Nepal and China Tibet are separated by the Himalayas, The most convenient and efficient way to enter Tibet from Kathmandu, is by road, requiring only a day of travel. If you plan for an extensive journey encompassing both Nepal and Tibet, you can directly cross the Himalayas by road, enjoying a complete view of the snowy mountain spectacle on both sides of the Himalayas. The journey will start from Kathmandu, entering Tibet through the Gyirong Port, passing through destinations such as Everest, Shigatse, Gyantse, Yamdrok Lake, and finally reaching Lhasa.
Cities and Attractions
Tourist Map
Attractions and Activities
Kyirong Valley at the foot of Himalayan
At the beginning of the trip, we will drive from Kathmandu to the Gyirong Valley, on the edge of the Himalayas, with an altitude of only 2,800 meters. Not only can we see the majestic white snow-capped mountains at close range, but we can also enjoy the dense forests under the snow-capped mountains, the bottomless canyons under the forests, and the waterfalls flowing down in the canyons.
Everest Base Campand Rongpuk Monastery
Beautiful road has been built to the foot of Mount Everest. It only takes half a day to enter the Mount Everest scenic spot via the China-Nepal Highway. You will drive with us to Everest Base Camp, where you can watch the huge pyramid-like mountain on the north slope of Everest from almost zero distance. On Mount Everest, you will also visit the Rongbuk Temple, the highest temple in the world.
The World’s Most Beautiful Himalayan Mountain View
The Himalayan Gyawula pass is renowned as the most beautiful viewpoint in Tibet. The majestic Himalayan peaks stand in a row above clouds, you can see five world-famous peaks including Mount Everest with altitudes exceeding 8000 meters command a breathtaking presence.
Visit to a Local Family by the Shore of Yamdrok Lake
We have crafted a leisurely and delightful journey for you at Yamdrotso Lake. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the lake from the mountaintop and experience an encounter with the lake waters at the lake shore, as well as pay a visit to a local farmhouse at the tail end of Yamdrok Lake, where you can explore a Tibetan farmer’s home.
Lhasa Debating in Sera Monastery
At Sera Monastery, the debating courtyard session takes place every afternoon at 3 o’clock. The monks engage in lively debates, standing or sitting, questioning and answering, and discussing Buddhist philosophy. This ritual is one of the most intriguing and visually captivating activities during visits to Tibetan monasteries.
Potala Palace
Potala Palace is the world’s highest and most magnificent palace. It once served as the administrative and religious center for past Dalai Lamas, equivalent to the imperial palace of old Tibet. It houses countless stupas, murals, Buddha statues, and treasures, making it an absolute treasure among World Heritage sites.
Tibetan Hotels Throughout the Journey
Throughout your journey, we will arrange comfortable and cozy hotels each day, many of which are locally owned and operated by Tibetans with rich ethnic charm. They are strategically located near Tibet’s most vibrant cultural attractions or old city areas, making it convenient for your exploration and shopping. All accommodations are twin rooms or king-size beds in 3 to 4 star hotels, with private bathrooms and a warm and comfortable ambiance. In Everest Base Camp (spring, summer, and fall seasons), you will stay in tent guesthouses operated by local Tibetan villagers, where you can appreciate the beautiful sunset and the brilliant night sky over Everest.
Comfortable Transportation Arrangements
You will travel in our dedicated tourist vehicles. For 2-5 people, we provide comfortable 7-9-seater tourist vans; for 6-12 people, we offer comfortable tourist minibuses or mid-sized buses. We ensure small group size that each guest receives attentive care and service from both the driver and guide. Our drivers conduct regular safety checks and cleaning of the vehicles each day, creating a comfortable living space for you throughout the journey.
High-altitude Travel Safety Assurance
Every visitor to Tibet may experience varying degrees of symptoms related to high-altitude sickness. This is because the body undergoes an adaptation process when transitioning from lower altitudes to the higher. The majority of tourists adjust quickly with proper rest upon reaching Lhasa. However, to alleviate any concerns and to provide assistance in case of unexpected health issues, we are here to support you to the best of our ability.
Medical Oxygen Tanks Equipped with the Vehicle
When traveling to higher altitudes such as Everest, we equip the vehicle with medical oxygen cylinders. If you continuously feel uncomfortable during the journey, you can use the medical oxygen provided for the entire group, ensuring a supply of oxygen for several hours.
Insurance for High-altitude Sickness Assistance
In addition to providing accidents insurance, we have specifically supplemented your coverage with high-altitude sickness. In case you experience high-altitude sickness and require emergency medical assistance during the trip, this service can be utilized to alleviate the financial burden associated with seeking medical attention in a foreign country.
