Overland Tibet Tour

  • Trip Duration Trip Duration 8 Days
  • Trip Grade Trip Grade Moderate

About Overland Tibet Tour

As this overland Tibet tour is the most popular one among all Tibet tours, it is also known by several names Tibet overland tour, Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour, Tibet budget tour and Fixed departure Tibet tour and so on. It is the one and the same. It starts from Kathmandu overland and enters Tibet border overland via Kerung transit point and drives all the way to Lhasa along the scenic Tibetan landscape.

The overland Tibet tour was completely closed as a result of the massive earthquake of 25 April 2015 until Sep

tember 2017. Since then only, new transit point of Kerung got open by the Chinese Authority allowing the foreign tourists to Tibet overland and then onward only, the overland Tibet tour resumed its operation.

Interestingly, some people prefer to undertake the tour the other way round as well; i.e., fly in first and drive out later. These days, some people also prefer to include a visit to Everest base camp (EBC) in the same tour. It is also possible. 

The first part of the overland Tibet tour is most interesting as it offers fascinating views of the incredible formation of the highest plateau of the world with awesomely beautiful rocks, cascades and canyons slightly hidden in the thin flying mists at the border area between Nepal and Tibet.

The second part of the overland Tibet tour offers unforgettable visit to Lhasa (the capital of Tibet), Xigatse (the second biggest city in Tibet) and Gyantse (cultural and strategic city located very near to Sikkim) that brings you so close to the Shangri-la in Tibet making you feel yourself as being a part of a rich tapestry of unique culture woven with legends, myths, rituals and festivals..

The last part the overland Tibet tour takes you over the majestic Himalayas offering you the long cherished breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges including Mt Everest (8,848 m) by an hour long Trans-Himalayan flight on your way back from Lhasa to Kathmandu or on your way to Lhasa direct from Kathmandu by flight.

Your memories of this holiday in Tibet is enriched by the lingering impression of the most lavishly decorated huge monasteries & temples, saffron colored monks, ever smiling Tibetan people & their typical lifestyle and above all, the challenging Himalayas.

Please note that as mentioned earlier with various of names of this tour, the overland Tibet tour can also be undertaken on a group joining fixed departure tour basis. Please do write to us for details. 


Trip Highlights

  • Scenic drive to the high Himalaya in 6-7 hours gaining height from 1,300 m to 3,200 m.
  • The first 2 days drive offers an educative tour offering unique and incredible information on the geological formation of the highest plateau of the world called Tibet about 60 million years ago.
  • The continuous uphill drive itself keeps on telling you how high and why the plateau got so high.
  • The amazing view of Mt Shishapagma (8,012 m) and Mt Cho Oyu (8,201 m) from Lalung La pass and Mt Everest (8,848 m) from Old Tingri on a clear day is unforgettable for your lifetime.
  • The majestic Potala Palace (Dalai Lama’s winter palace), Jokhang Temple (central Buddhist Cathdral), Drepung Monastery (the biggest monastery in Tibet) are the major sightseeing spots in Lhasa.
  • Your visit to Shigatse comprises a classic exposure to the Tashilhumpu Monastery belonging to Panchen Lama.
  • Yamadroke Lake on the way from Gyantse to Lhasa is another never-to-miss spot. It is so picturesque that the whole lake looks like a turquoise lake.
  • One of the longest rivers of Asia: Brahmaputra River, a lifeline river of the Tibetan people has to be crossed over the bridge to reach Lhasa.

Itinerary

  • 1
    Day 01: KATHMANDU – RASUWAGADHI (135 km) – KERUNG (18 km) – (3,200m:153 km/7-8 hrs)

    Early morning, start a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Kerung using about 50 km drive on the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway (Prithvi Highway). Then, continue drive with a right hand side turn to Trishuli from where our uphill drive starts by using popularly used route by the trekkers going for the Langtang Valley & Goshainkunda exploration. We pass by Dhunche and Syabrubesi townships on our way to Rasuwagadhi (Nepal side immigration point) and Kerung (Tibet side immigration point). After completing custom and immigration formalities, our Tibetan guide will take you to the Kerung township where you will have overnight in hotel/guest house.

