Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour via Northern EBC

This classical trip to Northern Everest Base Camp tour from Kathmandu is a journey of lifetime to explore and experience the Tibetan awesome culture, brown rolling hills, wrecked forts, artistic ornate monasteries, centuries old caravan trails and a breathtaking scenery central Himalayan range of Nepal & Tibet along with the most dramatic views of Mt. Everest with its Kangshung Face looks. This northern Everest Base Camp tour offers many exciting memorable encounter along the way (peoples and cultures) that you can't express or explain unless you are a part of it.

Driving from Kathmandu onward Tibet via Nepal Tibet border to Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp traverse through the high passes and rugged terrain and an incredible formation of the highest plateau of the world, fascinates you. Driving across the stark windswept Tibetan Plateau to the spectacular Rongbuk Valley and Everest Base Camp is the most highlighted. The views of the north Kangshung face of Mt. Everest from Rongbuk and Everest base camp are simply sensational.

Remaining tour onward is through the local Tibetan villages en route, onward few Tibetan cities, Shighatse, Gyantse and Lhasa. You would have two days of complete excursion in Lhasa highlights before ending your tour with us.

Day 01 Kathmandu to Kyirung
Altitude: 2,800m/9,187ft
Distance: 177km, 6 - 7 hours drive
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel in Kathmandu we will drive along small mountain road to the border at Nepalese side; on the way you can enjoy the waterfall, river, gorges, forest. Since we pass through Langtang National Park, we are required to deal with a number of check-posts. Overnight stay in Kerung.

Day 02 Kyirungto-Tingri
Altitude: 4,300m/14104ft - 255km 5-6 hours 
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals: Breakfast

After Breakfast drive uphill to the height plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing of the roof of the world from where weather permitting, breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m) and Mt.Xishapangma (8,012m) on the way see to Pikucho lake overnight at Hotel  

Day 03 Tingri to Ronbuk & visit Everest Base Camp 
Altitude: 4900m/16076ft& EBC 5150m/16896 ft
Distance of driving: 105 Kms/4-5 hrs drive
Meals: Breakfast

It is an easy and short drive to Rongbuk. Get the room; refresh up then start trip onward to Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp. Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in Tibet. Visit this monastery with the amazing view of Mt. Everest (Mount Quomolangma). Afternoon drive to Base Camp by available local bus as our tour land cruiser is not allowed, walk is (16 kms round trip) around base camp. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. Evening, return back to Rongbuk and overnight.

Day 04 Ronbuk - Xegar to Lhatse 
Altitude: 4050 m/13287ft
Distance of driving: 245 Kms/ 7hrs drive
Meals: Breakfast

Depending on weather conditions, while having breakfast in Rongbuk at your guest house, you would again have a amazing views of sunrise view of Mt. Everest Kangshung face. Today, we drive onward to Lhaste via Xegar. Crossing highest pass of the route- Gyamtso La- 5220m, we descent to the plains, passing some lonely monasteries en route to Lhatse. After Lhatse, we drive onward through the main friendship highway, cross another pass- Pang La- 5150m- views from here are incredible, one can see widen Himalayan Shangri-la from Makalu to Shishapangma. Drive descent to Lhatse for overnight.

Day 05 Lhatse- Sakya Monastery to Shigatse 
Altitude: 3900m/12795ft
Distance of driving: 185 Kms/6hrs drive
Meals: Breakfast

This morning, we drive off route- 30kms to Sakya, visit famous Sakya Monastery. This is the ancestral temple of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the 6thyear (1073) of the Xining reign of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) by Khon Konchog Gyalpo, the founder of Sakyapa sect of Lamaism. Sakya, meaning "Grey Soil" in Tibetan since the soil surrounding it is gray; it is the central monastery of Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Afternoon, we drive to Shigatse- the second biggest city in Tibet. Overnight at Shigatse.

