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Scenic Tour of Tibet and Nepal-17 Days

  • Destination

    Tibet

  • Region

    Nepal/Tibet

  • Trip Grade

    Grade 3: Hard/challenging

  • Accommodation

    Hotel

  • Total Distance

    2000km

  • Start / End Point

    Kathmandu/Kathmandu

  • Durations

    17 Days

  • Max. Altitude

    5,309 m (17,417 ft)

  • Meals Included

    Breakfast

  • Group Size

    above 1 pax

  • Best Season

    All season

  • Activity per day

    8 hr

  • Transportation

    Private Luxury Tourist Vehicles


Tour Route: Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Everest Base Camp – Gyirong Port – Nagarkot – Kathmandu – Chitwan – Pokhara

This itinerary takes tourists to explore one of the most spectacular natural scenery of Tibet, including sacred Namtso Lake and Everest Base Camp, and moves to famous resort Nagarkot and Pokhara in Nepal to appreciate Mt. Himalaya. Besides, tourists can enjoy wildlife in Chitwan, a well-known jungle in Nepal.

While travelling from Tibet to Nepal via Sino-Nepal highway, you will enjoy the three cultural and historical cities: Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, where the essence of Tibetan religion, monasteries and palaces can be seen.

Highlights

  • Tibet boasts iconic landmarks like the Potala Palace, the spiritual heart of Jokhang Temple, and the breathtaking scenery of Mount Everest Base Camp. Other highlights include the bustling Barkhor Street, the serene Namtso Lake, and the unique monk debates at Sera Monastery. Pilgrimage sites like Mount Kailash and the ancient Samye Monastery also draw visitors.
  • Potala Palace: The former winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-see for its architecture, history, and religious significance.
  • Jokhang Temple: Considered the most sacred temple in Tibet, it's a hub of Tibetan Buddhism and a place of pilgrimage for many.
  • Mount Kailash: A sacred mountain for multiple religions, it's a popular pilgrimage destination and the starting point for the Kora (circumambulation).
  • Samye Monastery: The first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, it's historically significant and offers insights into the early spread of Buddhism in the region.
  • Mount Everest Base Camp: Tibet's Everest Base Camp provides stunning views of the world's highest peak and offers a less strenuous alternative to the Nepali side.
  • Namtso Lake: One of the highest saltwater lakes in the world, it offers breathtaking scenery and a serene atmosphere.
  • Yamdrok Lake: Another stunning turquoise lake, it's surrounded by snow-capped mountains and offers picturesque views.
  • Barkhor Street: A vibrant, circular street surrounding Jokhang Temple, it's a bustling market and a great place to experience Tibetan culture.
  • Sera Monastery: Known for its lively monk debates, it's a great place to witness the intellectual side of Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Tashilhunpo Monastery: The seat of the Panchen Lamas, it's an important religious and cultural site in Shigatse.
  • Nagarkot is renowned for its stunning Himalayan views, particularly at sunrise and sunset. It's a popular destination for hiking, offering scenic trails and opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the region. Visitors can also enjoy cultural experiences, such as visiting the nearby Changu Narayan Temple, and partake in adventure activities like paragliding and mountain biking.
  • Visit iconic landmarks like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the 55-Window Palace. Marvel at the artistry of the Nyatapola Temple, Nepal's tallest pagoda, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local life at Taumadhi and Pottery Squares.
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square's highlights include the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the Kumari Ghar (Living Goddess's Temple), and the Taleju Temple. The square also features the Jagannath Temple with its erotic carvings, and the Kal Bhairav statue, a powerful representation of Shiva. The Basantapur Tower offers panoramic views.
  • The main highlight of Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple, is the iconic stupa with its gilded spire and the painted eyes of Buddha on all four sides. These eyes are a symbol of Buddha's all-seeing wisdom and compassion. The temple complex is also known for its stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley, its monkey population, and the numerous prayer flags and wheels that adorn the site.
  • The main highlight of Pashupatinath Temple is its Nepalese pagoda-style architecture, particularly the four-tiered golden roof and silver-plated doors. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, also features a sacred Shiva Lingam within its inner sanctum. Beyond the main temple, the complex includes numerous shrines, statues, and intricate carvings, making it a significant cultural and spiritual site.
  • The main highlight of Chitwan is Chitwan National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and rich biodiversity. Visitors can experience thrilling jungle safaris to spot endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers, as well as other wildlife like elephants, deer, and various bird species. The park also offers opportunities for canoe rides, nature walks, and exploring the local Tharu culture.
  • Pokhara is a city on Phewa Lake, in central Nepal. It’s known as a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trail in the Himalayas. Tal Barahi Temple, a 2-story pagoda, sits on an island in the lake. On the eastern shore, the Lakeside district has yoga centers and restaurants. In the city’s south, the International Mountain Museum has exhibits on the history of mountaineering and the people of the Himalayas.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa by Train or by Flight.
  • Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing - Potala Palace/Tibet Museum/Jokhang Temple/Barkhor.(B)
  • Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing - Drepung Monastery/Sera Monastery.
  • Day 4: Lhasa to Namtso Lake and drive back to Damxung (B).
  • Day 5: Damxung to Lhasa via Chimelong Nunnery and Tsurphu Monastery (B).
  • Day 6: Lhasa/Yamdrotso lake/Gyangtse/Shigatse(B).
  • Day 7: Shigatse/Lhatse/Tingri (Shegar)/Tingri/Rongphu Monastery.(B)
  • Day 8: Rongbuk - Gyirong(B)
  • Day 9: Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi-Nagarkot(B).
  • Day 10: Nagarkot –Bhaktapur City- Kathmandu (30 kms, 2 hours drive)(B).
  • Day 11: Kathmandu Day Tour - Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa(B),
  • Day 12: Kathmandu to Chitwan(156kms, 6 hrs drive (L,D).
  • Day 13: Jungle Activities in Chitwan(B,L,D).
  • Day 14: Chitwan to Pokhara(145 kms, 5 hours drive)(B).
  • Day 15: Pokhara Day Tour(B).
  • Day 16: Pokhara to Kathmandu(B).
  • Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu(B)