    • KERUNG
    • BED AND BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 2
    Day 02: KERUNG – NEW TINGRI (XEGAR) (4,200 M): 260 KM

    Today, we drive on the Tibetan plateau encountering a completely different landscape which is arid and rugged, but extremely scenic and colorful. Your reminder to our guide will take you to the top of the Lalung La (pass of 5,050 m)( a few km off the highway), from where (weather permitting) a breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including MT Cho Oyu (8,201 m) & Mt Xishapagma (8,012 m) but dwarfed by the height of the pass itself. Then, we continue our drive to Old Tingri from where one can also enjoy the magnificence of Mt. Everest (8,848 m)(weather permitting) but a bit far at a distance. Overnight at hotel.

    • NEW TNGRI (SHEGAR)
    • BED AND BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 3
    Day 03: NEW TINGRI - XIGATSE (3,900M): 244 KM

    Continue scenic drive to Xigatse crossing over Gyatso La (5,220 m), the highest pass en route to Lhasa via Lhatse. En route there is a high chance of encountering 21st century Tibetan nomads taking care of their animal herds like yaks, sheep and so on. Overnight at hotel.

    • SHIGATSE
    • BED AND BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 4
    Day 04: XIGATSE - GYANTSE (3,950M): 90 KM

    Morning sightseeing to the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Monastery. It is the most beautiful monastery in Tibet, it is believed. It was founded in 1417. The most amazing in this monastery is the giant statue of the Maitreya (the future Buddha)(26 metre in height and 275 Kg pure gold with many more invaluable jewels) erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914 and took 4 years for its completion. Fourth Panchen Lama’s funeral stupa was also built inside the monastery in 1662 which is one of the major attractions in the monastery.

    Afternoon, scenic drive to Gyantse (1½ hrs) through the picturesque typical Tibetan farmland side by side of the road. Afternoon, visit to the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery in Gyantse. Overnight at hotel.

    The famous Kumbum Stupa, a combination of pagoda and stupa arts, stands with nine floors with its 108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images of the Buddha either sculptured or painted.

    Phalkor monastery is the next door monument to the Kumbum Stupa. It was founded in 1418. Its role is unique on the Buddhism in Tibet as it represents all the three sects of Tibetan Buddhism: Gelugpa, Sakkyapa and Bhuton.

    • GYANTSE
    • BED AND BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 5
    Day 05: GYANTSE - LHASA (3,650M): 261 KM

    Full day picturesque drive (5-6 hrs) crossing over Karo La (5,010 m), Kamba La (4,794 m) with a stop at the colourful Yamdrok Lake for photography and the Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo) – Overnight at hotel.

    • LHASA
    • BED AND BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 6
    Day 06: IN LHASA

    AM: Visit Potala Palace.
    It is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet and stands on the top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The term Potala comes from Sanskrit. In the 7th century, it was built for meditational purpose. It was the Dalai Lama’s winter palace. Its white part used to be for the administrative purpose and the red part for the religious purpose.

    PM: Visit Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar
    Jokhang Temple is situated at the centre of the old part of Lhasa called Barkhor. It was built in the mid-7th century and was later extended by the successive rulers. It is a four storied temple with splendid golden roofs. It has a combination of architecture of Tang Dynasty & Nepalese Buddhist temples. It is just like the central Buddhist cathedral.

    Barkhor Bazaar is the downtown market area just outside and around Jokhang Temple. It is the main Tibetan bazaar which has been able to sustain Tibetan culture & heritage until today. This bazaar is good for shopping and eating out and also mixing with the local Tibetan people.

    • IN LHASA
    • BED AND BREAKFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 7
    Day 07: IN LHASA

    AM: Visit Drepung Monastery.
    It is situated five km away to the western suburb of Lhasa city at the foot of Mt Ganpoi Uze. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa sect in Tibet. The monastery occupying 250,000 square meter with a one time 7,700 monks is the biggest one in Tibet. It maintains plentiful of historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts.

