Inclusive
Hotels
Transportation
Breakfasts
Entrance tickets
Tour guide
Mentioned activities
Tour Summary
Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu. Then transfer to a hotel. Over night in Kathmandu (1350m).
Day 2 : Visit Swoyambhu, Pharping and Kirtipur. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3 : Visit Pashupati and Baudha. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 4 : Visit Thimi and Bhaktapur. Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Day 5 : Kathmandu to Lhasa flight . Overnight in Lhasa (3600m).
Day 6 : Visit Sera monastery, Ramoche and Jokhang. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7 : Visit Potala Palace and Drepung. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 8 : Morning visit Chak Pori. Then drive to Ganden and visit. Late afternoon stroll in the old part of Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 9 : Drive Lhasa to Samye and visit. Then continue drive to Tsedang. Overnight in Tsedang (3100m).
Day 10 : Drive Tsedang to Gyantse and visit. Overnight in Gyantse (4000m).
Day 11 : Drive Gyantse to Xigatse and visit Tashilhumpo monastery and Shalu monastery. Overnight in Xigatse (3800m).
Day 12 : Drive Xigatse to New Tingri via Sakya. On the way visit Sakya monastery. Overnight in New Tingri (4300m).
Day 13 : Drive New Tingri to Rombuk monastery and visit the monastery and admire the highest mountain of the world. Then drive to Old Tingri. Overnight in Old Tingri (4300m).
Day 14 : Drive Old Tingri to Gyirong. Overnight in Gyirong (2700m).
Day 15 : Drive Gyirong to Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 16 : Visit Patan. Overnight in Kathamandu.
Day 17 : Departure.
Tour Day by Day
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport, meet and greet with our representative. Then drive to your hotel and a small briefing will be presented. Rest of the time is free. If you like you can stroll in the ancient part of Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2
Visit Swoyambhu, Pharping and Kirtipur
After breakfast drive to Swoyambhu, more than 1600 years old stupa situated on the top of the hill named Samhengu in the west of Kathmandu city. The stupa is the most venerated Buddhist site by native people of Kathmandu. We do our prayer and offering to Buddhist idol. Then continue drive to Pharping, a holy place for followers of Tibetan Buddhism where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) achieved Mahamudra Vajradhara (alike Nirvana) in the cave. Then visit Dakshinkali temple, a sacred site for Hindu people equally for Buddhists of Kathmandu valley. Many devotees come here to offer a sacrifice of goat, cock and duck to the goddess Kali. At last, we visit Kirtipur, a city of glory, who defeated Gorkha three times in the 18th century. The city is constructed over a hill with plenty of Hindu and Buddhist shrines and idols. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3
Visit Pashupati and Boudha
In the morning we visit Pashupatinath temple. The temple is venerated for the protection of cattle that dedicated to the god Shiva. Pashu means animals, Pati denotes “master” and Nath signifies “protector” is a god who protects all cattle. The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindu people around the world. The temple premise is also known for its Ghats (open crematorium on the bank of the river) where people terminate their life. Then we go to visit Bauddha that is the biggest stupa of the Nepal. This stupa is also called Khasti Chaitya which means stupa constructed with water from mist. This was a nearest village from the city of Katmandu on the way to Lhasa. So, a lot of people from Tibet during the period of Chinese annexation of Tibet, settled around the stupa and constructed a number of Buddhist monasteries with their own architecture. Thus, we can see the Himalayan or Tibetan influence in the sector. Here we visit some monasteries related to the Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 4
Visit Thimi and Bhaktapur
We start our day by visiting a small city Thimi. This is a small town of pottery. Most of the people from this city practice agriculture and pottery. Hence a large number of productions of pottery of this town are sold all over Nepal. This city lies in the center of three big cities of the Kathmandu valley that’s why we call Madhyapur in Sanskrit. After visiting this city, we go to Bhaktapur. The native name of this town is Khwopa, the name derives from Khopingra, once it was a village in the beginning of our era. In the beginning of the medieval period it developed into city and in the 13th century it became a capital of Nepal until the division of the Kingdom. The city has preserved its own architecture of medieval period. Almost all the roads of this town were paved in bricks but today replaced it by stone. The city is well known for the wood carving where ancient palace, doors and windows of each houses are well carved. Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Day 5
