Destination Tibet-Lhasa/Kailash/EBC.

Trip Difficulty Moderate Trip

Duration 9 Days

Activities Tours

Accommodation Hotel and Teahouse Lodge

Max altitude 5200 m

Group Size 1-13 Pax

Meals Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Vehicle Car/Jeep/Flight

Best Price Guarantee
Secure & easy online
Discount for groups

Overview of Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour 9 days

Kathmandu Tibet Overland tour starts from Kathmandu with an hour flight to Lhasa. Once land at Lhasa airport, your guide will receive you at Lhasa airport and take you to Lhasa city. Lhasa is the capital of Tibet where the old Tibetan monasteries and the Potala palace there.

You will spend 3 nights in Lhasa visiting historical and world heritage sites of Lhasa like Potala palace, Barkhor street, sera and Jokhang temple. The 3 nights stay in Lhasa also helps to acclimatize in the altitude. After the Lhasa city tour, we drive towards to Everest base camp via Gyantse and Shigatse city visiting Yamdrok lake. You can see the snow capped mountains, herds of yaks, sheep and crossing high passes during driving in Tibet.

Once we visit Rongbuk Monastery, and also the great view of Mount Everest, the world’s hight mountain. We then drive to Gyirong, the border city of Tibet and Nepal where we spend a night there. On next day 9, we continue drive to Kathmandu saying goodbye to Tibetan guide and driver. This is really an amazing overland tour also call Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour. If the 9 days Tibet to Nepal overland tour is not suitable for you, we also have 7 days Lhasa to Kathmandu group tour.

Best Time to Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour

The 9 days Kathmandu to Tibet overland tour recommends for small group of family, friends and couples. We can do this trip all round the year except winter season like January to March. Tibet will remain close for tour in whole months of March every year. It means that April to December is the best for Kathmadu Tibet overland tour.

For Tibet travel, you need to buy Tibet package tour at least 2 months in advance. Without booking Tibet tour package, it is not possible to travel to Tibet. It includes guide, twin sharing accommodation with breakfast, entrance fee, Tibet travel permit, airport pick. But the flight cost, visa, and lunch and dinner is not include during Kathmandu Tibet overland tour.

Detail Itinerary of Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour 9 days

Day 01: Arrive to Lhasa, Tibet

The Tibetan capital sits at 3590 meters and is the cultural and spiritual heart of Tibet. After getting situated in a modern, centrally located hotel, we will explore and photograph the center of the Old Tibetan Quarter in the heart of Lhasa. The Barkhor is the main shopping market for local Tibetans. It is one of the most interesting markets in all of Asia and is an excellent place to photograph modern Tibetan culture.

Day 02: Lhasa Tour

After breakfast, you will spend the morning going through the Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest and most famous temple. Each day, thousands of Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims work their way through this nearly 1400 year old temple. You will also explore Tsamkhung Nunnery, one of the largest nunneries in the Lhasa area. In the afternoon, you will photograph the Buddhist philosophy debates at Sera, one of Tibet’s largest monasteries. The monk debates will be a major highlight during your time in Tibet.

Day 03: Lhasa Tour

You will start the day by exploring Tibet’s most iconic building, the Potala Palace. Towering above Lhasa with more than 1000 rooms, the Potala Palace served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama’s for hundreds of years. After this, you will explore Ramoche Temple and more of the Old Tibetan Quarter of Lhasa.

Day 04: Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake, Karo La Glacier and Gyantse

In the morning, we will depart from Lhasa and drive to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok Lake, during clear weather, is a brilliant turquoise color and is one of the 4 main holy lakes in Tibetan Buddhism. The huge, glaciated 7191 meter Mt. Nojin Kangtsang forms the backdrop of the lake. The lake sits at an elevation of 4441 meters above sea level. Along the way to Gyantse, we will stop by the glaciers of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang at the Karo La Pass, which come down almost to the highway. Gyantse is a small, but modern Tibetan town, that lies at 4025 meters. You will be visiting the Pelkor Chode Monastery as well as the Gyantse Kumbum, the highest stupa (Buddhist pagoda) in Tibet. The drive from Lhasa to Gyantse covers 260 kms (162 miles).

Day 05: Gyantse to Shigatse

The scenic drive from Gyantse to Shigatse goes through several traditional farming villages that you will stop at. Shigatse is home to Tashilhunpo Monastery and its 600+ monks. This monastery, one of the largest in Tibet, is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important lama in Tibetan Buddhism. You will walk around the pilgrim route that goes up and around the famous monastery as well as explore inside the huge monastery complex. In the afternoon, you will explore the walking street and markets in the Old Town. The distance from Gyantse to Shigatse is 95 kilometers (60 miles). The elevation of Shigatse is 3840 meters.