Application of Tibet Permits for Foreigners and Taiwanese
Foreigners (including overseas Chinese) need to provide information to the Tibet Tourism Bureau to apply for “ Tibet Travel Permission”. You need to provide documents according to our guidance.
- If you are coming to China for tourism purpose with “L” Chinese tourist visa, you need to provide clear and complete passport page images and Chinese visa images.
- If you are working, studying, residing in China, or visiting China for business, in addition to your passport and visa images, you also need to provide certificate from your Chinese company or school.
- If you plan to enter Tibet directly from Nepal, you need to personally visit the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu to apply for a Chinese visa(Single Entry 30 days). Please go to our local office in Kathmandu at least 3 working days in advance, We will arrange all the procedures for your Chinese visa application. If you previously have a Chinese visa, your existing visa will be revoked upon obtaining the new visa. In addition to the visa fee charged by the embassy, you are required to pay an additional $20 service fee for visa processing.
The entire procedure is fully serviced, you just simply provide the documents to our travel agency. The deadline for submitting the application is 10 working days before the tour departure. If want to go to Mt.Kailash, you need to send the documents to us 15-20 working days in advance.
Once all approval procedures are completed, we will send the Tibet Travel Permission to your designated address via email or mail (within China only). When boarding the train/flight, the staff at the port will check your Tibet Travel Permission, please ensure its proper safekeeping
Airport and Train Station Shuttle Service
Our services include shuttle transfers between Lhasa Airport or train station to downtown in Lhasa. Upon your arrival , our airport service coordinator will arrange for your transfer from the airport or train station to your hotel in the city. Similarly, when you depart from Lhasa, your airport drop-off service will be pre-arranged.
As the arrival times of tourists vary, we have specified several time slots for your service. When booking your flight, please try to choose a flight that arrives in Lhasa around the scheduled shuttle service times to avoid extended waiting times at the airport. if the number of arriving tourists is less than 3 at the same time, we may use public transport to take you from the airport to the city.
| Kathmandu to Tibet Border | Shuttle Schedule from Lhasa to Airport |
07:30（Morning Departure 1） | 06:30（Morning Departure 1）08:00（Morning Departure 2）12:00（Afternoon Departure） |
Airport to Lhasa covers a distance of 70 kilometers and takes approximately 60 minutes.
Arrival in Lhasa by train, we will pick you up according to your arrival time with no waiting required.
For arrivals at non-scheduled times, additional charges may apply for the airport shuttle service. Require if you need.
Happy Moments
Brief of the Itinerary
| Days | Place and Distance | Tour and Activities | Meals | Hotels |
| Day01 | Kathmandu-Nepal Border  1400-2800m 130km/7hrs | Depart from Kathmandu and drive to the China-Nepal border, stay at a hotel in a border town and wait to enter Kyirong, Tibet China the next day. Along the way, you can admire the snow-capped mountains and forests at the southern foot of the Himalayas. | / | River Bank Hotel or Similar |
| Day02 | Kyirong 2800m | Rest in Gyirong to adapt to the altitude and climate of the Tibetan Plateau. Visit the big chain bridge, hike in the border villages and enjoy the view of Kyirong Valley. | B | Pengcuo Kangsang Hotel or similar |
| Day03 | Kyirong-Everest Base Camp-Tingri 2800-5200-4200m 410km/8hrs | Depart from Gyirong to Everest Base Camp, passing by Pekutso and Shishapangma. After visiting Mount Everest Base Camp, we stopped at the Mount Gawula view point to see the spectacular scenery of the Himalayan peaks. | B | Tingri Everest Hotel or similar |
| Day04 | Tingri-Lhatse-Shigatse 4300-3600m 240km/5hrs | Depart from Tingri via Lhatse and arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. In the afternoon, we visit the Panchen Lama’s resident monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery. | B/Dinner with Song and Dance Performance | Shigayagcha Hotel or Similar |
| Day05 | Shigatse-Yamdrotso Lake – Lhasa 3600-4990-3650m 360km/8hrs | Passing through the barley field between Gyantse and Shigatse, and visit the unique Gyantse Pelkor Monastery and Karola Glacier on the way to Lhasa. At Yamdrok Yamdrotso Lake, you will visit rural families and see the panoramic view of Lake at the Mountain pass. | Breakfast/Farm house Lunch | Lhasa GangGyan Hotel or Similar |
| Day06 | Lhasa City Sightseeing | Visit the Drepung Monastery in the morning, in the afternoon, visit the Sera Monastery and watch the monks’ debate activities. | Breakfast/ | Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa or similar |
| Day07 | Lhasa City Sightseeing | Visit the Potala Palace, and participate in local Tibetan folk activities in the Local Park under the palace; Visit the Jokhang Temple and Barkor Street. Having tea the sweet tea house to experience Tibetan social culture. | Breakfast/Tea Break | Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa or similar |
| Day08 | Lhasa Departure | Escort tourists from the hotel to the airport/train station to end their Tibet trip. | Breakfast | / |
Due to the need for official reservations for the Potala Palace visit, we are unable to confirm the specific timing of the Potala Palace ticket reservation in advance. The sequence of the itinerary may undergo adjustments.
