Destination
Tibet
Region
Tibet
Trip Grade
Grade 3: Hard/challenging
Accommodation
Hotel
Total Distance
2500km
Start / End Point
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Durations
8 days
Max. Altitude
5,309 m (17,417 ft)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Group Size
above 1 pax
Best Season
Spring and Autumn
Activity per day
8 hr
Transportation
Private Luxury Tourist Vehicles
Trip Highlights
Experiencing the most fascinating overland journey to Tibet from Kathmandu.
Staying at the border of Nepal and Tibet, Kerung.
Marveling at the stunning north face of the towering Everest.
Enjoying the magnificent views of the other mountains like Cho Oyu, Sishanpagma, Lhotse, Kailash, Gyachung Kang, Gurla Mandhata, Kunlun, and more.
Driving over the Gyatso La Pass (5,220 meters/17,126 feet), the highest point of the China-Nepal Friendship Highway.
Soaking into the turquoise fresh waters of one of the sacred lakes in Tibet, Yamdrok-Tso.
Touring the culturally rich Tashilhunpo Monastery in Lhasa. This significant monastery in Tibet is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.
Exploring the holy Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery, iconic landmarks of Tibetan Buddhism, and taking in their spiritual ambiance.
Excursion of Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, which are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Visiting Barkhor Bazaar and getting lost in its vibrant atmosphere.
Insights into the trans-Himalayan culture, tradition, and lifestyle.
Exploring the Brahma Putra River or Yarlung Tsangpo.
Best Nepal Tibet overland tour.
Trip Overview
Tibet is the autonomous region of China and has its own capital city, Lhasa. The classic Nepal Tibet overland tour takes all the way from the capital of one country to another, i.e., Kathmandu to Lhasa. Driving overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa is the most enticing and adventurous way to enter Tibet. As you venture deep through the Himalayan landscapes, you will get to witness diverse cultures and topographical features of both sides of Everest. From the south side, you can see the magnificent vistas of the lush valley, and from the north, the breathtaking views of the vast and lofty plateau.
Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour is the best way to explore the roof of the world’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It is a rejuvenating journey through the key attractions of Tibet. Following the Friendship Highway, you will travel through central Tibet and explore its major highlights to the fullest. It excurses you through the gratifying Himalayas, untouched alpine lakes, stunning glaciers, and exquisite Buddhist sites all the way to Lhasa, the spiritual center of Tibet. A visit to Tibet, an iconic Trans-Himalayan destination, rewards you with everlasting fun, memory, and adventure. In each step, you will encounter enthralling natural wonders and experience a deep cultural immersion.
A week-long overland tour to Tibet takes you to its core, which is affluent in history and culture. You can delve deep into the rich Buddhism of the region that has been practiced for centuries. The scenic overland tour allows you to soak in the historical, cultural, traditional, architectural, and natural richness of Tibet and encounter people with genuine welcome and hospitality.
To sum up, Tibet is an idle holiday destination for adventurous natural and cultural tours with abundant historical palaces and untouched natural beauty. It is filled with amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites and sacred monuments of Hindus and Buddhists. Gorgeous natural scenery, rich cultural exploration, off-the-beaten-path adventure, spiritual experience, and authentic local cuisines blending together will enrich your tour tenth-fold.
Detailed Itinerary
145 kilometers, 6-7 hours
Tibet Overland Tibet Tour through Kerung covers most of the attractive sides of Tibet and ensures that your holiday is dreamlike. This border route is commonly taken for overland travel between Nepal and Tibet.
Early in the morning, we will embark on a scenic drive from Kathmandu to the Nepal-Tibet border, Kerung. As we depart from Kathmandu, we drive along the Prithvi Highway upto Galchhi. From there, we switch towards the Pasang Lhamu Highway all the way to Dhunche. Driving along the winding, narrow, and mountainous roads, we reach Syabrubesi. After driving for about an hour north from Syabrubesi, we will reach Rasuwagadhi, a border of Nepal and China.
Till here, we drive, taking in the picturesque scenery of Nepalese countryside landscapes. Green hills, rural villages, terraced farmlands, and gushing rivers are dominant for the initial part of the travel. Slowly, as we ascend towards the rugged mountainside roads, the views of distant Himalayas start to seem closer. Next, you will venture through thick forests with occasional clearings from where you can glimpse the panoramic views of closing-up mountains. Driving along the meandering roads through steep cliffs and deep gorges, we get closer to Rasuwagadi. With the dominating views of mountains, we will finally reach the border area.
Next, you need to show permits and documents required to enter Tibet. You should have a Tibet Travel Permit and a Chinese Visa in order to enter Tibet from Nepal. After completing customs and immigration formalities from both the Nepal and Tibet sides, we drive towards the town of Kerung. Stepping into Tibet side, we are greeted with well-paved roads and rolling hillsides. You can catch the astounding vista of the Tibetan plateau from your vehicle window. As we approach Kerung, green pastures and rugged cliffs dominate the landscapes.
After arriving in Kerung, we will unwind and reside at a comfortable hotel accommodation.
235 kilometers, 5-6 hours
From Kerung, the actual tour to Tibet begins. After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive uphill to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the highest plateau in the world. From the astounding height of 4,500 meters above sea level, you will get a sweeping view of the entire Tibetan landscape as far as your eye can see. The sheer excitement and profound feeling of achievement, standing atop the roof of the world, is worth the travel. Weather permitting, you are blessed with the jaw-dropping panorama of colossal Himalayan ranges, including Cho Oyu, Sishapangma, Kailash, Makalu, and several more.
