Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour

Duration: 8 Days
At a Glance
  • Duration 8 Days
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Destination Nepal & Tibet
  • Start/End Kathmandu/Lhasa
  • Group Size 1-12
  • Max. Altitude 3650m

Highlights

  • Embark on an eight-day program that lets you explore four Tibetan historical towns
  • A comfortable drive between the cities and historical sites throughout the tour
  • Explore the roof of the world
  • Feel like standing at the top of the world while you cross high mountain passes
  • Introduce yourself to Tibetan culture, tradition, art, architecture, and history
  • Visit palaces and monasteries built centuries ago by great Tibetan kings
  • Witness breathtaking Tibetan landscapes along with stunning views of the Himalayan mountains
  • A perfect tour package to do with your family and friends, as people of any age can join it
  • Cross Gyatchu La (5,220 m), Karola (5,010m) & Kambala (4,749m) during driving from one city to another
  • Get to see a striking view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the BrahmaPutra, along with Manak Dam Lake and Korola Glacier

Kathmandu to Tibet (Lhasa) Overland Tour 08 Days

Along roads of white and blue, the journey to Tibet begins anew. Join us on our Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour departure and explore the roof of the world. An easy, convenient, and affordable Lhasa tour from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour is an eight-day program that lets you explore four Tibetan historical towns, including the two biggest cities in Tibet- Shigatse and Lhasa. Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour is the easiest and most affordable way of exploring Tibet. You will be using a comfortable to drive between the cities and historical sites throughout the tour.

Tibet is known as the roof of the world. During the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour, you will feel standing at the top of the world while you cross high mountain passes. This tour introduces you to Tibetan culture, tradition, art, architecture, and history. You will be visiting palaces and monasteries built centuries ago by great Tibetan kings.

We have a few other Tibet tour packages like the Nepal Tibet tour and Tibet Lhasa Tour 4 days. Some of the packages also involve trekking and are quite demanding. However, our Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour is the most convenient one. Even though you will be going above 5,000 meters at some point during the tour, we have designed our Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour itinerary in a way that will keep you safe and away from altitude sickness.

The Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour goes across the famous Friendship Highway. You will spend a night in Kerung, Tingri, Shigatse, and Gyantse and two full days in Lhasa before flying back to Kathmandu from Goggar Airport. The tour lets you witness breathtaking Tibetan landscapes along with stunning views of the Himalayan mountains like Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Shishapangma (8,027 m), and the northern side of Mt. Everest (8,489 m).

You can customize the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour and include the Nepal tour in the itinerary if you have a few extra days to explore. It will make your tour furthermore adventurous and memorable as you will be touring two Himalayan nations and their ancient heritage. You can join our Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour with your family and friends. This tour does not have long walking or strenuous hiking, so anyone can join us.

Why go on Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour with Outfitter Himalaya?

Discover the magic of Tibet with Outfitter Himalaya on a Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour. Our expert guides will show you the best of what this remarkable region has to offer, from its stunning natural beauty to its rich cultural heritage.

One of the biggest attractions of our Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour is the chance to witness the majesty of the Himalayas up close. Our journey takes us over the towering mountains and along the beautiful valleys, giving you a front-row seat to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

As we travel, we'll also immerse ourselves in the rich culture and history of Tibet, visiting ancient monasteries, meeting local communities, and exploring the bustling streets of Lhasa, the historic capital of Tibet.

At Outfitter Himalaya, we believe that travel should be a truly enriching experience, and that's why we offer only the very best in terms of service, comfort, and safety. Our expert guides are knowledgeable and passionate and will ensure that your journey is both memorable and enjoyable.

Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour attractions

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Tibet, located in the city of Shigatse. The monastery was built in the 15th century. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

Visitors to Tashilhunpo can explore its many buildings and temples, which are adorned with beautiful sculptures, frescoes, and thangkas. The monastery is also home to a number of significant religious artifacts, including a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, which is said to be the biggest gilded bronze statue in the world.

Kumbum Stupa

Kumbum Stupa, also known as Ta'er Monastery, is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in China. The stupa was built in the 15th century to commemorate the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Visitors can climb the many levels of the stupa, each of which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, and admire the beautiful views from the top.

