11 Days Beijing and Lhasa Kathmandu Overland Tour

Tour Route: Beijing - by flight - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Gyirong Border - Kathmandu

Trip Overview:

This epic 11-day trip combines the stunning capital of China with one of the most spectacular overland journeys on the planet. During your tour of Beijing, you will visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, stroll through the grounds of the Forbidden City, and explore the Temple of Heaven. You’ll also have time to shop in one of China’s best traditional shopping districts in the ancient part of the city.

Next, travel to Tibet and tour Lhasa, where you’ll climb up to the iconic Potala Palace and walk the ritual kora route around the sacred Jokhang Temple. Pray before the Jowo Rinpoche statue, and listen to the monastic debates, which are enjoyable even if you don’t understand them. Journey across the vast plains and valleys of the Tibetan plateau to its westernmost edge, and drive through the Back Garden of Everest. Finally, cross the border into Nepal, where you can continue to explore the exotic capital of the Himalayan country.

Tour Code: TTO-TT-BTNT11
Trip Level:
Tour Type: Private tour with private guide and vehicle
Time to Visit:

Highlights:

Discover Beijing's UNESCO treasures, from the majestic Forbidden City to the awe-inspiring Great Wall, blending ancient Chinese heritage with modern political significance.
Indulge in a culinary adventure, savoring Beijing's famed roast duck, Tibetan yak meat hotpot, authentic Tibetan farmhouse cuisine, and Nepali hand-held rice.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.
Explore the most beautiful lakeside village in Tibet and savor a traditional lunch at a villager's home.
Admire the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, from four different viewpoints.
Stay at Everest Base Camp, witnessing its sunrise, sunset, and marveling at the starry sky at night.

10 Days Beijing and Lhasa Kathmandu Overland Tour

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, our local travel guide will welcome you at the airport and escort you to your downtown hotel. After checking in, feel free to rest or explore the surroundings at your leisure.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing Tour: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square

Today is your guided tour to the must-see places in Beijing. After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and head to Tiananmen Square, the first site of the day. It is the world’s largest city square.

Next, you will enter the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, boasting over 500 years of history as the residence of 24 emperors. With its staggering 9,000 rooms, though only a fraction are accessible to the public, you'll get an image of how the ancient Chinese emperors managed the country and what their daily life was like.

You'll also have the opportunity to visit Jingshan Park, situated behind the Forbidden City. Ascend to the hilltop within the park for a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the entirety of the Forbidden City.

For lunch, indulge in the renowned Beijing Roast Duck. Accompanied by thin pancakes, spring onions, and sweet bean sauce, this traditional dish promises a delightful fusion of flavors and textures.

In the afternoon, you will go to visit the Temple of Heaven, located 6 kilometers from the Forbidden City. This sacred site served as a place where ancient Chinese emperors worshipped the sky, offering prayers for rain, prosperity, and peace for the country and its people.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 3: Beijing Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall

The Great Wall was listed as one of the world's eight wonders. Mutianyu Great Wall, known for its "graceful" appearance, offers the best quality among all sections of the Wall. Located 80km northeast of Beijing, it features 22 ancient watchtowers, approximately one every kilometer. You will hike along the ancient walls and enjoy the stunning view of the surroundings.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 4: Beijing Tour: Hutong and Nanluoguxiang

A Hutong is a small, ancient alley formed by traditional courtyard residences (Siheyuan). Nanluoguxiang is one of the most famous Hutongs in Beijing, known for its numerous snack bars and artisan shops. Strolling along Nanluoguxiang is a feast for your eyes, taste buds, and spirit.

After visiting the Hutong, you can enjoy some free time shopping in Beijing as you prepare for your flight to Tibet tomorrow.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

Day 5: Fly to Lhasa from Beijing

Today, you will take a flight from Beijing to Lhasa. Please ensure you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. When checking in and passing through security, you will need to present the original Tibet Travel Permit.

Flying from Beijing to Lhasa takes you from China's low-altitude inland areas to the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As you ascend, you can watch the landscape transform—from plains, canyons, and forests to glaciers and snow-capped mountains.