We will continue towards Tingri/Lhatse, observing the vibrant Tibetan culture and lifestyle. On the way, we will explore Pikucho Lake. The view of the Mt Everest from Tingri is phenomenal.
We will spend the overnight at the Hotel in Tingri/Lhatse, depending on the time and your personal preferences.
245 kilometers, 5-6 hours
After breakfast in Tingri/Lhatse, we will drive towards Shigatse, which is Tibet’s second-largest city. Enroute, we will drive over the challenging high mountain pass of Gyatso La (5,220 meters/17,126 feet). Gyatso La is the highest pass along the route to Lhasa from Tingri/Lhatse. From this pass, you will be treated to the spectacular vistas of several snow-covered peaks like Everest, Cho-Oyu, Sishapangma, and many others. Additionally, you can also see the captivating scenery of Yamdrok Lake and the Tibetan plateau.
The scenic drive towards Shigatse meets an intersection point, where we take the road towards Mt. Kailash, which branches out to the west. With the fascinating view of Mount Kailash and several other peaks, we will reach Shigatse and stay overnight at the Yak Hotel.
350 kilometers, 6-7 hours
Today, we will start the overland tour from Shigatse to Lhasa. Before that, we will have breakfast at the Yak Hotel and embark on morning sightseeing at the Tashilhunpu Monastery. Visiting the home of Panchen Lama, the Tashilhunpo Monastery, is the major highlight of this day’s travel.
Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the most significant monasteries in Tibet. It is the largest monastery in Shigatse and a spiritual center of the Tibetan people who reside here. This spacious monastery covers the entire hillside. It has one of the world’s largest statues of Maitreya Buddha, which has an impressive height of 26.2 meters/86 feet.
After exploring the Tashilhunpo Monastery, we will head towards the capital city of Tibet, Lhasa, via Gyantse rote. You can explore the unique and exquisite architecture of Khumbum Stupa and Palkhor Monastery, the popular Buddhist stupas on the way to Gyantse. With the stunning view of the high mountain passes and pristine freshwater lakes, we will drive towards Lhasa. Passing through the countryside road, you can see the giant Karola Glacier (Noijin Kangsang Glacier) and the captivating view of the mountains. We will stop to explore the Yamdrok Tso Lake (turquoise water lake) and the lifeline river of Tibet – Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo), before reaching and unwinding at the hotel In Lhasa.
Lhasa presents a multitude of sightseeing opportunities. We will spend two days in the capital city, jaunting the rich historical and cultural sites of the place. On both days, after breakfast, we will embark on a full-day exciting sightseeing tour to Lhasa. We will visit popular places like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazar, Drepung, and Sera Monasteries.
Potala Palace, the prominent landmark in Tibet, is in Lhasa. It is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is perched at the top of the Marpo Ri (Red Hill). The elegant architectural heritage of Potala Palace is the emblem representing the unique Tibetan-Buddhism culture. This palace was used by Dalai Lamas as a winter home for several centuries.
Jokhang Temple, a combined architecture of Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian styles, houses the revered Jowo Shakyamuni, a sacred statue of Lord Buddha. It is a notable Buddhist Temple that is considered one of the most holy sites in Tibet.
Sera Monastery is among the Great Three Gelung University Monasteries of Tibet, with sacred murals and religious relics. It features a unique debating courtyard, where monks engage in philosophical debates on Buddhist scriptures. Drepung Monastery serves as a hub for Buddhist learning and spiritual practices, showcasing exquisite artworks and large assembly halls.
Barkhor Bazaar is a bustling marketplace where you can purchase Tibetan arts and handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. It offers a glimpse into the daily life of Tibetan people and an opportunity to savor traditional Tibetan dishes.
We will stay for both nights at the Hotel in Lhasa.
655 kilometers, 8-9 hours
Today, we will leave Lhasa and drive towards Shegar, which is situated at the foothills of Mount Everest on the Tibetan side. The Shegar city is also known as Shekar Dzong or New Tingri. It is the administrative center of Tingri County.
As the temperature is relatively low at this location, you need to pack warm layers and dress thickly. After a long way drive from Lhasa, we will reach Shegar and stay overnight.
From here, you can have spectacular views of famous mountain peaks, such as Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Shishapangma, Gyachung Kang, and several more.
425 kilometers, 9-10 hours
Today is the final day of our Overland Tibet Tour. We will depart from Shegar and head towards the Kerung border. Nepal, we will wake up early and embark on a scenic Tibetan countryside drive. We will reach the Kerung after driving for several hours, from where we will cross the border into Nepal. Marveling at the rugged terrains and panoramic mountain views, we will venture more into rural landscapes on the Nepal side.
On our return journey to Kathmandu, we will drive through the lush greenery. You will enjoy the view of a towering mountain, gushing streams, lush forests, and valleys on the way back to capital city. After reaching Kathmandu, we will transfer you to your respective hotels. Like this, our exhilarating and adventurous Tibet Overland Tour comes to an end.
Cost Includes
- Transportation by van or bus - pickup and drop-off at the border, within Tibet, and to and from Tibet,
- Tibet travel permits and entry fees to landmarks and sites that you visit as per our itinerary
- A Tibetan guide who is fluent in English and knowledgeable about the information of the places
- Accommodation in a twin shared room
- Everyday breakfast
Cost Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fees.
- Delays and losses caused by unforeseen natural troubles
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal expenses such as a drink, tips, souvenirs, additional meals, laundry, shopping, etc
- In case the ticket of flight/train from Lhasa to Chain is necessary
