9 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Autumn Overland Tour: Explore Golden Tibet, 360° Everest Views & the Mighty Himalayas

Tashi Delek and welcome to Lhasa!

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, your private Tibetan guide will welcome you at the airport or train station with a traditional white Hada.

Then, you'll be comfortably escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. Your private guide will provide a personalized overview of your journey ahead and share thoughtful advice to help you acclimate smoothly to the altitude.

Once you've checked in, please take some time to rest and allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.
• Enjoy a smooth transfer to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous 1km Barkhor circuit kora (pilgrimage trek) and unwind in a local teahouse to rest your legs and enjoy Tibetan sweet tea, noodles, momos, and Sha Phaley (crispy Tibetan bread), while soaking in the lively local Tibetan life, chatting with friendly locals. If time and energy allow, you may enjoy a slow wander through the quiet backstreets of Lhasa.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. During autumn, the park transforms into a peaceful golden wonderland, with colorful trees, crisp blue skies, and gentle sunlight creating a perfect seasonal atmosphere.

Here, we’ll set up a traditional Lingka (Tibetan picnic) beneath the golden foliage, where you can sip Tibetan sweet tea, enjoy local pastries, and relax in the refreshing autumn breeze. After the picnic, follow our local guide to explore the elegant Tibetan palaces nearby, discovering their unique architecture, royal history, and the tranquil charm of Lhasa’s most beautiful garden in Autumn.

After a full but gentle day of sightseeing, we return to the hotel for a comfortable rest.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Step into Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Golden leaves transform Norbulingka into Lhasa’s most charming autumn retreat.

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lhasa city. You will discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. 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 can also take a stroll in the Zongjiao Lukang Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities like the traditional Tibetan circle dance and later head to the Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform, one of the best spots to capture the iconic view of the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung in Lhasa. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand mandala, admire Buddhist paintings, and explore its main assembly hall.

The biggest highlight is watching the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• Witness the dramatic Tibetan monk debate in Sera Monastery.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake, a turquoise gem surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here, you’ll discover a quieter side of Tibet, where the peaceful beauty of nature replaces the bustle of Lhasa city.

Arriving at Yamdrok Lake, you’ll be amazed by its crystal-clear waters, which shift from sapphire blue to emerald green under the changing autumn sunlight. Along the lakeshore, you may spot local Tibetan nomads grazing their yaks among the golden autumn grasslands, adding a beautiful glimpse of traditional highland life to the breathtaking scenery.

For lunch, you’ll visit a local family-run restaurant and enjoy authentic Tibetan dishes by the lakeside. Afterwards, take some time to relax at the viewing platform, savor a cup of coffee, and admire the unforgettable autumn scenery of Yamdrok Lake from the southeast corner.

Then continue your journey to Gyantse. Along the way, you may stop to admire the stunning Karola Glacier right by the roadside, perfect for a few unforgettable photos. You’ll also cross Simila Mountain Pass, where you can hang Tibetan prayer flags and send heartfelt wishes for your family and friends.

After arriving in enchanting Gyantse County, you will enjoy a gentle stroll through Pelkor Monastery, a special Buddhist site where three Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Gelug, Sakya, and Bon, coexist harmoniously under one roof.

Just a minute’s walk away, you can explore the Gyantse Kumbum, the most famous landmark of Gyantse. This 32-meter-high, seven-story stupa features a unique Nepali style, with Buddha's wise eyes on all four sides. Its white layers are decorated with stripes, and it’s topped with a golden dome that looks like a crown.

You can climb to the top floor for a panoramic view of the old Gyantse town, the golden barley fields stretching across the valley, and the majestic Gyantse Fortress standing proudly in the distance.

Stay overnight in Gyantse County for acclimatization.

• Enjoy the fascinating scenery of the holy Yamdrok Lake
• Marvel at the stunning Karola Glacier on the way to Gyantse.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive from Gyantse to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city and the gateway to Mount Everest. Along the way, you will make a stop in Bailang County, where the ripe barley fields stretch across the Nianchu Valley, with golden stalks gently swaying in the breeze under the clear Tibetan sky. You may see local Tibetan farmers working in the fields and traditional barley stacks scattered across the farmland, creating a beautiful scene of rural Tibetan life.

Take your time to enjoy this warm and peaceful harvest scene. If the timing is right, you may join local farmers in harvesting highland barley, a staple food that has nourished our Tibetan people for generations.

After you arrive in Shigatse, you can explore the vast Tashilunpo Monastery, the main sect of the Panchen Lama, a great scholar in Tibetan Buddhism. After you enter this massive monastery, you can see locals doing kora around iconic white stupas, while those beneath the tree are drinking Tibetan sweet tea and chatting leisurely.

In the Maitreya Temple, you can admire the world’s largest statue of Maitreya (26m), made of 278kg of gold and 23,000kg of copper, and continue through peaceful alleys to visit the tomb of the 10th Panchen Lama and sit on a cushion and meditate along with the monks in the tranquil Assembly Hall.

Then, you can enjoy a peaceful 1-hour pilgrimage walk (kora) around Tashilhunpo Monastery, following the traditional path taken by local pilgrims and enjoy beautiful views over Shigatse’s Dzong and the charming Shigatse old quarters below.

With time permitting, you can wander through the Samzhubze Old Market in the old quarter of Shigatse, where narrow lanes, traditional shops, and local stalls offer a glimpse into everyday Tibetan life at a relaxed and easy pace.

Finally, you will board our comfortable tour bus for a scenic final drive (around 2 hours) to Lhatse County (4,010m), where you will rest and acclimatize before continuing your journey to Everest Base Camp the next day.

