Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour

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

Travel through the scenic foothills of Nepal, following the Sun Koshi and Bhote Koshi river valleys past terraced hills, waterfalls, and traditional settlements.

Arrive at Kodari / Tatopani on the Nepal side to complete customs and immigration exit clearance.

Cross the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge into Zhangmu (subject to operational border clearance, group visa issuance, and authorized tourist opening).

Meet your licensed Tibetan tour guide and driver, transfer to your local hotel or guesthouse, and rest.

Evening briefing on high-altitude travel protocols and acclimatization guidelines.

Overnight stay in the border area (Zhangmu or local staging hotel).

Morning breakfast before embarking on the climb out of the lush subtropical gorge onto the arid Tibetan Plateau.

Wind through the dramatic canyons of Nyalam, watching the pine forests transition into windswept alpine scrub and rocky moraines.

Cross the Lalung La and Tong La passes (~5,050 m), offering views of the Himalayan chain including Shishapangma (8,027 m) and Cho Oyu.

Descend onto the vast southern Tibetan plains and arrive in Tingri (Old Tingri or Shegar).

Rest, maintain hydration, and acclimatize to the significant elevation gain.

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

Wholesome breakfast followed by a drive eastward along the Friendship Highway.

Cross Gyatso La Pass (5,248 m)—the highest road pass of the journey—marked by prayer flags, with views of Mt. Everest in the distance.

Descend past Lhatse and follow the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River basin to Shigatse (3,840 m), Tibet's second-largest city.

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

Explore the Grand Assembly Hall, the colossal 26-meter statue of Future Buddha (Maitreya), and the gold-plated stupas of past Panchen Lamas.

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

Overnight stay in Shigatse.

Morning breakfast before taking the drive through the fertile Nyang Chu agricultural valley to Gyantse (3,977 m).

Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery, an ancient complex known for housing Gelug, Sakya, and Bodong traditions under one roof.

Explore the world-renowned Gyantse Kumbum, a 32-meter-high, nine-tiered stupa housing 77 chapels adorned with tens of thousands of Buddhist murals, frescoes, and statues.

View the historic clifftop Gyantse Dzong (fortress) towering over the old town.

Depending on the confirmed route schedule, settle in for an evening in Gyantse or continue onward to Lhasa.

Dinner and overnight stay in Gyantse (or Lhasa as confirmed).

Early breakfast before embarking on one of the most scenic overland stretches in Tibet.

Drive past the dramatic hanging ice of the Karola Glacier (5,560 m), stopping at the roadside viewing platform.

Ascend toward Kamba La Pass (~4,990 m – 5,030 m) to take in views of the sacred turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake (4,441 m), flanked by snow-capped peaks.

Descend to the lakeshore for walks and photography along the sacred shoreline.

Cross the Yarlung Tsangpo River bridge and follow the Lhasa River valley into the "City of Sunshine," Lhasa (3,656 m).

Check into your hotel in Lhasa, relax, and enjoy an evening stroll.

Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Morning guided pilgrimage to the UNESCO World Heritage Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Climb the stone steps up the Red Hill (Marpo Ri) to explore the Red and White Palaces, ancient ceremonial halls, jeweled golden stupas, and private chapels (subject to official reservation time slots).

Afternoon visit to the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, housing the revered 7th-century life-sized 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, aromatic juniper incense burners, and traditional market stalls.

Dinner featuring authentic Tibetan specialties and overnight stay in Lhasa.

Wholesome breakfast before driving west of Lhasa to Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks.

Tour the Ganden Potrang (early residence of the Dalai Lamas), expansive prayer halls, and ancient printing storehouses.

Afternoon excursion to the 15th-century Sera Monastery, situated at the base of the northern hills.

Witness the monk philosophical debates in the shaded courtyard, featuring traditional hand slaps, foot stomps, and rapid dialectical exchanges.

Free afternoon time for shopping for local handicrafts, Tibetan thangkas, and incense around the city markets.

Farewell dinner and final overnight stay in Lhasa.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by room check-out.

Scheduled private transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) for your flight (to Kathmandu or major mainland Chinese hubs) or to the Lhasa Railway Station for the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibet Railway journey.

Conclude your Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour with Om Holidays Tour & Trek.