7 Days Lhasa Nepal Overland Group Tour
This budget Everest Base Camp tour blends Tibet culture and history with some of Earth’s most spectacular scenery! After becoming acclimatized to the altitude and oriented with Tibetan culture, travel groups will head for Mt. Everest Base Camp. The drive to base camp takes three days, making several stops. First at Lake Yamdrok, a vast mountain lake that shines a deep blue on sunny days, second in Gyantse to explore Pelkhor Monastery and Kumbum Pagoda, and then an overnight stop in Shigatse where travelers can visit a Tibetan market and explore the sprawling Tashilhunpo Monastery. Before we embark on our journey into the Himalayan region, we will drive from Shigatse to Shegar Town, on the way we will visit Sakya Monastery. Then we are going to explore the top attraction-Everest Base camp. After seeing the gorgeous golden face of the sun as it reflects off of Mount Everest, we will drive to Nepal by descending steeply into the valley of Mutsang Tsangpo.
Lhasa Kathmandu Overland Group Tour Cost & Schedule in 2019
| Class/Price for Per Person | Jan. 1 to Feb.28 | Apr.1 to Jun.24 | Jun.25 to Aug.30 | Aug.31 to Oct.16 | Oct.17 to Nov.15 | Nov.16 to Dec.31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Class (3-Star Hotels) | 930 US$ | 1030 US$ | 1130 US$ | 1080 US$ | 1030 US$ | 930 US$ |
Day 1: Lhasa arrival.
Scheduled shuttle bus transfer to hotel and rest for acclimatization(pick up from airport: 09:30, 13:30, or 16:30, pick up from train station: anytime). Overnight at Lhasa Yak Hotel or similar.
Day 2(B,D): Lhasa highlights tour
Visit the UNESCO-listed Potala Palace(Dalai Lama’s winter palace), sacred Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Streets. Enjoy a welcome Tibetan group dinner. Overnight at Lhasa Yak Hotel or similar.
Day 3(B): Lhasa sightseeing
Visit two important Gelugpa Buddhist monasteries: Drepung monastery and Sera Monastery(watch famous monk debate). Overnight at Lhasa Yak Hotel or similar.
Day 4(B): Lhasa-Shigatse(370 km).
Visit holy lake Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkhor Monastery (Gyantse Kumbum and murals). Overnight at Shigatse Gesar Hotel or similar.
Day 5(B) Shigatse- Everest Base Camp(340 km).
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery(seat of Panchen Lama). Landscape driving and arrive at Everest around sunset. Overnight at campsite guesthouse.
Day 6 EBC-Gyirong(280 km).
Watch sunrise at Everest, enjoy the magnificent scenery, and visit Rongbuk Monastery(highest monastery in the world at 5000 m). Drive to Gyirong via Peikutso and Mt Shishapangma reserve. Overnight at Gyirong Hotel or similar.
Day 7(B) Gyirong-border crossing-Kathmandu(250 km)
Transfer to border, clear custom and enter Nepal. Shared transfer to your Kathmandu hotel and tour concludes.
What you can expect
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3650 m)
When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your Tibetan guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Brahmaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.
After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and try to get acclimatized gradually to high altitude. If you feel fairly good, you may walk in the downtown Barkhor streets or further to the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.
Insider Tips: For the new-comers of Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option. Do not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.
Day 4 Lhasa-Lake Yamdrok-Karola Glacier-Gyantse (Pelkhor Monastery)-Shigatse
Attractions to visit: Lake Yamdrok, Karola glacier, Pelkhor Choede monastery and Kumbum Pagoda. At 8 am, we will start drive to the south west Lhasa direction, through the zigzag road climb up the Kampa la pass (4700 m), from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color and snow capped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, then continues drive along the lake for few kilometers get us to the lunch stop at Nagartse. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that pass through; en route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. Arrival at Gyantse, we visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery, this magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls, late afternoon we will drive to Shigatse which is only 90km to the northwest of Gyantse. Overnight at Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel.
Day 5. Shigatse (Tashilhunpo Monastery)-Everest Base Camp, 340 km, about 8 hours
Attractions: Tashilhunpo Monastery, Landscape along the G318 National Way, Everest Base Camp
Today we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. We will drive straight to Mt. Everest Base Camp by crossing several passes along the way. shortly after the border check point at Shegar, turn off the Friendship Highway and drive toward south in the valley, cross over the Gawu la pass[5250m] through zigzags road, from the pass you will be amazed by the spectacular Himalayan Ranges and its mighty peaks beyond 8000m, Mt. Makalu(8463m), Mt. Lotse (8516m), Mt. Everest(8844m), Mt. Cho Oyu(8201m) and Mt. Shishapama (8020m) from Left to right, climbing down through numbers of switchback bends lead to the dry valley of Tashi Zom and then finally the day’s destination - Everest Base Camp located in the Rongpuk valley. Rongphu Monastery is the highest monastery in the world and it consists both monks and nuns. Afternoon you have an option to do a short trekking from the tent guesthouses community to Everest B.C, it will take you about 2 hours or more per your physical condition (6Km). Or you can take the dedicated minibus instead. We suggest you bring your own sleeping bags for the night as the local tent guesthouses reuse the blankets for several weeks due to their poor facility. Have overnight at local tent guesthouses from middle April to early October. (from Middle of October to next early April, the tent guesthouses close and only Rongphu monastery guesthouse is available.)
Everest Region accommodation: Rongphu Monastery guesthouse or the tent guesthouse in campsite which is 4 km to Everest B.C
Day 6 Rongphu Monastery (5000m) – Old Tingri(4390m) – Gyirong Border (2700m)
Tibet Travel Attractions: Beautiful scenery over the Thongla Pass, impressive view of Mt. Shishapama, Spectacular waterfalls within the Matsang River Gorge.
As we awake the next morning, a striking view of luminous peaks is highlighted by the sun and it is bittersweet to say goodbye to this landscape that we have gotten to know so well. Next, we will drive south to Nepal and traverse the Thongla pass. Then gradually descend into a deep valley with a series of switchback bends. There are spectacular waterfalls on both sides of these fertile hills and with a decrease in altitude, the dry climate changes into a warm, moist environment and it is clear that we drawing into the Indian subcontinent. Our destination is Tibet border town Gyirong. Overnight in Gyirong.
Day 7 Gyirong to Kathmandu (123 km), Nepal
Attractions: Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge, typical Nepalese villages and 2nd deepest Bungy Jump point in all of Asia.
Today we drive down to the friendship bridge and our guide will help you to clear the China Customs, from there our Tibetan staff are not allowed stepping further and time to say your farewells. Before your departure, we will appreciate if you can spend a short time to evaluate our services either by filling the feedback form or simply send us an email. When you cross the China Nepal Friendship bridge you will pay 25$ to obtain Nepal Tourist Visa (15 days valid time). Then you will get on shared bus ride and reach Kathmandu city.
