Tibet Overland Tour

Trip Facts
Destination:Tibet
Trip Grade:Easy

This mysterious land has been the epitome of remoteness and mysteriousness for centuries, a land of high, windswept plateau, cliff top monasteries and the stronghold of Tibetan Buddhism. You woll see wild-looking but hardy and hospitable Tibetans, yak caravans journeying over snowy passes, and the great peaks of the Himalaya, maybe with a foreground of grazing herds, yak skin tents and a glittering turquoise lake.

Kathmandu has become one of the main stepping off points for Tibet, taking advantage of the Chinese built highway between Kathmandu and Lhasa. This road allows visits to the famous Tasihi Lumpo monastery at Shigatse, the historic town of Gyangtse., the old Bon Po monastery AT Shakya, the wonderful lake of Yaindrok Tso, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Drepung monastery and Barkhor market. Throughout the drive to Lhasa there are incredible views over this unique landscape, the rolling plateau and its vast open spaces, brown, craggy hills and blue lakes, and the white peaks of Cho Oyu, Everest and many others-the thin, clear air makes everything in front of you look crisper and more vivid. The return from Lhasa is by perhaps the most sensational flight in the world, weaving a way through the 8000m peaks of Kangchenjunga, Makalu and Everest and crossing over the ground covered on our overland journey.

Day

1Arrival in Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal! A friendly representative from Purple Journeys will meet-and-greet you at the arrival area of the Tribhuvan International Airport with a flower garland – a tradition gesture of Nepalese hospitality. You will then be ushered to your pre-booked hotel. Unwind from your flight and meet us in the evening at a traditional Nepalese restaurant for a fine meal accompanied by folk music and a cultural program.

2Kathmandu Sightseeing, Drive to Dhulikhel

Explore the cultural treasures of Kathmandu in our guided tour and immerse yourself in the vibrant array of bustling streets, incomparable historic buildings and heritage, exquisite temples and religious sites. The tour includes the holiest Hindu pilgrimage site of Pashupatinath Temple, the colossal stupa of Bouddhanath, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square with an extraordinary array of temples, statues and artwork with exquisite carvings. Before dusk, leave the hustle and bustle of the city and drive countryside to the hill station of Dhulikhel in time to savor the spectacular vista of the setting sun.

3Drive from Dhulikhel to Nyalam 3750m/12300ft: 5 – 7 hours drive

Start your morning with a glorious sunrise view over the Himalayas! After breakfast, departure drive to Kodari, where we complete immigrations and custom formalities. We’ll continue to Zhangmu on the Tibetan border, where we meet with our Tibetan guide. We journey into Tibet at a constant climb over a scenic valley to Nyalam.

4Drive from Nyalam to Lhatse 4350m/12300ft: 6 – 8 hours drive

Today’s ride will take us over the two fantastically scenic high passes of Nyalam and Lalung La, offering views of Everest, Makalu, and the JugalHimal on our way to Lhatse.

5Lhatse to Shigatse 3900m/12790ft: 6 – 8 hours drive

WE drive on to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city ad visit the famous Tashilumpo Monastery and the seat of Panchen Lama. There are dozens of other beautifully constructed monasteries here too to make a day well spent. Overnight at hotel Samdrupse or similar.

6Shigatse to Gyantse 3950m/12995ft: 6 – 8 hours drive

In the morning we’ll visit the main bazaar of Shigatse and soak up the ambiance, then drive to Gyantse 2 hours further. Gysntse is small bustling town 264 km southwest of Lhasa which is steeped in history. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small Kingdom. We visit Kumbum Chorten which was built around 1400 AD. IT later became the main centre for trade with British India. Overnight in hotel.

7Gysntse to Lhasa 3650m/11970ft: 6 – 8 hours drive

It’s a long drive to Lhasa, about8 hours, but the scenery is like a movie set. The road takes us to Lhasa crossing the Karo La Pass (5010m) and Kambala Pass (4794m). The Karo La climbs between two lofty mountains, Nozing Khang Sa(7223m) and Ralung( 6236m). While driving you will see the Yamdrok Tso(Turquoise Lake) which takes approximately 1 hour to drive around. After passing Kamba La, Lhasa valley can be seen to the north. You will also cross the mythical Brahmaputra River. After a long journey, we reach Lhasa and check into hotel. Your guide will reconfirm your onward airline ticket. Overnight in hotel.

8In Lhasa

For two days you will need to gather all of your energy to explore the wonders (and that is no overstatement) of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the ancient Barkhor market, Drepung Monatery and Sera Monastery. There is so much to see and experience in this magical city and your guide will do his or her best to explain, show and enthuse-enjoy your time here! Overnight in hotel.

10Spectacular Lhasa to Kathmandu flight: 1 hour flight

In the morning after breakfast it is a 2 hour drive to the airport which brings us back to Kathmandu. The flight is incredible and you will see, if the weather is kind, the Yarlung Tsangpo river, Lake Yamdrok, Kanchenjunga(8586 m) and Makalu(8463m) and Everest(8848m).

11Final Departure

Start your morning with a glorious sunrise view over the Himalayas! Take care of any last minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing as time permits. We hope that you enjoyed your packaged tour with Purple Journeys! Our representative will transfer you to the airport approximately 3 hours ahead of your flight time. We bid you farewell and hope to see you in Nepal again, soon.