8-Day Classic Overland Journey: Lhasa to Kathmandu via Everest Base Camp
Lhasa to Kathmandu
Details
Nepal Assembly | Kathmandu to Kodari
Gather in Kathmandu, Nepal. Transfer from Kathmandu to Kodari.
Farewell to the old town of Kathmandu as we set off on this mountain journey toward the Nepal-Tibet border. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning, heading toward the Himalayas along the Arniko Highway. The route winds through deep Nepalese valleys, flanked by lush woodlands, terraced farmlands and quiet mountain villages. As altitude gradually rises, distant mountain ridges come into clearer view. We take our time to admire the mountain scenery and arrive in Kodari by late afternoon for check-in and rest, recharging for our border crossing into Tibet via Zhangmu Port the next day.
Highlights: Sufficient rest at low elevation; pre-border check preparation to avoid delays at the port on the following day.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: Hotel in Kodari
Cross-border Entry into Tibet | Kodari → Zhangmu Port → Nyalam
Today’s highlight is crossing the national border and traversing the Himalayas, experiencing the dramatic contrast of landscapes: from the humid, lush southern valleys of Nepal to the vast, open highland terrain of Nyalam.
After breakfast, we depart for the Nepal-Tibet border to complete Nepalese exit formalities. Cross the China-Nepal Friendship Bridge to reach Zhangmu Port. Once you finish Chinese immigration clearance, your dedicated Tibetan guide and driver will meet you at the port. Leaving Zhangmu behind, we drive deep into the grand Himalayan Gorge toward Nyalam.
The winding road climbs steadily. Dense forested slopes, deep canyons and mountain waterfalls unfold along the way. With rising elevation, the lush greenery fades away, replaced by the stark, majestic mountain scenery unique to the Tibetan Plateau. This stretch is the journey ascending from the humid southern slope of the Himalayas onto the edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Check into your hotel in Nyalam upon arrival. The rest of the day proceeds at a relaxed pace for acclimatization, preparing you for the upcoming trip toward Everest.
Highlights: Cross the Himalayas: leave the misty Nepalese valleys behind for the highland wilderness of Nyalam
Meals:
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: Hotel in Nyalam
Snow Mountain Spectacle | Nyalam → Distant View of Shishapangma → Everest Base Camp
This is the climax of the whole itinerary. We leave Nyalam at dawn. The road climbs from the humid Zhangmu Gorge up to highlands above 4,000 meters. After several hours, the first giant peak emerges on the horizon — Shishapangma (8,027 m), the only 8,000-meter peak entirely located within China. We stop at the viewing platform on G219 National Highway to gaze at its extended glacier ridges, then make a detour to visit Peiku Tso, a gem-blue lake at 4,590 m where Tibetan wild asses often roam. On calm days, the entire snow wall is mirrored on its surface.
Continuing north past Tingri, we ascend to Gyawu La Pass (5,210 m), one of the most spectacular viewing points across the Himalayas. On clear days, five 8,000-meter giants line up in one frame: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. We descend along the famous 18 bends and arrive at Everest Base Camp (5,200 m) in the afternoon, just as golden sunlight bathes the pyramid-shaped summit of Mount Everest (8,848.86 m).
Highlights: At Gyawu La Pass (5,210 m), capture five of the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks in a single panoramic view — one of Earth’s most breathtaking high-altitude vistas.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: Hotel in Everest Base Camp
Culture of Rear Tibet | Everest Base Camp → Tashilhunpo Monastery → Shigatse
Wake up early to watch the golden sunrise over Everest. Afterwards, depart Everest Base Camp and head back toward Shigatse along the Friendship Highway. In the afternoon, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, and immerse yourself in the Tibetan Buddhist culture of Rear Tibet. Return to downtown Shigatse for check-in and rest in the evening.
