Lhasa – Kathmandu Overland tour

Tibet

Duration

8 Days

Group Size

Grade

Easy

Max. Altitude

5220 m

Tibet, which boasts of spectacular mountain scenery and a rich cultural heritage, is a place worth visiting. As you drive across the Tibetan plateau, you will be expertly guided around all the Tibetan monasteries, temples, monuments and important tourist sites by expert local Tibetan guide. In Lhasa you explore the PotalaPalace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, JokhangTemple, Drepung Monastery and the busy Barkhor Square. Leaving Lhasa on a vehicle, you will be driven past picturesque Tibetan settlements where nomadic herdsmen can be seen wandering across the wide arid plateau. This overland journey takes you over several high mountain passes with spectacular mountain views, including those of the majestic Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Shishapangma. Your adventure tour continues to the historic cities of Shigatse and Gyantse. As you explore the ancient monasteries, forts and citadels you get an insight into the rich Tibetan culture and history. As you leave Zhangmu and cross the FriendshipBridge, you enter Nepal. Your overland tour comes to a finale.

Places you'll See

Highlights

Map & Itinerary

Arrive Lhasa (3660m/11712ft)

You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650m/11680ft). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude.Note: There is no program arranged for today.

Overnight at Hotel.

Sightseeing in Lhasa

After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel.

Sightseeing in Lhasa

After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest. Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed to Potala Palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided by your guide.

Overnight at Hotel.

Drive to Gyantse (3950m/12640ft)

Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794m/15340ft with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m/23206ft. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m/16144ft. If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, magnificently landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.

Overnight at Hotel.

Sightseeing and drive to Shigatse (3900m/12480) 90km

Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900m/12480ft, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse.

Overnight at Hotel.

Sightseeing and drive to Shegar (4050m/12960ft) 244km.

Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m/16704ft. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar.

Overnight at Hotel.

Drive to Zhangmu (2300m/7360ft) 181km

You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5,124m/16396ft and Shung La pass at 5200m/16640ft. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300m/7360ft.

Overnight at Hotel.

Drive to Kathmandu (1400m/4480ft) 123km

A few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi river brings you to the Immigration Control in Kodari. Here, you will part with your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to Kathmandu. After driving 5 hours for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu.

What's included

3 Star hotel in Lhasa and best available en-route on bed and breakfast basis.

Transportation van or as per the group size.

Sightseeing tours with our English speaking local Tibetan guide.

All entry fees.

Tibet travel permit.

Airport transfers and supply of bottled oxygen in car.

Transfers Kodari to Kathmandu.

What's not included

Any meals.

Accommodation in Kathmandu.

Any airfare.

Chinese Visa fee.

Airport tax.

Dates & Availability

Start Date	Price	Availability
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >
01.01.2026-08.01.2026	from 2100 USD €	Book Now >

Travel Notes

It is one of the moderate types trekking, because you are going above the 4156 meters at high. That’s why before you decide to do this trek you have to do some training. You will be walking 5 to 8 hrs a day; you need to have very good shoes. As you are going every day 500 to 1000 meters of altitude, you have to drinks lots of Water. During your trek you might get altitude sickness. Please read the symptoms of altitude sickness. If you have symptoms of ATS please tell our guide, so that he can take care of you.

List of things you need to bring: Dawn Jacket-1, Wind Proof-1, Gore-Tex-1, T-Shirt-4/6, Socks-4/6, Hat-1, Woolen Hat-1, Gloves-1pair, Trekking Boot-1Pair, Hiking shoe or Plipflop-1Pair, Raincoat-1, Water Bottle(1/2ltrs), Sunglass-1, Sun lotion, Towel, Thormel Trouser-2 pairs, Pool over-1, Sleeping Bag-1.

Best Months to do this trek: Middle of September – November, Feb- April.

Rhododendron: Middle of March – April.