Tibet Overland Extension

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will make pre departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meetings will cover trip-related information & collecting your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance).

The morning after breakfast as time set for the sightseeing tour, our city guide will lead you for a few hours on our fascinating heritage and cultural tour around places of interest, a tour of holy Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, old historical Palaces, courtyard; and then back to the hotel after the wonderful tour, afternoon free for individual activities and preparation for the journey to Tibet.

Early morning heading towards Kodari on the Kathmandu / Lhasa Friendship highway, after necessary visa formalities at Nepal border in Kodari and across the Friendship Bridge into Tibet a Zhangmu, where our Tibetan guide from our Tibet agent will receive with necessary papers for the entry into Tibet soil.

From here another 2 hours drive leading in a gorge following the Bhote Kosi River upstream through beautiful woodlands and waterfalls, and then climb up on the winding road to Nylam town for overnight and first night in Tibet.

Overnight in a guesthouse or lodge and having meals across the road restaurant where there are Chinese, Nepali and Tibetan foods can be found.

The morning after breakfast at Nylam, the drive continues which will be shorter than the other day but much higher elevation, leading past Tibetan villages and farms with Yaks, Sheep, and goats grazing over the yonder. After an hour drive climbs to Laylung – la at 5,050 meters high pass with a super panorama of mountains towards the south, looking at Number, Gaurishanker, Melung use, the massive bulk of Mt. Shisapangma (last 14th world highest mountain) Dorji Lakpa with Langtang range all these peaks bordering with Nepal / Tibet. Drive continues on a pleasant highway coming to a roadside town of Old Tingri with super views of Mt. Everest and of Mt. Cho-Oyu, after a break here probably for lunch and then 2 hours of good drive brings at Shegar also called as New Tingri which is quite high and windy in the afternoon, here just rest and relax in this high elevation.

Our journey today takes us to the highest pass of this journey, as the morning drive leads up at Gyatshola Pass, 5,220 m. From here drive descends to Lhatse town situated on route Mt. Kailash, a small town but slowly emerging into a city, from here ride towards Shigatse; time permitting visit Sakya monastery which is about an hour’s drive including a tour of old Sakya monastery. The drive is nice on a good road leading to the second largest city in Tibet, after Lhasa honored by the famous Tashilumpo Monastery; the seat of Panchen Lama.  On reaching Shigatse check into the hotel and with time for a short walk around the market of Shigatse.

The most interesting places are the Tashilumpo 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 Tashilumpo 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.

Today, the drive will be short to Gyantse city, if not visited Tashilumpo monastic complex, the morning after breakfast tour of Tashilumpo Monastery before heading towards the east to Gyantse, the drive is just for 2-3 hours, on reaching Gyantse a small bustling town steeped in history. Located 261 km to the south-west of Lhasa, and later became the main center for trade with British India, here tour of Khumbum Chorten, which was built around 1400 AD.

Morning drive to Lhasa, leading on the vast Tibetan plateau crossing over Karo- La Pass 5,010m, with stunning views of Nzongkhansa peak which is over 7,000 meters and the icefall, glacier can be seen just next to the road side, around here settlement of Drokpa (nomads) with Yaks grazing around the grassy meadow, as the ride continues reaching the beautiful turquoise Yamdrok Tsho Lake, from here drive climbs over Kamba- La Pass 4,795 m with great panorama of Tibetan plateau and of snow capped peaks. Journey descends on a zig zag road reaching at Bhramaputra River which flows from Mt. Kailash, after crossing a bridge on the newly built highway which links Lhasa airport of Gongor, and then an hour drive brings at our main destination in Lhasa. Lhasa city a mixture of old and new, our hotels situated in the old parts of east Lhasa around Barkor market square, which is the hub of Lhasa, where one can observe the Tibetans from all part of Tibet with their colorful costumes and deep root in Tibetan Buddhism.

Here in Lhasa with two days of the interesting tour, the visit around monastery Drefung monastery, which is one of the largest and oldest monastic complexes, in the olden days over 7,000 monks, the priest used to reside, at present about 200 -300 monks, Dalai Lama used to reside here, before Potala Palace was built. Drefung means a heap of rice, as this building washed with white lime paints perched on a hilltop above Lhasa or Kyuchi valley.

Afternoon visits Sera Monastery, one of the most important and old monasteries of Tibet as well as a school for Tibetan Buddhism, interesting to watch young monks in heavy debate, from here visit Jorkhang Temple is another interesting place as it boasts a lot of historic importance and tales of old days. Conclude the day tour by visiting Barkor Market square.

The next morning tour of Potala Palace, originally built in 640 A.D, the 13 s13-storied race stands at 117.19m high with 1000 rooms, visitors are allowed only 10 -12 main and important rooms and shrines. Afternoon visit Norbu Linka a summer palace of most recent Dalai Lamas, which is quite modern with an immaculate garden, after an enjoyable time afternoon free at leisure for last-minute shopping souvenirs.

After breakfast, early morning we drive for an hour to Gongar (Lhasa) Airport,  on the newly built highway leading through a few long tunnels, on reaching Gongor airport terminal, farewell to our ever cheerful Tibetan guide and drivers, and then make way for a scenic flight to Kathmandu with panoramic views of the high Himalayas including the soaring Mt. Everest. Upon arrival, our staff will transfer you to your respective hotels, with the afternoon free for individual activities.

Today, last day in Nepal with great memories of Adventure Tibet Overland with amazing experience transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to next port of call.