Kathmandu Lhasa Group Tour -8 days

Early morning departure from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadi, the newly open Nepal/Tibet border for 6/7 hours passing through villages, river and waterfall with observing the great view of the Himalayas. Complete the immigration and continue drive to Gyirong. Stay night at guest house in Gyirong.

Drive through the Nyalam passes at 3800m and continue via Lalungla pass (5050m) to Tingri or Lhatse. Highlights of this drive are the ever-present spectacular mountain scenery and the great Himalayas range of Jugal mountain range, Mt. Shisapangma (8013m), the highest peak in Tibet, Mt. Makalu (8463m), Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m) and Mt. Cho-Oyu (8201m).

Drive to Xigatse, the place of the famous Tashilumpo monastery, the second largest monastery in Tibet and the seat of Panchen Lama. Overnight at hotel in Shigatse.

Visit Tashi Lumpo monastery and Xigatse Bazaar in the morning and drive to Gyantse.Gyantse, lying 264 kilometers southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of the Nyang Chu River, is of historical significance. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. Today, Gyantse retains a deeply Tibetan character. The principle structures consist of a castle on a ridge overlooking the town and a walled monastic complex. The monastery includes the massive temple of Palkhor Chode and the great multi-chapel Kumbum stupa. These religious monuments, part of Gyantse’s ancient monastic town, contain some of the most extraordinary works of art in Tibet.

Drive through Karo La pass at (5010m) and onto the Khamba La pass at 4794m. The former climbs two lofty mountains, the Nozing Khang Sa (7223m) and the Ralung (6236m). You will also see the wonderful Yamdrok Tso Lake known as Turquoise Lake and the Brahmaputra River as well as the ever-present views of the interesting and unusual landscape. Spend the night in a guesthouse or hotel in Lhasa.

You will explore the Jokhang, the holiest Buddhist temple in the Himalaya’s. Founded nearly 1400 years ago, Jokhang Temple houses the most sacred statue of Buddha. You will work your way through this fascinating temple alongside Buddhist pilgrims from the faraway regions of Tibet. The sound of pilgrims chanting mantras fills the air as does the smell of yak butter candle offerings. In the afternoon, you will go to the 600 year old Sera, one of Tibet’s largest Buddhist monasteries. Each weekday afternoon starting at 3pm, monks engage in Buddhist philosophy debates, which are fun to photograph.

You will start the day by exploring the Potala Palace, Tibet’s most iconic building. 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 lunch, you will go to Drepung, another of Tibet’s huge monastic complexes. The pilgrimage circuit around Drepung takes about an hour or so and offers spectacular views.

After 90km drive from Lhasa city to Lhasa airport, fly to Kathmandu will give you an amazing view of mountains such as Mt Kanchenjunga (8586m), Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Makalu (8463m) and others. Those who want to go to mainland China, get train or flight from Lhasa.