Since the Everest Base Camp is located at a high altitude of 5,200 meters, in order to protect the health of tourists and prevent altitude sickness, we will go to Dingri County for accommodation after visiting the Mt. Everest.
At Everest Base Camp, there are very few standard hotel rooms available for tourists. Visitors can upgrade from tent accommodations to standard hotel rooms by paying an additional $40 per person or $80 per room.
Price
| Tour Package | Price：USD/person | Quantity | Sub-Total |
| Kathmandu-Kyirong-EBC-Shigatse-Lhasa 8 Days Tour | |||
| Single Room Supplement | |||
| Other | |||
| Total |
Service
Service included
- Tibet Travel Permit application service and mailing service within China
- Entrance tickets to listed attractions and activities
- Accommodation in star hotels with breakfast throughout the journey
- Transportation in a comfortable tourist vehicle with attentive and reliable driver service
- Excellent Tibetan English-speaking guide
- Farm house lunch, welcome dinner
- Travel accident insurance and High altitude sickness insurance
- On-board medical oxygen supply for travel in high-altitude areas
- Exquisite Tibetan gifts and travel map
- Shuttle service between Airport/Train station and Lhasa City
Service Excluded
- International and domestic Transportation to and from Tibet
- Single room supplement for solo travelers who require single room
- Some Meal expenses not included in the Tour (the guide will assist in arranging and recommending meals; you are responsible for the cost)
Required Tips
While you traveling in Tibet, it is kindly required to tip the guide and driver if you are satisfied and appreciate their services. We recommend tipping $7 per day per person to be shared between the driver and guide.
Tour Notice
- Before applying for the Tibet Travel Permit, please ensure that your passport has a validity period of at least 6 months.
- When entering Tibet from Kathmandu, China visa needs to be processed in Kathmandu. Please do not apply in your home country in advance. If tourists previously had a long-term valid Chinese visa, it will be replaced with a 30-day valid group tourist visa when applying in Kathmandu.
- Only Chinese Yuan is accepted in Tibet. If you need Chinese Yuan, you can exchange it with US dollars locally or withdraw cash from ATMs.
- Maintain good health before entering Tibet and avoid catching a cold.
- When traveling on transportation to Tibet, both the airport and train station will check the Tibet Travel Permit. Please keep this official document safe and avoid writing or drawing on it.
- Before traveling to Tibet, please confirm that you have received the Tibet Travel Permit and check and verify your personal information.
- People with serious hypertension, heart disease, asthma, pregnant women, etc., are not recommended to travel to Tibet.
- If worried about altitude sickness after entering Tibet, you can take a moderate amount of Rhodiola oral liquid or capsules before entering.
- During the Tibet tour, you are required to travel with the group throughout the journey and cannot leave the group activities at will.
- Pack vitamins and regular medications in your luggage.
- When traveling at high altitudes, drink plenty of water, engage in slow-paced activities, and consume fruits and vitamin supplements.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol when you are new to high altitudes.
Tour Itinerary day by day in Detail
Day 01 Kathmandu – Nepal border
Meals：
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Hotel：Rasuwa Gadi River Side Hotel
In the morning, our staff in Kathmandu will escort you to board a jeep ahead for the Nepal-China border. After a 130-kilometer, 7-hour drive, you will reach the Nepalese border town of Rasuwa Gadi, where you’ll wait for the next day’s entry into Tibet. The road from Kathmandu to the border can be bumpy, but along the way, you’ll witness the spectacular snow-capped peaks and forests along the southern foothills of the Himalayas.
Day 02 Gyirong – Spend a day in Gyirong to acclimate to the altitude
Meals：/
Hotel：Gyirong Pencuo Kangsang Hotel
After breakfast, we will drive about 330 kilometers to the top of the world – Mount Everest. Along the way you will pass Lake Pekutso and Mount Shishapangma. Looking at Mount Everest from the base camp, it looks like a huge pyramid standing in front of you. We will try our best to arrive at the world’s most beautiful Himalayan observation deck before sunset – the Gawula Pass view point You will see the Himalayas that will shock you even more. Mountain landscape, looking forward from the Gawula Pass, the Himalayan peaks of about 7,000 and 8,000 meters are lined up, and the peaks stand on the sea of clouds, which is magnificent.
