Nepal Tibet Lhasa Tour - 12 Days

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel in the center of the city and helped with the hotel check-in formalities by a representative from the Himalayan Trekkers. Then we will have a short discussion session regarding your Nepal Tibet Lhasa Tour. 

If you have an early arrival today, we will collect your passports, signatures, and necessary documents for the Chinese Group Visa applications after you check into your accommodation. But, if your arrival is late, we will pick up those documents on the following day. It takes three business/working days to acquire the visa.
Also, depending upon your arrival time and the effect of jet lag on you, we will proceed for the sightseeing of Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple before strolling around the tourist hub of Kathmandu, Thamel. 

After breakfast, we right away proceed for the full day of guided sightseeing in Kathmandu valley covering the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

We will first drive to Boudhanath Stupa if we didn’t visit it yesterday. Boudhanath is just 30 minutes away from Thamel and is one of the loved sites in the valley. Boudhanath Stupa is a Buddhist pilgrimage site representing Tibetan Buddhism where you can see a gain white dome with a golden pinnacle and big Buddha eyes in all directions. The stupa is considered to be the largest in the country and one of the largest in the world. As soon as we enter the Boudha Gate, we will get the aromatic scent of the Himalayan incense, views of the pilgrims making kora of the stupa, monks in red robes, and many authentic stores. After we make a kora and spend the needed amount of time in Boudhanath, we drive for 15 minutes from here to Pashupatinath Temple. 

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the four revered Hindu sites in the world that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest temples in the country that lies on the bank of the holy Bagmati River. The main temple is prohibited to non-Hindus but there are more than 400 temples, Shivalayas, Shiva lingams, and many other monuments to explore. The open-air cremation ceremony of Hindu devotees in Arya Ghat can be new to many travelers. On auspicious days like Mahashivaratri and Haritalika Teej, the temple complex is crowded with devotees from across the world, especially from different parts of Nepal and India. 

After lunch, we will drive to Patan city which is also called Lalitpur and is just 5 km southeast of Kathmandu. The district/city is also known as the “city of beauty” or the “city of fine arts” as the city is incredibly rich in art and architecture and has given birth to many well-known artists, particularly master woodworkers and metalworkers. There are numerous holy structures, including monasteries, math, Chaitya, Stupas, Pagodas, and Shikharas. And Patan Durbar Square, one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley is one of them where 19 monuments built in pagoda style are present proudly. It is also the place where all the cultural and other events of the city take place.

We will spend an ample amount of time exploring Durbar Square, Patan Museum, its famous and beautiful Bahals, streets, and shops. Then, we will drive back to Kathmandu and spend the evening strolling around the Thamel Bazaar. 

We leave Kathmandu after breakfast and start our journey towards Chitwan today. Our drive goes along the winding road through the picturesque hilly area with a glimpse of the Himalayas sometimes along with the gushing Trishuli River halfway. As we proceed nearer to Chitwan, the hilly regions slowly turn into flat plains with terraced fields everywhere.

 Upon our arrival in Chitwan, we will check in and rest for a bit. After lunch, we will make a visit to the Tharu Village to get insight into the lifestyle of the indigenous Tharu community. We will visit the Tharu museum in the village where the tools and instruments used by this ethnic group are preserved and displayed. We will also get a taste of their lovely hospitality before going to the Rapti River bank to observe the gorgeous sunset views. Then, in the evening, we will attend the Tharu Cultural Program where different forms of Tharu music and dances are shown. The dances and music differ from other ethnic groups in Nepal and some of the highlights of this cultural program are the fire dance and peacock dance.  

Our second day in Chitwan is jam-packed with exciting and adventurous jungle activities in the oldest national park of Nepal, Chitwan National Park. The park is home to numerous endangered species of flora and fauna, including the one-horned rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger. 