Day 06: Shigatse to Shegar

The mid-way point of your journey will take you from Shigatse to the small town of Shelkar. There are several scenic mountain views along the way, especially at the 5200 meter high Gyatso La Pass. From the Gyatso La, there is a sweeping view of the Himalaya. You will stay the night in the small town of Shelkar, elevation 4300 meters. In Shelkar, you can hike up to the Shelkar Monastery and up along the ruins of the old fortress. At the top, there is a nice view of the mountains surrounding you, including a view of Everest. The distance from Shigatse to Shelkar is 250 kilometers (156 miles).

Day 07: Shegar to Everest Base Camp at Rongbuk

From Shegar, you will cross over the 5050 meter Geu La Pass, which offers one of the most spectacular views of the Himalaya. From here, 5 of the world’s 15 highest mountains can be seen, including Mt. Everest. Your next stop will be Rongphu, the highest monastery in the world at just under 5000 meters. A fantastic view of Everest can be seen from Rongphu. You will then continue on to Everest Base Camp Region at Rongphu Monastery, gazing out to the world’s highest peak. The distance from Shelkar to Everest Base Camp is 105 kilometers (65 miles). The elevation at Mt Everest/Rongphu Monastery is 5050 meters.

Note: You will not be able to go beyond Rongphu Monastery without an Everest climbing permit. The view of Everest from Rongphu is amazing!

Day 08: Rongbuk to Gyirong

This day will take you over a couple more high Himalayan passes with more awesome views. You will also stop at the pristine lake of Peiku Tso, which is surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks. From the lake, you will descend to the Tibetan border town of Kyirong. You will stay the night on the Tibet side of the border, your final night in Tibet. The distance from Old Tingri to the Nepal border is 200 kilometers and the elevation is 2100 meters.

Day 09: Gyirong to Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your Tibetan driver and guide and cross the international border into Nepal. You can purchase your Nepal visa on arrival. After clearing Nepal immigration, you will be met by your Nepalese driver and guide and continue to Kathmandu. The landscape in Nepal is lush and green. You will stop for lunch along the way as well as at a couple of small villages. The distance to Kathmandu is 140 kilometers. The elevation of Kathmandu is 1350 meters.

Not Happy with this itinerary?

Includes / Excludes

What's Included ?

Free shuttle between Lhasa Railway Station/Lhasa Gonggar Airport and hotel.
Tibet Travel Permit
Local Tour Transfers by comfortable tourist vehicle according to the group size.
All entrance ticket fees for all tourist sites
Standard Accommodation with breakfast during tour.
Upgrade Accommodation and Single room supplement are available for an additional fee
English-speaking tour guide and all his expenses.
All Service Charge and Government Taxes.

What's Excluded ?

Chinese Group Visa
Flight/Train Tickets
Single Room Supplement
Lunch and dinner during Tibet Tour
Tips for guide and driver.
Other expenses such as natural disasters, traffic control, loss of valuables, visa delays, flight delays or cancellations, etc.).
Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks

Note: We operate private trip everyday.

We can operate private trip for solo, group, family, students as per your requirements.

Trip Information - Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour 9 days

Process for booking Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour 9 days

To ensure a smooth journey, it is recommended to book the tour at least 15-20 days before departure. Of course, booking 1 or 2 months or even earlier will help us apply for necessary travel documents on your behalf and make advance reservations for accommodations. The earlier you book, the better prepared you’ll be, and you won’t be troubled in a rush.

Necessary travel documents for Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour

First, you need to apply for a Chinese Group Visa from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Make sure you don’t have a Chinese Visa, and your former visa will be canceled once the group visa is issued. Then, you also need the Tibet Travel Permit to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region from Nepal.

Some other local travel documents, like the Alien’s travel permit for visiting the Mount Everest area, are also required for the overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa. We’ll take care of Tibet Travel Permit, as well as other local travel documents as part of our tour package. Simply follow our guidance, and there’s no need to worry about the process.

About Chinese Group Visa

Whether you already have a Chinese visa or not, you need to apply for a group visa through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu if you are going to enter Tibet from Nepal. We provide visa assistance services. After booking your Nepal to Tibet tour with us, it is suggested to visit our Kathmandu office at least 4 working days before you enter Tibet.

