Trip Profile: 11 Days Trip
07 Nights / 08 Days Overland Trip
03 Nights in Kathmandu

It culminates on an arid plateau - a veritable treasure trove of architectural masterpieces - the Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest in the country The Jhokhang - a spiritual center, and the awesome palaces of the Dalai Lama - Norbulinga (the summer palace) and the Potala (the traditional seat). To travel for days on this remote plateau with the chance encounters of nomads herding their sheep or yaks is to be transformed into another way of life. We begin the tour by traveling to Kathmandu and departing by road to the Nepal/Tibet border town of Zhangmu where we collect our Transport. The day to day program is outlined as follows.

Itinerary

DAY 01-02: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu.

DAY 03: KATHMANDU - NYALAM (3600M) - 154kms
Departure at 5:30 hr. from Kathmandu after an approx. 6 hours drive we reach KODARI (China / Nepal Border). Further half hr. drive by truck will bring us to Zhangmu, where after completion of Immigration formalities all check drive to Nyalam. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 04: NYALAM - LHATSE (3950m) -370kms
From Zhangmu or Nyalam, the road follows the BHOTE KOSHI river in the deep valley with plenty of Waterfalls. After 1.5 hrs drive bring us to NYLAM PASS (3800m) with the JUGAL HIMALA in view. A continued drive via LALUNGLA (5050m) will bring us in view of MT. LANGTANG (7245m), MT. XIXAPANGMA (8013m), & MT. DORJE LAKPA (6980m), MT. MAKALU ( 8464m), MT. EVEREST (8848m), MT. LHOTSE (8516m) & MT. CHOOYU (8201m). Overnight in hotel.

DAY 05: LHATSE - XIGATSE (3900m) - (150+60) = 210kms
Lhatze is 3 hrs qwqy over a 5220m pass near the petrol station, there is a small restaurant where tea / snakes are available. Depending upon the road conditions, SAKYA MONASTERY which is 26km. Off from the main road will be visited. SAKYA is one of the oldest and most important monastery. Reach XIGATSE, the place of the famous TASHILUMPO MONASTERY the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989 with its huge Thanka Wall cleary visible on north side of the road. Overnight hotel.

DAY 06: XIGATSE - GYANTSE (3950m) - 90km
After visiting TASHILUNPO MONASTERY in the morning including the Bazaar of XIGATSE, drive to GYANTSE which is 2 hrs. Gyantse is small bustling town steeped in history. It lies 264 km Southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of NYANG CHU river. In the 15 Th. Century is served as the Capital of a small Kingdom. Visit KUMBUM CHORTEN & PHKLKOR MONASTERY which was built around 1400 AD It later became the main center for trade with British / India. Overnight hotel.

DAY 07: GYANTSE - LHASA (3650M) - 260km
8 hrs drive takes you to Lhasa crossing the KAROLAPASS (5010m) and KAMBALA PASS (4794m). The KAROLA climbs between two lofty mountains, NOZING KHANGSA (7223m) and RALUNG (6236m) While driving you will ssee the YAMDROK TSO (Truquoise Lake) which takes approx. 1hr to cross around. After passing KAMBALA, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. You will also cross the Brahmaputra Rover. Reaching Lhasa and check in hotel. The accompanied guide will reconfirm your onward airline ticket. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 08-09: LHASA
These days you will be engrossed with sightseeing and excursions of THE POTALA PALACE, THE JOKHANG TEMPLE surrounding BARKHOR market DREPUNG MONASTERY and SERAMONASTERY. Overnight hotel.

DAY 10: LHASA - KATHMANDU
Transfer to airport 2 hrs drive - Representative will assist you. Departure of flight for KATHMANDU would be approx 10:00 hr. CHINA STANDARD TIME and arriving KATHMANDU AT 9: AM NEPAL STANDARD TIME. Flight Lhasa / Kathmandu takes 1 hour ten minutes. During the flight you will see the following: YARLUNG TSANGPO RIVER, LAKE YAMDROK, MT. KANCHANJUNGA (8586m), MT. MAKALU (8463m) and MT. EVEREST (8848m). (If weather permitting).

DAY 11: DEPARTURE
After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international airport for your final destination.