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kathmandu to lhasa tour

kathmandu to lhasa tour

Kathmandu and Lhasa Tour Overview: Nepal and Tibet in One Epic Journey

Discover breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures spanning the heights of Nepal and Tibet with our Kathmandu and Lhasa Tour—a compact yet immersive sightseeing adventure. Lhasa, the second most populated city on the Tibetan Plateau, sits at a towering altitude of 3,490 meters, offering a blend of natural beauty and deep spiritual significance. This tour highlights the best of both worlds, taking you from Nepal’s rich history to Tibet’s sacred Buddhist sites.

Lhasa, the religious heart of Tibet since the 17th century, is home to iconic landmarks such as the majestic Potala Palace, the revered Jokhang Temple, and the serene Norbulingka Palace. These cultural gems, paired with the rich historical tapestry of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, make this journey ideal for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

Highlights of the Kathmandu and Lhasa Tour

  • Kathmandu: Begin your tour with a deep dive into Nepal’s cultural and spiritual heritage by visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Marvel at the Kathmandu Durbar Square, explore the sacred Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), the holy Pashupatinath Temple, and the imposing Boudhanath Stupa—each destination representing the rich tapestry of Nepali art, architecture, and religious devotion.
  • Scenic Flight to Lhasa: Your journey to Lhasa starts with an awe-inspiring flight over the Himalayas, where the peaks of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga unfold in front of you. Prepare to capture unforgettable moments from the air!
  • Lhasa – The Spiritual Heart of Tibet: In Lhasa, you’ll visit the renowned Sera Monastery with its golden rooftops and whitewashed walls that exude a peaceful ambiance. The tour also takes you to the impressive Norbulingka Palace, a sanctuary of Tibetan kings, and the sacred Jokhang Temple—a spiritual hub for Tibetan Buddhism. Finally, explore the grand Potala Palace, once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, and the historic Drepung Monastery.
  • Bhaktapur and Patan: Back in Nepal, the tour includes visits to the ancient cities of Bhaktapur and Patan, where intricate carvings, stone sculptures, and centuries-old palaces tell the story of Nepal’s royal past. These cities are living museums, brimming with medieval artistry and vibrant local culture.

For an even more adventurous option, consider our Lhasa to Kathmandu Everest Base Camp Tour package. This extended journey brings you closer to the highest point on Earth while still offering the same cultural depth and scenic beauty.

Start Your Kathmandu to Lhasa Adventure Today

Join our 7-day overland journey from Nepal to Tibet. Explore sacred sites, high mountain passes, and the heart of Lhasa with expert local guides.

Itinerary

Your arrival at the airport marks the first day of the journey. You will be greeted by one of the representatives who will proceed to explain the program further to you. Transferred to your hotel with no further planned activities for the day, you may relax for the remainder of the time. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

You would be touring various sites in Kathmandu Valley Today. All of the destinations are included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Starting off the day, you would first visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Here, you can have a look at old monarchial palaces of Nepal that date back to medieval times and see temples and statues of various Gods and deities. The durbar square surrounds quadrangles, raveling old courtyards and temples. It is also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square because of the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram at the entrance of the palace. Next, you would be visiting the Swayambhunath Stupa. It is an ancient religious architectural place of worship atop a hill in Kathmandu. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, the Swayambhunath Stupa is second only to Bouddhanath. It is also known as “The Monkey temple” as well because of its abundance of monkeys around the site. Moving on, the next destination is the Bouddhanath Stupa with its massive mandala which makes it one of the largest spherical structures in Nepal. The stupa also dominated the skyline and is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large population of refugee from Tibet has seen the construction of the most popular tourist site in the Kathmandu area. And lastly, you would be visiting the holy temple of Pashupatinath. It is a sacred religious site for Hindu people and you can sometimes see the cremation ceremony being performed on the banks of the Bagmati River beside the temple as well. You would also be obtaining your Chinese Visa today. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu. Breakfast included.

Today, a flight will be taken from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660m/12004ft). This flight to Tibet is considered one of the most beautiful air routes in the world because of the sweeping views of Everest, Kanchenjunga and other high peaks from the plane. If you are travelling via mainland China, there are a wide variety of flights in addition to the world’s highest train route to reach Lhasa. Upon your arrival there, you would be received by our Tibetan guide at the airport/train station. After approximately an hour of driving, you will be reaching Lhasa. It is advised to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Lhasa, Breakfast included.

You will spend the day visiting several monasteries in Lhasa today with the company of our guide and an interpreter. One of the monasteries you will visit is the Sera Monastery, a well-preserves monastery in Tibet that has white-washed walls and golden roofs. The Sera Monastery is also called the monastery of wild roses. The origin of its name is attributed to a fact that the site where the monastery was built was surrounded by wild roses in bloom. After lunch, you will have a visit to the Norbulingka Palace, a summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Also called the “Jeweled Park”, Norbulingka Palace has 374 rooms and is located 3 kilometers west of the Potala Palace. Excursing to the Jokhang Temple, you would be looking at the most sacred shrine in Tibet. Surrounding the Jokhang temple is the Barkhor- a maze of narrow cobbled streets that is the central market of Lhasa. Overnight stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included.

You will have a visit to the Potala Palace in the morning today. It is a palace that dominates the city of Lhasa. It is a spectacular building containing private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has always been a palace since the 5th or the 6th century here, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, you shall visit the Drepung Monastery founded in the 14th century. It used to be one of the largest monasteries in the world with a population of 10,000 monks. These days, the number has fallen down to a hundred. Overnight stay at the hotel. Breakfast included.

The tour of Lhasa ends today. A representative from Tibet will take you to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu. Breakfast included.

You will have a tour of Bhaktapur and Patan today. “Bhaktapur” literally translated to “Place of Devotees” in Nepali. It has one of the best preserved palace courtyards and an old city centre. Listed on the World Heritage Site list by UNESCO, Bhaktapur is rich in culture, temples, wood, metal and stone carvings and artwork. The Durbar Square at Bhaktapur, the Nyatapol temple, the Bhairav Nath Temple, the Dattatreya Temple, Changu Narayan, Siddha Pokhari and the Kailashnath Mahadev statue are some of the major highlights of the tour. Moving on to Patan, you would be looking at traditional arts and crafts that decorate the third largest city of Nepal. Patan is also called “the city of festival and feasts”. Also called Lalitpur, Patan is brimming with water conduits, stone spouts, Jaladroni (water tanks), artistic gateways, Hindu temples and Buddhist Bihars. The Patan Durbar Square has intricate carvings on the wooden doors and windows and exquisite icons enhance the cultural beauty of the place. Terracotta and ivory art pieces are also found here. These artistic excellence and craftsmanship of the city makes the whole place look like an open museum. The fifty five window palace, the Golden Gate, The Taleju temple and the National Art Gallery also makes the tour more enriching and exciting. After the tour, you will return back to the Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included

Cost Included

  • All ground transportation by private vehicle including airport transfers
  • Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3 star category hotel in Kathmandu
  • Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3 star category hotel in Lhasa
  • Tibet travel permits and Chinese Visa fees
  • Round trip airfare Kathmandu to Lhasa and Lhasa to Kathmandu in economic class
  • Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) approved Tibetan guide including his salary, foods, accommodation, insurance etc.
  • All activities as per itinerary including attraction, tour guide and entry fees
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Cost Excluded

  • Meals not specified in the ‘Meal Inclusions’ in the itinerary”
  • Travel insurance
  • Nepal entry or re- entry visa
  • Personal shopping and laundry
  • Tips for tour guides and drivers

Booking Form

USD $1990pax