Phalkor Monastery

Phalkor Monastery is a beautiful and remote Buddhist temple located in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The monastery is set on a hilltop surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. It is one of the most important centers of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Visitors to Phalkor can explore its many temples and shrines, observe the monks as they engage in their daily rituals, and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of this truly magical place.

Potala Palace

This magnificent palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. The palace sits atop a hill in the center of Lhasa. It is a towering structure with 13 stories and more than 1,000 rooms. Visitors can admire the stunning architecture and learn about the history of Tibetan Buddhism as they explore its many halls and shrines.

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Lhasa. It is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Jokhang temple dates back to the 7th century. It is a stunning example of traditional Tibetan architecture and is home to numerous sacred artifacts and images of the Buddha.

Barkhor Bazaar

Barkhor Bazaar is a bustling market located in the old quarter of Lhasa. Here, visitors can purchase traditional Tibetan crafts, clothing, and jewelry, as well as sample local street food. The market is also a great place to observe local life and get a feel for the city's vibrant cultural atmosphere.

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is located on the outskirts of Lhasa. It is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet. Visitors can tour the beautiful monastery grounds, observe the monks as they engage in their daily rituals and debates, and learn about the history and practices of Tibetan Buddhism.

Itinerary

The Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour begins with a long drive from Kathmandu to Kerung. Upon reaching Kerung, you will do the immigration formalities and spend a night there. The next day, the tour continues to Tingri. You will be driving on an uphill road that offers wonderful Himalayan range views and Tibetan landscapes.

The tour then continues to Shigatse the following day. On the way from Tingri, you will cross Gyatchu La (5,220 m). It is the highest point you will touch during the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour. From the top of the pass, you can see the view of Mt. Kailash (6,638 m) in the west. Later in the afternoon, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama in Shigatse.

The next part of the tour takes you to Gyantse. From Shigatse, it is a short scenic ride to Gyantse. In this town, you will visit the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. You will get to learn a lot about Tibetan architecture in this monastery. From here, you will drive to Lhasa and spend two full days there.

The route from Gyantse to Lhasa crosses two passes- Karola (5,010m) & Kambala (4,749m). On the way, you will get to witness the gorgeous view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake and the BrahmaPutra, the Tibetan lifeline river. You will also stop at Manak Dam Lake and Korola Glacier during the drive.

Upon reaching Lhasa, you will head to the hotel to spend the night. For the next two days, you will visit tourist places like Potala Palace, Jokhang temple, Barkhor street, Drepung monastery, and Sera monastery. On the eighth day of the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour, you will fly back to Kathmandu, which marks the end of the tour.

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We will be leaving Kathmandu early in the morning today. Our team will pick you up from your hotel in a jeep, and we'll begin our drive towards Kerung. Kerung is a Nepal-Tibet border. Leaving the bustle of Kathmandu, the drive goes along the countryside, passing by small towns.

We will see beautiful views of hills and mountains during the drive. Once we reach the border, we'll do the immigration formalities and continue our drive to the hotel in Kerung. It will be a long drive, so we will spend the remaining day resting.

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The day begins with a delicious breakfast. From Kerung, we will follow an uphill road that goes to Tingri. As the road follows a high plateau of the world, we will get to see stunning Tibetan landscapes along the way. It will feel like standing on the roof of the world. Himalayan ranges like Cho Oyu and Shishapangma are seen while driving. In Tingri, we can also see the views of Mt. Everest on a clear day.

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After Tingri, we cross Gyatchu La (5,220 m) en route to Lhasa. It is the highest pass we will come across during our trip. From the top of the pass, we can see a striking view of Mt. Kailash in the west. From the pass, it takes another four hours of driving to reach Shigatse.

As we'll reach Shigatse by afternoon, we can take some rest and later visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama. It is one of the most important monasteries in Tibet.

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As usual, the day begins with a warm, delicious breakfast. We'll then pack up our belongings and leave the hotel for Gyantse on this day. We will have a leisurely morning and then begin the drive to Gyantse, which takes three hours to reach. On the way, we get to see Tibetan villages.

Upon reaching Gyantse, we will check in at our hotel and later visit the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. You will learn a lot about Tibetan architecture by visiting this monastery.