Upon arrival, our tour guide will meet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 6: Lhasa Day Tour: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery

Today, you will first visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet that once housed over ten thousand monks. Here, you'll explore the Coqen Hall, where your guide will provide a detailed explanation of the Tibetan Buddhist worldview and narrate the stories of renowned figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Additionally, you'll tour the Loseling College (or an equivalent) within Drepung Monastery to understand monks' practices and studies. Exploring their dormitories will offer insight into their daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and long regarded as a significant Buddhist seminary. Here, you'll observe the renowned monk debates, a highlight of Sera Monastery. Your guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of how these debates aid monks in acquiring knowledge and advancing through academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 7: Lhasa Day Tour: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to visit the magnificent Potala Palace, where you'll stand atop its heights and gaze down upon the city of Lhasa. Your guide will narrate the life and tales of the successive Dalai Lamas within the Potala Palace and meticulously introduce the various halls and treasures housed within its walls.

Once you've explored the grandeur of the Potala Palace, your next stop will be Longwangtan Park nestled at its base. This tranquil spot offers a unique vantage point to admire the majestic Potala Palace and partake in traditional Tibetan cultural experiences.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the sacred Jokhang Temple—the heart of Tibetan faith and life. Within the temple resides the rare and revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, an image so lifelike that it resembles seeing the Buddha in person. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can take a clockwise kora, witnessing how local Tibetans practice their Buddhist beliefs.

Following this, your guide will take you to the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea house in Lhasa, where you can enjoy Tibetan sweet tea with locals. Your guide will join everyone, sharing insights into the social relations and daily leisure life of Tibetans.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 8: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse

After exploring Lhasa, you'll travel overland to Shigatse, Tibet's second-largest city. Along the way, immerse yourself in Tibet's splendid scenery and discover the leisurely lives of local villagers.

The first stop will be at Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. This stunning lake unveils its beauty from the Gambala Mountain Pass (4790m), curving like a blue ribbon, while the towering Mt. Noijin Kangsang (7191m) can be seen in the distance. As you descend to the lakeshore, explore various viewpoints offering intimate encounters with the lake's shoreline. Towards the lake's end, you'll have the opportunity to visit a welcoming local family in the village and have lunch with them.

Next, you'll pass by the Karola Glacier (5100m). Positioned right by the roadside, it resembles a serene maiden grooming herself while gazing from afar at the majestic snow-capped mountains.

Continuing your journey towards Gyantse, you'll make a stop at Simila Mountain Pass. Here, you can hang prayer flags, offering prayers for global peace and the well-being of your loved ones.

Upon arrival in Gyantse, seize the opportunity to capture memorable photos of the ancient city. En route from Gyantse to Shigatse, you will witness vast stretches of lush green barley fields (in summer) and golden fields (in autumn), alongside numerous farms.

Finally, upon reaching Shigatse and checking into the hotel, take a moment to relax and prepare for the upcoming trip to Mount Everest the following day.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Day 9: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp

In the morning, you will set off towards Mount Everest after breakfast. Beginning with the Gyatsola Pass (5280m), the viewpoint offers your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Veiled within the mountain range, Everest resembles a budding lotus flower, a captivating sight along the roadside.

Continuing into Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, the Gawula Pass (5198m) presents a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Here, you will see the breathtaking lineup of the five world's highest peaks in the Himalayan range, all towering above 8000 meters. This is your second glimpse of Mount Everest.

Then traverse the new winding road toward Everest Base Camp (5200m), each turn reveals a closer perspective of the majestic Everest, gradually unfolding before you. This marks your third view of the Everest.

Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp, the huge white pyramid peak stands tall before you. As dusk approaches, the setting sun casts warm golden hues upon Everest's northern face—your fourth view.

As night descends, the glistening Milky Way alongside the snow-white peak of Mount Everest offers your fifth and final encounter with the majestic peak.

Stay overnight at Everest Base Camp or in the nearby village if the EBC tent hotels close during the winter season.

Warm Tips:
1. Everest Base Camp sits at an altitude of 5200 meters, and it's common to experience headaches and difficulty sleeping at night due to altitude. This is a normal occurrence, so there's no need to panic. Continue to take it slow, relax, and savor the beauty of Everest. The symptoms will gradually ease.

2. The visibility of Mount Everest depends on weather conditions and cannot be assured.

3. From November to March, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp usually close. Hence, if you're traveling during this period, your accommodation choices are restricted to the nearby village near EBC.

