Kathmandu To Lhasa Overland Tour

Kathmandu To Lhasa Overland Tour

Tibet Overland Tour drives overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa across the Himalayas by way of the incredible Arniko Highway that connects Nepal with Tibet. Enjoy fabulous mountain scenery enrooted, visit mystical Buddhist monasteries of Tashilungpo at Shigatse, the Kumbum Stupa at Gyantse, and drive past the beautiful Turquoise lake. In Lhasa visit the famous Potala and Norbulinkha palaces, the great Drepung Monastery and walk through the bustling Barkor Bazaar before flying back to Kathmandu (or onward to China). A choice of hotels is available in Lhasa and in other places. An unforgettable encounter with forbidden' Tibet.

Destination: Kathmandu- Patan-Bhaktapur-Kerung-Xegar-Shigatse-Gyantse and Lhasa.

Trip Details

  • Itinerary
  • Cost Includes
  • Useful Info

Day 01: Kathmandu [1,338 m]: A representative from Adventure Treks Nepal will be waiting outside the Tribhuwan International Airport according to your time of arrival. Once you land you will be transferred to the Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel Manang or Similar.

Day 02: Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu [1,338 m] - (B): After your breakfast at the hotel we will begin our sightseeing tour around the Kathmandu Valley. Firstly, we will drive to Swyamnbhunath Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. Located at top of the hill this temple holds great values in Hindu and Buddhist culture. After monkey temple we will drive towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, the ancient royal palace of Kathmandu Valley. The Palace is now a museum so we will witness much information regarding the ancient Nepal. In Kathmandu Durbar Square we will also visit the Kumari House who is regarded as the Living goddess. We will then have our Lunch followed by a drive to another Royal Palace named Patan Durbar Square. Patan has a long Buddhist History and the four corners of the city are marked by Stupas erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 BCE. Overnight stay at Hotel Manang or Similar (Breakfast Included).

Day 03: Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu [1,338 m] - (B): After Breakfast we will head towards Bhaktapur, the city of arts and crefts. You will see extraordinary wood crafting arts around Bhaktapur. The city is also known as city of Devotees and center of medieval art and architecture which was founded by King Anand Dev in 899 AD. Around Bhaktapur we will visit the Nyatapola temple, the most beautiful temple of Nepal, the 15th century palace of 55 windows, Golden gate and other place of Interest. Then we will head towards the holy Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most scared Hindu shrines in the world. After spending some time at the bank of Holy Bagmati River we will then head towards Bouddhanath Stupa, another Buddhist landmark which is a most to visit when in Kathmandu. Overnight stay at Hotel Manang or Similar (Breakfast Included).

Day 04: In Kathmandu [1,338 m] - (B): Today is a leisure Day. You will have free time to walk around the streets of Thamel or spend quality time with your friends and family. Overnight stay at Hotel Manang or Similar (Breakfast Included).

Day 05: Kathmandu (1330m.)-Kerung (2800m.) (168 Km) - (B): Early in the Morning scenic drive to Kerung Border Nepal Tibet Border through the beautiful Nepalese countryside and after necessary border formalities at Nepali immigration and cross the bridge process for all necessary formalities in Chinese immigration continue drive to Kerung Town. Stay Overnight at Guest House.

Day 06: Xegar (4350m) (380 km) - (B): Day drive to uphill to highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world crossing over Nyalamu pass (3800m.) and Lalung La (5050m.) weather permitting breathing panorma of the beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt Everest (8848m.) but dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. Over night at Hotel Qomolongma Hotel.

Day 07 Xegar-Xigatse (3900m) (244 km) - (B): Continue scenic drive crossing over Gyatchu La (5220m.) the highest pass en route to Lhasa via Lhatse from where a road to Mt. Kailash bifurcates to the west. On the way visit Shakya Monastery. Over night at Manasarover Hotel.

Day 08 Xigatse-Gyantse (3950m) (90 km) - (B): Morning sightseeing to the Panchen Lama's Tashilhumpu Monastery and Market in Xigatse. Drive to Gyantse and visit to the Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. Over night at Hotel Yeti or similar.

Day 09 Gyantse-Lhasa (3650m) (261 km) - (B): Full day picturesque drive crossing over Karo La (5010m.), Kamba La (4794m.), colorful Yamdrok Lake and Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo). Over night at Yak Hotel Yak or Similar

Day 10: Lhasa sightseeing - (B):
Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Market.Over night at Hotel Yak or Similar

Day 11: Lhasa sightseeing - (B): Visit Drepung, Norbulingka and Sera Monastery. Over night at Hotel Yak or Similar

Day 12: Lhasa-Kathmandu - (B): Early morning drive to Gongaar airport for departure flight to Kathmandu.Over night at Hotel Manang or Similar

Day 13: Free day in Kathmandu - (B): Hotel Manang or Similar.


Day 14: Departure - (B): Trip ends ! fly back home, taking with you the memory of a life time.



Cost Inclusive:

  • All private transport..
  • All Sight seeing in Nepal and Tibet with entrance fee.
  • All Hotels in Nepal and Tibet with Breakfast.
  • An English Speaking Guide.
  • Tibet Visa / Permit fee. 
  • Lhasa Kathmandu Flight ticket.

Cost Exclusive:

  • Your Travel Insurance
  • International Airport Tax (If any).
  • International Airfare (Country to Nepal).
  • Items of a personal nature like postage and laundry
  • Tips.
  • Meals except breakfast.
  • All expenses of personal nature,
  • Nepal visa fee, Charge for photography.
  • Air ticket reconfirmation fee, Insurance, Emergency evacuation.
  • Other fees due to nature.

