Flight Kathmandu (1350m) - Lhasa (3660m)
Early in the morning, we transfer to Tribhuwan International airport for 2 hours long flight to Gongar Airport, Lhasa, on a China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757, takes us right across the main Himalayan range and provides us magnificent mountains views. Upon our arrival at Gongar airport, there our agent will meet you, & then we start drive. After 2 hours long drive by Land cruiser, we arrive in Lhasa.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Sightseeing in Lhasa
Today we'll visit various Buddhist monasteries including Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet, where several hundred monks live and study within it's whitewashed walls & golden roofs. After lunch, we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jhokhang Temple, possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jhokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets, the central market of Lhasa.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Sightseeing in Lhasa
This morning, we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa, spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, we'll visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century, & was once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Drive Lhasa - Gyantse (3950m.) - 261 k.m.
Today we begin our overland journey towards Rongbuk valley. We follow the Friendship Highway by jeep, we cross the Khamba La (4794m) from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). As we continue our journey to westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5045m), we can view the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. After few hours, we arrive to Gyantse passing the beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Drive Gyantse (3950m.) - Shigatse (3900m.) - 90 k.m.
Before leaving Gyantse, we can visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum, which is a large gold-domed stupa, & its many small chapels house an impressive arry of Tibetan Buddhist murals. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley.
Thereby, we continue the journey to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. After a short drive of only 90kms, we take our lunch. Thereafter, exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Drive Shigatse (3900m.) - Shegar (New Tingri) (4050m.) - 244 k.m.
Today we restart the journey following the Friendship Highway, through spectacular landscape of Tibet, crossing the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La (5220m). Then we continue towards the plains passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Drive Shegar (4050m.) - Rongbuk - 68 k.m.
As we leave Shigatse, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La (5150m) towards the main Himalayan range that give magnificent view stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley, we can watch the charming view of Everest than ever.

Overnight at Guesthouse. B.B.

Drive Tingri (4390m.) - Zhangmu (2300m.) - 181 k.m.
Today we leave Tingri, crossing two high passes, the Lalung La (5124m) and the Shung La (5200m). On the way, we're rewarded by the magnificent scenery of the surrounding peaks including Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Then we rejoin the journey towards the arid Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. As we leave Tibet, it appears an incredibly lush and green town.

Overnight at Guesthouse. B.B.

Drive Zhangmu (2300m.) - Kodari - Kathmandu (1350m.) - 123 k.m.
Leaving Zhangmu, we join the Friendship Bridge passing the Bhote Koshi River and mark the Chinese - Nepalese border. After that short drive, we say good-bye to our Tibetan guide. Then we drive and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari, there we have our Nepalese staff, completing the reentry formalities we'll drive towards the Kathmandu, which may take 5 hours, but it depends on road & weather condition.

Overnight at hotel. B.B.