ARRIVE KATHMANDU (1300M)

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and escort you to the Hotel. You will be informed of your pick up time for your complimentary dinner. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING IN KATHMANDU

After breakfast today take time to enjoy a day of relaxed sightseeing on a guided tour of some of the highlights of Kathmandu and the surrounding Valley. Join the devotees, pilgrims and wandering saddhus (holy men) at Pashupatinath. Pashupatinath is the most important Hindu temple in Nepal as well as being one of the most important Shiva temples on the subcontinent, situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Take time to walk around Bodhnath (Boudha) stupa, the largest in Nepal and one of the largest in the world. Boudha is also the centre of Tibetan culture in Nepal and a wonderfully vibrant, interesting community. Then visit palace square, temples and the living goddess Kumari at Kathmandu Durbar Square in central Kathmandu and then visit monkey temple of Swoyambhunath. Later today transferred back to your hotel.

KATHMANDU TO NYALAM (3650M) VIA ZHANGMU (2300M) 210KM

Today early morning 5.20 am we pick up you from your hotel and transfer to the bus station for your departure to Tibet journey. Approx. 05 hours drive to Kodari (near Tibet- China/Nepal border), drive passes through scenic countryside. After an hour drive stop at Dhulikhel for breakfast or for a short break. Another 4 hours drive brings you to the Nepal frontier at Kodari border which called Friendship Bridge. After going through immigration formalities (Nepal part) drive to Zhangmu, where after completion of immigration formalities (Chinese part). Zhangmu, is a busy town with mixed Chinese, Tibetan and Nepali people.
From here drive leads on the winding road following the Bhote Koshi upstream through a beautiful forest of rhododendron, pines and hemlocks with overflowing waterfalls at places. After leaving the torrent river behind, the drive climbs towards Nyalam town, a small growing place where there is a meditation cave of the famed saint Milerappa just on the outskirt of the town and overnight stop at Nyalam in the best available Lodge / Guest House. Time duration approx. 6-7 hours drive with lunch break (on good road condition)

NYALAM TO LHATSE (4200M) 285 KM

From Nyalam, the drive continues passing through traditional Tibetan farm villages and fields of barley towards Lalung-la Pass (5050m) with outstanding view of Mt. Shishapnagma (8013m) highest within Tibet), Langtang towards west and Mt.Gaurishankar to the south east. After a brief stop at the pass for photographs, journey continues towards Shegar(Xegar) or New Tingri via a town of old Tingri, where you can have a good view of Mt. Everest (8848m) on a clear fine day. Here at the roadside restaurant for a lunch or tea break. After Tingri an hour ride on the smooth highway reaches you at Xegar or New Tingri. Journey continues to the highest pass of this tour at Gyatsola (5220m) after an hour and half drive from Shegar. The drive descends from here to Larze town situated on the route to Mt.Kailash. We stop for overnight in the best available Guest House / Lodge at Lhatse. Time duration: Approx. 5-6 hrs drive.

LHATSE TO SHIGATSE (3900M) 150 KM

Today a short drive of three hours or less to Shigatse, drive continues on the newly improved tarmac Lhasa to Kathmandu or Friendship highway passing small passes of over (4500m) and farm fields and villages, then reaching at Shigase second biggest city in Tibet and the place of the famous Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama. Shigatse is also the capital of the province ‘Tsang’. The most interesting places here are Trashilumpo monastic complex and the ruined fortress which dominates the city’s skyline. A high wall surrounds the red and gold buildings which make up the Trashilumpo Monastery. The route around the wall circumambulates the monastery which also includes small shrines, significant rock inscriptions and many prayer wheels. A visit to the market concludes our stay at Shigatse.

SHIGATSE TO GYANTSE (3950M) 90 KM

After visiting Tashilungpo Monastery and Shigatse bazaar, the drive continues to Gyantse, which is about two hours. Gyantse, later became the main centre for trade with British India. Gyantse is a small bustling town steeped in history. It lies in 261 kilometres southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of Nyang -Chu River. In the 15th century it used to serve as a capital of a small kingdom. With time for a visit to Kumbum Chorten which was built in 1400 A.D. Today we overnight stay in Hotel of Gyantse.