Cost Includes

  • Tibet travel permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
  • All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;
  • Personal knowledgeable English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;
  • Personal comfortable, clean and safe vehicle with reliable Tibetan local driver; vehicle ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on your group size;
  • All lodging listed in the itinerary;
  • Domestic flight/train tickets listed in the itinerary;
  • All meals listed in the above itinerary;
  • Tourist accident/casualty insurance;
  • First aid kit;

Cost does not Include

  • International flight to and out of China;
  • Chinese visa (Note: we could help you with the Chinese visa application, like providing the invitation letter, presenting the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies, etc that you may need. )
  • Domestic flight/train not listed in the itinerary.
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary; usually it costs about USD3-15 per person for one meal in TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region).
  • Tips and gratitude to tour guide and driver;
  • Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks (please do the best to avoid the alcoholic beverages during your Tibet trip), optional tour activities, etc.

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa by Train or by Flight.

Upon your arrival, your local tour guide will pick you up at the airport/railway station and escort you to your hotel in Lhasa. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest so as to adapt yourself to the high altitude of Lhasa. Stay overnight in Lhasa
  • Altitude:3650m/11975ft
  • Duration:4 hr
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing - Potala Palace/Tibet Museum/Jokhang Temple/Barkhor.(B)

In the morning, we visit the famous Potala palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapel, and its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc. Tibet Museum is an important window to introduce the glorious culture of Tibet, as a free Museum in Lhasa, you couldn’t afford to miss it. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the holist temple in Tibet, the Johkang Temple, built during Songtsen Gonpo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty, 647 A.D, and its famous Barkor Kora (the religious circling around Barkhor street) Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day 3: Lhasa Sightseeing - Drepung Monastery/Sera Monastery.

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung monastery, founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, is situated at the foothill of a mountain. It was once home to10000 monks and Ganden podrang in Drepung was famous for its vital political role during the fifth dalai lama and later was moved to the famous potala palace during the fifth dalai lama. After lunch, we continue to visit the Sera Monastery founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most dramatic scene is its Buddhist Scriptures debate held in the debating courtyard mostly around 6:00 - 7:30 in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day 4: Lhasa to Namtso Lake and drive back to Damxung (B).

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland (in summer). Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Lagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake. Then we can enjoy our time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. Drive back to Damxung. (For environment protection, the Lakeshore guesthouses were close by the government.) Stay overnight in Damxung.
  • Altitude:4250m/13943ft
  • Duration:5hr
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 5: Damxung to Lhasa via Chimelong Nunnery and Tsurphu Monastery (B).

  After breakfast, we will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery). Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance. Then, we can go to Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats', the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. In the summertime (June to September), we can also go for a ‘ Linka outing’ (Tibetan-style picnic) in the small village at the foot of the hill of Tsurphu Monastery. Finally, we will drive back to Lhasa. Stay overnight in Lhasa. Today’s Cultural Tips: Sky burial is a funeral practice commonly seen in Tibet. The corpse will be disposed of and later devoured by vultures. In Tibetan Buddhism, sky burial is believed to represent their wishes to go to heaven. Only family members of the dead can attend the funeral.
  • Altitude:3600m/11811ft
  • Duration:5 hr
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 6: Lhasa/Yamdrotso lake/Gyangtse/Shigatse(B).

