HGT Travels

Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour via Everest Base Camp - 10 Days

Starting From
$ 3090 USD
(twin sharing basis)

Trip Highlights

  • Visit the most remarkable landmarks in Lhasa including Potala, Norbulingka, Jokhang temple and Barkhor Square.
  • Visit to marvelous Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery in the world.
  • Scenic drive through Tibetan plateaus through ancient towns and old cities like Gyantse, Shigatse, Rongbuk and Kyirong.
  • Trip to the mystical turquoise Yamdrok Tso Lake, one of the three largest divine lakes in Tibet.
  • Encounter the awe-inspiring North Face of Mt. Everest and reach to the base camp.
  • Visit Sakya and Rongbuk monasteries and few other popular monasteries; discover the Kyirong valley

Trip Description

The Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour via Everest Base Camp is an adventurous overland journey that begins in Lhasa, where we visit the most prominent cities and towns of Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, Sakya, Rongbuk, and Kyirong. During our trip, we stopover at all major landmarks in the Tibetan plateau. Some of the major highlights of this delightful trip include breaks at Potala and Norbulingka Palaces, the Tibetan Traditional Hospital and the Barkhor Square. This tour engulfs various noteworthy monasteries namely Drepung, Sera, Rongbuk, Shalu, Tashi Lhunpo, Sakya, Ganden, and Phalkot. Covering a vast expanse of the ancient lands, crossing brilliant passes such as Lalung La, Khamba La, Karo La, and the Gyatso La through extraordinary landscapes and spiritual heart of the country, this trip manages to take a little bit of everything of the attractions Tibet has to offer. Visiting the Khumbum stupa and the meditative sanctuary of the Tibetan monks, Drayerpa caves while exploring the mystical Yamdrok Tso Lake adds more colors to the already bright and delightful voyage at the roof of the world.

