Kathmandu to Tibet Tour 8 days 7 nights (Departs Every Saturday)

Day 1: Kathmandu - Nepal Tibet Border: Kyirong - Kyirong Town (2800m)

0800am: Pick up from hotel in Kathmandu and depart to Kyirong border via Jeep. You will arrive at the Kyirong border from Kathmandu at about 0200pm. 

After a 150km drive from Kathmandu, you will arrive at the Nepal Tibet Kyirong Border. This is a newly opened entrance point for tourists, opened only in August 2017. Your Tibetan guide and driver will pick you up from the border and handle all the necessary immigration paperwork. Upon completion, your journey to Kyirong town approximately 20km from the border will continue via Jeep.

Today, you will travel a total of approximately 170km on rough terrain.

NEED TO KNOWS:

1. The Tibet Kyirong border was opened for foreign travellers beginning August 2017. This is the only border connecting Nepal and Tibet.
2. Kyirong is 2800m above sea level, 755 km from Lhasa through Shigatse, and is only about 170km from Kathmandu.
3. Zhangmu border has been closed to foreign travellers after the April 2015 earthquake. It is now open to only lorries and trucks, not foreign travellers.

Day 2: Kyirong (2800m) - Peikutso Lake (4600m) - Tingri (4300m)

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Old Tingri (4300m).

We will pass by the most sacred cave of Milarepa Yogi which dates back to the 11th century. This is also the birthplace of Milarepa.

We will drive through Kyirong Pass (4900m), and drive along the beautiful Peikutso Lake (4600m) and continue to Old Tingri (4300m) which is 180km from Kyirong (2800m).

The scenery here is breathtaking with the beautiful Shisha Bangma snow mountains on your right, and Peikutso Lake on your left. If the weather is good, you will be able to get clear views of the giants of the Himalaya Range – Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Shishapangma (8012m), Mt. Qowowuyag (8201m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), and Mt. Mayalu (8463m). The beautiful Peikutso Lake will be within clear view as well if the weather condition is good.

You will be driving on the Friendship Highway and reach Lhatse after crossing the highest pass called Gyatsola at the elevation of 5200m. 

Day 3: Old Dingri (4300m) - Shigatse (3900m)

After breakfast, we will get an early morning start. We will drive towards Shigatse, passing by 3 big mountain passes:

1. Geula Pass (5150m)
2. Gyatsola Pass (5200m) – the highest pass en route to Lhasa.
3. Tsola Pass (4500m)

We weill arrive at Shigatse (3900m) in the evening and rest in the hotel.

Day 4: Shigatse (3900m) - Gyantse (3950m)

0900am:  We will begin our drive to Gyangtse – the third largest city in Tibet.

Upon arrival in the noon, we will have lunch in Gyangtse and check into the hotel. Thereafter, we will visit the Palchoe Monastery and Kubum Pagoda Stupa. In the evening, we will explore the old town of Gyangtse.

Palcho Monastery

Palchoe Monastery was founded in the year 1436. This monastery is famous for its Kubum Pagoda Stupa, a magnificent stupa and a symbol of the monastery. The Myriad Buddha Stupa comprises hundreds of chapels arranged in layers, and houses 100,000 images of Buddhas.

This one of the top four Buddhist holy lakes in Tibet. It is approximately 150km from Lhasa and takes about 2½ hours to get here by car.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this monastery is its “One Hundred Thousand Buddhas Pagoda”. It has 9 floors, 77 chambers, and 108 doors. Every one of the chambers has a very low doorframe, where visitors have to bow to enter. 

Day 5: Gyantse (3950m) - Yamdrok Lake (4441m) - Lhasa

0900am: We will begin our drive towards Lhasa via 3 big mountain passes:

1. Simi La Pass (4200m) – This pass is unique due to the presence of countless colourful Tibetan flags decorating the rock faces (more than others). And the wind that blows through here makes the flags wave in extraordinary patterns.
2. Karo La Pass (5035m) – Located between Between Yamdrok and Gyantse.
3. Kampa La Pass (4794m) – Located between Lhasa and Gyantse, with views of the Yamdrok Lake.

