Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll land at Tribhuvan International Airport where you can take in views of the snow-capped mountains from the plane. After clearing customs, your tour coordinator meets you and drives you to your hotel. It's a chance to settle in and adjust to the altitude and time zone.
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport - Day 2
Kathmandu
This morning you spend the full day exploring Kathmandu's historic sites. You'll walk through Boudhanath Stupa, which many call Little Tibet for its Tibetan influences, then head to Pasupatinath Temple to see the Hindu shrines. From there, it's on to Swayambhunath to round out the day's sightseeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa
- Visit Pasupatinath Temple
- Visit Swayambhunath
Landmarks/POIs Boudhanath Stupa Pasupatinath Temple Swayambhunath - Day 3
Kathmandu to Shigatse
Early morning you board a China Airlines flight for about 55 minutes over the Panoramic Himalayas, heading to Gongar Airport in Lhasa. After landing, you drive to Shigatse. Later in the afternoon you'll check out Shakya Monastery and then Tashilhunpo Monastery before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Shakya Monastery
- Explore Tashilhunpo Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Gongar Airport Shakya Monastery Tashilhunpo Monastery - Day 4
Shigatse to Gyantse
After breakfast, it's a 93km drive from Shigatse to Gyantse, stopping at Shalu Monastery along the way. Once there, you see Phalkor Choide Chorten, a five-story structure built back in 1414 with thirteen rings that represent Buddhist spiritual levels. You'll walk through the 108 halls inside, checking out the frescoes and Buddha shrines throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shalu Monastery
- Visit Phalkor Choide Chorten
- Explore halls with frescoes and Buddha shrines
Landmarks/POIs Shalu Monastery Phalkor Choide Chorten - Day 5
Gyantse to Lhasa
Following breakfast, you drive toward Lhasa through some high-altitude terrain. The route takes you across Yamdrok Lake at 3,650m, over Karola Pass at 5,010m, and through Kambala Pass at 4,794m. The scenery along these passes is what makes this drive memorable, with mountains and lakes creating a dramatic backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Yamdrok Lake Karola Pass Kambala Pass - Day 6
Lhasa
You have a full day of sightseeing in Lhasa. On your schedule are visits to Potala Palace and Norbulingkha Palace, both significant cultural landmarks. Plan to spend several hours at each location, taking time to walk the grounds and see the artwork and architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Potala Palace
- Visit Norbulingkha Palace
Landmarks/POIs Potala Palace Norbulingkha Palace - Day 7
Lhasa
Another Lhasa sightseeing day with different temples and markets on the list. You'll visit Jokhang Temple, then head to Drepung Monastery. After that, there's time to browse Bharkhor Market, where you can walk among the shops and local vendors selling everything from handicrafts to souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jokhang Temple
- Visit Drepung Monastery
- Browse Bharkhor Market
Landmarks/POIs Jokhang Temple Drepung Monastery Bharkhor Market - Day 8
Lhasa to Kathmandu
After breakfast, you catch a flight from Lhasa back to Kathmandu. By evening you're settled at your hotel, giving you time to rest or explore the immediate area around where you're staying.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Kathmandu
This morning after breakfast you do a sightseeing tour in Patan and Khokana. These two areas have their own character and cultural heritage, each offering different perspectives on Nepalese history and architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Patan
- Sightseeing in Khokana
Landmarks/POIs Patan Khokana - Day 10
Bhaktapur
After breakfast, you drive to Bhaktapur, which is known throughout the region for its wood-carving traditions. You enter Durbar Square through the Royal Gate and see the Lion Gate, an art gallery, a statue of Bhupatendra Malla, the Palace of 55 Windows, the Bell of the Barking Dogs, Batsala Temple, Nyatapola Temple, and a replica of Pashupatinath.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Durbar Square
- Visit Lion Gate
- Visit Art gallery
- Visit Palace of 55 windows
- Visit Batsala temple
- Visit Nyatapola temple
Landmarks/POIs Bhaktapur Durbar Square Lion Gate Palace of 55 windows Batsala temple Nyatapola temple - Day 11
Departure
This morning you head to the airport for your departure flight, ending your trip through Nepal and Tibet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport
