Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour via Everest Base Camp

We visit beautiful Tibetan towns including Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Rongbuk and Kyirong in Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour via Everest Base Camp. One of the key highlights of this journey is entering the base camp of the world’s highest mountain, Mt Everest, which we do on the 8th day of our tour. We visit famous Tibetan attractions like Potala, Norbulingka Palaces, Tibetan Traditional Hospital, Barkhor Bazaar, and Gyantse Dzong during our trip Lhasa to Kathmandu. This journey also involves visiting many magnificent Tibetan monasteries including, though not limited to, Sera, Drepung, Phalkot, Shalu, Tashilhunpo, Sakya and Rongbuk, the highest monastery in the world with the addition of the famous Jokhang temple and Khumbum stupa. We often visit the Ganden Monastery and Drayerpa caves of the 15th century, which are now a meditative haven for Tibetan monks. The Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour from Everest Base Camp also helps us to visit the mysterious Yamdrok Tso Lake and conquer several high passes like Lalung La, Karo La, Khamba La, and Gyatso La. The key highlights of this journey are hitting Mt. Everest base camp as well as glimpsing the beautiful Rongbuk Glacier and experiencing the stunning views of Shishapangma and Cho Oyu peaks.

Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa and Drive to hotel 

We arrive in Lhasa either directly from Nepal or via mainland China. If we want to travel from Nepal, we will admire a stunning trans-Himalayan flight over Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,536 m) and other Himalayan ranges and valleys. If we want to travel to Lhasa via mainland China, we can fly from any of the major Chinese cities or take the fastest train route to Lhasa. On arrival in Lhasa, Mountain Hike Nepal Team will accompany us from either the airport or train station to our appointed Lhasa hotel. We are recommended to relax for the balance of the day to prevent altitude sickness. Overnight stay in Lhasa

Day 02: Today Lhasa sightseeing: Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace and Tibet Traditional Hospital

After breakfast we start exploring Lhasa by exploring the magnificent Palaces of Potala and Norbulingka, better known as Winter Palace and Summer Palace. Designed in the 17th century, Potala Palace has stunning views of the whole country, and houses the Dalai Lama’s private quarters. Norbulingka Palace contains the biggest man-made Tibetan forest. Then we explore the Traditional Hospital of Tibet, which is the center for Tibetan medicine diagnosis, teaching, study and development. Overnight stay in Lhasa

Day 03: Visit Lhasa: Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar

We visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Bazaar Barkhor after breakfast. Completed in the 14th century, the Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in the world and estimated to have housed about 10,000 monks in the past, but as of now there has been quite a decline culminating in just a few hundred. The history, tradition, and religious beliefs of the Tibetan people in this magnificent monastery are highly condensed and focused.  Sera Monastery is a restored monastery with golden roofs and whitewashed walls.  The biggest attraction to enter this monastery is to see the debating monks that are held every day apart from Sundays from 3-5 pm. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site that unfolds more deep-seated Tibetan Buddhist mysteries. Inside, the Buddha Sakyamuni statue can be seen when he was twelve years old.  We start to walk through (market) Barkhor Bazaar. It is the nerve center of Lhasa, with its open-air stalls, shops, and pilgrim crowds. Overnight stay in Lhasa

Day 04: Day Excursion to Ganden Monastery and Drayerpa Caves

We travel 110 km to Ganden Monastery, Drayerpa Cave and back to Lhasa today. Ganden Monastery is located on top of Wangbur Mountain (3,800m) in Lhatse District, about 55km east of Lhasa. It’s the oldest and one of Tibet’s six Gelug Sect monasteries’ ‘big three.’ Ganden Monastery has beautiful, perfect murals and sculptures. It also holds an armor suit adorned with jewels worn by Emperor Qianlong and given to the monastery as an offering to Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelug Sect. We travel to Drayerpa Cave in the afternoon, in a lovely valley with breathtaking scenery. Lamas more than 30 caves want to meditate in a quiet setting. We head back to Lhasa tonight and stay the night. Lhasa Overnight

Day 05: Lhasa to Gyantse via Karo La Pass and Yamdrok Tso Lake

We’re heading to Gyantse today. Along the route, we reach the Khamba La Pass (4,794 m) with a quick pause to admire the scenery of the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake), one of Tibet’s three main holiest lakes and the spectacular Nazin Kang Sang glacier (7,252 m). Soon we notice another pass, Karo La Pass (5.045m). From our car, until entering Gyantse, we can enjoy views of massive glaciers tumbling down the mountain. In Gyantse, we visit Khumbum Stupa, Phalkot Monastery and Gyantse Dzong (Fortress), one of Tibet’s best-preserved dzongs. Gyantse Overnight

Day 06: Gyantse to Shigatse via Shalu Monastery

In the morning we head to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest region. We meet Shalu Monastery on the way. Established in 1040 A.D., it is renowned for its magnificent and ancient mural paintings. Next we head to Shigatse. While there, we visit the famed Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama, established by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama in 1447 A.D, after sightseeing in Shigatse, we’ll have the rest of the day free to relax, which will aid us with acclimatization and long drive the next day. Overnight in Shigatse

Day 07: Shigatse to Rongbuk via Sakya Monastery

We drive to Rongbuk after breakfast starting our journey right through some lovely villages and having the first glimpse of Mount Everest from the bottom of Gyatso la pass (5220 m).

On the route we visit Sakya Monastery, also famous as Pel Sakya, the ancestral temple of Tibetan Buddhism’s Sakyapa sect offering links to Buddha’s teachings. After visiting Sakya Monastery, we resume traveling to Rongbuk. Crossing the Lalung la path, we enter the Rongbuk Monastery, the tallest monastery in the world at the foot of the mighty Everest. While here, we always admire beautiful mountain scenery all around us, including incredible views of Mt. Everest’s north face. Overnight in Rongbuk

Day 08: Rongbuk to Kyirong via Everest Base Camp

We’ll head to Everest Base Camp early in the morning (5,250m/17,220ft.), the foot of the world’s tallest peak. Along the route, we catch stunning views of 3 eight-thousand peaks along the Tibetan side, including Shishapangma, Cho Oyu and the mighty Everest. Today we achieve one of the big highlights of our journey, entering Mt. Everest base camp where we will experience the beautiful Rongbuk glacier. Drive 16 km round trip to the Everest Base Camp. After spending some quality time at Mt. Everest foundation, we make Kyirong our next stop. It is the last touch with the Tibetan plateau where pilgrims avoid raising prayer flags, smoking incense, and tossing prayer notes in the air. Overnight in Kyirong

Day 09: Kyirong to Kathmandu

Following the boundary formalities after breakfast, we fly to Kathmandu. The highway linking Tibet to Nepal through Kyirong passes through the Nepalese cities of Trishuli, Dhunche, Syabrubesi and Rasuwagadi along a narrow mountain path. Along the road, we can see several waterfalls, ponds, gorges and dense woods and appreciate spectacular views. Upon arrival, we will be moved to our hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu and finish our Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour via Everest Base Camp.