Lhasa - Rongbuk - Kathmandu

Tibet has always filled our minds with Buddhist monks reciting mantras, caravans of yaks across frozen lands, prayer flags waving in the wind, wide windswept horizons and the towering peaks of the Himalayas in the background. Tibet is a vast territory situated in one of the harshest places on earth to live. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet not only administratively but also religious, is worth a trip in itself. With Potala temple dominating its streets, buildings and temples, one feels absorbed by its spiritual power. It is also here that the conflict and clash of the Tibetan personality with the Chinese authorities, present in Tibet since their invasion in 1950.

After a few days in the impressive and mythical city of Lhasa, we start touring the high plateau of Tibet. The route takes us through breathtaking terrain, amidst a landscape of wide horizons. We will be fascinated by the turquoise waters of Yamdrok-Tso Lake, which unfolds in the shape of a fan. Gyantse is one of the cities that has retained the flavour of past times in Tibet. In Sakya you will be surprised by its impressive monastery, something different from the more usual Gelugpa monasteries on your tour. Finally, the mass of Everest, Qomolangma in Tibetan, from the ancient monastery of Rongbuk, the highest monastery on the planet. The route continues to cross the border with Nepal, crossing the Himalayas and entering a greener but also more rugged landscape, where we will reach Kathmandu, also a mythical city.

Once in Nepal, we descend southwards along a rugged route. We enter a different world where Hinduism gets more present as we descend. Deep valleys, unpredictable rivers, dense subtropical forests of intense green welcome us on this side of the Himalayas. The large monasteries give way to small temples and pagodas in the Newar style, the residence of some of the many gods of the Hindu religion.

Our first destination in Nepal is Lalitpur, better known as Patan, one of the royal cities of Nepal. We continue our journey through the Kathmandu Valley, dedicating a day to the small but beautiful Bhaktapur, where every step will catch our attention. Kathmandu, a bustling and colourful city that leaves no one indifferent, closes this trip to which we invite you to add more days if you want to get to know Nepal more deeply.

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Welcome upon arrival at the airport or train station in Lhasa

·       All transfers by private vehicle with driver in Tibet

·       Local English-speaking Tibetan guide throughout the trip

·       3 nights accommodation with breakfast in Lhasa

·       1 night accommodation with breakfast in Shigatse

·       1 night accommodation with breakfast in Sakya

·       1 night accommodation with breakfast in Rongbuk

·       1 night accommodation with breakfast in Kyirong

·       All necessary permits in Tibet (IMPORTANT: read the related information)

·       All entrance fees to temples, monasteries and palaces described in the Tibet program

·       Environmental fees for access to lakes, glaciers and natural parks in Tibet

·       All transfers by private vehicle with driver in Nepal

·       English speaking guide accompaniment from Rasuwaghadi to Kathmandu

·       Lunch enroute to Kathmandu

·       2 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Patan

·       1 night of accommodation with breakfast in Bhaktapur

·       2 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu

·       Bhaktapur entrance ticket

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       International flights/trains from point of origin to Lhasa

·       International return flights from Nepal

·       Accommodations prior to entering Tibet

·       China entry visa (IMPORTANT: read the related information)

·       Nepal entry visa

·       Lunches and dinners if not indicated

·       Tips to staff in Tibet (voluntary, but expected if you are happy with the service provided)

·       Tips on staff in Nepal (more or less regulated, check the information)

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance (recommended)

·       In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

·       No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers as described in the program.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.

Due to the complicated and time-consuming procedure of obtaining a Tibetan visa and permit if you want to enter from Nepal, the most convenient way to access Tibet is from China. Perhaps the most convenient international airport is Chengdu, as its flight to Lhasa is the only truly direct one, but there are also options flying to Beijing, Guangzhou-Baiyun (Canton), Shanghai or other cities, although their ‘direct’ flights to Lhasa often have a technical stop-over.

It is possible to fly to Lhasa the same day you land in China, but you must have a long enough stopover (about 5 hours or more) to go without rushing and overcome the multitude of bureaucratic procedures at airports in China so as not to miss your connection. Our recommendation is to spend one night in the city where you have landed before flying to Lhasa. So you can take advantage of this “stop” to visit a city in China.

While flying to Lhasa is the most common option, you can also get there by train. The most logical route would be from Chengdu (35h) or Xining (20h/22h), although you can also travel by train from Beijing (40h), Guangzhou (53h) or Shanghai (45h).

Although this part of the journey is designed for you to organise on your own, we can also provide support if necessary.

The Nepal entry visa, unlike the Tibet visa, is easy to apply for online. You should apply no earlier than 15 days before your entry into Nepal and submit your application at the Rasuwaghadi border post. See detailed information on our website under “practical travel information”.