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Today, we will drive to Lhasa. The drive will be very beautiful. We'll cross Karola (5,010m) & Kambala (4,749m) passes along with a stunning view of turquoise Yamdrok Lake. Likewise, we will also get to witness a view of BrahmaPutra, the Tibetan lifeline river, on the way to Lhasa. Similarly, we'll also stop at Manak Dam Lake and Korola Glacier during the drive.

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We'll spend two full days in Lhasa. On this day, we'll visit the famous Potala Palace. It is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Here, we will see the most valuable collections of the palace, which are gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After exploring the Potala Palace, we will take a small break for lunch and then head to Jokhang temple. This temple was built in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet. Inside the Jokhang temple, we can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve.

From here, we'll visit Barkhor street, where we'll do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And end the day, by exploring the local market.

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Today, we'll drive to Drepung monastery after having breakfast. It is one of the great three Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Drepung monastery was built by Jamyan Choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples, in 1416. We will get to see Buddhist sculptures and carvings.

From here, the tour continues to Sera monastery, where we can see the monks debating. We'll end the tour visiting the Tibetan religious scripture printing house, where we get to see sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Lord Buddha.

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Our tour ended in Lhasa. Today our representatives will drop you at Gonggar Airport to fly back to Kathmandu. The flight will be fabulous as you'll see a breathtaking aerial panorama of the Tibetan landscapes and Himalayan mountains.

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Is the offered itinerary not suitable for you?

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Map & Altitude Graph

Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour map

Inclusions

  • Lodge/hotel accommodation during the tour with breakfast
  • All necessary transportation from Kathmandu - Lhasa
  • Sightseeing tour as per the program
  • An English speaking Tibetan guide
  • And monasteries entrance fees
  • Tibet travel permit and Chinese Visa
  • Flight Lhasa Kathmandu

Exclusions

  • Meals (Lunch and dinner) during the tour
  • All expenses of personal nature
  • Nepal re-entry visa fee
  • Travel insurance
  • In the case of landslides, extra charge for porters and transportation
  • Anything not mentioned in the included section

Essential Info

Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour difficulty and altitude sickness

The Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour is an easy tour. It is a perfect tour for people of all ages. You do not need any kind of experience to do this tour. You only have to walk while exploring the historical sites. You have to be healthy and fit to join the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour.

There is also no risk of altitude sickness during the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour as you will not spend much time at high elevations. We keep moving and sleeping at low elevations, which will keep us away from altitude sickness.

Best time to go on the Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour

You can go on a Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Tibet is during spring and autumn, when you can enjoy a range of floras and Tibetan vegetation. Moreover, the mild temperature during this time of the year makes the journey pleasant.

Accommodations on Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour

You stay overnight in the hotel/guesthouse during the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour, and You get all kinds of modern facilities and services in the hotel. You can book either a single or double room as per your choice. The rooms are simple, well-furnished, and clean.

Meals on Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour

Meals are served as per the menu of the hotel. Only breakfast is included in the price, and you need to pay for the other meals like lunch and dinner.

China Visa on Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour

A China visa is required to travel to Tibet, and a China visa is included in our price. We (Outfitter Himalaya) apply and get a China visa as you need to travel only through a travel agency.

We need your colour scan copy of your passport within a month and your passport at least four business days before applying and getting a China visa to travel Tibet-Lhasa. You need to stay in Nepal while we apply for a China visa. So, we advise you to take a tour in Nepal or trek in Nepal that includes the Annapurna circuit trek and Langtang circuit trek.

Lhasa to Kathmandu Flight

The international flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu is included in the itinerary and price of the Kathmandu Lhasa overland tour. We book this flight once you book the Kathmandu-Lhasa overland tour from us.

Optional tour packages

We have many tour packages in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Some of our best-selling cross-country tour packages are Nepal Bhutan Tour, Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour, and Short Nepal Bhutan Tour.

Likewise, here are some of our best tour packages in Nepal- Nepal Luxury Tour, Nepal Summer Tour, Nepal Student Tour, Taste of Nepal Tour, Spirit of Nepal Tour, Nepal Honeymoon Tour, Nepal Family Adventure, and Glimpse of Nepal Tour.

For travelers who are looking for a short hike and trek, find them here.

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