We start the activity as per our interest and the day’s condition. We will go for the elephant safari in the morning and watch the elephant bathing afterward. We will also do the canoe ride in the Rapti River and watch the crocodiles and Gharial basking in the sun at the river banks. We also get to get a glimpse of wildlife along with unique bird species. Our activity in Chitwan National Park also includes the visit to the Elephant Breeding Center where we can interact with both the mother and young elephants. We will also do the jungle walk for the required time and spot different animals, floras, birds, and butterflies. In the evening, we can visit the Rapti River for the gorgeous sunset views and some best instagramable photos. 

After a full day of exciting adventures, we return to our hotel and spend another beautiful night in this wonderful city.  

Soon after breakfast, we wave goodbye to the plains and once again move towards the hilly side of Pokhara, the second biggest city in terms of area and tourism. During our scenic ride from Chitwan to Pokhara, we will experience lush hills, stunning valleys, and mountains. As we are about to reach Pokhara, we will notice the change in the landscapes and the mountains start appearing.  

Once we are in Pokhara, we will check in at the hotel and rest for a bit before going for the Phewa Lake boat ride. We will visit the Tal Barahi Temple during our boat ride as the temple lies in the middle of the lake. In the evening, we take a refreshing lakeside walk while enjoying the surrounding vistas. 

After an early morning call, we rise and drive for 30 minutes from our hotel to the Sarangkot Hill station to observe the glorious sunrise as well as the panoramic Himalayas vistas including Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Dhaulagiri along with Pokhara valley, Phewa Lake, beautiful green hills and terraced fields. From Sarangkot, we will start an easy hike towards the Dhampus village at 1650 meters altitude. Our hiking trail is easy and scenic where we will be accompanied by the wide view of the terraced fields, local people, and the vast landscape views. 

Once we reach the village, we enjoy the vista from the village and the hospitality of the locals and admire the beauty of nature up close.  

Note: This easy and short hiking journey not only gives an experience of hiking in Nepal’s rural places but also helps in acclimatization purpose as we will be traveling to the higher altitudes in Tibet. 

We can extend the hike to the Australian Camp from Dhampus if you are interested. It is just an easy 30 minutes upward hike from Dhampus village. Australian camp is also a famous vantage point to get a close-up view of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Himchuli, Machhapurchhre, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu, range, etc. on a clear day.

We rise early to witness the stunning sunrise view above the Himalayas along with the valley and landscape views. After breakfast, we bid goodbye to Dhampus and start our short hike to Phedi. From Phedi, our driving journey starts toward Kathmandu. Enjoying the landscape, mountains, hills, villages, rivers, and terraced farms, we will reach Kathmandu after nearly 7 hours of driving. Once in Kathmandu, we check in at the hotel and rest for a bit before going out for an evening stroll at the Thamel Bazaar.

Note: If you prefer to skip the hiking part today, we can organize the drive directly from Dhampus to Kathmandu.  

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for the amazing flight to one of the most dangerous airports in the world, Gonggar Airport in Tibet. The flight is extremely scenic where you will be able to capture the majestic views of the world-renowned Himalayas such as Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Kailash, etc. along with deep valleys. 

Upon your arrival at the Gonggar airport, our Tibetan representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa. After a short resting time, we will visit the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tibet, Jokhang Temple. It is the oldest temple in Lhasa which was built by King Songtsen Gampo during the Tang Dynasty in 647 AD. It is also the most important spiritual center for the Buddhist devotees which houses the most sacred life-size statue of 12-year-old Jowo Sakyamuni in Tibet.

Then, we will make a Kora or just stroll around Barkhor Street which encircles the Jokhang Temple. The thriving Barkhor is narrow but fits thousands of visitors and pilgrims each day. It is one of the best symbols of Lhasa where you can find numerous stores on both sides selling authentic Tibetan goods along with some items from India and Nepal. 
After a nice walk on Barkhor Street and dinner, we will return to the hotel for the night. 

