Tibet Overland Tour

Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam (3,750m.) is 123 Kilometers. The vehicle leaves Kathmandu early morning for Kodari Highway that leads to the Tibetan Border offering beautiful views of the village and small towns. The views of Langtang, Gauri Shanker, Melungtse and Khumbu Himal in a clear weather will be additional attraction of this drive. You stay overnight at hotel in Nyalam.

Drive from Nyalam to Xegar (4,350m.) is 214 Kilometers. From Nyalam the road follows the deep valley of Bhote Koshi river. After two and half hours drive, Nyalam Pass (3,800m.) offers enchanting view of Jugal Himal. The starting point for the trek to Mt. Xixapangma can be seen. The drive continues via Lalung La (5,082m.) offering views of Langtang (7,245m.), Xixapangma (8,516m.), Dorje Lakpa (6,980m.), Makalu (8,463m.), Everest (8,848m.), Lhotse (8,201 m), Cho-Oyu (8,201m.) and Gauri Shanker (7,134m.). Relaxing overnight stay at Xegar will give a chance to share the ecstasy and get prepared for the next day’s drive. You stay overnight at hotel in Xegar.

Drive from Xegar to Shigatse (3,900m.) is 244 Kilometers. Lhatse is 3 hours away from Xegar and on the way the road reaches an altitude of 5220 m. at Jia Tsuo La (Lhakpa La). At Lhatse there is facility for having tea/snacks. Depending upon the condition of the road, Sakya Monastery, which is 26 Kilometers off the main road, can be visited. Sakya Monastery is the oldest and most important Bon Po Monastery in Tibet. Now you reach Shigatse, the place of famous Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. Enjoy the sight of huge Thanka Wall that is clearly visible on the northern side of the road. You stay overnight at hotel in Xigatse.

Drive from Shigatse to Gyantse (3,950m.) which is 90 Kilometers. After visiting Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the local market place at Shigatse in the morning drive to Gyantse. This drive lasts for about 02 hours. Gyantse is a small bustling town situated on the northern bank of Nyang Chu River and it is 264 Kilometers southwest of Lhasa, the final destination. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. A visit of Kumbum Chorten built around 1400 AD is a worth experience. During the British rule in India Gyantse became the main centre of trade with India. You stay overnight at hotel in Gyantse.

Drive from Gyantse to Lhasa (3650m.) is 264 kilometers. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses two high passes, Karo La (5,010m.) and Kamba La (4,794m.) and it is a drive for about 8 hours. Karo La climbs between two lofty mountains Khang Sa (7,223m.) and Ralung (6236m.). The drive following the bank of Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) takes about 1 hour. After crossing Kamba La, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses the famous Brahmaputra River. After reaching Lhasa check-in at a hotel. The accompanied guide will reconfirm your onward flight ticket. You stay overnight at hotel in Lhasa. You will continue driving west to Shigatse. In the early days of Communism, some of the monks of Shigatse were in collusion with the security bureau and reported anyone accepting or distributing pictures of the Dalai Lama. They hoped that by cooperating with the Communists, they could save their temple from destruction. Sadly, it did not work completely. Nevertheless, Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tsang province and home to the Panchen Lama, is lovely, and your kora or pilgrim circuit, will take you past holes for dogs, thought of as “fallen monks,” as well as places to earn merit by rubbing our bodies against holy rocks. We will also have time to explore the bazaar. Stay overnight at hotel.

Sightseeing in and around Lhasa. These two days you will visit Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace, Jorkhang and surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung and Sera Monasteries.

One of the highlights is the visit to the symbol of Tibet; the Potala Palace set high on Red Hill, the winter home of the Dalai Lama until 1959. The most sacred temple in Lhasa is the Lokhang, where people come from all over Tibet to visit and pray. It was used as a military kitchen during the Cultural Revolution but has now been beautifully restored, with many priceless thangkas and statues adorning the chapels, and magnificent gilded roofs. 

Another great treasure is the Norbulingka – the old summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

Now you visit Jorkhang temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Surrounding the Jorkhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Around the Barkhor there are numerous stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts: brightly coloured boots and fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewellery, rosaries, prayer flags and charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary household ware. 

Next you visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419, has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. On the other hand, Drepung Monastery, is the world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. Stay overnight at hotel.

Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950m.). Today is a full day of picturesque drive crossing over the colorful Yamdrok Lake and Kambala Pass at 4,794 m and Karola Pass at 5,010m. In Gyantse you spend time visiting the Pelke Chode Monastery and the 35m high famous Kumbum stupa in Gyantse packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings, a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. You stay overnight at hotel in Gyantse.

Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900m.).takes one and half hours.

Xigatse is situated near the junction of the Ngang and Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) rivers, with many traditional low ceiling, flat roofed, mud brick Tibetan houses. It is home of the Tashilunpo monastery, traditional seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the great centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Shigatse has always been an important trade and administration center and also has political and religious significance once being the seat of the Panchen Lama. The town is essentially divided into two parts: the old Tibetan style area in the city and the concrete, modern Chinese part of the town. Here you go to Tashilunpo Monastery and the free Tibetan market. Tashilhunpo (Heap of Glory) Monastery is seat of the Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, it is the head monastery of Yellow Hat sect (Gelukgonpa). It is today one of Tibet's most active monasteries. You stay overnight at hotel in Shigatse.

Drive from Shigatse to Xegar (4,350m.) takes approximately 8 hours. You stay overnight at hotel in Xegar.

Drive from Xegar to Zhangmu (2,300m.). You drive to Zhangmu crossing Lalung la Pass (5050m) and Nyalamu Pass (3800m). This drive offers fantastic view of high mountains including Mt. Everest (8848m). You stay overnight at hotel in Zhangmu.

Drive from Zhangmu to Kathmandu. Drive downhill to Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for your journey to Kathmandu.