    PM: Visit Sera Monastery.
    Sera is one of the Gelugpa’s six great monasteries in Tibet. It was founded in 1419. The complex today, a veritable monastic city, occupies a site of nearly 12 hectre. Sera, like Ganden & Drepung Monasterie, was a vital center of religious activity that drew students from the far corners of Tibet. In its heyday, it boasted over 5,000 monks and novices. In fact, Sera is one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. The debating monks are the worth seeing sight organized everyday in the afternoon in the garden of Sera Monastery.
    Overnight at hotel.

    • IN LHASA
    • BED AND BREAKFFAST
    • HOTEL
  • 8
    Day 08: LHASA - KATHMANDU:

    Morning transfer to airport (45 min) through the new tunnel to catch the flight to Kathmandu or to your onward destination.

    • KATHMANDU OR ONWARD
    • BED AND BREAKFAST

Cost Includes

NOTE: THE COST GIVEN IN THE PRICE TAG IS BASED ON 2 PERSONS MINIMUM BASIS WITH 3 STAR HOTELS IN ALL PLACES AS PER ITINERARY.

  • ACCOMODATION IN GOOD TWINSHARING ROOM IN THE RESPECTIVE HOTELS ( 5 STAR OR 3 STAR OR BUDGET HTL AS PER YOUR CHOICE) IN ALL PLACES AS PER ITINERARY,
  • MEAL PLAN ON BED AND BREAKFAST BASIS,
  • ALL TRANSPORT IN TIBET BY A GOOD NON-A/C VAN/MINI-BUS WITH HEATING AS PER GROUP SIZE,
  • SIGHTSEEING WITH A GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKING TIBETAN GUIDE AS PER ITINERARY THROUGHOUT THE TOUR,
  • TIBET TRAVEL PERMIT FEE,
  • ENTRANCE FEES TO MONASTERIES & MONUMENTS,
  • NECESSARY AIRPORT/HOTEL/AIRPORT TRANSFERS.

Cost Excludes:

  • TIBET VISA FEE: US$ 69 NET PER PERSON (Extra payable) (Note: Tibet visa fee vary from nationality to nationality. Please confirm with us before you confirm the tour wish us)
  • AIRFARE LXA/KTM: US$ 330+105 (Extra payable: subject to change as per airlines)
  • NEPAL RE-ENTRY VISA FEE,
  • ALL INSURANCES,
  • PHOTOGRAPHY FEES IN MONASTERIES,
  • EXTRA COST DUE TO NATURAL AND POLITICAL CAUSES SUCH AS LANDSLIDES, SNOW, STRIKES, ETC.,
  • ALL EXPENSES OF PERSONAL NATURE SUCH AS DRINKS, LAUNDRY, TIPS, ETC.

FOR THE GROUP PRICES, PLEASE SEE THE COST DETAILS GIVEN BELOW.

COST: JAN, FEB, APR, MAY, JUN & OCT, NOV, DEC 2018

IN US$/NET PER PERSON

Basis

3 Star Hotels

Budget Hotels

01 pax

$ 1,180

$ 1,050

02 – 03 pax

$ 675

$ 615

04 – 06 pax

$ 510

$ 450

07 – 10 pax

$ 445

$ 385

Single supplement

$ 140

$ 80

 

COST: JUL, AUG & SEP – 2018

IN US$/NET PER PERSON

Basis

3 Star Hotels

Budget Hotel

01 pax

$ 1,280

$ 1,130

02 – 03 pax

$ 715

$ 665

04 – 06 pax

$ 550

$ 500

07 – 10 pax

$ 490

$ 430

Single supplement

$ 140

$ 80

Useful info

IMPORTANT

1. Higher the number of participants in the group, the cost will be lower.

2. Tibet visa fees vary from nationality to nationality. Please check with us.

NOTE: There are better hotels in Lhasa like

  • 5 star deluxe (St Regis Lhasa Resort or Hotel Shangri-la),
  • 4 star deluxe (4 Point by Sheraton),
  • 5 star Hotel Xing Ding or Brahmaputra)(normal).

However, there are no better hotels other the 3 star hotels outside Lhasa, except in Tsedang, where there is a good 4 star hotel called Tsedang Hotel. Please make a choice, we will forward you better hotels with our very special rates upon hearing from you.

 

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