Tibet overland with Everest Base Camp

Once you reach KTM airport and finish  with the immigration and custom formalities  be prepared to confront the confusion outside the airport which is common in most of the south Asian countries. As you walk out of the Exit door into the passenger pick up area you will see hundreds of people with different sign boards in their hands, taxi drivers looking for fares, hotel touts looking for customers and porters trying to help with the luggage for tips. Please remain calm and do not walk out of the restricted area into the crowd straight away. Remain there and try to find the Hi On Life Adventures sign board. Once you spot it, walk straight to the signboard and identify yourself. From here we will take care of you.

When you arrive to your hotel you will be briefed about your activities and “do’s and don’ts” while your stay in Kathmandu. We will also collect some documents from you. Please have the following things handy when arriving.

Travel/ Medical Insurance (photo copy)
4 passport size photos
Original Passport for Tibet Visa application.

In the evening we will go for a traditional Nepali dinner at Kathmandu’s finest Nepali restaurant.

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal was once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La. It is now a hub for independent travelers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. The city with a population of 2.5 million stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major hills: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Kathmandu was ranked third among the top 10 travel destinations on the rise in the world by TripAdvisor and ranked first in Asia. 

We begin with an early morning Yoga session. After breakfast, while our representative are working for your visa application, we will explore and experience the grandeur of the ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture and architecture, and the finesse of the ancient traditional Newari craftsmanship in their temples. This guided tour is focused on presenting you the history and culture of the Kathmandu valley.

Pashupatinath Temple, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the biggest temple of the Hindu god Shiva. It is situated at the bank of the holy river Bagmati. This pagoda style Hindu temple is made by bronze that has four doors in four directions with a golden pinnacle at the top with gold-glided ruff. There is no record when the temple was first built but according to Hindu text, the existence of this temple has been since the second century.It is also famous for its cremation grounds called “Aryaghat”at the bank of Bagmati River. Most of the Hindu people in the valley are cremated in this place after their death.

Bouddhanath Stupa, built in the 5th century, is the biggest Stupa in South Asia. It is about 40m high and about 488m in circumference, surrounded by the brick wall. The stupa is essentially a large dome and on the top is a cubicle structure with paintings of the eye’s of Buddah which represent the enlightened state of compassion and wisdom. There are 13 spires around the cube representing the 13 tasks the Buddhists must perform to reach enlightenment. The stupa is located at the ancient trade route to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers have for many centuries. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site.Lunch at The OR2k vegetarian restaurant

Kathmandu Durbar Square, a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” lies in the heart of old Kathmandu city in Basantapur. It holds held the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Once the residence of Nepal’s Royal family, all coronation ceremonies were held here. There were 50 temples within the vicinity including the temple of the titular deity, Taleju Bhawani, a number of which were destroyed during the 2015 earthquake that devastated the country killing more than 10,000 people. The Durbar is divided into two courtyards, the outer Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, and the inner section consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. The Durbar Square, with its old temples, palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people.

While we wait to get the visa for Tibet, we take this opportunity to visit another ancient town in the Kathmandu Valley.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most captivating architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. It is situated in Bhaktapur, which used to be the largest of the three Newar kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley, and was the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. The Square consists of pagodas and shikhara style temples and stone monoliths perched with golden effigies that surround the main palace of brick and wood. It is also famous for beautiful wood carvings in every gateways and windows. The Golden Gate is said to be the most beautiful and richly moulded specimen of its kind in the entire world. We will have lunch at Bhaktapur and drive back to Kathmandu in the afternoon.

Flight: 1 hour 45 mins
Drive airport to Lhasa: 62 kms, 1 hour

Depending on your flight time, we drive to Tribhuwan International Airport 3 ½ hours before departure time. The flight form Kathmandu to Lhasa is probably one of the most beautiful mountain flights in the World. This 90 mins flight flies east of Kathmandu and then turn North and fly at around 35,000 ft (10,600m) between Mt. Everest 8848m and Mt. Makalu 8481m (the 5th Highest mountain in the world)Upon arrival at Gongar airport, our representative in Lhasa will receive us and drive to Lhasa which is 64 kms from the airport. We check in to our hotel and have a relaxing afternoon. Drink as much as possible and refrain from any strenuous activity to help your body to get acclimatized to the high altitude quicker. We take an easy day today and wind up with a welcome dinner at one of the finest traditional Tibetan restaurants.

Today we visit some of the most historic places of Lhasa:

The Potala Palace, the palace of the Dalai Lama is built high on a hill called Marpori located in the center of Lhasa city. The palace has 13 stories, which are built entirely of mud and wood, containing 1000 chapels. There are gold-embossed tombs of past Dalai Lamas, one of which is called Zamling Yeshag which is believed to contain tremendous amount of gold, precious gems, and countless artifacts in the tomb.

