Overland to Lhasa Tour

For many hundreds of years, the plateau was all but unreachable; one had to cross great Asian plains and walk the mountains to get there. Even then the government of the land took a dim view of travellers and sent them back. Now, this hidden kingdom is open to visitors. One of the greatest civilisations on earth is yours to discover.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Minimum Group Size: 4
Arrival Transfer: Not Included
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader
Transport: Private coach and Jeep
Flight: Lhasa to Kathmandu
Activities: Walking
Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels
Meals: Breakfast included each day in Tibet. Allow US$10-15 per day for other meals
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$50 for all sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the exciting city of Kathmandu
• Fantastic views of the Himalayas and Everest
• Spectacular Potala Palace
• Incredible, enigmatic Lhasa
• Monasteries and pilgrimage sites
• High mountain passes with superb views

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, KATHMANDU: Arrive in Kathmandu.

Day 2, KATHMANDU: Morning walking tour of the market area of Asan, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Temple.

Day 3, ZHANGMU: Travel overland from Kathmandu to Zhangmu in Tibet.

Day 4, NYALAM PASS - LALUNG LA - XEGAR: We ascend rapidly up a narrow and fertile valley, hugging the banks of the Bhote Kosi river until we arrive on top of the Tibetan plateau. The views of the Himalayas and Mt Everest are incredible as we cross the Nyalam Pass (3,800m) and the Lalung La Pass (5,050m). (B)

Day 5, XEGAR - EVEREST: A scenic drive to Rongbuk, close to Everest Base Camp. There is a small monastery here and unrivalled views of Mt Everest. Return to Xegar for the night. (B)

Day 6, SHIGATSE: A long drive from Xegar to Shigatse crossing a 5,220m pass, visiting Sakya monastery if time allows. There are sweeping views over the varied and majestic landscape. (B)

Day 7, GYANTSE: Morning visit to the Tashilhunpo, the monastery of the Panchen Lama. With its traditional Tibetan architecture, striking golden roof and 26m high Buddha this is the largest yellow hat monastery in Tibet and one of the most impressive. Continue to Gyantse where we visit the Kumbum stupa and the Phalkor monastery. (B)

Day 8, LHASA: Scenic drive via Karo La (5,010m), Kambala (4,794m) and the sparkling turquoise Yamdrok Lake to Lhasa. (B)

Day 9, LHASA: A full day to visit the exquisite temples and palaces of Lhasa. We enjoy a guided tour of the Jokhang Temple, the Potala Palace and the important monasteries of Sera and Drepung. (B)

Day 10, LHASA: A full free day to further explore Lhasa. Relax on a roof top café overlooking the Jokhang Temple to watch the many devout pilgrims as they circle the temple, head for the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and ‘thief’s island’ or scour the markets for beautiful Tibetan souvenirs. (B)

Day 11, KATHMANDU: A spectacular flight over the Himalaya from Lhasa to
Kathmandu. (B)

Day 12, KATHMANDU: Tour ends.

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]