8-Day Himalayan Crossing: Kathmandu to Lhasa via Everest Base Camp
Kathmandu to Lhasa
Details
Arrive in Lhasa
Free time for the rest of the day to acclimate to the high altitude (3,650 meters). In the evening, you may take a gentle stroll around the outer circle of Barkhor Street. Please avoid taking a shower or bath today and get an early rest to help your body adapt to the altitude.
Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Lhasa Tour: visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
This morning, we embark on an immersive cultural journey through Lhasa, beginning with a visit to Drepung Monastery. Once the largest monastery in the world—housing over 10,000 monks at its peak—Drepung remains one of the premier “Three Great Monasteries” of Lhasa. Its imposing, white stone architecture cascades grandly down the hillside. From afar, it resembles a giant heap of white rice, earning its poetic Tibetan name, which translates to the “Rice Heap” monastery.
In the afternoon, we will head to Sera Monastery, another cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism. Sera is globally renowned for its high-energy Daily Monastic Debates, which take place from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM in the central shady courtyard (except Sundays). You will have the unique opportunity to witness monks engaging in lively, intellectual debates—using dramatic hand claps and passionate gestures to test and deepen their understanding of sacred Buddhist scriptures.
After a deeply enriching day of spiritual and cultural discovery, we will transfer you back to your hotel for a relaxing, peaceful evening in the holy city.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Lhasa Tour: The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Following breakfast, your guide and driver will escort you to the iconic Potala Palace, the crowning jewel of the Lhasa skyline and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perched high atop Red Mountain, this architectural wonder once served as the historic winter residence of the Dalai Lama. You will spend the morning exploring its two main sections—the White Palace and the Red Palace. As you wander through its winding corridors, you will discover sacred chapels, countless monastic dormitories, priceless gilded Buddha statues, and vibrant murals that collectively encapsulate the grand history of Tibet.
In the afternoon, we move on to the Jokhang Temple, universally recognized as the spiritual heart of Tibet. As the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, it draws thousands of pilgrims daily. Here, you will witness the profound devotion of locals as they prostrate at the entrance and offer yak butter oil to keep the sacred lamps burning. Inside, the air is thick with the scent of incense and the low, rhythmic chanting of monks, all beneath a magnificent golden roof that offers a masterclass in ancient Tibetan art and spirituality.
We wrap up the afternoon with a leisurely walk around Barkhor Street, the ancient kora (pilgrimage circuit) and bustling marketplace surrounding the Jokhang Temple. This vibrant street is a captivating crossroads of the old and the new, where pilgrims spinning prayer wheels walk alongside locals and travelers. It is the absolute perfect place to shop for authentic Tibetan handicrafts, mingle with the locals, and fully immerse yourself in the living culture of Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Lhasa – Northern Tibetan Grassland – Namtso Lake – Damxung
Departure from Lhasa at 07:30 along G109 National Highway, taking in the Northern Tibetan Grassland with a photo stop at the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains Viewpoint.
Upon arrival at Namtso Scenic Area, transfer to the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Tashi Peninsula for about 2.5 hours of sightseeing along the lake. Drive to Damxung County by 16:30 for hotel check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Damxung
Damxung – Shigatse
Depart at 07:30 and drive south along S304, passing distant views of the Yangbajing Geothermal Field and the Nimu Grassland, with flexible photo stops along the way. Arrive in Shigatse in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse
Shigatse – E.B.C
Depart at 07:00 along G318, stopping at Gyatsola Pass (5,248m) and the G318 5,000KM Milestone.
Enjoy a 30-minute stop at Gawula Pass for a breathtaking view of five 8,000-meter peaks. Upon arrival at the scenic area, transfer to the eco-friendly shuttle bus to Mount Everest Base Camp (5,200m Monument) and Rongbuk Monastery, where you will wait for the golden sunset over Mt. Everest and the spectacular starry night.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: E.B.C
E.B.C – Nyalam
Wake up early for the Mt. Everest sunrise. Depart at 08:00 and descend along the G318 Sino-Nepal Highway, taking in distant views of Mt. Shishapangma. Drive along winding mountain roads to Nyalam County to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s border crossing.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Nyalam
Nyalam – Zhangmu Border – Kathmandu
Depart at 07:00, descending the winding cliffside road of Zhangmu Gorge. Complete exit procedures at the Zhangmu Port Chinese border checkpoint, walk across the Friendship Bridge to enter Nepal, transfer to your vehicle, and proceed to Kathmandu, where the tour concludes upon arrival.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 2026-11 | $ 1115 | Book now |
| Dec | 2026-12 | $ 968 | Book now |
| Jan | 2027-01 | $ 968 | Book now |
| Feb | 2027-02 | $ 968 | Book now |
| Mar | 2027-03 | $ 1115 | Book now |
| Apr | 2027-04 | $ 1115 | Book now |
| May | 2027-05 | $ 1115 | Book now |
| Jun | 2027-06 | $ 1262 | Book now |
| Jul | 2027-07 | $ 1262 | Book now |
| Aug | 2027-08 | $ 1262 | Book now |
| Sep | 2027-09 | $ 1262 | Book now |
| Oct | 2027-10 | $ 1115 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 8-Day Classic Overland Journey: Lhasa to Kathmandu via Everest Base Camp
Fee Description
Tour Inclusions:
Transportation: Comfortable 9–17 seat tourist vehicle throughout the journey. Airport or railway station transfers in Lhasa.
Accommodation: 7 nights in twin-sharing rooms (5-star standard, can be upgrade to 5-star comfortable hotel)
Entrance Fees: Admission tickets to all attractions listed in the itinerary.
Meals: Daily hotel breakfast. Tibetan Yak Hotpot, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Tibetan Farewell Dinner
Professional Guide Service: Experienced English-speaking, Chinese-speaking, or bilingual local guides.
Permits: Tibet Travel Permit processing and arrangement.
Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance. Vehicle seat insurance.
Drop-off Services: Airport (08:30–22:30), Train station (24 hours).
Tour Exclusions:
International & Domestic Transportation: Flights or train tickets to and from Lhasa. Ticket booking assistance is available upon request.
Meals Not Specified: Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary.
Personal Expenses: Laundry, telephone charges, beverages, shopping, and other personal expenditures.
Tips: Gratuities for guides and drivers are not mandatory but are appreciated for good service.
Single Supplement: Additional charge for travelers requesting a private room or when no roommate is available.
Additional Costs: Expenses resulting from personal activities, itinerary changes requested by travelers, force majeure events, or medical treatment. Any services not specifically listed under “Tour Inclusions.”
