Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive in China and get settled whenever works for your schedule. There's a welcome briefing where you'll meet your CEO and the other travelers on the trip. If you're up for it, grab dinner with your CEO afterward to kick things off.
Included Activities
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Optional Activities
- Local dinner with CEO
- Day 2
Flight to Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa this morning and your Tibetan CEO will meet you at the airport. After checking into the hotel, you'll take an orientation walk around the city so you can get a sense of where everything is located.
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk
- Day 3
Lhasa
Start the day at Jokhang Temple, a UNESCO site where you'll see original pieces from when it was built. From there, walk through Barkhor Street, an ancient pilgrimage route, then you have free time to wander the Tibetan Quarter on your own. In the evening, there's a traditional Tibetan cooking class where you'll prepare and eat dinner together.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Tibetan Cooking Class with meal)
Included Activities
- Jokhang Temple Tour
- Barkhor Square Orientation Walk
- Tibetan Cooking Class
Optional Activities
- Lunch at a local teahouse
Landmarks/POIs Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street - Day 4
Lhasa
Visit Potala Palace this morning, the former winter home of the Dalai Lamas and another UNESCO site. Later in the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery where you can watch monks debating Buddhist philosophy, something that doesn't happen every day and gives real insight into how they study.
Included Activities
- Potala Palace Tour
- Sera Monastery Tour
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Sera Monastery - Day 5
Lhasa to Gyantse
Leave early for Gyantse on a drive that crosses three passes above 5,000m. You'll see Yamdrok Lake in the morning with its turquoise water, then stop by Karola Glacier along the way. There's lunch in Nagarze if you want it. Once you reach Gyantse, you can hike up to Gyantse Fortress with your CEO for views over the whole area if you have the energy.
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Nagarze
- Hike to Gyantse Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier Gyantse Fortress - Day 6
Gyantse to Shigatse
Check out Pelkor Chode Monastery this morning to see sculptures and paintings inside. You'll also see the multi-level Gyantse Kumbum structure. Then travel to Shigatse and visit Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the major monasteries in the region. You can watch the monks or try kora, a walking meditation practice, if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum Visit
- Tashilhunpo Monastery Visit
Optional Activities
- Join monks in kora (meditative practice)
Landmarks/POIs Pelkor Chode Monastery Gyantse Kumbum Tashilunpo Monastery - Day 7
Shigatse to Sakya
Leave Shigatse and head to Sakya. You'll visit Sakya Monastery and Nunnery, then walk back to the hotel. Your CEO can join you for dinner if you'd like.
Included Activities
- Sakya Monastery Visit
Optional Activities
- Dinner with CEO
Landmarks/POIs Sakya Monastery - Day 8
Sakya to Everest Base Camp
Pack a small overnight bag and set off for the night near Everest Base Camp. You'll do an easy walk to Rongbuk Monastery, then sleep in yak hair tents positioned as close as possible to Base Camp. If you're up for more, there are additional hikes to the upper monastery with your CEO.
Included Activities
- Rongbuk Monastery Visit
- Everest Viewpoint (North)
- Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent
Optional Activities
- Additional hikes to upper monastery
Landmarks/POIs Rongbuk Monastery Mount Everest - Day 9
Everest Base Camp to Kyirong
Head back from Everest to the park entrance, then get picked up for the drive to Kyirong. This border town has a warmer feel and greener landscape than the high passes. Settle in and take in the views as things get calmer.
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk
- Day 10
Kyirong to Kathmandu
Cross into Nepal on one of Asia's most scenic drives. You'll go over high mountain passes with prayer flags, see the Himalayan range, turquoise lakes, and forests before dropping down into lush green Nepal. After clearing immigration, you'll walk across the bridge connecting Tibet and Nepal, then get in your vehicle for the winding but visually striking drive down to Kathmandu.
Included Activities
- Border Crossing (Kyirong to Rasuwa)
- Day 11
Kathmandu
Explore Bhaktapur in the morning with your CEO. This World Heritage site has three large squares with temples and shrines, and it was once the capital of the Kathmandu Valley for 300 years. Spend the afternoon back in Kathmandu with free time. Your CEO can arrange an optional farewell dinner to mark the end of your trip through China, Tibet, and Nepal.
Included Activities
- Bhaktapur Excursion
- Durbar Square Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Optional farewell dinner with CEO
Landmarks/POIs Bhaktapur Durbar Square - Day 12
Departure
You're free to leave anytime today.