Stay overnight in Lhatse for acclimatization.

• Experience Tibet's golden barley harvest season in autumn.
• Explore the revered Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on an unforgettable journey toward Mount Everest. Autumn’s crisp air, clear skies, and excellent visibility make it the perfect season to witness Everest in its full splendor.

First, you will pass Gyatsola Pass (5280m). At Gyatsola Pass viewpoint, you’ll catch 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, we enter the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, and you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5198m). From 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, and under the clear autumn sky, this dramatic panorama becomes even more breathtaking.

Then we drive along the zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,010m). As you get close to the base camp, the majestic Everest gradually unfolds before you, drawing nearer with each winding turn. This marks your third view of Everest.

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 - your fourth view.

As night falls, the magic continues. Under a crystal-clear autumn sky filled with countless stars, the Milky Way rises above the snow-capped summit of Everest, creating a breathtaking Himalayan masterpiece, your fifth encounter with the world’s highest peak. With the exceptional visibility of the season, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to capture incredible night photos of Everest shining beneath the stars.

Stay overnight at Rongbuk Hotel (4,980m) near EBC or Zhaxizong Village (4,200m).

Insider Tips:

For our guests, if you adapt well to the altitude at Everest Base Camp (5,010m), we will arrange your stay at Rongbuk Hotel, the closest and most comfortable accommodation near Everest. If you experience any discomfort from the altitude, we can instead arrange an overnight stay at Zhaxizong Village (4,200m), nearly 1,000 meters lower, where you will find it easier to rest and sleep.

For both options, essential comforts such as oxygen supply, floor heating, hot water, clean Western-style toilets, and on-site dining are available. Throughout the journey, our experienced local Tibetan guide will be by your side, providing attentive support and helping ensure a safe, enjoyable, and worry-free experience.

Please note that visibility of Mount Everest is subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Marvel at the mighty Himalayan Range from the famous Gawula Pass.
• Standing at the foot of Mt. Everest, a lifelong dream come true.

After breakfast, before leaving Everest Base Camp, you’ll visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery, where monks and nuns continue their spiritual practice at 5,154 meters above sea level. Surrounded by the vast Himalayan landscape, it offers one last unforgettable farewell to Mount Everest.

Then, you’ll begin a spectacular journey across the Himalayas toward Gyirong Town, near the Sino-Nepal border. During this 380-kilometer drive, you’ll witness Tibet’s incredible seasonal transformation, from the snow-covered peaks above 5,000 meters to golden autumn valleys, colorful forests, and deep canyon landscapes at around 2,800 meters.

On the way, you’ll stop to admire the majestic Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m), one of the world’s highest peaks. In the clear autumn air, its three main summits stand sharply against the blue sky, while the turquoise waters of Pelku Tso Lake reflect the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Take your time to enjoy a relaxing coffee stop here and capture this breathtaking Himalayan autumn scene.

As you continue descending, the landscape changes dramatically. The dry high plateau gradually gives way to golden alpine forests, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic Himalayan canyons, creating a beautiful contrast between Tibet’s highlands and its hidden valleys.

By the time you reach Gyirong Valley, you’ll enter a greener and more refreshing world. In autumn, the valley is framed by colorful forests, with snow-covered Himalayan peaks rising above the treetops. At Gyirong Town (2,800m), located at a much lower altitude, you can enjoy the milder climate, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and relax after your unforgettable Everest adventure.

Stay overnight in Gyirong Town.

• Explore Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery.
• Sip coffee while admiring turquoise Peiku Tso Lake on the way to Gyirong.

After breakfast, you’ll visit Paba Monastery, a peaceful 1,300-year-old Nepali-style pagoda temple nestled in the Gyirong Valley. Legend has it that the monastery was built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo for his Nepali wife, Princess Bhrikuti.

Then, follow our local guide on a scenic drive along winding mountain roads to the hidden Naixia Village (3,000m), a peaceful Himalayan paradise often known as the “backyard garden of Mount Everest.” In Tibetan, Naixia means “a sacred place on the top of the mountains,” and the village sits on a high plateau surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

At the village’s natural viewpoint, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of towering Himalayan peaks. During autumn, the valley becomes even more enchanting, with golden grasslands, vibrant hillside forests, and crystal-clear skies creating a picture-perfect Himalayan landscape.

As you enjoy the leisurely trek in the Naixia village, you’ll pass through barley fields, peaceful wetlands, and open pastures where yaks and sheep graze freely. With its fresh mountain air, tranquil countryside, and postcard-like scenery, Naixia Village feels like a hidden “Swiss-style” village tucked away in the Himalayas.

Stay overnight in Gyirong Town.

• Visit Paba Monastery in Gyirong, where golden forests create a stunning autumn backdrop.
• Explore hidden Naixia Village with panoramic views of the mighty Himalayas.

After breakfast, our local Tibetan guide and driver will take you on a smooth ride from Gyirong Town to Gyirong Port (25 km, 40 minutes), China-Nepal border.

Here, you'll say goodbye to our guide and pass through Chinese customs with your passport and border pass checked, and cross the Rasuwa Bridge into Nepal at Rasuwa Gadhi.

On the other side of the Rasuwa Bridge, our friendly Nepali staff will be greeting you with warm smiles and helping you apply for your Nepali visa on arrival at the customs and immigration office.

Afterward, you can hop into our clean and comfy 5-seater SUV (Mahindra Scorpio) for a smooth ride to straight your hotel in Kathmandu. Tour service ends.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

• Farewell to our Tibetan guide at Gyirong Port, onward to Kathmandu
• Our Nepali staff warmly greets you for a smooth border transfer to Kathmandu.