Highlights: Everest sunrise; cultural tour of Tashilhunpo Monastery, the greatest monastery in Rear Tibet
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse
Shigatse → Karola Glacier → Yamdrok Lake → Lhasa
Travel east along G318 National Highway, passing Manla Reservoir for a close view of the continental Karola Glacier. Cross the Gambala Pass and reach Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s Three Holy Lakes. Stop at the viewing platform to photograph the winding blue lake. Return to downtown Lhasa along the river valley by evening for check-in and gentle acclimatization.
Highlights: Karola Glacier; Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s Three Holy Lakes
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation:4-star hotel in Lhasa
Heart of the Holy City | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Enter the World Heritage Site Potala Palace at your reserved time to tour the living quarters and stupas of successive Dalai Lamas. Then proceed to Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet, to pay homage to the 12-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni statue. In the afternoon, wander Barkhor Street with local pilgrims, exploring the old town lanes to experience Lhasa’s original faith and street vitality.
Highlights: World Heritage Potala Palace; Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation:4-star hotel in Lhasa
Lhasa Cultural Tour | Drepung Monastery / Sera Monastery Debates
In the morning, visit Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Built tier upon tier against the hillside, it showcases the grand layout of Tibetan monastic architecture. In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery and watch the renowned monk debates. Monks study Dharma through hand-clapping, questioning and responding, offering you an immersive encounter with living Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
Highlights: The largest Gelug monastery; centuries-old debating tradition at Sera Monastery
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Lhasa
Lhasa → Namtso Tashi Peninsula Lakeside Loop → Lhasa
Leave Lhasa early and drive north across the Northern Tibetan Plateau. Stop at the Nyenchen Tanglha viewing platform to see the 7,162 m snow-capped peak glowing in morning sunlight. Then climb up to Nagqu La Pass (5,190 m). Amid fluttering prayer flags, the incredible blue of Namtso unfolds on the horizon. Known as the “Heavenly Lake” at 4,718 m, it ranks among the world’s largest high-altitude lakes.
On the Tashi Peninsula, stroll the gentle slopes past ancient Tashi Temple and stacks of mani stones, watching local Tibetans circumambulate clockwise. In the afternoon, we drive a short lakeside circuit with four carefully selected photo spots: full panorama of snow peaks and holy lake from the front of the peninsula, shallow-water reflections, cliffside prayer flags and white stupas, plus a quiet cove that mirrors the whole Nyenchen Tanglha range on calm days.
No strenuous hiking or steep climbing. Simply roll down the window and breathe the crisp, pure plateau air. Descend along the same route in the evening and return to Lhasa around 20:30. One day, one high mountain pass, a lake that looks as if a piece of sky fell onto the plateau.
Highlights: The Heavenly Lake, Top of Tibet’s Three Holy Lakes
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Lhasa
Departure Transfer from Lhasa
Your wonderful journey comes to an end. Breakfast is served at the hotel. We will arrange airport or railway station transfer based on your departure schedule. May this trip to Tibet leave you with precious memories. Tashi Delek!
Note: Please inform our staff in advance if you need assistance booking onward train or flight tickets.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Accommodation: None
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 2026-11 | $ 1173 | Book now |
| Dec | 2026-12 | $ 1026 | Book now |
| Jan | 2027-01 | $ 1026 | Book now |
| Feb | 2027-02 | $ 1026 | Book now |
| Mar | 2027-03 | $ 1173 | Book now |
| Apr | 2027-04 | $ 1173 | Book now |
| May | 2027-05 | $ 1173 | Book now |
| Jun | 2027-06 | $ 1320 | Book now |
| Jul | 2027-07 | $ 1320 | Book now |
| Aug | 2027-08 | $ 1320 | Book now |
| Sep | 2027-09 | $ 1320 | Book now |
| Oct | 2027-10 | $ 1173 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 9-Day Cross-Himalaya Overland Journey: Enter Tibet from Kathmandu via Zhangmu, Everest & Namtso Exploration
Fee Description
Tour Inclusions:
Transportation: Comfortable 9–17 seat tourist vehicle throughout the journey. Airport or railway station transfers in Lhasa.
Accommodation: 8 nights in twin-sharing rooms
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.”
