Description

Description

During the entire trip, you never come below 3500m as you drive across three 5000m+ passes to come to Lhasa. Along the way, we stop over in the different monasteries where the guides will explain the basics of Buddhism.

We also visit the Yamdrok Tso, one of the most beautiful turquoise lakes in the world, just south of Lhasa.
After five days on the road, we enter the bustling city of Lhasa and continue our tours to Jokhang Monastery, Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace and the Sera Monastery.
In the morning of the eight day, we drive to the airport for a flight back to Kathmandu, full of wonderful memories.

itinerary

Arrival in Kathmandu, picked up by socialtours staff and taken to hotel. Welcome dinner in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Day 02: Bhaktapur
You will be visitng some of the heritage sites in Kathmandu. Drive to Bhaktapur.
Overnight at hotel in Bhaktapur

Day 03: Kathmandu
Bhatapur sightseeing. Drive back to Kathmandu via Patan. Preparation for the Tibet tour.
Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Day 04: KATMANDU - NYALAMU. (3750m)-156 Kms.
Early morning drive to Kodari. After doing immigration and custom formalities drive uphill to Zhangmu immigration Post. Complete custom formalities and drive to Nyalamu.
Overnight.

Day 05: NYALAMU - LHATSE. (4350m)–244 Kms.
Drive to Lhatse crossing Nyalamu Pass (3800m) & LALUNG LA PASS (5050m).
Overnight.

Day 06: LHATSE – SHIGATSE. (3900m) – 248 Kms
Drive (Approx. 8 hrs) to Shigatse.
Overnight.

In the morning visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the free market of Shigatse. In the afternoon drive to Gyantse and visit Phalkor Monastery and Khumbum Stupa.
Overnight.

Day 08: GYANTSE – LHASA. (3650m)–259 Kms.
Drive to Lhasa crossing two passes THE KARO LA (5010 M.) AND KAMBA LA (4794 m). via Yamdrok Tso lake.
Overnight at Hotel Flora or similar.

Day 09/10: LHASA:
Sightseeing tour of Potala Palace, Norbulinka palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Barkhor Bazaar.
Overnight at Hotel Flora or similar.

Day 11: Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for onward flight to Kathmandu.
Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Day 12: Departure
Transfer to Airport for Departure

Special conditions

VERY IMPORTANT: The Road to Lhasa is generally described as a budget travel, mostly because people are collected for this trip and sent and because of the logistics, it gets cheaper.  However, we do understand that it is still costing a lot of money.

However, Nepalese Tour Companies have very little control over what happens on the other side. We do deal with some of the best organisers, however, from time to time, there are problems along the way, the guides are not very good, there are transportation breakages, etc. We just wanted to clarify here that when such things happen sometimes, it is not due to our lack of attention, nor our slackness. It is only because we cannot apply our stringent quality control mechanisms across the border.

DEPARTURES: Every Saturday.
CHECK FOR OPTIONAL DEPARTURES ON TUESDAYS WITH US.

SERVICE INCLUDES: - In Kathmandu: Accommodation  with Breakfast, Heritage sightseeing tour with guide, On the Tibet tour: Accommodation with Breakfast, Sightseeing tours, Monastery entrance fees, English speaking Tibetan Guide, Private ground transfers and Travel permit, Lhasa – Kathmandu Airfare ($295.-), Airport Tax, Tibet / China Visa fee.

SERVICE EXCLUDES: - Nepal re - entry visa fee, travel insurance, extra cost in the event of landslide for hiring porters or arranging additional transportation and expenses of personal nature.

route map

The following is a route map of the almost 1000 km trip to Lhasa. This is taken from google maps. Please use the zoom in features to go into details. The map is in "map" mode. You can also choose to view it in "terrain" or "sattelite" modes. The placemarkers may be in approximate positions.