8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Luxury Overland Tour

In the morning, our Nepali guide will pick you up at your hotel in Kathmandu and drive to the Sino-Nepal border. After about 7 hours of driving (130km) you will reach the border town - Rasuwa Gadi.

The scenery along the way from Kathmandu to the border will make you almost forget the bumpy road. Along the way, you will see many magnificent snow-capped mountains at the southern foot of the Himalayas, covered by vast forest, towering into the clouds.

When pass through Langtang National Park, you will go through a very bumpy road section, with the vehicle swinging on the muddy road. But the exciting thing is that you may encounter some interesting wild animals on the way.

Upon arrival in Rasuwa Gadi, check in at your hotel and have a good rest.

Stay overnight in Rasuwa Gadi.

Insider Tips:
1. If you don’t have a Chinese L Visa, please arrive in Kathmandu and visit our local office at least 3 working days in advance. Our Kathmandu staff will assist you in processing your Chinese Group Visa.

2. Accommodation in Kathmandu is not included in this package. If you need assistance with hotel reservations, please do not hesitate to share your preferences. We will be delighted to arrange exquisite accommodations tailored to your tastes.

Alternatively, if you have already booked your hotel, kindly provide the details so your private tour guide can ensure a timely and seamless pick-up.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at the best local options in Rasuwa Gadi. If you have any particular preferences, we’re happy to arrange accommodations tailored to your needs.

What to Eat?
While dining options in remote border areas and on the way to the border may not match the standards of big cities, we are committed to offering you the finest available dining experience in the region.

• Passing through the Langtang National Park while overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa
• Admire magnificent snow-capped mountains at the southern foot of the Himalayas

In the morning, you’ll take a 15-kilometer drive to the border and enter China via the Gyirong Border. Your private Tibetan guide will meet you at the Gyirong side and take you to Gyirong town within a 1-hour drive.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore Gyirong Valley, which is described by British explorer Howard-Bury as the most beautiful valley in the world in his book 'Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance'. Here, you can visit the Sherpa villages and admire dense forests and beautiful snow peaks above the woods.

Stay overnight in Gyirong. 

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at the 4-star Qomo Langzong Hotel Kayrung, the highest-rated hotel in Gyirong.

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to handpicked local restaurants according to your preference.

• You will be transferred to Gyirong Port.
• Qomo Langzong Hotel Kayrung, the highest-rated hotel in Gyirong

Once you’ve had breakfast at your hotel, you’ll leave Gyirong to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. During this 380-kilometer overland journey, you’ll enjoy the scenery along the road changing as the altitude increases from 2,800 meters to over 5,000 metes above sea level.

First, you’ll be attracted by the forests, waterfalls, and bottomless canyons at an altitude of 2800 meters. Then cross the Kong Tang Lamu Pass at an altitude of 5,236 meters and enter the plateau.

When passing by Mt. Shishabangma (8,027m) and Pelku Tso Lake at its foot, you’ll be shocked by the tranquil and peaceful beauty.

After that, you’ll enter the Mount Everest area. When passing through the world's most beautiful Everest viewing platform - Gawula Pass (5,198m), you will see five peaks above 8,000 meters in the Himalayas lined up. The world-famous Mount Everest stands among them, and beneath the peaks is the churning sea of clouds.

Later, you’ll arrive at Everest Base Camp (5,000m) in Tibet. Here, you'll admire the world's highest peak from the foot of Mount Everest's North Slope and visit the world's highest temple, Rongbuk Monastery (5,154m).

After visiting Everest Base Camp, you’ll continue your journey to Tingri (4,300m).

Stay overnight in Tingri.

Insider Tips:
To ensure your safety and reduce the risk of altitude sickness during the rapid ascent to over 5,000 meters today, we’ll arrange an overnight stay in Tingri at a lower altitude. And the accommodation conditions in Tingri Town are much better than hotels at the base camp, which ensure a more comfortable stay at night.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at the best options in Tingri. If you have any particular preferences, we’re happy to arrange accommodations tailored to your needs.

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Enjoy your group tour to Everest Base Camp
• Tingri Pingcuo Kangsang Everest Base Camp Oxygen-Rich Hotel

After breakfast, you will follow the find road drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. En route, you will say goodbye to Mount Everest at Gyatso La Pass and stop for a memorable photo at the 5,000-Kilometer Monument on G318 National Highway in Lhatse. This milestone marks the impressive distance of 5,000 km from the People’s Square in the center of Shanghai to this very spot in Tibet.