Embark on an ultimate overland trip within the central Tibet with us, descending right through the laps of the Himalayas unto Nepal. Achieve the ultimate success while encountering the awe-inspiring north face of the colossal Mt. Everest by stepping a foot at the base camp. Discover the warmth and profound spiritualism of Tibetan people while traversing the desolately beautiful valleys and spellbinding landscapes to make your Tibet travel a truly memorable experience.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01 :
 Arrival in Lhasa and transfer to hotel. (3,650m/11,972ft), 60km, 1 hour
Day 02 :
 Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital: 5 - 6 hours
Day 03 :
 Lhasa Sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar: 5 - 6 hours
Day 04 :
 Day Excursion to Ganden Monastery and Drayerpa Caves, 110km, 5-6 hours
Day 05 :
 Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950m/12,956ft) via Karo La Pass and Yamdrok Tso Lake: 325km, 5-6 hours
Day 06 :
 Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900m/12,795ft) via Shalu Monastery: 95km, 2 hours
Day 07 :
 Shigatse to Rongbuk via Sakya Monastery (5,000m/16,400ft): 390km, 7-8 hours
Day 08 :
 Rongbuk to Kyirong (1,895m/6,217ft) via Everest Base Camp: 335km, 7-8 hours
Day 09 :
 Kyirong to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft): 130km, 8-9hours
Day 10 :
 Final Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival in Lhasa and transfer to hotel. (3,650m/11,972ft), 60km, 1 hour
We arrive Lhasa either from Kathmandu or through Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any nearby hub by direct flights or travel on the world’s highest train route. On arrival in Lhasa, a Tibetan representative will pick us up from the airport or the train station after completing necessary immigration formalities, and transfer us to our pre-assigned hotel. We are advised to take rest
We are encouraged to take plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and allow our body to acclimatize to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 02 : Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital: 5 - 6 hours
Our Lhasa sightseeing begins after our breakfast in our hotel. The tour will take us to visit and explore the grandeur of Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Potala Palace, the winter residential palace of the Dalai Lama will leave us stunned with the magnificence of architecture and aura it spreads around. Norbulingka, the Treasure Park, also known as the summer residential palace of the Dalai Lama, is the most prominent human-made park in Tibet. After spending some fantastic moments in these palaces, we will visit the Tibetan Traditional Hospital and learn about the traditional Tibetan medical science. We will have some idea of how the traditional Tibetan medical system works. After the sightseeing, we go back to the hotel and relax. Overnight in Lhasa. 
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 03 : Lhasa Sightseeing: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar: 5 - 6 hours
Today, we will be briefed on the day’s program after our breakfast, and an experienced guide will lead us to Sera Monastery (4000m), a preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs, where we get an insight into the essential aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. Later, we will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery (3900m), which is believed to have sheltered around 10000 monks in the past. Here, we can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. Then we visit the Jokhang temple, another important site with more deep-seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple houses a sacred image of Buddha, a golden statue of the Shakyamuni, which is regarded as the holiest object in Tibet. After visiting these monasteries, we will go to explore and experience local life at the bustling Barkhor Bazaar, which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa, and surrounds the Jokhang temple. Overnight in Lhasa.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 04 : Day Excursion to Ganden Monastery and Drayerpa Caves, 110km, 5-6 hours
After breakfast, we drive to Ganden Monastery, known as one of the three most significant monasteries in Lhasa. It takes about one and a half hour to reach the monastery from the downtown area by driving, and it is about 57 km east of Lhasa. The monastery lies at the top of the Wangbur mountain, at 3800 meters. With an orderly architectural layout of standing Buddhist halls, towering roofs, and splendid stupas, Ganden monastery is arranged well with vivid colors of black windows, white walls and golden roofs, like a castle beneath the heavens. Along the winding twisty road up, we can appreciate the authentic holy land under the blue sky. In the afternoon, we drive to Drayerpa Cave (4885m) which is about 19km from Ganden monastery, located in a beautiful valley with a stunning landscape. It is a hermitage built on a hillside of the mountain which is composed of around 30 caves. The Lamas meditate in a silent environment in these caves. We drive back to Lhasa after visiting these caves. Overnight in Lhasa.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 05 : Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950m/12,956ft) via Karo La Pass and Yamdrok Tso Lake: 325km, 5-6 hours
We begin our day with a scenic drive following the friendship highway past the Khamba La Pass (4794m). We will stop for a while to appreciate the magnificent views of Yamdrok Tso Lake, a turquoise lake and one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. We also get to see the beautiful Nazin Kang Sang glacier standing proudly at 7252m. Moving ahead westwards, we come across the Karo La Pass at 5045m. If we are lucky enough, we may get a chance to see huge glaciers tumbling down to the road. After few hours of driving, we arrive at Gyantse town, which is surrounded by a 3km long wall. Gyantse is located in the Nyang Chu valley on the ancient trade routes from the Chumbi valley, Yatung and Sikkim. This town with beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages, houses the Khumbu stupa, Phalkot monastery and Gyantse Dzong, one of the best preserved dzongs in Tibet. Enjoy this small agricultural town that is famous for its woolen carpets. Overnight in Gyantse.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 06 : Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900m/12,795ft) via Shalu Monastery: 95km, 2 hours
After breakfast, we begin our short drive to head towards Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. En route, we make a short visit to Shalu monastery, known for its beautiful and ancient mural paintings. The monastery founded in 1040 AD was built with Han, Tibetan and Indian style architecture. After a brief observation of the monastery, we will continue our drive further to Shigatse. Tashi Lhunpo is the major attraction of Shigatse, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. This monastery has a historic and cultural importance for being the seat of the Panchen Lama, and being founded by Gendup Drup, the first Dalai Lama in 1447. We will go to our hotel room and rest for the rest of the day for the next day’s long drive. Overnight in Shigatse.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 07 : Shigatse to Rongbuk via Sakya Monastery (5,000m/16,400ft): 390km, 7-8 hours
We begin our drive to Rongbuk early in the morning through some stunning villages while getting the very first glimpses of Mt. Everest from the foot of the Gyatso La Pass. En route, we will visit the Sakya Monastery, also called as Pel Sakya, with its Mongolian-style outer walls and murals. In this monastery, we can see the largest book in the world in Sakya’s library, which is written in gold. The main architectures inside this castle are the Dajing Hall, the Buddhism Hall and the hall where the Sakya archbishop lived. Then we continue our drive towards Rongbuk. Crossing the Lalung La Pass we reach the Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery in the world, which lies near the base of the north side of Mt. Everest at the end of the Dzarkar Chu valley. Overnight in Rongbuk.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 08 : Rongbuk to Kyirong (1,895m/6,217ft) via Everest Base Camp: 335km, 7-8 hours
We begin our drive to the base of the world’s highest mountain early in the morning. It is 8km from Rongbuk monastery, and all along the way, we will see spectacular Himalayan ranges such as Shishapangma, Cho Oyu and the Everest. Reaching the base camp, we get to catch a sight of the marvelous Rongbuk glacier. After accomplishing one of the major highlights of our trip and spending some quality time at the base, we drive towards Kyirong.
En route, we visit a crystal clear turquoise lake in the middle of wilderness, the Peikutso Lake, which is 27km long and 6km wide at its narrowest. We can also notice a lot of wildlife in the area including wild horses, wolves, foxes, deer, gazelle, black-necked cranes, as well as yaks and sheep. Finally, we reach a small nomadic town close to the border of Nepal. Overnight in Kyirong.
This is the last contact with the Tibetan plateau where pilgrims stop to hang prayer flags, burn incense and throw prayer notes into the air. Overnight in Kyirong.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 09 : Kyirong to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft): 130km, 8-9hours
After completing the border formalities of custom clearance, we cross the border to arrive at Rasuwagadi, Nepal side of the border. Driving along small mountainous road with plenty of waterfalls, gorges, rivers and lush forests, we embark on a scenic drive across the countryside to reach Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu, we will be transferred to our hotel, where we can stretch our legs and relax. Later in the evening we will be hosted with a farewell dinner on successful completion of our marvelous trip. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 : Final Departure
Today, we will be dropped to the international airport well ahead of our scheduled flight time. If we have an evening or a night flight back home, we may opt for a scenic mountain flight in the morning, at an additional cost. On your journey back home, we have ample time to schedule yet another adventurous trip to the Himalayas.
Included meals: Breakfast

