8 Days Overland Tibet tour to Kathmandu
Is this trip for me?
Price: from 1200 USD Explain>>2. Comfortable hotels in cities and guesthouses in some remote places.
3. Flight and train are not included.
4. Tour cost is only for reference, please inquire for detailed quotation.
5. The more people, the cheaper cost.
Explain>>
In order to make it easier for you to choose the right trip, we have graded our trips with certain Trip Level System from 1 to 4 according to the degree of activities and altitude. We have also suggested the most suitable groups or individuals for each Trip Level.
In the Trip Overview of each itinerary there is also a brief description of what the Trip is like.
Our staffs at the Explore Tibet are always happy to answer any questions you have and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness.
1. Easy
Light walking and hiking that is suitable for all level of fitness, generally altitude range between 3500m/9800ft to 4000m/13000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids and senior groups.
2. Moderate
May included moderate level of hiking, biking, horse riding and maximum altitude of 5000m/16000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids bigger than 12 years, individual having average level for fitness.
3. Moderate to Strenuous
May include high altitude hiking up to 6 hours, long hour driving and sometimes overnight at around 5000m/16000ft, require a moderately high level of fitness, camping and basic lodging facility.
Suitable for adult family, individuals physically fit and have experiences of high altitude trekking.
4. Strenuous
May include high altitude trekking and mountaineering, camping and basic lodging facilities, altitude range from 3600m/9800ft to 6000m/19000ft.
Suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
Click on the map to enlarge
| Day | Trip Outline | Activity | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3680m) | Pick up and transfer to hotel, rest at hotel. | Yak hotel |
| Day 2 | Lhasa sightseeing | Johkang Temple, Bakhor street, Potala Palace | Yak hotel |
| Day 3 | Lhasa sightseeing | Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery | Yak hotel |
| Day 4 | Lhasa-Gyangtse-Shigatse (3900m), 350km, approx 7hrs | Yamdrok Lake, Karola, Kumbum | Manasarovar |
| Day 5 | Shigatse-Shegar (4050m), 240km, approx 5hrs | Tashilhunpo, Sakya | Roof Top |
| Day 6 | Shegar-Rongbuk (5000m), 100km, approx 2.5hrs | Rongbuk, EBC | Guestshouse |
| Day 7 | Rongbuk-Zhangmu (2350m), 280km, approx 6hrs | Matsang river, Mt.Shishabangma | Ganggyan |
| Day 8 | Zhangmu-Kathmandu Nepal border | The tour end at the border, if you want we can arrange transportation to Kathmandu for additional cost |
Tour Cost Includes:
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
Tour Cost Excluded
- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Nepal visa: arrival visa is issued for USD25, 15days single entry tourist visa;
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:
DAY 01 – 03. Our representatives greet you at the airport/train station and it is a short drive to the holy city of Lhasa, where our adventures together begin. We will travel along the Lhasa River within a valley enclosed by barren mountains, before reaching the grand city and the very first glimpses of the tremendous Potala Palace. We will then check into our hotel which is located in the old part of the city or the ‘Tibetan Area.’ In the center of this area is the mystical Jokhang Temple and bustling Bakhor Street, which shows visitors a piece of traditional Tibetan life. Over the next following days, you will be able to travel to a few, worthy world heritage sites that are infused with Tibetan Buddhist culture and religious practices. Despite this busy schedule, you will still have plenty of time to walk shoulder to shoulder with devoted local pilgrims in the streets of Bakhor and explore the gorgoeus, ancient buildings. In the magical Drepung and Sera monasteries, our knowledgeable guides will enhance your experience with thorough historical and cultural information. The days are flexible and easy to do on your own and many guests have explored the city by themselves. In addition, we arrange special excursions to typical Tibetan villages to meet families or receive rare, sacred blessings from high lamas.
DAY 04 – 05. During these next days, we will travel over the Gampa la Pass and Karo la Pass to Gyantse and Shigatse. Both of these towns are nestled deep within the western Tibetan plateau and are a must see for any visitor interested in emersion of both culture and tradition. Following the Brahmaputra river, we will drive through the terrain of the Gampa la Pass(4900m). For some, the view of holy Yomdrok lake is absolutely breathtaking. Mt.Nyenchen Kangsar, with its snow capped peaks, only adds to the beauty of this lush landscape. On our way to Gyantse and Shigatse, scattered villages and lone stupas greet us along the road. Both Gyantse and Shigatse are well known for their historical and religious value and many foreigners have been known to enjoy these ancient towns. Gyantse is also known as a ‘hero’s town’ and was previously the capital of a 14th century kingdom. Another reason to visit these two beautiful towns is to get a feel for authentic traditional Tibetan life as these regions have slightly different traditions than those of Lhasa. Once we arrive in these two towns, we will visit the Gyantse Kubhum stupa and Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
DAY 06 – 07. We gradually and steadily ascend into the mountainous Himalayan region and traverse some remarkable passes. The first panoramic view of the Himalayas can be seen from the ridge of Gyatso la Pass (5400m). There are an innumerable number of snow capped peaks. Through the barren mountains, astonishing landscapes and photogenic villages are true gems within these hidden valleys and it is not hard to imagine what this landscape would have looked like a few hundred years ago. We then approach the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest, which rises at 8844.4 m. After reaching the base of the massive mountain, we will spend a night in Rongbuk Valley and it is only a short hike to the EBC marker. Herds of wild goats perch atop large boulders and the sight of small mammals is not uncommon. 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. We will 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 have finally reached the Indian subcontinent.