Day 10: Everest Base Camp to Gyirong Border

Today, you will travel from Everest Base Camp to the Sino-Nepal border at Gyirong Port, and marvel at the incredible landscape along the way.

Before departing from EBC, you'll enjoy the graceful sunrise of Mount Everest, and hike to the world's highest monastery, Rongbuk Monastery (5154 meters). This Tibetan Nyingma monastery sits in close proximity to Mount Everest and is a place where nuns and monks reside together.

Then, you will traverse the Himalayas, driving towards Gyirong Port (2800 meters). It is a lengthy road with a scenery change from the high plateau to a lower valley. You will pass by the Shishapangma Peak (8027 meters) and the serene Lake Paiku Tso, and be mesmerized by the tranquil and harmonious beauty. As the altitude rapidly descends upon entering the edges of the Himalayas, you'll be captivated by forests, waterfalls, and seemingly bottomless gorges.

Upon reaching Gyirong Valley, you'll behold dense forests with snow-capped peaks rising above. In Gyirong Town, you can deeply inhale the abundant oxygen in the low forests as you bid farewell to Tibet here.

Stay overnight in Gyriong.

Day 11: Gyirong Border - Kathmandu

In the morning, bid farewell to your Tibetan guide and driver. Our staff at the Nepal border checkpoint will welcome you, assist in arranging the handling of your large luggage (additional fee required), help with your Nepalese visa procedures, and ensure your safe transfer in our private car, all the way to your hotel in Kathmandu.

After entering Nepal, you'll encounter numerous snow-capped mountains along the southern Himalayan foothills, such as Gaurishankar Himal (7,134 meters), Ganesh Himal (7,422 meters), Annapurna Range's Annapurna III (7,555 meters), Lamjung W (6,983 meters), Mount Kanguru (6,981 meters), Himchuli West (6,441 meters), Ngadi Chuli (7,871 meters), and Gaurishankar (7,181 meters).

Due to challenging road conditions, we won't make many stops along the way. But you will feast your eyes on the breathtaking landscape along the way, and enjoy the final gift the Himalayas have in store for you.

The tour service ends.

Notes:
1. The private transfer service from Gyirong border to your hotel in Kathmandu is not included in the Tibet tour package. Each client may expect to pay 60 USD for this transfer.
2. As there are local buses available from Gyirong to Kathmandu at less than 50% of the cost of the private car transfer, you also have the option to use public transportation. It will take you to a bus station near Kathmandu city, from where you can take a taxi to your hotel (approximately 5 USD). The private car service is optional and not mandatory.

What’s Included?

1. Tibet travel documents such as Tibet Travel Permit (excluding expedited processing fees), and delivery of the permit to your hotel in mainland of China.

2. Comfortable, clean and safe tourist vehicles with experienced local drivers offering attentive service.

3. Accommodations depend on your preference. Please tell us your preferred accommodation class when submitting the enquiry, and we will arrange the best-value hotels for you.

4. All meals listed in the itinerary.

5. Excellent local Tibetan English-speaking tour guide.

6.Admission tickets for all tourist attractions listed in Itinerary.

7.Travel accident insurance.

8.Other services: exquisite Tibetan souvenirs, tourist map, portable oxygen, medical oxygen in the vehicle, bottled mineral water, and more.

What's Excluded?

1. Chinese Visa (for any visa assistance services, please contact us for details)

2. Nepal Visa (Payment of $30 in cash for a 15-day Nepal visa at the Gyirong border)

3. International flights to and out of China.

4.Domestic flight or train to and out of Lhasa (If you need ticket booking service, please leave your requirements in the Online Inquiry form.)

5. Private transfer from Gyirong border to hotel in Kathmandu. (You can choose our private car transfer for 60 USD per person or opt for public transportation, depending on your preferences and needs.)

6.Some meals not included in the itinerary.

7. Tips to the guide and driver based on your satisfaction with their services. We recommend paying a total of $7 per person per day for both the guide and driver.

8. Additional expenses resulting from force majeure events (such as natural disasters, traffic controls, loss of valuables, visa delays, flight delays or cancellations, etc.).