Sera Monastery is one of the 3 famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. It was built by Sagya Yeshes, one of the 8 disciples of Zongkapa, founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1414, Zongkapa sent Sagya Yeshes to pay homage to Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty in today’s Nanjing of East China’s Jiangsu Province. The Emperor granted him the title of the Great Mercy Prince of Dharma. After he returned to Tibet, he followed Zongkapa’s instruction to build the Sera Monastery in 1419.

Please Note- Lunch will be provided wherever convenient during the sightseeing.

In the late afternoon, we come back to our hotel and get refreshed. In the evening we will dine at another fine restaurants in Lhasa.

Drepung Monastery – Once the Largest MonasteryDrepung Monastery was the largest monastery of Tibet constructed in 1416. There were a total of 10,000 monks who once lived here. Drepung Monastery plays an important role in Tibet Buddhism. Located on the Gambo Utse Mountain, it has magnificent complex of white buildings dotted around the hillside. The Ganden Potrang, once the residence for Dalai Lamas (1-5th) before the 5th Dalai Lama built Potala Palace, is the most featured historical building here, which allows Drepung Monastery enjoy the highest status among Tibet monasteries.

Jokhang Temple – Religious center of TibetJokhang Temple (or Jokhang Monastery) is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims. It is listed in the World Cultural Heritages with Potala Palace and Norbulingka. It is situated at the heart of the old town of Lhasa and surrounded by Barkhor Street. This 4 storied building, built in the 7th century by Songtsan Gambo, with roofs covered with gilded bronze tiles, demonstrates a combination of the architectural style of Han, Tibetan, India and Nepal, as well as a Mandala world outlook of Buddhism. It was originally called the ‘Tsuklakang’ (Tsulag Khang) – ‘House of Religious Science’ or ‘House of Wisdom’ during the Bon period of Tibet, which is referred to geomancy, astrology, and divination of Bon. Today it is more commonly known as the Jokhang, which means the ‘House of the Buddha’. PN- Lunch and dinner will be provided in some of the best restaurants in Lhasa.

In the evening we take a walk along the famous Barkhor square. Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.

We end this beautiful day with a nice dinner at the hotel.

Distance: 260 kms
Driving time: 5 hours

We drive over the Gampala passes, and descend down to the shores of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). Yamdrok Lake is a freshwater lake. It is over 72 kms long making it one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m)
After the lake, we will pass the Karola Glacier and Manak Dam Lake. We arrive Gyantse in the afternoon. Gyantse is Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. The main temple of Pelkor Chode, the Tsuklakhang was built 1418 – 1425 by the 2nd prince of Gyantse. It was an eclectic academy with 16 dralsang (colleges) belonging variously to Sakya, Butonpa, Geluk and Kagyu schools.

Distance: 93 kms
Driving time: 1 hour 45 mins

It is a pleasant and scenic drive to Shigatse. Upon arrival at Shigatse we will visit Tashilumpo which is the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. It was founded by Gendun Drup, the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447. The monastery is located on a hill at the center of Shigatse city, the second largest city in Tibet. There is a 21.6m wooden statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and elaborate, jewel encrusted reliquary chorten.

Afternoon will be free to visit the old Tibetan market and walk around the city.

Distance: 320 kms
Driving time: 4 hour

Today we cross over 2 big passes, Tsola Pass(4600) and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Youyou’re your first view of Mt. Everest from this pass. We arrive Xegar in the afternoon.
Xegar is a new Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong. With a population of 3000, its importance lies in the fact that it is the centre of this large and remote country and also a base from where expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched.

Distance: 85 kms each way
Driving time: 1 hour 45 mins each way
Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp: 7 kms, 30 mins in horse cart each way

We drive through Pangla pass 5000m from where you will have a fantastic view of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu which are over 8000m. Upon arriving at Rongbuk, we will visit the monastery which is the world’s highest monastery. After lunch we will hire a horse cart to takes us ona ride to Everest Base Camp. We are not allowed to enter the Base camp area, but we can explore the surrounding area. In the evening we will drive back to Xegar.

Distance: 237 kms
Driving time: 4 hours

Distance: 267 kms
Driving time: 4 hours 30 mins

Today we end this soul replenishing trip in Tibet, and after an early breakfast we drive to Gongar airport and say good bye to our Tibetan friends to catch our onward flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival to Kathmandu, we check in to our hotel.

We will have a farewell dinner at one of the restaurants in Kathmamdu.

Depending on your flight time, we will drive to the airport 3 ½ hours before time of departure. Trip ends.