For travelers wishing to explore both Lhasa and Kathmandu, a Tibet overland tour offers the ideal experience. Nepal and Tibet share a border along the entire northeastern edge of Nepal, parallel to the towering Himalayan Mountain Range. While both destinations are major draws for international visitors, they present striking contrasts in landscape and culture, despite their location in the world’s highest mountain range.
As close neighbors, Tibet and Nepal share several commonalities:
Starting from Kathmandu, our Tibet Overland Tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. It’s no surprise that this journey ranks high on the bucket lists of many travelers. Known as the Roof of the World, Tibet sits on a vast plateau north of the Himalayas in western China. For centuries, its remote and inaccessible nature shrouded Tibet in mystery, adding to the allure of its unique culture and landscapes.
This tour takes you on an unforgettable adventure:
Our carefully crafted itinerary, shaped by feedback from past travelers, ensures the ultimate experience.
We look forward to welcoming you on this incredible journey to the Roof of the World.
Our adventure begins early in the morning as we leave Kathmandu and drive towards the Nepal-Tibet border at Kerung. The route takes us along the Prithvi Highway to Galchhi, where we switch to the Pasang Lhamu Highway heading towards Dhunche. The drive gets exciting as we navigate the winding, mountainous roads, passing through Syabrubesi and finally reaching Rasuwagadhi, the Nepal-China border.
Enjoy the scenic views of Nepal’s green hills, terraced fields, and rivers along the way. As we climb higher, the majestic Himalayas come into view, offering breathtaking sights. After completing the necessary border formalities and showing your Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Visa, we'll continue to Kerung. Here, you'll be greeted by smooth roads and rolling hills. We’ll check into our hotel in Kerung and unwind for the night.
Today marks the real start of our Tibetan journey. After breakfast, we head up to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. At an altitude of around 4,500 meters, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Tibetan landscape. On clear days, you can see stunning mountain ranges including Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Kailash, and Makalu.
As we drive towards Tingri or Lhatse, we’ll experience Tibetan culture and lifestyle. We’ll also stop by Pikucho Lake, which offers incredible views of Mount Everest from Tingri. Depending on our timing, we’ll spend the night in either Tingri or Lhatse.
After breakfast, we set off for Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. Our route takes us over the high Gyatso La pass (5,220 meters), where we can admire the breathtaking views of Everest, Cho Oyu, and other snow-capped peaks. We’ll also see Yamdrok Lake and the vast Tibetan plateau along the way.
As we approach Shigatse, we’ll take a detour to view Mount Kailash before checking into our hotel for the night. Shigatse is a vibrant city, and we’ll stay at Hotel.
Our journey continues from Shigatse to Lhasa. We’ll start with a visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, home to the Panchen Lama. This large and significant monastery features one of the tallest statues of Maitreya Buddha in the world.
We’ll then drive to Lhasa via Gyantse, where we can explore the Khumbum Stupa and Palkhor Monastery. Expect stunning views of high mountain passes and pristine lakes like Yamdrok Tso. After passing the Karola Glacier and the Yarlung Tsangpo River, we’ll reach Lhasa and settle into our hotel.
We’ll spend the next two days discovering the wonders of Lhasa. After breakfast each day, we’ll explore the city’s rich history and culture. Highlights include the iconic Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the lively Barkhor Bazaar.
Potala Palace, perched on Red Hill, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Jokhang Temple, with its blend of Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian architecture, houses the revered Jowo Shakyamuni statue. We’ll also visit the Drepung and Sera Monasteries, known for their scholarly activities and debating monks.
The Barkhor Bazaar is a great place to pick up Tibetan arts and crafts and experience local life. We’ll spend both nights at our hotel in Lhasa.
Today, we drive from Lhasa to Shegar, located at the base of Mount Everest. Known as Shekar Dzong or New Tingri, this town offers fantastic views of Everest and other nearby peaks. The weather can be chilly, so pack warm clothes. After a long drive, we’ll stay overnight in Shegar and take in the stunning mountain vistas.
On our final day, we head back from Shegar to the Kerung border. Enjoy the rugged landscapes and beautiful mountain views on the Tibetan side. Once we cross into Nepal, the scenery shifts to lush forests and valleys. After a scenic drive back to Kathmandu, we’ll transfer you to your hotel, bringing our thrilling Tibet Overland Tour to a close.
If you are looking for travel in Nepal, Bishnu will help you to make your perfect trip plan. He has been working on this industry for more than 10 years