GYANTSE TO LHASA (3650M) 261 KM

A scenic drive of seven hours leads you to Lhasa crossing the Karo La Pass (5,010m) and Kamba La Pass (4,795m). The Karo La climbs between two lofty mountains, Nozing Khang SA (7,223m) and Ralung (6,236m). While driving you go alongside the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake). After passing Kamba La, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. Check into Hotel at Lhasa. The accompanied guide will collect your airlines ticket for re-confirmation.
As you arrive in Lhasa, you will have time to immerse yourselves in the crowd of colourful people and the Potala Palace one of the wonders of the world which dominates Lhasa and the Kyichu valley.

VISIT SERA MONASTERY, JOKHANG TEMPLE AND BARKHOR BAZAAR

At Lhasa the tour begins early (Beijing Standard Time which is 2 hours 15 minutes ahead of Nepal standard Time). The tour begins with a short drive to the famous Sera Monastery which is one of the important and old Monastery of Tibet as well a school for Tibetan Buddhism. This interesting tour will last for an hour or more visiting prayer rooms and the Tibetan scroll printing just outside from the Monastery premises.
The Jorkhang Temple is situated at the center of Barkhor Market square which is another interesting place to visit as Jorkhang boasts a lot of historic importance and tales. It is the foundation and the pillar for Buddhism in Tibet. It offers a grand view of Barkhor square and of Potala palace from its rooftop. After a great time here visit the Barkhor Market and mingle with the crowd of pilgrims from all parts of Tibet.

VISIT POTALA PALACE AND DREPUNG MONASTERY

Tour of Potala Palace,located towards west part of the old city of Lhasa and was originally built during the 640 A.D. during the reign of King Songtsan Gampo.
The 13 storied palaces stand 117.19m high with 1000 rooms, big and small. The entire building is made of stone and wood with walls averaging 3 meters thick and the thickest 5 meters or even more. Potala Palace is divided in two parts,The Red Palace and the white Palace, the former consisting of the Dalai Lamas' tomb stupas and various chapels, the latter being both the Dalai Lama's residence and the halls for official activities.
The Potala Palace with its lofty and magnificent halls and its brilliant gold-gilded pinnacle demonstrate the high accomplishments of the Tibetan people and reflect their unique style of architecture, painting, sculpture and other forms of religious expression.
Afternoon tour to Drepung Monastery just west of Lhasa, drive passes through the suburb of the city and uphill through the peach and plum groves. Drepung meaning "heaps of rice", looks as if from the distance with its white lime paint over the Monastery. It is the largest of all Monasteries in Tibet. There used to be over 10,000 monks but at present fewer. The unusually magnificent Drepung Monastery was built in a very large scale. Inside it one can see vestibules criss-crossing as if in a great walled city. Before the construction of Potala Palace, the Drepung Monastery was the residence of successive Dalai Lamas. In1642, the 5th Dalai Lama formed Gadeng Pochang,the Tibetan local Government in the monastery marking the real beginning of the theocracy when religion joined in with politics. After the Dalai Lama moved his residence to the Potala Palace, it still remained the biggest and most powerful among the three large monasteries in Lhasa.
After a good time visiting nearly every interesting rooms of Drepung Monastery drive back to the Hotel.

FLY FROM LHASA TO KATHMANDU

After breakfast early morning we drive for 2 hours to the Gonggar Airport. An hour scenic flight back to Kathmandu over the majestic Himalayan range with the spectacular view of Everest, Makalu and some of its adjoining peaks. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, our staff will transfer you to the Hotel and simply relax at the hotel in Kathmandu.

LEISURE AT KATHMANDU

A free day in Kathmandu for individual activities such as explore the Thamel or shopping or relax at the hotel, if you are interested for extensions your days, contact with us and you can join in our extension trip.

TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR FINAL DEPARTURE

Today keep in mind your international flight time, so make sure to keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency), and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from our amazing country, Nepal.