14-Day Shanghai Xi’an Lhasa Kathmandu Tour by Overland
Shanghai - By train - Xi’an - By train - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - By overland - Kathmandu
-
15-Day Shanghai Xining Lhasa Kathmandu Tour
Shanghai - By flight - Xining - By train - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - By overland - Kathmandu
Most Frequently Asked Questions from our Clients
If you prefer to enjoy a special travel experience, this 18-day Shanghai, Lhasa, EBC, Kailash and Kathmandu tour would be your optimal choice to cover three totally different but evenly charming destinations.
Tibetan Travel Guru,Master Kungga Dundruk
Get A Quotation of this Tour
Get Started - 18-Day Shanghai, Lhasa, Shigatse, EBC, Kailash and Kathmandu Tour
You’re getting closer to your dream Tibet vacation! Fill out this form so our travel designers can start helping you plan a trip.
Privacy Policy: Your information is kept strictly confidential. Tibet Vista will never sell, trade, or give away your contact information to a third party.