After you arrive in Shigatse, you will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama. It is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. As the spiritual home of the Tibetan people in Shigatse, it houses the world’s largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. You will enjoy a stroll through the narrow alleys as you explore different magnificent halls of the largest monastery in Shigatse, whose vast complex spans the entire hillside.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Hilton Shigatse (5-star) or Qomo Langzong Hotel (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of Panchan Lama
• Hilton Shigatse, the most luxury 5-star hotel in Shigatse

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start the overland journey from Shigatse to Lhasa through a scenic route with charming Tibetan villages, stunning glacier, and holy lake Yamdrok.

First, you will arrive in the ancient city of Gyantse, where you’ll explore the revered Pelkor Monastery and the magnificent Kumbum Stupa. The Pelkor Monastery is the only monastery in Tibet that harmoniously blends the three major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is renowned for its exquisite murals, and the Kumbum Stupa holds 100,000 Bhudha stupas.

Next, you will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. It is the largest glacier in Tibet. As you see the ice tongue of the glacier climb the entire hillside, you will feel the magical power of nature.

After that, you’ll continue the journey to Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holiest lake in Tibet. From the viewing platform, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the turquoise waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In the distance, you can also see the majestic Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m), the highest peak near Lhasa.

After soaking in the stunning lakeside views, you'll visit a local family in a village by the lake. There, you’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch and some authentic local snacks and drinks for a true taste of Tibetan hospitality.

In late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Lhasa. The evening is yours to enjoy. You can head to Barkhor Street to pick up some souvenirs for family and friends, savor local delicacies at a fine restaurant, or simply relax at your hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And you’ll have lunch in a local Tibetan family near Yamdrok Lake. For dinner, your private guide will take you to a high-quality local restaurant according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Yamdrok Lake at Gampala Pass, where you can get a marvelous bird's-eye view of the lake.
• Stay in style at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start today’s journey to Drepung Monastery. It was once the largest monastery in Tibet, which houses over 10,000 monks. As you walk through the Coqen Hall, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the worldview of Tibetan Buddhism and introduce notable figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Next, you’ll visit the renowned Loseling College (or an equivalent), offering a glimpse into the study and life of Tibetan monks. You can explore their dormitories to gain insights into the Tibetan monks' daily routines and living conditions.

For lunch, you’ll be accompanied by your private guide to experience the daily diet of local monks in the Monastery dining hall, or go to a local restaurant according to your preference.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

For dinner, you can tell your guide what you want to taste, and your private tour guide will take you to the most worthwhile restaurants on their list based on your taste and preferences.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelug monasteries of Tibet
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

Following breakfast at your hotel, you’ll visit the Potala Palace, the iconic landmark of Tibet. After climbing up to the palace, you’ll explore the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After touring the Potala Palace, you’ll visit Zongjiao Lukang Park at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, you can appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective. You will also have the opportunity to experience local Tibetan folk activities, such as enjoying the traditional Guozhuang dance with the locals.

Then, you can enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant to get refreshed and prepare for the following sightseeing.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrations in front of Jokhang Temple.

Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Next, follow your guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as your guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

After visiting, you’ll return to downtown Lhasa and enjoy a farewell dinner in a top-rated local restaurant. You’ll be accompanied by animated traditional Tibetan dancing and singing; treat your taste buds with unique Tibetan delicacies. The charming night of Lhasa will alter your mindset towards Tibet and hold you spellbound.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Where to Stay?
Your stay will be arranged at Songtsam Linka Retreat Lhasa (super 5-star) or standard luxury hotels like The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star) and Shangri-La Lhasa (5-star).

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. And for lunch and dinner, your private guide will take you to high-quality local restaurants according to your preference. Whether you want to experience Tibetan food, Chinese dishes, or Western cuisine, we are committed to delivering a delicious dining experience.

• Potala Palace is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Your private tour guide will confirm your departure details in advance and escort you to the Lhasa Gonggar Airport/Lhasa Train Station on time.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.

Service Guide

What to Eat?
Today’s Breakfast is offered by your hotel. Before you leave Lhasa, if you'd like to enjoy one more meal, your private guide will take you to a handpicked local restaurant, chosen to match your personal tastes.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.