Lhasa to Kathmandu Tour via Everest Base Camp

After breakfast today, you will go for a sightseeing tour in Lhasa beginning with a visit to the beautiful Potala Palace. This amazing palace has the honor of being the highest ancient palace in the world. There is no lift up to the palace or inside, so you have to reach the top by climbing steps up 100 meters. The palace comprises of two parts: the Red Palace and the White Palace. The beautiful murals inside the palace are not only attractive but also tell the story of Tibet. Exploring the grandeur of Potala Palace will leave you stunned with the magnificence in architecture and spiritual aura that it spreads around. You will then proceed to visit the Norbulingka Palace, popularly known as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, and the most famous and the largest man-made garden in Lhasa. You may require 2-3 hours to thoroughly visit this Treasure Park and there are various activities to join when you visit Norbulingka, like watching Tibetan show, tea tasting and so on. Next, you will visit the Tibet Traditional Hospital, locally known as Mentsekhang. Numerous Thangkas, hanging on the walls of the hospital contain the Tibetan medicinal knowledge in all the aspects. You will then go back to your hotel room. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today is the day you will be exploring more of Lhasa including significant landmarks such as the Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, and the Jokhang Temple. Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery of Tibet and one of the three greatest Gelug monasteries believed to have sheltered 10,000 monks in the past. Sera Monastery is the last of the three yellow sect monasteries built in Lhasa. It is a preserved monastery comprised of white-washed walls and golden roofs. The main highlight of this monastery is watching the monks debating inside the shady courtyard behind the main temple. Jokhang Temple, an important monastery, lies in Old Lhasa and it is the spiritual center of Tibet as well as the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims. It has a golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and houses the most important religious treasures of Tibet. After visiting these important monasteries, you will proceed to explore and experience the local social life of Barkhor Bazaar with its open-air stalls, shops, and a crowd of pilgrims. The marketplace is filled with religious ambiance and a world of exotic articles. Overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast today, you will drive to Ganden Monastery, which is located on the top of Wangbur Mountain on the southern bank of Lhasa River. It is one of the oldest and one of the great three Gelug university monasteries of Tibet which has extremely delicate and fine murals and sculptures. With an orderly architectural layout of standing Buddha halls, towering roofs, splendid stupas, Ganden Monastery is arranged well with vivid colors of black windows, white walls, and golden roofs. In the afternoon, you will visit the Drayerpa Cave that is located in an alluring valley with an astounding landscape. The Drayerpa Cave is a hermitage built on a hillside of the mountain and composed of more than 30 caves for spiritual Lamas who wish to meditate in a silent milieu. Overnight in Lhasa.

Driving towards Gyantse along the Kyi Chu River today, the first major site to behold is the scenic turquoise colored Yamdrok Tso Lake after crossing the Khamba La Pass. Beyond the lake, you will get extraordinary glimpses of the Nazin Kang Sang Glacier. Descending from the pass towards Nakartse, the drive continues towards the Karo La Pass, which sits at the base of Mt. Nazin Kang Sang. Driving downhill from the pass, you will continue driving towards Gyantse, one of the most interesting towns in all of Tibet. The massive hilltop military fort called the Gyantse Dzong dominates the skyline. In Gyantse, you may visit the Khumbum Stupa, found on the grounds of Pelkor Monastery, and the Phalkot Monastery. Overnight in Gyantse.

It is a couple of hours drive from Gyantse to Shigatse, however, you will visit the Shalu Monastery en route extending the trip time. The monastery lies 22 km south of Shigatse and is a perfect combination of Han and Tibet’s architectural styles adorned with beautiful ancient mural paintings and frescoes. While in Shigatse, you will visit the main attraction of the town, the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, which is the home of the Panchen Lama. The monastery is a major pilgrimage destination for Tibetans from across the plateau. You may then ramble around the Walking Street that is a few hundred meters before the monastery. The street is bundled with souvenir shops, restaurants, and teahouses. The rest of the day can be spent to relax and get acclimatized before embarking on a long drive the following day. Overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, you will begin your journey after breakfast in Shigatse and drive to Rongbuk crossing several picturesque settlements. You will be able to get the first peek of the Mt. Everest from the foot of the Gyatso La Pass en route. During the drive, you will visit the Sakya Monastery before arriving at Rongbuk. The monastery, also known as Pel Sakya, is a Buddhist monastery of the Sakyapa sect and its medieval Mongolian design is quite dissimilar from other temples and monasteries in Lhasa and Yarlung. Pel Sakya is well-known as the ‘Second Dunhuang’ due to its enormous anthology of plentiful Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, murals, and Thangkas. Then, you will continue driving towards Rongbuk initially arriving at the Rongbuk Monastery after crossing the Lalung La Pass. Rongbuk Monastery is located at the foot of Mt. Everest and it happens to be the highest monastery in the world. You will be greeted by astonishing mountain views all around including the awe-inspiring views of the north face of Mt. Everest. After gaping for some time at this unbelievable sight, you will be directed to your basic guesthouse. Overnight in Rongbuk.

Today is the day when you will be exploiting the major highlight of the trip to reach Everest Base Camp, the foot of the world’s highest mountain from the Tibetan side. The drive to base camp begins after breakfast at your guesthouse and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of 8-thousanders namely Shishapangma, Cho Oyu and the grandest Mt. Everest, known as Chomolungma by the Tibetans. The glimpses of the marvelous Rongbuk Glacier from the base camp during the 16 km roundtrip is a memorable sight and overall a wonderful experience. After spending some time at the base camp, it is now time to drive to Kyirong. The drive leads on a vast terrain within large and arid Tibetan plateau passing through Lungja village to reach the main Lhasa-Kathmandu highway at Old Tingri, and the final views of Mt. Everest and Cho Oyu. Continuing the drive towards Shishapangma mountain area with several peaks bordering Nepal and Tibet, you will leave behind the plateau to reach green alpine woodland at the bordering town. Overnight in Kyirong.

After breakfast in the morning, you will finish the necessary formalities on both the borders to exit Tibet and to enter into Nepal soil. The drive to Kathmandu passes through towns of Rasuwagadi, Dhunche, Syabrubesi, and Trishuli and adventurous mountainous road. It is about 8 hours drive through several waterfalls, densely forested areas, rivers, and scenic views to reach the capital city of Nepal. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be dropped off at your pre-determined hotel where you may relax after a tiring ride for the rest of the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.

You will be dropped off at the airport well ahead of your scheduled flight time by one of our representatives. If you have an evening flight, you may wish to visit certain heritage sites of Kathmandu on your own. However, if you wish to extend your holidays in Nepal, then Royal Holidays are ever ready to create another wonderful trip in the Himalayas.