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Overland Tibet Tour

Trip Duration: 8 Days

The Overland Tibet tour is an overland tour from from Kathmandu to Lhasa or vice versa. The first part of this tour fascinates everyone with the incredible formation of the Tibetan landscape as the drive starts to gain the height to the top of the plateau unfolding awesomely beautiful rocks, cascades and canyons slightly hidden in the thin flying mists at the border area between Nepal and Tibet. This tour is also popular by the name of Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour. In fact, it is an Adventure on the Roof of the World.

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 Himalaya 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.

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 Himalaya will remain in your memory for a long time.

However, until September 2017, this overland tour got suddenly postponed as a result of the heavy destruction of the road and other infrastructure caused by the massive earthquake of 25 April 2015. Only since September 2017, the tour got resumed, but via Kerung (a new transit point between Tibet & Nepal), not via Zhangmu/Tatopani (old transit point).

Trip Highlights

Scenic drive to the high Himalaya in 6-7 hours gaining height from 1,300 m to 3,200 m (Kerung).
The first 2 days drive offers an educative tour offering unique and incredible information on the 60 million years old geological formation of the highest plateau of the world.
The continuous uphill drive itself keeps on telling you how high and why the plateau got so high.
You will enjoy the view of Mt Everest (8,848 m) from Old Tingri
The amazing view of Mt Shishapagma (8,012 m) on your left hand side during the drive on a clear day is unforgettable.
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 visit 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 on the last part of the tour.

Itinerary

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1
Day 01:KATHMANDÚ – SYANBRUBESI (135 km: 2,380 m) – RASUWAGADHI/ KERUNG (18 km: 3,200 m) (7-8 hr total)

Our overland journey starts early morning with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Kerung using about 50 km drive on the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway (Prithvi Highway) or 30 km via Tokha road. Then, at Galchi 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. Our drive passes 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.

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. 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.

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. On the way, 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.

4
Day 04:XIGATSE - GYANTSE (3,950M): 90 KM

Today, after breakfast, our guide will take you for 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 made with 275 Kg pure gold with many more invaluable jewels). It was constructed by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914 and took 4 years for its completion. The 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 claims 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.

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), colourful Yamdrok Lake and the Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo) – Overnight at 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.

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.

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.

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Trip Information

Trip Duration 8 Days
DestinationTibet
Trip StyleTour

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9851022507(Mahendra) , 9851022082 (Dhruba), 91-95603572356 (PRAKASH PANT - Director) Branch Office in India: A-6, Fist Floor. A-Block, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, New Delihi - 110001, [email protected] [email protected]