Tibet Overland Tours (7 Nights 8 Days)

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01:Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam (3,750m.) which is 123 kilometers. The vehicle leaves Kathmandu early morning for Kodari Highway that leads to the Tibetan Border offers beautiful view of the village and small towns. The view of Langtang, Gauri Shanker, Melungtse and Khumbu Himal in a clear weather will be additional attraction of this drive. After completing the custom and immigration formalities the night is to be spent in a Hotel there.

Day 02:Drive from Nyalam to Sakya (4050m.). You stay overnight at hotel in Sakya. Drive through Nyalam Pass (3800m.) and Lallungla Pass (5050m.). If weather permits you will have views of the Mt. Xixapangma (8013m.), highest in Tibet, Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m.) and Mt. Everest (8,848m.).

Day 03: Drive from Sakya to Shigatse (3,900m.). You stay overnight at hotel in Xigatse. Early morning visit the Sakya Monastery and drive to Shigatse. After lunch you will visit the famous Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989.

Day 04: Drive from Shigatse to Gyangtse (3,950m.) which is 90 kilometers. After visiting Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the local market place at Xigatse you drive to Gyangtse. This drive lasts for about 02 hours. Gyangtse is a small bustling town situated on the northern bank of Nyang Chu River and it is 264 kilometers southwest of Lhasa, the final destination. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. A visit of Kumbum Chorten built around 1400 AD is a worth experience. During the British rule in India Gyangtse became the main centre of trade with India.

Day 05: Drive from Gyangtse to Lhasa (3650m.) which is 264 kilometers. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses two high passes, Karo La (5,010m.) and Kamba La (4,794m.) and it is a drive for about 08 hours. Karo La climbs between two lofty mountains Khang Sa (7,223m.) and Ralung (6236m.). The drive following the bank of Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) takes about 01 hour. After crossing Kamba La, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses the famous Brahmaputra River. You stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 06-07:Sightseeing in and around Lhasa. These two days you will visit Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace, Jorkhang and surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung and Sera Monasteries. One of the highlights is the visit to the symbol of Tibet; the Potala Palace set high on Red Hill, the winter home of the Dalai Lama until 1959. The most sacred temple in Lhasa is the Lokhang, where people come from all over Tibet to visit and pray in this spiritual heart of the country. It was used as a military kitchen during the Cultural Revolution but has now been beautifully restored, with many priceless thangkas and statues adorning the chapels, and magnificent gilded roofs.
Another great treasure is the Norbulingka – the old summer palace of the Dalai Lama.
Now you visit Jorkhang temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Surrounding the Jorkhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Around the Barkhor there are numerous stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts: brightly coloured boots and fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewellery, rosaries, prayer flags and charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary household ware.
Next you visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419, has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. On the other hand, Drepung Monastery, is the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks

Day 08:Fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu takes one hour and during your flight, you can see Yarlung Tsangpo River, Yamdrok Tso (Lake), Mount Kanchanjungha (8,586m.), Mount Makalu (8,463m.) and Mount Everest (8,848m.). But the visibility depends on the weather condition. Your Tibet Tour ends on your arrival at Kathmandu Airport.