Want to customise this trip? You can contact us

What's Included

  • All necessary Tibet travel permits
  • Pickups and drops from airport and hotel(s)
  • Everest National Park admission fee and Grass dame charge
  • Use of private vehicles (van or Hiace or bus) for transportation
  • Accommodation in Tibet on twin sharing basis with breakfast
  • English speaking, trained and experienced Tibetan guide
  • All fees for sightseeing and visits to monasteries as outlined in the itinerary
  • All applicable taxes and service charges
  • One night hotel accommodation in a 3-starred boutique hotel (B&B) with all taxes
  • Farewell Dinner at Kathmandu

What's not Included

  • Train ticket from China to Lhasa
  • Chinese visa fee
  • International flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa or from China to Lhasa
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
  • Tips for guides and driver
  • Nepal visa

Accommodation

We will be staying at Kyichu Hotel in Lhasa, Yeti Hotel in Gyantse, Gesar Hotel in Shigatse, Rongbuk Monastery Guest House in Rongbuk, Kyirong Hotel in Kyirong and Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa in Kathmandu. The hotels in Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse are 2-3 star hotels, but due to their remote location, the hotels in Rongbuk and Kyirong are very basic. It is also possible to upgrade to a better hotel in Lhasa, but the accommodations in other cities and towns are the best available ones. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. Single supplement will be served on request and at an additional cost

Meals

Only breakfasts are included in this trip. We are expected to pay for lunches and dinners on our own. Breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay for the night. Similar arrangements can also be made for dinner. Lunch will be taken en route to the next destination(s). We recommend our guest(s) to budget Yuan 60 to Yuan 100(US$10 to US$16) for lunch and dinner every day. We will mainly eat Tibetan bread, Dal (lentil soup), Bhat (rice), tsampa porridge and other simple local foods.

The given prices are per person with excluded international flights. Given below are the departure dates available for online booking. If the given date is not favorable then please contact us and we will happily customize your trip on dates more appropriate for you.

HGT Travels also organizes trips on small groups, so we recommend you to reserve a seat for yourself by booking with us right away. Hurry! The adventure awaits you.

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  • The given date is available for booking. Anyone traveling solo or with groups are welcome to join.
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