The capital of Tibet, Lhasa means the “Land of God”. It serves as Tibet's political, economic, and cultural hub. It is the world’s highest situated capital city it the world and is a place of mystery. Today, we will explore the major important sites of Lhasa. 

The first for our sightseeing will be the world-famous red and white Potala Palace which was first built by then Tibet ruler, King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The present structure took around 50 years to get completed after the construction began in the 5th Dalai Lamas region period. Then the white palace of Potala worked as a winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the central Red Palace was utilized for religious activities. The Potala Palace is now a revered site where tourists can go to explore its enormous collection of religious and cultural artifacts.

After finishing our tour of the Potala, we will head to Norbulingka Palace, another recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace. It was first built by the 7th Dalai Lama in the 18th century with a Buddha hall, an assembly hall, a reading room, a god temple, and a bedroom. Now, with many extensions, there are numerous palaces, floral gardens, and lakes inside the complex. Norbulingka means the "Jewel/Treasure Park," and it is the world’s largest, best preserved, and highest located horticultural garden in the world. It was also the summer residence of the 7th to 14th Dalai Lamas. 

The next stop will be Drepung Monastery, which Chojey Tashi Palden constructed in the fourteenth century. It is among the most sacred monasteries in the country and was formerly known as the mother of monasteries. It is the largest of the three top monasteries belonging to the Gelugpa sect. It consists of four departments, with Loseling, also referred to as "The Hermitage of the Radiant Mind," being the largest and able to accommodate up to 15,000 monks. It is currently regarded as one of Tibet's finest monastic education facilities.

After a whole day of exploring these cultural and historical beauties, we return to our hotel for a well-deserved rest. 

Tibet is well-known for more than only its intriguing culture. The nation also has some spectacular natural beauty. So to get an experience of Tibet’s nature side, we will be going for a day trip to either Yamdrok Tso Lake or Namtso Lake. While Yamdrok Tso is situated at 4440 meters elevation and is 114 kilometers from the center of Lhasa, Namtso lies at 4718 meters and is 220 kilometers from Lhasa. 

Both Yamdrok and Namtso are the most sacred lakes in the country along with Manasarovar and are equally beautiful. Both lakes have breathtaking hues, clear water, and great surroundings.

The journey to these lakes is filled with breathtaking scenery. We will drive through a winding mountain road with views of lush valleys and make a stop to snap pictures of the surrounding landscape beside the Brahmaputra River and on the high mountain pass before arriving at Yamdrok Lake. 

The route to Namtso Lake offers views of the lush grassland with grazing yaks and sheep, nomads and their tents as well as the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges. The Sky-Road Railway will be visible to us against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the beautiful view of Namtso Lake as we pass through the 5,190-meter-high Legan La Pass.

After exploring any of these two lakes, we will return to Lhasa for the night. 
Note: If you do not prefer visiting any of these lakes, we can customize the day as per your interest. You can add extra city activities or opt. to take a short hike around Lhasa city

Today, we will tour Sera Monastery, considered to be the most stunning monastery in the nation. Built in 1419, this monastery is one of the three Gelugpa Sect monasteries together with Drepung and Ganden. It once housed more than 5,000 monks and five monastic colleges. The monastery was given the name Sera, which translates to "wild rose," since it is located in a northern suburb of Lhasa, where wild roses are a common sight. The monks debating in the courtyard is one of the most fascinating aspects of our Sera Monastery sightseeing tour.

Following our visit to the Sera Monastery, we'll explore Lhasa’s market and some lesser-known neighboring locations. The rest of the day is free time. You might take a break and stroll down Barkhor Street to find some Tibetan goods and handicrafts to buy and bring home.

As your Nepal Tibet Lhasa Tour comes to an end today, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to mainland China or back to Nepal after breakfast. If you are flying to mainland China, there are flights available to the cities like Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Beijing from where you can take a connecting flight to your home country. But, if you prefer to fly back to Nepal, we can plan accordingly. The only thing you have to do is confirm the plan before the trip confirmation.