Day 03 Gyirong-Mt. Everest -Tingri：Peikutso lake, Shishapangma Peak,Everest Base Camp
Meals：Breakfast
Hotel：Everest Tingri Hotel
After breakfast, we will drive about 330 kilometers to the top of the world – Mount Everest. Along the way you will pass Lake Pekutso and Mount Shishapangma. Looking at Mount Everest from the base camp, it looks like a huge pyramid standing in front of you. We will try our best to arrive at the world’s most beautiful Himalayan observation deck before sunset – the Gawula Pass view point You will see the Himalayas that will shock you even more. Mountain landscape, looking forward from the Gawula Pass, the Himalayan peaks of about 7,000 and 8,000 meters are lined up, and the peaks stand on the sea of clouds, which is magnificent.
Day 04 Tingri – Shigatse: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals：Breakfast
Hotel：Shiga-Yangcha Hotel Shigatse or similar
In the morning, depart from Tingri and drive east towards the second-largest city in Tibet, Shigatse. Upon reaching Shigatse, you will visit the largest monastery in west part of Tibet, the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery serves as the residence for Panchen Lamas throughout Tibetan history. It boasts a grand scale, adorned in gold and vibrant colors, featuring the world’s largest gilded copper Buddha statue, stupas containing the relics of past Panchen Lamas, and exquisite Buddhist murals.
Day 05 Shigatse to Lhasa via Gyantse – Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, Karola Glacier, Yamdrok Lake
Meals:Breakfast
/Farm house Lunch
Hotel：Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa or similar
After a good morning, drive for about 1 hour to visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery in Gyantse. This monastery is unique in Tibet as it is a place where different sects come together for practice. The enormous stupa at Pelkor Chode contains hundreds of rooms, housing around a hundred thousand Buddha statues.
On the road from Gyantse to Yamdrok Lake, you will visit one of Tibet’s most beautiful glaciers, the Karola Glacier. Situated on the southern slope of Mount Noijin Kangsang (7,191 meters), the massive glacier tongue extends to the roadside, resembling a frozen waterfall suspended overhead. When arriving at Yamdrok Lake, enjoy a scenic drive along the lake’s shoreline for about 20 kilometers until you reach the Gangbala Pass viewpoint overlooking the lake. Along the lakeside village, we’ll stop to visit the homes of lakeside farmers, experiencing their family life and enjoying a delightful farmhouse lunch. Finally, you will arrive at the capital of Tibet, for the first time, you will witness the majestic Potala Palace standing proudly atop the high, red hills in the city center.
Day 06 Lhasa City Tour: Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery Debating
Meals：Breakfast
Hotel: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa or similar
Today, you will explore two distinctive Monastery in Lhasa, Drepung and Sera, both offering a unique insight into Tibetan Buddhism. You will visit the Buddhist halls, Buddhist colleges, and the monks’ kitchen, witnessing how they engage in special debates to study Buddhist teachings.
Sera Monastery is renowned for its lively Buddhist debates,showcasing the essence of Tibetan Buddhism. Monks employ exaggerated body language, engaging in dance-like discussions about Buddhist philosophy, demonstrating their knowledge in a spirited manner.In the evening, the guide will accompany the group to a traditional Tibetan restaurant for a welcome dinner, marking the beginning of your journey in Tibet.
Day 07 Lhasa City Tour: Visit Potala Palace and Johkang Temple
Meals：Breakfast/ Farewell Dinner
Hotel: Gang-Gyan Hotel Lhasa or similar
Today, let’s explore into the treasures of Lhasa, the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama and acclaimed as the world’s highest palace. The Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, the Center of Tibetan Faithboth, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Potala Palace, towering majestically over the red hills in the center of Lhasa, was once the religious and political center of Tibet. As you climb the 365 steps to the main building, you’ll explore the Dalai Lama’s former political hall, the prayer halls, and the tomb stupa. Here, you’ll encounter remarkable murals and exquisite Buddha statues, showcasing the accumulated wealth and treasures of ancient Tibet.
The Jokhang Temple, revered for housing the 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni, is considered the holiest site in Tibet and a lifelong pilgrimage destination for Tibetans. You can join the pilgrims to walk in Barkor street and experience the soul of the city. The guide will also accompany you to a local Tibetan teahouse, offering insight into the social culture.
Day 08 Depart from Lhasa, Airport/Train Station drop off
Meals：Breakfast
Hotel：/
Your Tibet journey officially concludes today, and We will accompany you to the airport/train station. We appreciate to spend this wonderful time with us in Tibet. Wishing you a safe journey ahead!