Karo La is the highest pass among the 3 mountains at 5035m. From this pass, you will be able to view beautiful glaciers. The beautiful Yamdrok Lake can also be seen as coral colour from the top of Kampa La Pass. 

NOTE: Yamdrok Lake is one of the top four holy Buddhist lakes in Tibet. It’s about 150km from Lhasa and takes about 2½ hours to get there by car. Taking photos with a yak or Tibetan mastiff by the lakeside costs around 20 yuan per person.

Noon: We will have lunch at Nakartse Country, located between the Yamdrok Lake and Karo La glaciers.

Evening: Drive to Lhasa, where we will spend the night.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour in Lhasa (3565m): Visit Potala Palace, Jokang Temple and Bharkor Bazar!

Morning: After breakfast, we will go to the must visit attraction of Tibet – Potala Palace. It is known as the highest palace in the world standing on the Red Hill of Lhasa. The Potala Palace is a house of Tibetan history, culture, religion, and art. 

NOTE: You should be physically ready for the Potala Palace, which has a lot of steps. Be prepared to enjoy resplendent chambers and exquisite wall paintings.

Noon: There will be two attractions for you in the afternoon – Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.

1. Jokhang Temple: As the house of Buddha, Jokhang is the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims; as the spiritual center of Tibet. Jokhang Temple is the perfect place for you to experience the devotion of Tibetans.
2. Barkhor Street: Wander in the crowds, and opt to take part in the religious activities of the locals. Shop for souvenirs, sample the street food, or just drink the the culture and beauty of this beautiful land at Barkhor Street.

NOTE: Bharkor Street is the most colourful market in Tibet and is the best place to shop at.

Potala Palace

Known as the Dalai Lamas’ Winter Palace, the Potala Palace houses countless treasures including 8 Dalai Lamas’ holy stupas. The most luxurious stupa is the 5th Dalai Lama’s, which comprises 3,721 kilograms of gold, 52 tons of silver, and over 15,000 jewels and pearls.

The Potala Palace is composed of a white palace and a red palace, and the walls of the white palace taste sweet! This is due to the coating, which contains milk, honey, and white sugar, and these ingredients make the coating bright and stable.

Before entering the Potala Palace, you will need to climb about 360 steps, which will take about 30 minutes. Take it easy and have a short break if you like, enjoy the views and take some photos along the way.

Jokhang Temple

This is the “Mecca” for Buddhists, as the Jokhang Temple preserves a life-sized golden sitting statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour in Lhasa (3565m): Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery!

Morning: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and start your day with a trip to Norbulingka. We will then drive 15 minutes to the Drepung Monastery, where you will climb the stairs up to the hill and visit the delicate temples. If you are lucky, you will get to hear the monks chanting together, a precious experience indeed!

Noon: Have lunch in a local restaurant and try some Tibetan food, such as yak butter tea, which will help you to adapt to the altitude.

Evening: Visit the Sera Monastery and watch the monks’ debate. Guess the meaning of their gestures and grasp the chance to take splendid photos!

Descriptions:

1. Norbulingka – Formerly known as the Summer Palace for the Dalai Lamas, it is now a beautiful public park with plenty of plants providing extra oxygen. Due to this, it is the best attraction to visit at the start of your trip.
2. Sera Monastery – The highlight of visiting this monastery is watching the monks’ debate, which is held at 3:30pm every day except for Sundays.
3. Drepung Monastery – It is the biggest monastery with the most monks in Tibet. It also has the biggest monastery kitchen, which allows up to 10,000 monks to have their meals together.

General rules for visiting temples in Tibet: –

1. Cameras are not allowed in the temples or in the debate field, but taking photos with a cell phone is acceptable.
2. When entering a temple, please remove your hat and sunglasses to show respect. Your shoulders should be covered and you should not wear shorts.
3. Walk clockwise when visiting Barkhor Street or any temple in Tibet.

Day 8: Lhasa (3565m) - Departure!

After breakfast, you will catch your train/international flight to Kathmandu/Chengdu. Bon voyage until we meet again!