By the law of the People’s Republic of China, in addition to China visa, foreigners also need Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Travel bureau) to be able to board a train or plane to Lhasa. For this, you need to pre-arrange an itinerary through a legal travel agency in Lhasa before arriving in Tibet.

You need travel permits to travel outside Lhasa Prefecture, eg. Alien's Travel Permit & Military Permit and you can currently only get these by hiring transportation and a guide as part of your itinerary.

If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, besides all the Tibet Permits, you will have to travel on China Group Visa which can only be obtained through the joined effect of travel agencies in Lhasa and Kathmandu.

Here at Adventure Treks Nepal, a Kathmandu based local travel and trekking agency, with all the advantage of a local company, we provide you with a worry-free Tibet travel experience by taking care of all these permits applications.

What We Need to Apply TTB

We need the following documents & information from each and every traveler to obtain Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Travel bureau). The time needed to apply for it changes irregularly. But we usually need at least 16 days prior to file the application with these documents &. Information. Tibet Tourism Bureau will issue TTB permit about 7 days or so prior tour starting date.

* Colour-scan/photo of valid passport photo page
* Colour-scan/photo of valid China visa page
(Except L Visa, tourist visa, any other types of China Visa need additional stamped paper in Mandarin from your school/company in China, in which your name, passport No., position, company add should be stated.)
*From which city of China you plan to enter Tibet;

Of which city of China you plan to depart to after your Tibet tour

(please be aware, entering/departing city will be print on your permit, once issued it would be the only city you be able to enter/depart. takes extra time & fee if later you want to change it).
* Job occupation. If currently unemployed or retired, pls let us know your former job.
(journalists, government officers, and professional film/photography team, etc. won't be able to travel Tibet through travel agency).

Tibet Travel Permit (TTB)

A Tibet Travel bureau permit is currently required to get into Tibet. Without one, you will not be able to board a flight or train to Tibet and will not be able to secure the other permits you need to continue traveling throughout Tibet.

Nowadays you can only get a TTB permit through a tour agency in Tibet (agencies outside Tibet can arrange trips, but ultimately they subcontract to travel agencies in Lhasa, such as Great Tibet Tour). You can no longer travel to Lhasa, meet up with some travelers and organize a tour there. Everything must now be arranged beforehand, including any trekking itinerary you have planned.

To get a permit you need to:

* Work out an itinerary detailing exactly where you want to go in Tibet
* Agree with a price and send a deposit
* Send us documents & info we needed to apply for TTB permit
* Arrange an address in your entering city before Tibet (eg. hotel), to receive your posted TTB permit, if flying to Lhasa

You can book your own train or air ticket to Lhasa or have Adventure Treks Nepal or (Our agents in Lhasa) arrange this for you.

You need to have the original TTB permit in your hands in order to board a flight to Lhasa. Mostly we arrange TTB permit to post to your hotel of your entry city in China by S.F Express, usually, takes about 2-3 days.

A photocopy or scan of an original TTB permit is currently all that is required to board a train to Tibet.

Notes:

* Chinese resident of Hong Kong & Macau does not require a TTB permit to enter Tibet.
* Taiwanese need to consult us case-by-case since the rules change often.
* Foreigners visitor on business/study/resident visa in China need additional docs to apply for TTB permit
* Journalists and embassy staff won't be able to get a TTB permit as a tourist

What TTB Looks Like

TTB Permit usually combined with two pages.

On Page 01, it states your tour details, such as your travel agency’s name, your tour number, when you first arrive in Tibet, when you depart entry and departing city, etc. but above all, check the Permit No. on the upper right corner which is printed in red by Tibet Tourism Bureau.

On Page 02, you will see your name (printed in Chinese way, family name + given name)/ nationality/ gender / passport No. / Profession / date of birth.

Other Permits: Alien's Travel Permit & Military Permit

With TTB permit you will be able to enter Tibet and travel Lhasa and around. But if you were to go further to the regional capital, eg. Mt Everest, etc., you will have to budget an hour or so in Shigatse for your guide to process the Alien Travel Permit, which is issued by the Public Security Bureau PSB). Usually, you can apply for it once you arrive at Lhasa. Sensitive border areas – such as Mt Kailash, the road to Kashgar and the Nyingtri region of eastern Tibet - also require a Military Permit.

You should give your agency 20-day or so to arrange all you permit 30-day if Military Permit. The authorities generally won't issue permits more than 15-day in advance and certain areas can close without warning, so you’ll need certain flexibility if headed off the beaten track

Alien's Travel Permit

In addition to TTB permit, if you were to visit certain areas, Alien's Travel Permit will be required. Unlike TTB permit which will be applied in advance without your original passport, Alien's Travel Permit will be applied after your arrival in Tibet with your original passport.

Areas require Alien's Travel Permit:

Tsetang: All the places you will visit such as Samye, Yumbulhagang, Trundruk etc.
Shigates: Sakya, Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery
Gyantse: Pelkhor Chode Monastery, Kubum Stupa
Ngari: All the places you will visit such as Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasorovar etc.
Nyingtri: All the places you will visit such as Draksumtso, Pomi etc.
Chamdo: All the places you will visit such as Chamdo, Riwoche etc.

Military Permit

Military Permission is required if you want to visit the border areas such as Mt Kailash, eastern Tibet, or overland tour to Tibet from Sichuan, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Qinghai.
Areas require Military Permit:

Ngari: All the places you will visit such as Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasorovar etc.
Nyingtri: All the places you will visit such as Pomi etc.
Chamdo: All the places you will visit such as Chamdo, Riwoche etc.
Overland from/to Sichuan, Yunnan, Xinjiang or Qinghai