9. Personal expenses and any other expenses not mentioned in the inclusion list.

Trip Notes

1. How to Get the Tibet Travel Permit?

The Tibet Travel Permit is essential for any Tibet tour. We help to obtain this permit free of charge when you book your Tibet tour through us. Simply send us copies of your passport and China visa at least 20 days in advance. Once we receive your documents, we will promptly process the permit application with the Tibet Tourism Bureau. After obtaining your permit, we will notify you and send it to your hotel in mainland China.

In exceptional cases, our staff can personally deliver the permit to you at the airport or railway station. With years of experience in handling Tibet Travel Permit, we assure you a smooth visit to Tibet by ensuring the acquisition of your permit.
2. Where to Stay in Tibet?

Accommodation facilities and services in Tibet might not match those found in the coastal and central parts of China. However, there's a diverse range of hotel options available. However, you can choose from a wide range of hotel options. In big cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, from cheap and clean youth hostels to distinct Tibetan-style 3-star and international 5-star luxury hotels, you will find one that suits your interests and budget.

As you travel to remote areas of Tibet, such as EBC and the Mount Kailash region, the accommodations tend to be more basic. Some may have air-conditioning in the hotel, while others may only offer electric blankets in the guesthouses. Nonetheless, we always handpick cozy and safe accommodations for you along your itinerary in Tibet, ensuring a pleasant night's stay for your Tibet tour.
3. How about the Guiding and Tipping in Tibet?

Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. Most are trained to offer Western-standard service. Throughout your stay in Tibet, we will monitor your health and provide prompt assistance to you. If you encounter any trouble, please do not hesitate to contact them or our customer service manager.

Travelers' tipping to Tibetan guides and drivers is seen as extra gratitude for their excellent service, much like what you do in the West. Normally, a tipping amount of 7 USD per day is acceptable. The basic principle is rewarding good service with fair pay.
4. How are the Toilets in Tibet?

Undoubtedly, for many Western tourists, using toilets in Tibet can be a challenging experience. Therefore, it's advisable to moderate your expectations. If you travel to Lhasa by Tibet train, both western-style and squat toilets are available onboard. Staying in hotels rated above 3 stars in cities like Lhasa and Shigatse ensures access to standard Western flush toilets, eliminating any discomfort.

However, when visiting attractions like Yamdrok or Namtso or outdoor sites like EBC, you're likely to encounter smelly and unclean pit toilets. It's recommended to carry sufficient toilet paper for such occasions.
5. How is the Weather in Tibet? What to Pack for Visiting Tibet?

One of the notable weather features on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the significant temperature fluctuation between day and night. In Lhasa, the annual temperatures range from -2℃ to 12℃ (spring), 9℃ to 22℃ (summer), 7℃ to 19℃ (fall), and -7℃ to 9℃ (winter). Ensure proper clothing, such as thermal tops, a fleece jacket, breathable underwear, a down jacket, jeans, a beanie, and other essentials.
Moreover, essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses are crucial to shield yourself from the intense, blinding sunlight of the plateau. Staying hydrated by drinking more water and including vegetables in your diet is advisable to prevent dehydration during your travels in Tibet.
6. How to Prevent from Altitude Sickness in Tibet?

For first-time visitors to Tibet, whether arriving by flight or train, allowing ample rest is crucial for quick acclimation to the high altitude in Lhasa. Avoid rushing to explore the streets or attractions independently. Walk at a slower pace and refrain from exerting yourself by running or jumping. Spending at least two days in Lhasa before venturing to places like Shigatse or Namtso allows for better acclimatization. If you experience any discomfort, inform your guide, and they will assist you.
7. Are There some Dos and Don'ts while Touring Tibet?

Photography is generally prohibited in monasteries. If you wish to capture images of Tibetan pilgrims, kindly seek their permission or maintain a considerable distance while taking photos. Swimming and fishing are prohibited in the sacred lakes of Tibet. Avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics. According to policy, international tourists are not permitted to travel alone in Tibet.
While navigating Barkhor Street, adhere to the custom of walking clockwise. Refrain from exploring unfamiliar trails. Take proactive steps to preserve Tibet's delicate ecosystem.
Given that Tibetan Buddhism profoundly influences the lives of Tibetans, always show reverence and respect for their unique customs. If uncertain about any practice, it's advisable to seek guidance from your tour guide before proceeding.

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