Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour

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Overview

The Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour is an exciting and adventurous tour that takes you from majestic Tibet to the city of the temples, Kathmandu. The Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour itinerary is 7 days long and covers all the destinations, from the spiritual heart of Tibet to Everest base camp and finally, Kathmandu city. 

The overland tour means traveling by road all the way and visiting and exploring some of the gems of the natural places. This Lhasa-to-Kathmandu tour gives you the best experience of the rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes as well. 

Some of the best location stops of the Lhasa to Kathmandu road tour are Yamdrok Lake, Karo La Glacier, and Gyantse. These destinations are popular also because of the routes to them. These routes feature high mountain passes and stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. '

One of the major highlights of the tour is visiting Mount Everest Base Camp. The camp is the best place to enjoy the views of Mount Everest from the comfort of the hotel rooms. The camp is also the best place for cultural immersion and interactions with locals. 

The whole itinerary starts from the arrival in Lhasa, exploring Lhasa city, visiting Everest base camp (Tibet side), crossing the border in Gyirong, and then driving to Kathmandu city. This event completes in 7 days. That’s why it is called the Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour 7 days. 

The Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour price starts at $979 per person. If you are traveling in a group, there is a limited-time offer with a lower price per person. If you want to have a more comprehensive experience, there are other adventures too, including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, with prices starting at $3000. 

To know about the possible additional costs and costs excluded, you can check the Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour cost includes and excludes section. By doing this, you can plan your budget for this overland tour.

Mystic Adventure Holidays offers the best Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour ticket prices. We also make tailor-made Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour packages. So, if you want to add more destinations to this itinerary or inquire about the package price, you can visit our office or call us anytime. 

Tour highlights

  • Explore the sacred tibetan monasteries, including Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Pelkor Monastery, Sera monastery,  and Gelug monastery
  • Explore Kathmandu’s cultural, historical and artistic side
  • Visit famous ancient sites like Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace.
  • Visit some of the picturesque lakes, including Pekutso Lake and Yamdrok Lake
  • Visit to the Everest Advanced base Camp, situated at the north face of Mount Everest
  • Stunning views of Mount Everest, Mount Nyenchen Khangsar and Mount Shishapangma
  • Exploring the Lhasa city
  • Experiencing the warm Tibetan hospitality and minimalistic food

Key Destinations of the Tour

  • Sera monastery

Sera Monastery is one of the popular monasteries in Tibet where Buddhist teachings are taught and practiced. The monastery is also known as a place for spiritual practice. A well-known Je Tsongkhapa disciple named Jamchen Chojey Sakya Yeshe founded it in 1419.

The history behind the name of this monastery is unique. The Sera was the wild flower that bloomed on the hill behind it during the construction of the monastery. So, the monks decided to name the monastery Sera Monastery. The monastery can be characterized by the Assembly Hall, prayer halls, chapels, sand mandalas, and intricate rock paintings of deities and Buddhas on the surrounding hills. The monks used to debate daily in the courtyard from 3-5 pm. 

  • Gelug monastery 

Gelug monastery is the school of Tibetan buddhism where integrated forms of teachings from the various buddhist traditions are taught. Education and practice are combined in order to educate the monks (students). It is the childhood school of the Dalai lama. 

The monastery promotes the unique form of prasangika Madhyamaka philosophy. The tutors teach their students, highlighting the importance of both sutra and tantra in spiritual practice. This school is also the center of the debate and discussion of Buddhist learning among the leaders and gurus. 

  • Lhasa City

Lhasa is the capital city of the Tibet autonomous region in China, located at an elevation of 3650 meters. The city has a rich history and cultural significance. Some of the popular religious sites are Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace and several other monasteries, including Tashi Lhunpo, Sera, Drepung and Pelkor. 

The major economic drivers of Lhasa city are small-scale industries, tourism, and agriculture. Since 1980, the city has seen rapid modernization and development. Due to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, a large number of tourists visit every year.

  • Pekutso Lake 

Pekutso Lake is a brackish (slightly salty) lake located on the Tibetan plateau in Shigatse prefecture. This lake is also known as lake Pelku or Paiku. The lake has not overflown in hundreds of years, which makes the lake more salty. The altitude of the Pelku Lake is 4,591 meters and is surrounded by stunning snow capped peaks. The lake is 27 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. 

  • Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake is a freshwater lake located in the southern part of the Tibet autonomous region of china. The altitude of the lake is 4441 meters. The lake is also known as Yamdrok Yumtso. The color of the water of the lake changes when sunlight falls on it. Also, the lake is surrounded by stunning mountains. 

This lake holds spiritual importance among tibetans. It is believed by the Tibetans that the water of the lake has healing properties. Due to this belief and its beauty, the lake premises have become one of the most important sites for pilgrimage. 

  • Jokhang Temple 

Jokhang Temple is an ancient and spiritual site located in the heart of Lhasa, Tibet. In the seventh century, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo constructed it. The temple is considered one of the unique and oldest buildings in Lhasa. 

The temple is one of UNESCO's world heritage sites and features a 12-year-old statue of the Lord Buddha, popularly named Jowo Shakyamuni. The locals believe that the temple has been blessed by Lord Buddha himself. 

  • Potala Palace

Potala Palace is an ancient pilgrimage site located in Lhasa, Tibet. It is one of the Unesco world heritage sites. This palace is divided in two main parts: the white palace and the red palace. The red palace is dedicated to various religious functions, while the white palace was the residence of the Dalai Lama. There are altogether 13 stories, over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. Every year, a large number of tourists come to visit this ancient palace. 

  • Gyirong Port

The Gyirong port is an important border crossing between Tibet and Nepal. This port is also known as Kyirong port and is located in Gyirong county, Tibet. This port has been an important trade route for Nepal and Tibet since ancient times. Gyirong port features immigration and customs facilities. 

  • North Everest Base Camp

The Everest north base camp is located on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest. It is also a popular destination for trekkers who are trekking from the Tibetan side. It is at an elevation of 5150 meters above mean sea level. This camp is easily accessible by vehicle via a paved road from Tingrii town. 

The base camp is near the Rongbuk glacier. The visitors can see the dramatic ice formations and glacial landscapes. Also, visitors can witness stunning views of the surrounding peaks and unique glacial features like ice pinnacles and crevasses. 

WHY CHOOSE MYSTIC ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS FOR THE LHASA TO KATHMANDU OVERLAND TOUR?

3S: Safety, Success, and Satisfaction

Booking an Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour package with Mystic Adventure Holidays offers superior service and benefits. Here's why:

Planning your trip with Mystic Adventure Holidays means paying the lowest cost with no commission fees. Additionally, you'll benefit from:

  • Client Safety: Our trips are organized with the utmost safety in mind.
  • Best Price Guarantee: Ensuring you get the best value.
  • Free Transfers: Complimentary airport-to-hotel and return transfers in a private vehicle.
  • Expert Guides: Trained, government-licensed local guides with extensive route knowledge.
  • Support for Locals: Helping local communities earn a living through tourism.
  • Health Monitoring: Oximeters to monitor oxygen levels during high-altitude tours.
  • Medical Preparedness: Guides equipped with medical kits to handle any situations that may arise. 
  • Essential Gear: Arrangements for sleeping bags and down jackets.
  • Free Storage: Secure storage at our office for extra luggage during your tour.
  • Convenience: Duffel bags for transferring items to be carried during the journey.
  • Porter Service: A free porter to help carry your heavy bags.

By choosing Mystic Adventure Holidays, you ensure a safe, successful, and satisfying adventure in the Himalayas.

Itinerary

At Mystic Adventure Holidays, our intention is always to follow the Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour itinerary. However, due to the nature of travel, we may need to make slight changes because of unforeseen circumstances such as weather-related cancellations or delays of domestic flights, natural disasters like landslides, newly enacted laws, political unrest, or trekkers' health issues, including altitude sickness. While the itinerary is brief and fixed, it also includes flexible areas. Therefore, we advise travelers to allow a few extra days in Nepal.

We highly recommend that you arrive one day before the trip starts to rest and purchase any necessary clothing, gear, and equipment for the hike. You can also use this extra day for a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, acclimatizing, or rescheduling international flights in case of potential weather delays or domestic flight cancellations.

We appreciate your flexibility and look forward to providing you with an unforgettable adventure!

It is our regular day-to-day itinerary if you are looking for a customized itinerary. Don't hesitate to contact us.