Kathmandu Lhasa flight (3600m)
During one hour flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, we can admire a breathtaking view of Himalaya and panoramic trans Himalayan desertic view. Before the plane crosses the Himalaya between Makalu (8,481m) and Kanchunjunga (8586m), the view of the tallest peak of the world Mt Qomolangmo (Mt.Everest) rejoice the flight. Just after crossing the Himalaya, blue turquoise lakes appear dispersedly. Once arrive in Gangkor Airport, we drive to Lhasa city and check in at a hotel. Rest of the time is free for acclimatization. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 6
Visit Sera Monastery, Ramoche and Jokhang
After breakfast we go to visit Sera monastery that was built in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Once the monastery housed 5000 monks made second big Gelugpa monastery after Drepung in Lhasa. Then visit Ramoche temple founded in 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo to his Chinese wife Wencheng who installed the statue of Jowo Sakyamuni that she had brought. But after sometime in 8th century the statue was changed with Jowo Mikyöba brought by Songtsen Gampo’s Nepalese wife Bhrikuti. Later we sightsee Jokhang temple constructed by Nepalese artisans and architects of Kathmandu valley under the patronage of King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century to install a statue of Jowo Mikyöba brought by his Nepalese wife Bhrikuti as a dowry. However, it was renovated several times and we can see few interior carved pillars and entrance arches from the original date. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7
Visit Potala Palace and Drepung
Today we visit the grandeur of Lhasa, the Potala Palace that was house of Dalai Lama. After finishing the white part of the Palace in 1649 AD 5th Dalai Lama Lobsang Gyatso settle down here from Drepung. The palace is also the house of mausoleum of several Dalai Lamas. The palace is constructed on the Morpori (Red hill) that dominate whole city where once initially the Palace of Songtsen Gampo was installed. Some scholars believe that Potala signifies Pure land of Chenresig and Songsten Gampo and Dalai Lama are considered Chenresig. Thus, their abode is called Potala. Then we visit Drepung, the biggest Gyalugpa monastery in Lhasa dated back to 1416AD founded by one of the disciples of Tsongkhapa, Jamyang Chöje. This monastery was once housed 10,000 monks. Drepung signifies ‘rice heap’, the translated name of Dhanyakataka of Southern India where it is believed that Budhha preached about Vajrayana 16 years after his enlightenment. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 8
Morning visit Chak pori. Then drive to Ganden and visit. late afternoon stroll in old Lhasa city
After breakfast we visit Chakpori, literally Iron Mountain, is the less visited site by tourist but interesting that situated in the south of the Potala. It is one of the four holiest mountains of Central Tibet. Initially, it was the abode for the institute of Tibetan medicine founded by Sangye Gyatso in 1696 CE. The holy site also contains carving statues of different deities on the rock and some of them are dated back to 7th century carved by Nepalese artists. Then we drive to Ganden, the head quarter and the first monastery of Gyalukpa. The monastery was founded in an altitude of 4300m up to the Kyichu valley by Tsongkhapa in 1409 CE. The monastery possessed the mausoleum of Tsongkhapa. The followers who come here also attain the kora (circumambulation of holy sites) of all complex of monastery. Local people also come to perform funeral ceremonies in the mountain where the monastery is constructed. After visiting this site we return to Lhasa and stroll in the old part of this town. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 9
Drive Lhasa to Samye (3600m). Then continue to Tsedang (3100m)
Today we drive to Samye. This is the first Buddhist monastery of Tibet, founded by King Trisong Detsen, philosopher Shantarakshit and Tantrik guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) in 775 CE. It is situated about 170km southeast of Lhasa on the bank of Yalrlung Tsangpo. The monastery is constructed in the shape of Ratna Mandala where the main hall, Ütse, the center building is the representation of Mt. Meru and the other temples around symbolize the oceans, continents and other features of Buddhist cosmology. After visiting this site, we drive to Tsedang, the fourth largest city of Tibet and capital of Lhoka prefecture. Here we take our lunch then continue to Yumbulagang Palace which is 11km southeast from Tsedang. It is believed that the palace is the most ancient in Tibet but the date of its construction is concealed. The current structure is after a reconstruction in 1982 and 2018. The 33rd king of Tubo tribe, Songtsen Gyampo, of 7th century, and his predecessors ruled Tibet from this palace. After he changed his capital in Lhasa and ruled from the Potala Palace of Morpori. Overnight at a hotel in Tsedang.