Day 06 Shigatse to Gyantse 
Altitude: 3950m/12959ft
Distance of driving: 90kms/2hrs drive
Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the free bazaar of Xigaste. After lunch embark on a pleasant 2 hours drive to Gyantse. Here you visit the Khumbum Stupa and Phalkot Monastery. Overnight in Gyantse.

Day 07 Gyantse to Lhasa 
Altitude: 3,650m/11,970ft
Distance of driving 259kms/8hrs drive
Meals: Breakfast

Today drive is bit longer, we drive approx of 08 hours, crossing 2 passes The Karo La (5010m) and Kamba La (4794m) pass and Lake Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake). You will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamaputra) river and see the distant views of the Potala Palace. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 08 Sightseeing tour in Lhasa 
Altitude: 3640m/11,942ft Day Explore
Meals: Breakfast

We breakfast at hotel then start our first day tour of Lhasa- Forbidden City of Tibet. Our tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts us to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.

Day 09 Sightseeing Tour in Lhasa 
Altitude: 3640m/11,942ft Day Explore
Meals: Breakfast

Your sightseeing of this forbidden city of Tibet continues today as well. You experience invaluable insights during your visits to Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery. This 17th century Potala Palace offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery. Explore the surrounding and return back to your hotel in evening. Over night at Lhasa.

Day 10 Departure from Lhasa to your onward destination 
Meals: Breakfast

Today we serve you breakfast then your trip ends by this morning. Means you are free now; you are responsible for the onward travel plans and destination and required arrangements of flights, train etc. onward Kathmandu or mainland China. If you would like to fly back to Kathmandu, write us while booking your trip with us, we can pre-arrange your Lhasa- Kathmandu return flight at your required date in advance (additional cost).
"End of our services"

Cost Includes:

• Hotel arrival and departure transfer by private vehicle
• All necessary Tibet travel permits
• Northern Everest Base Camp Special permit and fees
• Kathmandu- EBC- Lhasa transfer by non AC Land Cruiser 
• Accommodation in Tibet on twin sharing basis hotels in City and guest house at villages en route
• English speaking Tibetan guide/ his entire cost
• All sightseeing fees and monument fees as per required in above given itinerary
• All applicable taxes and service charges
• Gov & Local charges as required

Cost not Includes:

• Chinese visa fee US$125 (for the USA & Canadian citizens and US$ 100 extra)
• Nepal re-entry visa fee
• Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu( ask us for the reservation)
• Your travel insurance
• Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
• Kathmandu- Lhasa flight ticket and airport taxes( you may buy this ticket and join us this trip or ask us for the reservation)
• Personal Tips
• Any additional expenses due to unforeseen circumstances

Our Tour group:
This is our group based tour thus peoples from any countries can join us on this tour. We would mostly have a group of 8 to 20 peoples on this tour.
 

Tour Leader: 
Your tour Guide is Tibetan Certified Guide. He is in good communicate English, knows the places you would visit and make a special look after throughout the trip. 

Health & Altitude Problems 
Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very rare cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache; fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Some advice: drink approx. 3 liters of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests.
 

Customs & Airport
There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders or radios as long as they are registered with a custom official. Printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese Government are prohibited, Customs regulations forbid the ex- port of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive. There is only one airport in Tibet and only one international flight to Kathmandu, Nepal is in operation.

Clothing & Equipments:
From Oct. to March warm clothes are required due to cold and from April to September only light clothes will be enough. However, a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time.
 

Meals & Accommodations:
This tour is based with bed (accommodation) and breakfast basis only thus you have to look after your lunch and evening meals by yourself. Even though, there are many Chinese/Tibetan restaurants throughout the tour, foods are very nice and you can have your choice of food with your own taste.
 

Your accommodations will be provided a twin share room with attached bath throughout the tour. During the tour, you will have Hotel Flora or similar at Lhasa and comfortable guest house en route. Single room supplement will be charge US$ 480.