Tibet Adventure
15 days
From
$ 3499
Duration15 days
From modern Beijing, travel back in time across scenic countrysides to Tibet on this well-packed overland adventure. Witness the splendour of the Potala Palace and the majesty of remote monasteries and then celebrate the stunning overland journey to Kathmandu. Wake up to views of Everest and enjoy a window into the heart of this remote land. A local guide and Chief Experience Officer will show you the region’s hidden gems and make sure your trip burns brightly in your memory long after you've climbed down from the roof of the world.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: BeijingPhysical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
Start place: Beijing
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Peak season notice: Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th, 2019/2020/2021. Please note that Golden Week is a semi-annual 7-day or 8-day national holiday for the people of China. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.
End place: Beijing
Day 2: Beijing
Start place: Beijing
Set out early for the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Spend the day wandering from tower to tower along this magnificent feat of construction.
Opt to see a Shaolin Monk Kung Fu Show, the Beijing Opera, or the Beijing Acrobats. Opt to pre-book the Beijing Acrobatics Performance on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Opt to see a Shaolin Monk Kung Fu Show, the Beijing Opera, or the Beijing Acrobats. Opt to pre-book the Beijing Acrobatics Performance on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Visit the Great Wall of China with time in the late afternoon to explore Beijing.
End place: Beijing
Day 3-4: Beijing/Lhasa
Start place: Beijing
Enjoy learning about Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before using some free time to explore more of the capital.
In the evening, depart on a 48-hr train journey to Lhasa. Enjoy watching the scenery completely change as you climb onto the Tibetan Plateau.
In the evening, depart on a 48-hr train journey to Lhasa. Enjoy watching the scenery completely change as you climb onto the Tibetan Plateau.
Take a guided tour of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square before boarding the Trans-Tibetan Railway to Lhasa.
We aim to get the best sleeping berths available on each train journey. During peak season (summer) we cannot guarantee which beds will be available.
End place: Lhasa
Day 5: Lhasa
Start place: Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa in the evening. Take an orientation walk around and start acclimatizing to the altitude.
End place: Lhasa
Day 6-8: Lhasa
Start place: Lhasa
Over three days, explore all Lhasa and the surrounding areas have to offer. Visit Barkhor Square, the Jokhang Temple, the Potala Palace, and either Sera or Drepung Monastery. With free time, opt to visit the local markets or find a teahouse to spend a few hours relaxing with a warm cup of chai.
End place: Lhasa
Meals: B
Day 9: Lhasa/Gyantse
Start place: Lhasa
The drive to Gyantse is a spectacular one, crossing three passes over 5,000m (16,404 ft) and skirting the shores of the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdrok Tso.
Drive to Gyantse along beautiful Yamdrok Tso lake.
End place: Jiangzi
Meals: B
Day 10: Gyantse/Shigatse
Start place: Jiangzi
Visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum before travelling to Shigatse.
End place: Rikaze
Day 11: Shigatse/Tingri
Start place: Rikaze
Take some time to explore Tashilhunpo Monastery founded by the First Dalai Lama in the 1400's. This amazing structure of history has been expanded over the centuries and is also known as the 'Heap of Glory'. Once the group is ready to move on, jump in the private vehicle and make your way to Tingri.
Visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning before heading off to Tingri.
End place: Tingri
Day 12: Tingri/Rongbuk
Start place: Tingri
Take an exhilarating drive to reach Rongbuk — 5,000m (16,404 ft) and a mere 7km (4.4 mi) below Everest Base Camp. The view from here is utterly spectacular.
Visit Shegar Dzong in the morning before travelling to Rongbuk where you will get amazing views of Everest. Here you can opt to go into the Rongbuk Monastery and explore.
End place: Rongbu Si
Day 13: Rongbuk/Kyirong
Start place: Rongbu Si
On today's drive, ride alongside Paiko Tso Lake and marvel at its turquoise colour. Reach Kunda La Pass at 5236m, which offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Start the descent through winding roads into Kyirong and feel the change in altitude. See the change in scenery from snowy mountain peaks, to more greenery and blue skies.
Pack up and head out for the long, yet incredibly scenic drive from Rongbuk to Kyirong which serves as the main border crossing between Tibet and Nepal. Soak in the passing views from your private vehicle window with a couple stops along the way.
Day 14: Kyirong/Kathmandu
Prepare for another beautiful driving day on your way to Nepal. There's plenty of lush green forests along the highway towards the Tibet – Nepal border at Rasuwa Gadi. After immigration, cross the bridge joining Tibet and Nepal by foot. Jump on a bus and make the winding, bumpy, yet extremely scenic drive to Kathmandu.
Get ready for a scenic overland border crossing today. Soak in your last views from Tibet and say hello to beautiful Nepal. Enjoy some free time to get to know the city.
Kyirong is the main customs border crossing between Tibet and Nepal, for tourists and for commercial purpose. As such, it can be quite busy and there can be long wait times.
Day 15: Kathmandu
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, Rongpu Si
- Great Wall entrance
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour
- Trans-Tibetan Railway
- Lhasa orientation walk
- Potala Palace entrance
- Sera or Drepung Monastery visit
- Jokhang Temple entrance
- Pelkor Chode, Gyantse Kumbum, and Tashilhunpo Monastery visits
- Shegar Dzong visit
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Private bus, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (11 nts), Guesthouse (1 nt, multi-share), Sleeper train (2 nts)