Himalaya Tour: Nepal & Tibet

Itinerary

• Day 1: International Arrival: Beijing - Lhasa (By Train, Approx. 43 Hrs)

  Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and escorted to the hotel for a fresh-up. Later you will be escorted to the station to board the soft sleeper train T27 to Lhasa in the afternoon (The train leaves at 8:00 PM).
  

  Tips:
  1. We can also arrange a flight to Lhasa from Beijing if you don’t want to experience the train journey. The cost for the flight will be a little higher than the train.
  2. If you prefer some sightseeing in Beijing, we can extend 1-3 days in Beijing to the classic spots incl. the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Please contact us for details.

  Overnight: On the train

• Day 2: On the Train

  Enjoy the scenic train journey. 

  Overnight: On the train

• Day 3: Arrival, Lhasa

  The train will arrive at Lhasa station at 3:40 PM today. Your guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel for rest.

  Overnight: Lhasa

• Day 4: Lhasa Sightseeing

  Today, the overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, the palace was built in 641 AD and the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet's pope. You will be impressed by Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims.
  

  Later, visit the age-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet, and walk the special circular pilgrim route as local followers always do at the Barkhor Street.

  Overnight: Lhasa
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 5: Lhasa Sightseeing

  After breakfast, you will visit the charming Norbulingka Park, which is known as "the Summer Palace of Tibet", and then continue to the Drepung Monastery, an ancient temple once housed 10,000 monks in its heyday.

  Finish the day at Sera Monastery which is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet and famous for its Buddhism Scriptures Debates.

  Overnight: Lhasa
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 6: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse (By Car, Approx. 7 Hrs, 440 Km)

  Today, take a scenic drive to Gyantse from Lhasa. En route, you will stop to see Yamdrok Lake, one of three most famous holy lakes in Tibet. The scenery of turquoise blue water in the lake with the reflection of the surrounding snow-capped mountains is awesome. After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery.
  

  After the tour, continue your journey to overnight in Shigatse.

  Note: Driving time in the program is approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.

  Overnight: Shigatse
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 7: Shigatse - Dingri (By Car, 4.5 Hrs)

  Today you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa monastery in Tibet. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest one of its kind on earth, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. Then proceed to a free market to experience the authentic local life.
  

  After the tour, drive to Dingri and check into your hotel upon arrival. 

  Overnight: Dingri
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 8: Dingri - Rongbuk Monastery - Zhangmu (3.5 Hrs by Car; 6 Hrs by Car)

  This morning, drive to the Rongbuk Monastery, where you can take nice photos of Mt. Everest. 
  

  Later, continue the ride to Zhangmu.

  Overnight: Zhangmu
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 9: Zhangmu - Kathmandu (By Car, 4-5 Hrs, 123 Km)

  Today after breakfast we drive to the Zhangmu Pass. Your guide from Kathmandu will wait at the Pass and then escort you to Kathmandu.

  Overnight: Kathmandu
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 10: Kathmandu Sightseeing

  Today, start from the Temple of Swayambhunath, a Buddhist stupa dates back 2000 years ago with stunning spires. Move to the Pashupatinath Temple that is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world.
  

  In the afternoon, continue to the Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world, where you can also appreciate the old and elegant art of Thangka Painting, the painters are so focused and quiet just as all the piety are poured into every single strike of their work. Before you head back, take a sip of local tea at one of the many teahouses against the setting sun in the holy atmosphere can be an unparalleled experience.

  Overnight: Kathmandu
  Meal: Breakfast

• Day 11: Patan Sightseeing, Departure

  After breakfast, you will be driven to visit the Patan City. The ancient city of Patan situated on the southern bank of Bagmati River is the center of fine art in Nepal. You will encounter Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Visit major attractions like Patan Durbar Square, Patan Krishna Mandir, Patan Mahaboudha and Patan Hiranya Varna Maha Vihar before we escort you to the airport for your flight to next destination. 

  Meal: Breakfast