Trip PlanExpand all

After your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you will be greeted by the Tibetan local guide and our company’s representative. Thereafter, you will be transferred to the hotel where you are staying in Lhasa. The journey from the airport to the hotel is a smooth one in which you will get to see the stunning views of the Tibetan landscape and cityscape. 

Upon reaching the hotel, you will check into the hotel, rest in the hotel room and acclimate to the altitude. You will have dinner at the same hotel and rest overnight. 

Max Altitude: 3,650m Meals: Welcome dinnerAccommodation: Standard HotelDuration: 1-1.5 hrsDistance: 60 km

Following breakfast, we will go visit Potala Palace. It is the UNESCO world’s heritage site. There, we will explore the grand halls, chapels, and rooms filled with Tibetan history, art, and religious artifacts. In addition, the panoramic views of Lhasa city can also be seen from the place. 

Thereafter, we will head towards the Jokhang Temple. The temple is the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism. We will explore some of the intricate architecture of the temple and the revered statue of Jowo Shakyamuni. You can also see the crowds of pilgrims in the temple. 

After visiting the temple, we will go for a leisurely walk around Barkhor Street. This street encircles the temple. There are various items, including traditional Tibetan crafts, souvenirs, and local snacks, available on the street. You can also shop here and experience the local culture. 

After the full-day tour, we will return to the hotel and have dinner in the evening. We will rest at the hotel overnight. 
 

Max Altitude: 3,650m Meals: Breakfast, lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Standard HotelDuration: Full Day

Following breakfast, we will head towards Sera Monastery. The route will take us through Lhasa’s bustling streets and more residential areas. We will head north from the city center on Beijing East Road, following the signs for Sera Monastery. 

The residential areas near the monastery are a little quieter, and the roads become more rural as we approach the monastery. Upon reaching the monastery, we will park our vehicle and go through a security check. We will explore the monastery’s area. 

Then, we will head towards the Norbulingka Palace through the main roads of Lhasa. The path will take us to the various streets and neighborhoods. We will park the vehicle and go through security before entering the palace. After that, we will explore the gardens, buildings, and interior parts of the palace. 

We will go to the local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, we will start our journey to the Drepung Monastery. The drive will take us to the western outskirts of Lhasa. We can see the transition of the terrain becoming more hilly and open. We will explore the monastery area upon reaching and returning to our hotel. 
 

Max Altitude: 3,650m Meals: Breakfast, lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Standard HotelDuration: Full Day

After having breakfast, we will drive through National Highway 318 to Gyantse. You can see the transition from the cityscape to open, highland terrain. En route, you will see panoramic views of the rolling hills, small villages, and distant mountains. 

On arrival in Gyantse, you will be blessed with vistas of the historic town of Gyantse. Then, we will visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa. You can see the unique architectural style and detailed murals. 

Following the exploration of the Gyantse, we will continue our journey to the Shigatse. It is a 2-3-hour scenic drive and takes you through the spectacular views of the Tibetan countryside with mountains, rivers, and traditional Tibetan villages.

On reaching Shigatse City, we will take some time to explore the city. Shigatse is the second-largest city in the Tibet autonomous region of China, where there are several places to explore. You can explore the agricultural land, Tashilhunpo Monastery, and the scenic Tsola Pass. Later, we will go to the hotel and check in. 
 

Max Altitude: 4,000m Meals: Breakfast, lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Standard HotelDuration: 9-10 hrsDistance: 360 km

Following breakfast, we will drive to Everest Base Camp. It is an 8-hour scenic drive that takes you through mountain passes, gigantic plateaus, and picturesque Tibetan villages. We will also pass through some of the picturesque areas, including Gyatso La Pass.

Thereafter, you will be blessed with stunning views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks upon reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. The stunning views of the Himalayas can also be seen from the Gyatso La Pass. 

After reaching the base camp, we will go to our accommodation. You will then rest in the room and acclimate to the high altitude. If the time permits, we will take a brief walk around the base camp to see the sunset views of Everest and its surrounding peaks.
 