DAY 08. Today is the last day of our travels together. Before your departure, we would appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes evaluating our services for future improvement. You can either give the feedback form to your guide or just write us a simple email detailing highlights of the trip or any complaints. After being greeted by Nepalese escorts, we will drive to the border of Nepal and take a short rest in the border town of Datopani. Then you can easily find local transportation from the border to Kathmandu on the Nepal side, if you want we can also arrange private transportatoin from the border to Kathmandu for additional cost, so please be clear with your trip advisor if you want that service.
Tour Cost Includes:
- All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
- Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the program;
- Private transportation in Tibet: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to bus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included), SEE VEHICLE PHOTOS HERE;
- Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
- Lodging: available from 5 star hotels to budget guesthouses, SEE HOTEL PHOTOS HERE;
- Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour;
- Oxygen canisters: 2 canister for each person;
- Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
- First aid kit;
- Liability travel insurance;
Tour Cost Excluded
- Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
- Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone call, etc.);
- International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance, please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
- Meals that are not specified in the itinerary (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
- Nepal visa: arrival visa is issued for USD25, 15days single entry tourist visa;
- Gratuities for the guide and driver:
In order to make your trip worry free and indisputable, here we have carefully collected all the essential information that will give you a clear image of the trip as well as logistics during your stay in Tibet, this also will be helpful for your trip preparation before you leave, so please go through it and make sure you are well prepare for the trip, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our tour consultant or write us on sales@exploretibet.com
Legitimate Claim;
As we mentioned above, Tibet is politically very sensitive and any political activities are restrictedly prohibited, so we always advising our clients to keep away from any political conversations or activities that bound against the policy of People’s republic of China. Your involvement in such activities would influence the whole group as well as future of all your guides, driver and the company. If any one does, then we have the full right to cancel the trip and we are not responsible for so caused hassle and costs.
Emergency contacts:
Being a responsible company, we are always available for 24 hours a day, in case if you need any emergency help. It is best to first call your designated travel coordinator or sales person (whose contact numbers are will be listed on your tour agreement), for any reason if you are not able to reach to him/her then please ring us on the below numbers;
Lhasa Head Office: (0891)-6329441 (the area code 0891 is not necessary if you are calling from Lhasa)
Chengdu Office: (028)-86262365
Note: office working time is 9am – 7pm from Monday to Friday.
Sonam Jamphel (Sales Manager) 0158890904080 or 018980810151 (Available for 24 hours a day)
Chinese Visa
Every one should have the valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity) and Chinese visa to travel into China and the Chinese visa is also valid in Tibet, generally the Chinese visa is can be applied either by your self or use a visa service agency in your home country, but the visa application and requirements are little vary in different countries, so please check with your regional Chinese Embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements.
NOTE; It is your responsibility to obtain the Chinese visa, so just for your information it is better not to list Tibet as your travel destination on your visa application form, just list Chengdu or Beijing, whichever your in-bound city is as your travel destination. If you enter Tibet from Nepal then you don’t need the Chinese individual visa and please check the next line for what you need.
If You Enter Tibet From Nepal
If you enter Tibet from Nepal, then the permit and Chinese visa formalities are slightly different, to enter from Nepal, you don't need the Chinese individual visa and instead you should obtain the Tibet group visa from Chinese Embassy in Nepal, you can’t apply it directly and you should have a local Nepalese agency to apply for it, so our Nepalese partner agency will assist you for that application, normally the application takes 2 to 5 working days for different cost and it only can be applied when you arrive in Nepal, because your original passport is needed along the application. More about the Tibet Group Visa and cost please check here
Tibet Travel Permit and Its Process
Tibet travel permit is compulsory for all the travelers to visit Tibet and it can be obtained within 15 days prior to the trip starting dates, once you have booked the tour with us, we will obtain it for you which is included in the tour package. We need clear scan copies of your Chinese visa and passports to apply for the permit.
For more detail and latest permit updates, please check here
Etiquettes and Taboos:
Cultural Considerations: Be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of locals. These may include different concepts of time, personal space, communication, etc., which are not wrong or inferior, just different. Making the extra effort to respect local customs and cultural differences will enhance your interactions with locals during your time in Tibet and contribute to building mutual respect between locals and tourists.