Passing by the green farmland of Nyangchu Valley, Holy Yamdro-tso lake, Grand Karo-la glacier roadside at 4960m, we move westwards to the second biggest city Shigatse, an Area spiritually hosted by Pamchan Lama. Today's highlights are Yamdro-tso Lake and Kubum monastery in Gyantse. Yamdro-tso Lake is shaped like coiling scorpion with deep blue in colour and Kubum monastery has a 35m-high chorten (stupa) with its white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and its crown-like golden dome. Stay overnight in Shigatse
  • Altitude:3810m/12500f
  • Duration:5 hr
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 7: Shigatse/Lhatse/Tingri (Shegar)/Tingri/Rongphu Monastery.(B)

Drive westwards the Friendship way to Tingri. There is about 90km bumpy road from Tingri to Rongpuk. From Tingri to E.B.C tourists will experience bumpy road, pass the wild grassland, cross the rapids river and high mountains. If the weather is fine, you can have a glimpse of four mountains which are 8000m high or more, that is, Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Everes (8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag (8201m), Mt Mayalu (8463m). Stay overnight at Rongphu Monastery (Tent or Guest House)
  • Altitude:5009m/16435ft
  • Duration:5 hr
  • Accommodation:Tented Camp

Day 8: Rongbuk - Gyirong(B)

We get up early in the morning to see the sunrise from Rongphu, then move to view Mt. Everest. After that, we go down from Rongbuk to Shegar. Then you will go west to Gyirong with our tour guide. We'll pass Mount Shishapangma (26,286 feet) on the way and cross two major passes - the Lalung La (16,811 feet) and the Nyalam Ton La, also known as the "pass to hell at 17,060 feet. Below Nyalam, the road descends steeply into the river valley of the Bhote Kosi. The flourishing border town of Gyirong Port clings to the mountainside with the highway crisscrossing between homes and storefronts. Stay overnight in Gyirong
  • Altitude:3000m/9842ft
  • Duration:5 hr
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 9: Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi-Nagarkot(B).

Our guide will drop you off at next morning at the border bridge. You are kindly required to walk on your own to cross the border bridge which is 50m long, then check in Nepal side. The next step, the Nepal tour guide will cross the border bridge to China side which is 50m long to meet you, and then you follow the Nepal tour guide to check in Nepal side, and then drive you to your hotel in Nagarkot. Stay overnight in Nagarkot  
  • Altitude:1,570 m / 5,150 ft
  • Duration:10 hrs
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 10: Nagarkot –Bhaktapur City- Kathmandu (30 kms, 2 hours drive)(B).

Nagarkot: is situated about 35 km east of Kathmandu city, it is the nearest panoramic view point and from here one can see the beautiful view of the Himalayan peaks. Have breakfast at Hotel and see the sunrise and spectacular view of Snow Mountains and drive from Nagarkot straight to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur City is one of three ancient cities of Kathmandu Valley; Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.
  • Altitude:1,400 m / 4,593 ft.
  • Duration:2 hrs
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 11: Kathmandu Day Tour - Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa(B),

In the morning, first drive to Pashupatinath temple which is situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu City and one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Then continue driving to Boudhanath Stupa, 8 kilometers east of Kathmandu City. Boudhanath Stupa is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. After lunch, drive to Swayambhunath Stupa, located approximately 4 kilometers west of Kathmandu city. This Buddhist Stupa is said to be 2000 years old. Stay overnight in Kathmandu
  • Altitude:1400m/4565ft
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 12: Kathmandu to Chitwan(156kms, 6 hrs drive (L,D).

We get up early in the morning to catch tourist coach to Chitwan. If you take flight, it only takes 35 minutes. While the driving takes 6 hours. As soon as you arrive in Chitwan the trip briefing will be given with welcome drink. You will be doing Elephant safari, Jungle walk and at evening Tharu cultural show in Chitwan. Stay overnight in Chitwan
  • Altitude:415m/1362ft
  • Duration:7 hrs
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 13: Jungle Activities in Chitwan(B,L,D).

Full day Chitwan Jungle activities include early morning Canoeing on the Rapti River to See Crocodile, Elephant Safari, Jungle walk, Bird watching & Tharu (ethnic) culture dance. Stay overnight in Chitwan

Day 14: Chitwan to Pokhara(145 kms, 5 hours drive)(B).

Drive from Chitwan to Pokhara.
  • Altitude:850m/2788ft
  • Duration:6 hrs
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 15: Pokhara Day Tour(B).

After breakfast we proceed to Pokhara valley sightseeing by private vehicle including: Devi's fall, Mahendra cave, Vindhyabashini temple, White river (Seti Gorge), Regional Museum. Stay overnight in Pokhara

Day 16: Pokhara to Kathmandu(B).

Drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara.
  • Altitude:1400m/4593ft
  • Duration:5 hr
  • Accommodation:Hotel

Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu(B)

You will be transferred to Kathmandu airport for your flight.