Day 10
Drive Tsedang to Gyantse (4000m)
After breakfast we drive to Gyantse which will take about 6hours for 310km. We cross 3 passes: Gampa-la 4794m, Karo-la 5039m and Simu-la 4280m. On the way we stop to have a scenic view of Yamdrok tso (4490m) and Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m) in the background. We also halt in the passes and have lunch on the way. Once we arrive in Gyantse, we check in at a hotel then visit Pelkhor Chode Monastery dated back to the 1418 CE. The monastery has succeeded to keep fresco dated to its construction. In the assembly hall statues of four guardian kings are installed and in the main chapel statues of 3 Buddhas (past, present and future) are placed. Then visit Kumbum, the 32m high chorten lies adjacent to the monastery, is the foremost attraction of the town. The murals paintings have weathered which is influenced by Newa art of Kathmandu valley. Then if time permits, we visit the ancient part of the town. Overnight in Gyantse.
Day 11
Drive Gyantse to Xigatse (3800m)
Today we have 2 hours drive for 94km to reach in Xigatse. This is the second biggest city of Tibet after Lhasa. In Shigatse, we visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchan Lama (2nd important lama after Dalai Lama). The monastery is founded by the 1st Dalai Lama Gyalwa GendunDrup in 1447 CE. The different chapels of monastery contain mausoleums of previous Panchan Lamas and a huge gold plated 26m high statue of Buddha Jampa (Maitreya). The statue is made in 1914 CE in the period of 9th Panchan Lama which took 4 years for completion and 300kg of gold for coating. Then visit the local market. We also visit Shalu Monastery, founded in 1040 CE by Chetsun Sherab Jungnay, is renowned for its fresco painting that were considered to be the most ancient and aesthetic of the Tibet. Then return back to hotel. Overnight in Shigatse.
Day 12
Drive Xigatse to New Tingri via Sakya (4300m)
Drive from Xigatse to Sakya will take 2and half hours for 150km. This is the site where the Sakya school is originated. The term Sakya denotes grey soil that is found in the region where monastery is established and even the monastery was constructed with this mud. So, the monastery is named Sakya and the followers of the teaching and philosophy exercised in this monastery are known as Sakya pa. This school was patronized a lot by Yuan dynasty. The exterior wall of the monastery is painted in three colors which symbolize three colors of Hevajra, yidam deity. After visiting Sakya we drive to New Tingri for about 2and half hours. Overnight at a hotel in New Tingri.
Day 13
Drive New Tingri to Rombuk monastery then Old Tingri (4300m)
Today we get up early in the morning to drive towards the base camp of the world highest peak Qomolangmo (Mt. Everest). Drive to Rongbuk on graveled road will take about 2and half hours. On the way we can have a magnificent view of the chain of Himalayas. Rongbuk is the monastery related to the Ningma Pa situated at an altitude of 5100m above sea level. It makes the monastery at the world’s highest altitude from where the North face of the massive Mt Qomolangmo can be seen. It was established in 1902 by Ngawang Tenzin Norbu. The monastery was destroyed during China’s cultural revolution and later in 1983 the renovation work was carried out. After visiting Rongbuk monastery we drive to Old Tingri for one and half hour. Overnight in Old Tingri.
Day 14
Old Tingri to Gyirong (2700m)
Today we cross the Himalaya and we get down to 2700m. Driving from Old Tingri to Gyirong also called Kyirong or Kerung will take about 5 and half hours. The breath-taking view of the chain of Himalaya rejoices today’s journey. On the way we can catch a view of Shisapangma (8027m), the only mountain higher than 8000m entirely based in Tibet. Today we find again the greenery. The town lies east bank of Gyirong river, a tributary river of Trisuli river. It is a historically important town for cross border trade between Nepal and China which is reused after the 2015 earthquake. Overnight at a hotel in Gyirong.
Day 15
Gyirong to Kathmandu (1350m)
After 25 km of route we arrive in the Sino Nepal border. After official demarche we cross the border and register in the immigration of Nepal. Then route to Kathmandu which will take 8 hours for 150km. On the way we stop for a meal then continue the route. The rode is not in good condition so the travel will be a little tiring today. But different vegetation, different culture, different architecture and landscape can reduce the fatigue. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 16
Visit Patan
Today we visit whole day in Patan, the city of fine art. The city was the center of Buddhist study in the mediaeval period where more than 350 Buddhist monasteries were located. Most of them are still in function culturally. The city has good relations with Tibet in terms of cultural, religion and trade. Many Tibetans came to Patan for their different purposes that still exist. Quadrangle palace with pagoda and shikhar style temples and Buddhist monasteries are the main attraction of the mediaeval part of the city. A majority of indigenous people of this city are Buddhist. The city is also known for metal carving. Thus, in most of the alley we can see the workshop of metal casting and carving. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 17
Departure
According to the flight time, drive from hotel to airport.
