Welcome to Lhasa!

Upon your arrival, our friendly Tibetan tour guide will greet you at Lhasa airport/Lhasa Railway Station, offering you a pristine white Khata to express our warm blessings.

It is your first day in Tibet, please have a good rest for today as you need to adapt to the altitude of the highest plateau in the world.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Overnight in Lhasa

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.

• Lhasa River

Today is the day for a Monastery trip in Lhasa! You’ll explore the largest monastery in Tibet, witness the Tibetan monks debate, and immerse yourself in the daily life of Tibetan monks.

After breakfast, you’ll collect your rental vehicle and drive to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet that is 10 kilometers away from downtown Lhasa. It was once the home to over 10,000 monks in Tibet. Upon arrival, you will follow the route to visit the Coqen Hall and the Loseling College (or an equivalent) to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and get a glimpse into the study and daily life of Tibetan monks.

After lunch, you’ll drive about 30 to 40 minutes to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘Great Three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet. You will 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.

Overnight in Lhasa

Breakfast | Welcome Dinner

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet

• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

Today’s Highlight is a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, providing a glimpse into the daily beliefs and lives of the people of Lhasa.

In the morning, your first stop is the Potala Palace at the center of Lhasa city. Here, you can see extraordinary cultural and religious treasures and relics of Tibet. The most valuable collections of the 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 the Longwangtan Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. You’ll appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Jokhang Temple, the heart of Tibetan religion. 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.

Overnight in Lhasa

Breakfast

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.

• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Today, you will complete a 356 km overland journey from Lhasa to Shigatse to visit the stunning Yamdrok Lake, witness the gorgeous Karola Glacier, and explore the local Tibetan villages.

After breakfast, you’ll drive along the well-paved road from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake. You can catch a breathtaking view of the lake from Gampala Pass (4,790 m). The turquoise Yamdrok Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191 m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Continue your drive 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.

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.

Then, continue your drive to Gyantse. On the way, you can stop at Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang prayer flags to pray for world peace and the health of your family. After arriving in Gyantse, you can spend some time taking photos of the ancient city of Gyantse.

While driving from Gyantse to Shigatse, you will pass by green (in summer) and golden (in autumn) Tibetan barley fields and countless farms.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. After checking in to the hotel, you can take a good rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Overnight in Shigatse

Breakfast | Lunch

• 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.

This is the day for an unforgettable driving experience along the winding road to Everest Base Camp. You’ll admire the stunning Himalayan mountain ranges at your own pace.

After breakfast, you’ll start your lifetime self-drive to Mount Everest.

First, you will drive past Gyatsola Pass (5,280 m), where you can get your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Hidden behind the mountain range, the Everest resembles a budding lotus flower, a captivating sight along the roadside.

Shortly after you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5,198 m). At this viewpoint, you will marvel at the majestic lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Everest at the forefront. This is your second glimpse of Everest.

Then, you’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200 m). As you get close to the base camp, the majestic Everest gradually unfolds before you, drawing nearer with each winding turn.

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the colossal white pyramid peak of Mount Everest stands towering before you. As the day transitions to dusk, witness the golden hues of the sun casting a warm glow on Everest's northern face.

Stay overnight at the Base Camp or in the local village near EBC.

Insider Tips:

1. As you ascend to altitudes over 5,000 meters today, if you experience any discomfort, please don’t hesitate to inform your guide immediately.

2. The visibility of Everest is subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

3. During the winter season, typically from November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp close. Therefore, if you’re traveling in winter, your accommodation options are limited to the village near EBC.

Overnight at EBC or in the village near EBC

Breakfast

• Drive along the zigzag road to Everest Base Camp

• Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base Camp

Today, you will reach Gyirong, witnessing the breathtaking landscapes changing from 5200 meters to 2800 meters above sea level.

In the morning, before departing from the base camp, you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, where nuns and monks live together at 5154 meters above sea level.

Then, you will drive to Gyirong, the transfer hub at the Sino-Nepal border. During the land journey for almost 380 kilometers, you’ll marvel at the evolving scenery - from snow-capped peaks towering over 5000 meters to the lush forests and canyon vistas at around 2800 meters above sea level.

As you pass by Mt. Shishabangma (8027 meters), one of the world’s highest mountains over 8000 meters, you can enjoy a close view of the three main peaks of Shigabangma, as well as the golden glow of Pelku Tso Lake beneath the peaks.

Afterward, the altitude drops dramatically. You’ll be mesmerized by forests, waterfalls, and bottomless canyons as you enter the edge of the Himalayas. When you arrive in Gyirong Valley, what you will see is the dense forest and the snowy peaks above the forests.

Driving through the valley, you’ll finally arrive in Gyirong town at 2600 meters above sea level. Here, you can breathe in the abundant oxygen.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

Overnight in Gyirong

• Rongbuk Monastery, the higest monastery in the world

• Pelku Tso Lake is surrounded by rugged mountains.

Farewell to Tibet and welcome to Nepal!

After breakfast, you’ll drive 25 kilometers to the Gyirong border. At the border, drop off your rental vehicle here and say goodbye to your Tibetan guide.

You'll need to cross the border and apply for a Nepali Visa yourself. The visa fee must be paid in US dollars in cash.

Our Nepali staff at the Nepal border port will warmly welcome you and help you to take a transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Insider Tips:

1. The cost of the border transfer service is not included in the package price and requires an additional fee of 60 USD per person.

2. There are public transportation options from the border to Kathmandu, costing approximately 30 USD per person. Alternatively, you can take public transportation to the downtown bus station and then proceed to your downtown hotel by taxi.

Breakfast

• The picturesque scenery of Gyirong Town

• You will be transferred to Gyirong Port for your Nepal tour.