10 Days Discover the Mystical Beauty of Tibet - Drive in Fly out

Early morning departure from Kathmandu by private tourist vehicle, driving northeast along the Araniko Highway.

Follow the river valleys of the Sun Koshi and Bhote Koshi, observing terraced hills, waterfalls, and traditional Nepali farming settlements.

Arrive at the riverside trading town of Tatopani near the border checkpoint.

Check into a local guesthouse or hotel, refresh, and unpack.

Evening briefing with your tour representative covering border clearance protocols, baggage handling, and upcoming high-altitude acclimatization guidelines.

Wholesome dinner and overnight stay in the Tatopani border region.

Breakfast at the hotel before driving to the border checkpoint at Kodari.

Complete Nepalese customs and exit immigration formalities at the border terminal.

Cross the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge to Zhangmu Port on the Chinese side to complete entry immigration, biometric screening, and Tibet Travel Permit verification.

Meet your licensed Tibetan tour guide and driver with private tourist transport.

Embark on the dramatic switchback drive climbing through the sheer rock walls and cascading waterfalls of the Matsang Tsangpo gorge to Nyalam (3,750 m).

Check into your local guesthouse, hydrate, rest, and adjust to the significant elevation gain.

Dinner and overnight stay in Nyalam.

Hearty breakfast before commencing the ascent onto the high Tibetan Plateau.

Cross the panoramic mountain crests of Lalung La (5,120 m) and Tong La, offering views of Shishapangma (8,027 m) and the northern Himalayan barrier.

Transition into the high-altitude plateau characterized by vast open valleys, grazing yaks, and distant snow peaks.

Arrive in Tingri (Shegar / Old Tingri), an ancient staging post with views of Mt. Everest in clear weather.

Dedicated afternoon rest to support high-altitude acclimatization.

Dinner and overnight stay at a local hotel or guesthouse in Tingri.

Morning departure following the G318 National Highway across the high plateau.

Cross Gyatso La Pass (5,248 m), the highest road pass of the tour, adorned with prayer flags.

Descend through Lhatse into the fertile Nyang Chu river valley toward Shigatse (3,840 m), Tibet's second-largest city.

Guided pilgrimage through the historic Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama and the seat of the Panchen Lamas.

Tour the Grand Assembly Hall, the 26-meter gilded bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha, and the jewel-encrusted funerary chortens.

Check into your hotel in Shigatse, dine, and rest.

Overnight stay in Shigatse.

Wholesome breakfast before traveling along the northern Friendship Highway corridor flanking the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River.

Wind through barren desert mountain passes, terraced barley fields, and traditional Tibetan earthen homesteads.

Cross the Lhasa River bridge and enter the historic holy city of Lhasa (3,656 m).

Check into your hotel in central Lhasa, unpack, and refresh.

Relaxing evening walk around the old quarter, followed by dinner and overnight stay.

Morning guided pilgrimage to the UNESCO World Heritage Potala Palace, the iconic winter palace of the Dalai Lamas rising above the Red Hill (Marpo Ri).

Ascend stone stairways to tour the White Palace (administrative halls) and Red Palace (religious chapels, scriptures, and golden stupas).

Lunch break at a traditional Tibetan teahouse.

Afternoon visit to Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, housing the sacred 7th-century statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha (Jowo Rinpoche).

Join Tibetan pilgrims along the Barkhor Street circumambulation circuit, walking alongside devotees spinning prayer wheels and exploring traditional artisan stalls.

Dinner featuring authentic Tibetan specialties and overnight stay in Lhasa.

Morning drive west of Lhasa to Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastic complex in the world with over 10,000 monks.

Explore the ancient assembly halls, the Ganden Potrang palace, and the monastic living colleges (tratsangs).

Savor lunch at a local restaurant before heading north to the 15th-century Sera Monastery.

Witness the traditional monk philosophical debates held in the shaded courtyard, featuring theatrical hand-claps, gestures, and dialectical exchanges.

Free late afternoon to explore local incense and singing bowl shops around the city.

Dinner and overnight stay in Lhasa.

Breakfast followed by a visit to Norbulingka, the historic summer palace of the Dalai Lamas, celebrated for its gardens, decorative chapels, and Tibetan architecture.

Tour a local Tibetan handicraft or thangka painting workshop to observe master artists grinding natural minerals and applying gold leaf.

Spend an unhurried afternoon in the old Tibetan quarter, observing local lifestyles, drinking sweet yak-butter tea, and photographing street scenes.

Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Lhasa.

Flexible day for relaxation or custom sightseeing.

Option A (Scenic Excursion): Take a full-day excursion climbing to Kamba La Pass (4,990 m) for panoramic views of the turquoise waters of sacred Yamdrok Lake (4,441 m) before returning to Lhasa.

Option B (City Leisure): Spend a self-paced day shopping for Tibetan handicrafts, pashminas, and medicinal teas around Barkhor, or relaxing at rooftop cafes overlooking the Potala.

Farewell celebratory dinner with your guide to reflect on your 10-day Himalayan overland expedition.

Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Final breakfast at your hotel in Lhasa followed by packing and room check-out.

Scheduled private transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) (~1 to 1.5 hours) for your onward flight to Kathmandu or mainland Chinese hubs.

Complete departure security and airline check-in formalities.

Conclude your 10-Day Hidden Tibet Tour with Om Holidays Tour & Trek.