This unforgettable journey through some of the world’s wildest scenery is the classic Tibetan adventure, exciting even the most seasoned travellers.  You have time to explore the capital of Lhasa with all its famous landmarks before overlanding across the plateau, over dramatic mountain passes, and past a sacred turquoise lake. You will visit key monasteries and towns en-route and enjoy an exciting visit to Tibetan Everest Base Camp before descending to the greenery of Nepal and the bustle of Kathmandu. (Note: this trip traverses some remote country on roads which are often bumpy and dusty.  It is important to be aware of this, though most visitors find that the incredible experiences en-route easily compensate for any discomfort.)

Highlights of the trek
Scenic flight over the Himalaya, sightseeing in Lhasa, Buddhist monasteries, dramatic mountain passes, sacred turquoise lake, visit to Everest Base Camp, exciting overland journey across "the roof of the world".

Detailed itinerary

Day 01
Arrive in Kathmandu, where our representatives will escort you to your hotel.

Day 02
Half day sightseeing around UNESCO Bhaktapur / Kathmandu where your guide will escort you on a tour of Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalised. In the evening sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03
A 90-minute morning flight with stunning views of the Himalaya will bring you from Kathmandu to Gonggar Airport where you will meet your Tibetan guide. After a 90-minute drive to Tsedang through a landscape of mustard and barley fields dotted with whitewashed houses, you will visit the monastery of Yumbu Lakhang, the oldest fortress in the country, situated on a low hill.

Day 04
An hour-long ferry ride will take you across Tibet's great river, the Yarlung TsangPo. From there you will visit the large compound of Samye Monastery, Tibet’s first formal monastery, before an afternoon drive to Lhasa.

Day 05-07
The three days in Lhasa are important for acclimatisation and also give you a chance to visit the major sights in and around the city: the Potala Palace, traditional seat of the Dalai Lama; the Norbulingka Palace, the Dalai Lama’s traditional summer residence; Jokhang Temple, one of the country’s most sacred temples, with its crowds of circumambulating pilgrims; the country’s largest monastery at Drepung; the fantastic spectacle of monks engaged in traditional debating at Sera Monastery. You will feel as though you slipped back in time as you explore the medieval backstreets of the city on your own.

Day 08
This morning’s drive climbs up to Khamba La Pass (4794m) before following the shore of the beautiful turquoise Yamdrok Tso Lake and over Karo La Pass (5010m) to Gyantse. In Gyantse you will visit the golden-topped Kumbum Stupa and the fourteenth century Pelke Chode Monastery as well as the hilltop fort with its commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

Day 09
Today you will continue to Tibet’s best-preserved monastery, the massive fifteenth century Tashilunpo Monastery at Shigatse, seat of the Panchen Lama. There will also be time to wander around the fascinating bazaar, buzzing with local life.

Day 10
This morning’s journey will take you over a high pass for your first distant view of the main Himalayan range, descend to Lhatse and then climb up the highest pass of the trip, the Gyantso La (5220m). At the beginning of the descent from the pass you will catch your first magical views of Everest and Cho Oyu as you drive on to the tiny village of Shegar.

Day 11
Leaving the Friendship Highway, you will proceed on a much rougher road over the Pang La Pass (5150m) and into the Rongbuk Valley and continue to Rongbuk Monastery, reputedly the highest monastery in the world. You will be rewarded for the bumpy journey with awesome views of Everest and her neighbouring peaks. If the weather is clear, you will be treated to the mesmerising sight of the north face bathed in pink and orange light at sunset. Tonight you will be sleeping at 5200m.

Everest Base Camp

Day 12
This morning you will travel to Everest Base Camp, from where the mountain expeditions from the Tibetan side begin. Choose your method of transport: a two-hour hike or a ride in a horse cart. After this mountain adventure, you will drive from the Lower Rongbuk Valley across a rough road to Tingri.
 

Day 13
From Tingri you will drive over the Lalung La and the Shung La passes with yet more Himalayan vistas, including the unique panorama of the north faces of Cho Oyu, Menlungste and Gauri Shankar. From here you begin the longest road descent in the world, taking you through the breathtaking transition from the cold Tibetan plateau at 5200m through a steep, narrow gorge to the warm, lush greenery of the Nepalese border. You will stay overnight in the border town of Zhamgmu.

Day 14
Once border formalities are completed, you will cross the Friendship Bridge into Nepal, continuing your descent and driving on to Kathmandu where you will have time to relax and explore, or shop before your final dinner.

Day 15 Kathmandu.
Rest day, overnight stay at hotel

Day 16 Deparuture from Kathmandu