Alpine Explore Nepal
Himalayan of Nepal

Lhasa – Kathmandu Overland Tour - 08 Days:

The exploration of Lhasa and the other towns on overland journey to Kathmandu amidst breathtaking vistas of Mt. Everest and other highest peaks in the world.

Tibet, “the Roof of the world”, boasts spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, ancient monasteries making it the most incredible travel destination.

On this trip you will be expertly guided around all the Tibetan monasteries, sights, monuments by expert local Tibetan guide. Two full days in Lhasa is reserved to explore imposing Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple, colorful Barkhor Markets, Drepung Monastery etc.

Leaving Lhasa by best 4 wheel drives you will drive past picturesque landscaped Tibetan settlements where nomadic herdsmen can be seen wandering across the wide arid Tibetan Plateau. The adventure overland journey takes you over several 5000+ meter high mountain passes amidst most amazing mountain views including majestic Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Shisapangma and many other numerous peaks.

The overland tour concludes in Kathmandu, the historical and cultural heart of Nepal. A wonderful mixture of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Western influence, Kathmandu offers a exquisite holiday experience.

Outline Itinerery

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (3660m),

Day 2-3: sightseeing in Lhasa,

Day 4:
drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km,

Day 5:
sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90km,

Day 6:
sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km,

D ay 7:
drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km &

Day 8:
drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km

Detail Itinerery 

Day 1 Arrive Lhasa (3660 m)
You have options to arrive Lhasa, you can join the trip in Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any Chinese Cities. (Please see option detail on ‘general information’ section)

You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel

Day 3 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery.

Day 4 Drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.

Day 5 Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Gyantse prides on GYANTSE DZONG and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900 meter, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse.

Day 6 Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km.
Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar.

Day 7 Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter.

Day 8 Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km
Few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi River brings you closer to Immigration Control in Kodari where you will say good bye to your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet Nepalese escort to drive to Kathmandu. After 5 hours of driving for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu

The following information will allow you to better plan your budget for tours or treks. A range of costs is given. These costs are dependant on:
  • The mix of Touring and/or general Trekking,
  • The remoteness of the areas visited,
  • The number of guides or porters required,
  • The standard of accommodation required (if there is a choice), 
  • The type of ground transport used,
  • The length of your visit, and
  • The size of your group.

Depending on group size the costs of treks and tours range from:
1 to 3 pax     US$ 68 to 153  P/p per night.
4 to 8 pax     US$ 58 to 138  P/p per night
9 to 14 pax.  US$ 55 to 125 P/p per night.
15 to 20 and above US$ 51 to 107 P/p per night
Single supplement US$ 25 to 60 per night.

Note: The itinerary and cost for Peak climbing, Mountaineering, Tibet, Bhutan and India tours and trek are conditional apply.

Notwithstanding the costs shown above, we can tailor tours to suit almost any budget. Feel free to email us for more information.
 
Note: One tour leader will be free of cost for tours with 15 or more paying guests only. 

Children's bellow three years is free if sharing with their parents. And need to pay if they are participating on the trekking, and above three to nine year children half of the price.

Cost Includes: Accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels in the cites as your choice, basic accommodation in a lodge or tea house or camping (depending on your itinerary and choice) during treks, guides and porters on treks, all land transfers by private vehicle, 3 meals a day on treks, all jungle safaris, all sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all necessary entry fees, permits and airport transfers.
 
Cost Excludes: Personal expenses, domestic air tickets, airport tax, drinks (soft drink, mineral water and alcoholic beverages and hot-shower on the trek), personal insurance, and extra cost due to natural calamities or accidents outside of our control.

Remarks: The cost of the trip determines with the services included during the trip so that it might be varies with the services, hotel and transfer of your wish.

Please note that our guides speak the following English languages and if required we will provide your language spiking guide on extra cost.

Note: Please contact exploretrek@wlink.com.np for more information and prices

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Contact Information:

Explore Alpine Adventure Nepal
P.O. Box: 4546, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4700714 / 4700175 / 4701974
Fax: +977 -1 - 4700970
Email: alpinetravel@wlink.com.np
          exploretrek@wlink.com.np
Skype Address: explore.alpine
MSN Messanger: explorealpine
Yahoo Messanger:explorealpine

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Our Guest Says

SteveAnyon-Smith
18 April 2000

This was my third trek in Nepal, having visited the Annapurna Region in 1995 and with Bharat and Dave in the beautiful and wildlife-filled Langstang Valley in1998. Bharat's company "Explore Alpine Adventure"....
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