Tibet Overland Tour

Overview

Tibet overland tour is one of the most appreciated and happening tour in the country. Touring through this mysterious yet timeless land involves crossing high desert, driving through over the altitude of 3000-5000m, visiting the caves, monasteries including potala palace and the distant view of Everest make this an lifetime experience. Cut from rest of the world and far from the effect of urbanization Tibet has been able to save its ancient art and architecture, traditional market places and its hazel green glacial lakes. Since the day it has opened to western tourist from 1985 it has not looked back as the flow of tourist is increasing year after year.

Standing gracefully with oomph, Tibet is known for its opulence, magnificence, magic and mystery. In our overland tour we will be exploring the forbidden city of Lhasa which includes Potala palace, Deprung monastery, Barkhor market and holy temple of Jokhang.

Our overland tour starts from Kathmandu and following the friendship bridge and witnessing some of the high giving landscape we will enter Tibet. For completing our immigration formalities at the border the Tibetan guide will give you information about the places we will be visiting from Zhangmu, Nyalam, Tingri, Xeger, Xigatse, Gyantse to Lhasa. To explore this inexplicable territory we will be covering the distance of 1000km on a four wheel drive vehicles.

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: Drive to Zhangmu(2300m)
You will drive from Kathmandu to Nepal Tibet border. Our guide will receive you in the Chinese side of Friendship Bridge. From here you will drive for Zhangmu for overnight stay. In the evening prepare yourself for the memorable overland trip.

Day 2: Drive to Xegar(4050m)
Witnessing the mindblowing vista of Everest we will continue our drive. Crossing Tsoula pass (4500m) and Gyatso La (5220m) pass we will arrive to Xegar for overnight stay. In the way route we will visit Sakya monastery.
SHAKYA MONASTERY: Sakya monastery built in 1268 has a enormous compound and looks like old fort with a high defensive walls surrounding the southern portion of the monastery. The monastery has many historical articles including imperial certificates, gold signets, crowns and clothes used by Yuan dynasty emperors. The monastery too has 84,000 volumes on astronomy, medicine, calligraphy and history.

Day 3: Drive to Xigatse(3900m)
Today we will drive to Xigatse and we will visit Tashihunpo monastery which is the seat of Panchen Lama. Panchen Lama is the second most respected Buddhist tutor in Tibet after Dalai Lama. The monastery has beautiful frescoes, statues and sculptures. The monastery also has a giant statue of Future Buddha which is adorned with pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers.

Day 4: Drive to Gyantse (3950m)
We will drive to Gyantse from Shigatse. Gyantse is known for Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong is a old fort dating back to 14th century that overlooks the entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu valley. Kumbum too has large gold domed stupa, chapels, Tibetan Buddhist murals and houses built in Tibetan style.

Day 5: Drive to Lhasa (3650m)
Crossing Karo La(5010m) and Kamba La(4794m) pass and following Yamdrok Tso lake we will drive to Lhasa. This 8hours of drive brings you to Yarlung Tsangpo river which offers the distant view of Potala palace.

Day 6-7: Lhasa Tour
In the sixth and seventh day of our tour we will explore the most authentic and culturally blessed Lhasa. We will devote this two days for the architectural beauty of Lhasa city. We will pay our visit to Jokhang temple, Sera and Drepung monasteries and Potala Palace. The history of Jokhang temple goes back to 7th century and has a huge statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and is considered as the holiest place in Tibet. Sera and Drepung monasteries were built in 1419 and back then Drepung monasteries used to have 8,000 monks to teach traditions of Vajrayana, Mahayana and Sutrayana. Another place of visit is Potala Palace which has 1000 rooms and 13stories which is elegantly decorated with Thanka paintings, Frescos and images created hundreds of year ago and considered as the most popular tourist hub in Tibet.

Day 08: 96 km drive from Lhasa city to Gongar airport, then flight to Kathmandu.