Max Altitude: 5,200m Meals: Breakfast, lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guesthouse or CampDuration: 9-10 hrsDistance: 350 km

We will wake up early in the morning to witness the sunrise views of Everest and its surrounding peaks. Then, we will have some tasty breakfast and leave for Gyirong. The road goes through the Tibetan plateau and several Tibetan villages. The journey includes descending and ascending through the rugged terrain initially. 

However, the journey blesses us with stunning vistas of the snow-capped peaks and lush green vegetation. The villages where we will take a stop to stretch our legs and have lunch give us a glimpse into the local life and the traditional Tibetan way of living. 

During this journey, there will be plenty of opportunities to look out for traditional Tibetan architecture, local markets, and the unique cultural aspects of the region. Upon arrival at the guesthouse in Gyirong, we will check into your guest house and rest overnight. 

Max Altitude: 2,800m Meals: Breakfast, lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guesthouse or CampDuration: 9-10 hrsDistance: 370 km

This is the final journey of the tour. We will begin our journey early in the morning after having breakfast. We will then drive to the border crossing at the Gyirong port and complete all the necessary formalities, including customs and immigration checks. You will then say goodbye to the Tibetan guide and our company’s representative will pick you up from the border. 

After the completion of the formalities, we will then drive back to the kathmandu. The route from the Sino-Nepal border to Kathmandu goes through mountainous terrain with both ascents and descents.  Along the way, you will get to see the terraced fields, small villages, and rivers. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will drop you off at the hotel. From here, the official tour service ends.
 

Max Altitude: 1400 m Meals: Breakfast and lunchDuration: 7-8 hrsDistance: 160 km
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Essential Info

Difficulty of the tour

The difficulty of the tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu is moderate. The overall Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour itinerary is just 7 days. Also, the elevations that you will travel range from 3600 m to 5250 m. The route includes several challenging sections, mountain passes and rough terrain.  

Acclimatization is necessary, even if it has a moderate level of difficulty. Stay hydrated, eat nutritious food items, avoid alcohol and caffeine and carry energy bars and chocolate to elevate your moods. 

Best time to go

The best time to go on a tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu is from April to mid-June or September to November. During these months, the weather is mild, the temperatures are also not so cold, the skies are clear and the roads are also in good condition. 

The winter season is not preferred and mid- to late-summer is also best avoided. During the winter season, the temperatures are freezing and there is heavy snowfall. Also, driving through the roads is impossible. During summer, there is frequent rainfall and the temperature is hot and humid.  

Permits and Passes

The permits and passes required for the overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu are given below.

  • Tibet Travel Permit

This permit is required to enter tibet autonomous region. Without this permit, traveling to tibet is considered as illegal. It is also known as the Tibet Entry Permit. You can get this permit from the Tibet tourism Bureau office. 

  • Alien’s Travel Permit

As the overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu includes traveling to areas outside Lhasa, you will need Alien’s travel permit. The permit is necessary to travel to certain restricted areas in Tibet, like Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. You can get this permit with the help of a government-registered travel agency. 

  • Frontier Pass

This pass is important when crossing the border from Tibet into Nepal at the Gyirong Port. Frontier pass is issued by the  Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau.

  • Nepal Visa 

Nepali visas are the most common when entering Nepal from China. You can obtain this visa at the Gyirong port border crossing. The documents required for nepali visa are passport photos and the visa fee in US dollars.

  • Special permits

If you are visiting certain monasteries or restricted areas in Tibet, you will need a special permit. You can obtain these permits from the Tibet Tourism Bureau. This permit must be obtained in advance. 

Accommodation and food

The accommodations are basic during the overland tour. During the small, 7 day group tour, you will be staying in the hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyirong. These destinations have developed good infrastructure. You can also choose luxury over basic hotels and guesthouses. In terms of food, there is Tibetan cuisine there. The delicious tibetan sweet tea and local dishes are enough to provide taste as well as nutrients. The refined cuisines are provided as part of the VIP experience.  

Tips to make the journey successful

  • Apply for the chinese visa and tibet travel permit well in advance if you are foreign citizen
  • Prepare for the high altitudes and acclimate properly
  • Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine
  • Don’t forget to visit the iconic sites, including Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
  • Be flexible with timing
  • Pack essential items, including warm clothing, sturdy trekking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a first aid kit
  • Keep your luggage light
  • Be respectful to the local customs and traditions
  • Buy travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and evacuation services
     
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