Appropriate attire: Most Tibetans are pretty conservative from our western perspective so it is always polite to wear long pants at all times (guys and girls). If you wear shorts in rural villages or in the Bakhor district in Lhasa you will definitely get stranger looks than normal! Women should wear long pants or skirts. Shirts should not be revealing and bras should be worn. Unfortunately, many tourists ignore these cultural norms and can be seen in towns and villages wearing shorts and revealing summer attire; while it may be comfortable, it is not appropriate, especially when visiting monasteries. Don’t be shy to inform other tourists of the proper dress for monasteries; perhaps they are not aware of the cultural considerations and etiquette.
Itinerary Disclaimer
Generally we adhere to the original itinerary that we described but sometimes little alterations can be born due to the situations that are beyond our control. On the other hand, in order to make our trip for your personal experiences and flexible, we allowed our clients to make minor changes by discussing with us (office staff) and guide (field staff). The trip detail itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destination or activities is by no means of guarantee that they will be encountered or carried due to the local circumstances and climate.
Keeping in touch with folks at home
If your family members or colleagues or friends want to connect with you during the tour, then you can either provide your guide mobile number to reach you during the trip or if you don’t know your guide number at the time, please don’t feel hesitate to provide our company contact numbers listed in the Emergency Contact section and we can find a way to reach you through guide mobile.
Meals
In order to provide you the maximum flexibility of what, where and when to eat, we generally doesn’t include meals in the tour cost except breakfast included at the hotels, but our local guide will suggest you good local restaurant per your requirements. In the cities like Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse and Zhangmu you can find good restaurants serve wide range of Tibetan food, continental food, Nepalese food, Indian food and Chinese cuisine, but in Tingri, EBC and in remote places, there is a limited choice for noodles and pan cakes. Approximate cost of a meal in Tibet is USD3 – USD10 per person/meal depending on your individual requirement.
Destination Guide & Recommended Reading List:
Tibet is a unique travel destination with some special considerations. It is highly recommended that you undertake some background reading before travel to Tibet. The more you learn about your destination, the more rewarding your travel experience will be. While we include a recommended reading list, which you can refer to for in-depth information, the following is a recommended reading list that might be helpful for you.
| Tibetan History | Tibetan Culture & Arts | Tibetan Religion |
Lhasa and the TAR:
- Tibet: The Lonely Planet Country Guide
- Trekking in Tibet: A Traveler's Guide by Gary McCue
- Tibet Handbook: Moon Travel Guide
- Fodor's Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan: Expert Advice and Smart Choices: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore On and Off the Beaten Path
- To a Mountain in Tibet by Colin Thubron
- The Mount Kailash Trek by Constance Roos/Sian Pritchard-Jones
- Trekking Tibet by Gary McCue/George Schaller
- The Heart of the World, A Journey to the Tibet's Lost Paradise by Ian Baker
- My Journey to Lhasa by Alexandra David-Neel
Kham and Amdo regions:
- Footprints Tibet Handbook by Gyurme Dorje
- Lonely Planet China (See Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu Provinces)
- Bradt Guide Tibet by Michael Buckley
Domestic Flights and Trains to Tibet
There is only one international flight to Tibet, which is from Kathmandu (Nepal), and then there are lots of flights from different cities in Mainland China like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai and so on. Please Check Flight Schedule and Cost Here
There is no international train to Tibet and all the trains are from Mainland China like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xining and so on. Please Check Train Schedule and Cost Here
Responsible Tourism Initiative:
Tourism has the potential to have positive and negative effects on the local environment and peoples. Making a conscious decision about how you travel can make a difference. Whether you are traveling to the Amazon rainforest or to Mt. Everest Base Camp, taking the initiative to reduce negative impacts and help sustain local communities is the responsible thing to do. Read more how we practice Responsible Travel
How & What To Pack
It is important to pack light and effectively, specially when you travelling to a new place, you need to know some necessary items should be carry with, depending on the length of your trip and where you go, you can get away with a minimal amount of clothing. One medium-large backpack or rolling duffle and a day pack should be just right for a 2-4 week trip. We suggest you to check our packing guideline here
Complaint & Feedback
We are always trying to provide the best service that can achieve a memorable Tibet tour for you, but sometimes you might be dissatisfied with some arrangement as different people has various aspirations and requirement, so please let us know instantly and we will try to solve everything right away to avoid repeating mistakes unknowingly. As we are looking for every single opportunity to improve our services, so your valuable suggestions and constructive complaints are very much appreciated.
Tashi Delek Sonam!
We had a wonderful time traveling in Tibet and I thank you for making our trip so fabulous.You are an amazing and special man Sonam. Thank you again
-------Amon and Margaret. Traveled in 28th April,2012.
-- From David Conlisk (Irish), Travel date: April 2011
