Tibet Overland Explorer 8 Days

Fixed Departure every Saturday
Overland to Lhasa and flight out to Kathmandu or vise versa.

Best Season: Cultural tours are best done from April to November while trekking in Tibet is best June to October.

The most popular tour to Tibet is an 8 day package, where people start one of the most spectacular overland journeys on the 920km stretch of road, known as the Friendship highway between Kathmandu & Lhasa and fly back from there. The trip allows a number of detours to the highlights of the Tsang Province and the Lhasa City. The trip offers a spectacular insight into the life and culture of the friendly Tibetan people, from the ancient monasteries with chanting monks to the tranquil shores of the Turquoise Lake (Yamdrok Tso), to the Kumbum (literally 100,00 images), the most stunning architectural wonder of Tibet & to the city of wonders, the Lhasa. This trip concludes with the breathtaking Trans-Himalayan flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

This trip starts early morning at 05:30 am from Kathmandu, Nepal. The distance from Kathmandu to the Friendship bridge, Kodari (Nepal-Tibet Border) is 116km and takes a 5hours on drive. After completing immigration formalities on the Nepal side we continue drive or walk to Zhamgmu Immigration, which is 09km away. At Zhangmu, our representative from Tibet will meet you and transfers you to the hotel. He will then take care of your entire tour arrangements till your departure from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The detailed itinerary is as given below:

Practicality: Customization of the above program is not possible.
Private departures are possible at added cost. All departures must coincide with flights in and out of Lhasa. The package cost for private departures are given upon request.

Itinerary: Tibet Overland Explorer 8 Days:

Day 1: Kathmandu - Zhangmu:
Departing at 0530 am from Kathmandu, approximately 5 hours drive along the Arniko Highway, will take us to Kodari (China-Nepal Border). We cross the Friendship bridge at the border & drive to Zhangmu by jeep (or truck) where after completion of immigration formalities, we will enter to the Chinese Autonomous Region & start the first night in the Tibetan plateau. We will be staying at the hotel/guesthouse nearby Zhanmgu. Overnight at Zhamgmu.
Meals: B

Day 2: Zhangmu - Xegar:
From Zhangmu, we drive to Lhatse, following the Bhote Koshi River valley with the plenty of waterfalls on our eyes. This route is the most adventurous route among the others as it offers the panoramic views of the high mountains including the highest peak Everest (8848m) with Langtang (7367m), Xixapangma (8012m), Makalu (8464m) Lhotse (8516m), Cho Oyu (8153m). We get chance to pass by the high passes like Nyalam Pass (3750 m), Tong-La (5120m) La Lung-la (5124m) & Gyatso-la (5220 m). We continue our drive passing Tingri (4390 m) & stay at Xegar (also known as New Tingri,). Overnight at Xegar. Meals: B

Day 3: Xegar - Xigatse:
From Xegar, we continue our drive to Xigatse, Tibet's second-largest city, lying near the union of the Nyang Chu and the Tsang Po, on the main route between Gyantse and West Tibet. It is the place of famous Tashilumpo Monastery. Overnight at Xigatse. Meals: B

Day 4: Xigatse - Gyantse:
In Xigatse, we visit Tashilumpo Monastery, one of the four great Gelug monasteries renowned as the seat of the Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. After visiting Tashilunpo Monastery in the morning including the Bazaar of Xigatse, We drive to the capital of the small kingdom in 15th century. Gyantse. Visit Gyantse Kumbum (the highest Chorten in Tibet) & Pelkor Chode Monastery founded in 1418. Overnight at Gyantse. Meals: B

Day 5:Gyantse - Lhasa:
Drive to Lhasa, crossing the Karo-la Pass (5045m), we pass by the Yamdrok Tso, the turquoise lake & one of the four holy lakes in Tibet. Then after passing the Kamba-la Pass (4794m), we find ourselves close to the Lhasa Valley. After crossing the Brahmaputra River, we reach Lhasa, our final destination. Lhasa lies in the Kyichu river valley at 3,595m and is dominated by the magnificent Potala Palace towering above, built in the 17th century by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. The accompanying guide will reconfirm your onward airline ticket. Overnight at Lhasa. Meals: B

Day 6 & 7: Lhasa:
Day 6 and 7, you will be occupied with sightseeing and excursions of the Potala Palace (A great museum with its proportions and priceless treasures) Jokhang Temple (the holiest of Tibetan shrines, houses two images of the Buddha brought as dowry by Songtsen Gampo's Nepali and Chinese queens) along the bustling street of Barkhor Market. In Lhasa, you will also visit Norbu Lingka (the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas), Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Overnight at Lhasa. Meals: B

Day 8: Lhasa - Kathmandu:
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Gongkar Airport for the onward flight to Kathmandu. Our representative will assist you. The flight is 1 hours and 10 minutes departing at 10am CST & arriving Kathmandu at 09am NST. You may fly to other destinations like Chengdu, Chamdo, Chongqing, Xian, Xining or other Chinese destinations or you may explore the city on your own. Arrivals in Kathmandu, we will transfer to your hotel. Meals: B

Tibet Overland Explorer 8 Days
Tour Cost Per Person In US Dollars: Valid till October 2008

l Rates: Lunch & dinner would be approximately USD15 per meal

Lhasa-Kathmandu one-way airfare US$296 per person.
Airfare is current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Seven nights accommodation on twin sharing with daily breakfast as per the package itinerary,
all sightseeing tour as per the program,
entrance fees to monuments visited as per program,
English speaking guide service,
private ground transfers,
Tibet travel permit.

Tour Cost Excludes:
Lhasa-Kathmandu one-way airfare US$296 per person.
departure tax in Kathmandu US$17 and departure tax in Lhasa US$11,
China visa fee is US$45 per person and additional US$14 per person for US Passport holders not including express visa processing fee US$35,
Nepal visa fee Single entry US$50 for 30 days and Multiple entry US$80 for 60 days,
Beverages not mentioned in the program, meals such lunch and dinner,
All expenses of personal nature, Nepal re-entry visa fee,
Charge for photography, travel Insurance, emergency evacuation charges,
Any cost arising out of landslides, road blockade, cancellation of flights, and any other cost not mentioned in the cost include

Chinese Visa:
Chinese Visa: The Chinese Embassy changes the rules for visa time to time. Normal visa fee at present is US$45 per person and additional US$14 per person for US Passport holders. If the visa is to take on the same day an additional fee of US$35 will be applicable. You are required to make the group visas for any tour to Tibet.

Optional: Kathmandu Stopover Hotel and Tour Cost.
2-12 people US$644 per person

Kathmandu Stopover Cost Includes:
Five nights accommodations in quality 3 star boutique hotel and resort in Kathmandu and Nagarkot on twin sharing and breakfast (3 nights before and 2 nights after tour),
Three full day tour program as mentioned in the itinerary,
all ground transportation including on arrivals and departures,
tour guide service throughout the tour,
entrance fees to monuments visited,
meals as stated in the program. Please ask for details.
Remark: Three days in Kathmandu prior to Tibet tour is suggested for better acclimatization.