You need to provide the original passport with 6 months of validity. We assist in processing visa matters to ensure that you can successfully obtain a group visa. The visa fee and service fee need to be paid.

If you already hold a Chinese visa, it is not recommended to enter Tibet from Nepal as your original Chinese visa will be canceled due to the issuance of a group visa.

Tibet Travel Permit

Once you book your Kathmandu to Lhasa tour with us, simply provide scanned copies of your Chinese Visa and a valid passport (with at least 6 months of validity). Generally, it takes 7-14 working days to process the Tibet Travel Permit. Our Tibetan local guide will bring permit to you once you cross the border at Gyirong Port.

Best time to Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour

The best time to Lhasa Tour are Spring (April to early June) and Autumn (September to October) with fine weather, pleasant temperatures, and less rainfall. You have more chances to enjoy a clear view of of Mt. Everest during your trip.

Winter is also an excellent season to witness the Himalayas and appreciate the clear mountain views in the Everest region. As the off-season for Tibet tourism, winter provides more affordable tour prices, making it a more cost-effective time for your visit from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Summer (July to August) is the rainy season in Tibet. While most rainfall occurs at night, it doesn’t impact daytime activities. The only inconvenience for visiting in summer is that roads on the Nepal side are often affected by heavy rains, potentially causing landslides and road damage.

Road condition from Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour

The first section from Kathmandu to the border, covering around 180 kilometers, transforms into a dusty and bumpy terrain. After entering Tibet, especially across the Mount Everest area in Tibet, the roads boast good conditions. A major part of the route is comprised of well-paved asphalt roads suitable for regular vehicles, spanning approximately 820 km from Gyirong Port at the Sino-Nepal border to Lhasa City.

Although the road conditions are a little different and challenging, the scenic beauty along the segment is truly captivating. Additionally, our experienced local drivers, who know Tibet’s roads well, we make sure your overland journey in Tibet is safe and comfortable as possible.

Hotel Accommodation

In the border areas, both on the Nepal side and the Chinese side, accommodation options are quite limited and basic. The local hotels offer very basic facilities that cannot be compared with hotels in Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Shigatse. Please understand the limitations in this remote border area.

As you get closer to the big cities, the accommodation along the way gets progressively better. In cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, accommodation options range from luxury 5-star to economic 3-star, allowing you to choose based on your budget and preferences.

Meals on the trip

The meals involved in this package include hotel breakfasts, a farewell dinner, and a lunch at a local restaurant in a Tibetan village near Yamdrok Lake. While traveling, you’ll have the flexibility to explore a diverse range of dining options for other lunches and dinners. Tibetan and Sichuan restaurants are quite common.

If you have specific dietary needs, such as vegetarian preferences or any other requirements, please inform your travel consultant in advance so that we can make the necessary preparations.

Packing List for Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour

Besides the clothes to take, here are some more things to prepare for your trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Personal Care-Pack your essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, facial cleanser, towels, and other personal toiletries. Since there are no shower facilities at Everest Base Camp, consider bringing wet wipes for convenience.

Skincare-Due to the dry climate in Tibet, pack lip balm, moisturizing cream, and hydrating masks to prevent skin dryness and cracking.

Sun Protection-Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and sunglasses for effective sun protection against the strong UV rays in Tibet.

Additional Necessities-Considering the long distances between attractions in Tibet, bring a U-shaped pillow for a comfortable journey. Also, having a thermal flask ensures you have hot water whenever needed.

Common Medications-Take essential medications like motion sickness pills, gastrointestinal medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, cold medicine, and other medications for emergencies. Include adhesive bandages and eye drops. (Consult your doctor and carefully follow medical advice when taking medication.)

Electronic Devices-Bring your phone, camera, power bank, and any other necessary electronic devices. If you plan to bring a drone, check with our travel consultant in advance. Tibet operates on a 220V voltage.

Cash and Cards-In the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Chinese yuan (RMB) is the primary currency. Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly accepted in major cities such as Lhasa and Shigatse. While credit cards are usable in some large hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls in Lhasa, it’s important to note that in remote areas, cash might be essential. To ensure convenience, it’s recommended to carry a small amount of Chinese yuan and at least one bank card with you.

Best Price Guarantee
Secure & easy online
Discount for groups

Read Reviews on Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour 9 days

5.00/5 from 306 reviews

306 reviews

Kathmandu Tibet Overland Tour 9 days