Tibet adventure tour is the most amazing journey to the roof of the world. Though the autonomous region is always complicated to travel, it has a lot to offer. The major attractions of this region are legendary palaces, historical monasteries, untouched culture and tradition, stunning mountains, alpine villages, dramatic high passes, beautiful lakes, etc… It is obvious that Tibet’s historical, adventure and spiritual highlands have long captured the hearts and minds of the travel enthusiasts around the world. Tibet is the origin of Mahayana Buddhism, home of the Dalai Lama and the target of devout pilgrimages as well as adventurers.
Tibet adventure tour covers a vast tract that crosses spectacular passes, through unforgettable landscapes and spiritual heart of the country. Stunning landscapes and mountain views combined with its rich Buddhist history and culture, and contrasting with the recent development make visiting to Tibet a truly unforgettable experience. From Lhasa’s streets, to medieval towns of Tibet to ancient monasteries including world’s highest monastery- the Rongbuk Monastery, and to the Everest Base Camp with the sheer grandeur of Everest’s north face – we have combined everything that you are wishing to squeeze out in your two weeks Journey.
Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (3650 m/11972ft), transfer to Tsedang: 95 Km
There are two ways to arrive at Lhasa either from Kathmandu, Nepal or from the mainland China. While flying from Kathmandu, you will relish the astonishing views of the Himalaya, including Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and the Tibetan valleys. You will be greeted at Gonggar Airport by our Tibetan guide. Transfer to Tsedang (2 hr). Check into hotel. The trip uses this as an easy day to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Day 02:Tsedang – Samye Monastery: 130 Km
Morning visit Changzu Monastery, afternoon drive to Samye Monastery: 130 Km
Your encounter with Tibet will begin with a visit to the palace of Yambulakhang which was built by the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo in the second century BC. Local folklore believes that the king was descended from heaven. To the next you will visit Chedruk Temple to round off our visit to Tsedang, afternoon drive 65 Kms to Samye Monastery (5050 m) which tops on hill. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Samye Monastery – Lhasa (3650m/11,972 ft): 90 Km
Morning Sightseeing and afternoon drive to Lhasa (3650m/11,972 ft): 90 Km
visit Yongbulakhang Palace which was built by the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo in the second century BC. Tibet King’s Tomb, afternoon drive to Lhasa, en-route visit the famous Mindrolin Monastery which covers a large area of over 100,000 square meters (approx. 119,599 square yards). It is one of the six most famous Tibetan Buddhist monasteries of the Nyingmapa Sect. The monastery was originally built in the 10th century and has been renovated several times. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Our tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts us to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Barkhor Market can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.
Day 05: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Like the previous day, we experience invaluable insights during our visits to Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery. This 17th century Potala Palace offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery.
Day 06: Lhasa – Ganden Monastery
Drive to Ganden Monastery via Drayerpa Cave, Drigung Tel & Terdrom Hot spring (4400 m/14,432 ft)
After breakfast drive to Mozugongar County via Drayerpa Cave, again visit the Ganden Monastery, After finishing your lunch drive to Drigung Tel Monastery & continuous drive to Terdrom hot-spring (75 Kms, off road) for overnight stay in Basic guesthouse.
Day 07: Ganden Monastery – Damxung county
Drive to Reting Monastery (4100m/13, 450 ft): 180 Km
Drive to Damxung county via Reting Monastery (180 Kms, off road) Reting Monastery is the special temple for high Lamas like as Dalai lama`s teacher, again to Dangxung County (80 Km), southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, you can see the north Tibet Grass view. Overnight at local Guesthouse.
Day 08: Drive to Namtso Lake (4700 m/ 15,416 ft): 160 Km
After breakfast drive to Namtso Lake. Namtso is the highest lake in the world and is 4,718 meters above sea level. It is 72 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from south to north. It has an area of 1,940 square kilometers. Some 60 kilometers to the northwest of Damxung County seat, it is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and receives high respects among the local people. On the Tibetan year of sheep, pilgrims from faraway come here to walk around the lake. It takes more than 10 days to circle the lake once. Afternoon walk around Lakeside area and this is one of the highest & more beautiful Lake in Tibet, overnight in guest house.
Day 09: Namtso Lake – Lhasa
Morning explore in Lakeside, then back to Lhasa via Yabachen Hot spring: 220 Km
Today visit the famous hot spring, and take shower if you are interested, across North Tibet Grass, Great Nianchentangula Snowing Mt, lunch at Yangbachen small town, afternoon back to Lhasa city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Lhasa – Gyantse – 265 Km/5 hrs
Drive to Gyantse via Yamtso Lake, visit Pekhor Monastery: 265 Km/5 hrs
Today we start our overland journey by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La [4794m] from where we can see the stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa [7252m]. We continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La [5045m] where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Either same day evening or following day morning you will visit the famous Pekhor Monastery and you will stay overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Gyantse – Shigatse – 112 Km/ 2 hrs
Drive to Shigatse (3900m/12797ft), en route visit Shalu Monastery: 112 Km/ 2 hrs
Before leaving Gyantse we have time this morning to visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Shigatse to Rongbuk (5,050m/16,564ft)
Drive to Rongbuk (5,050m/16,564ft), visit Everest Base Camp: 360 Km/ 6 hrs
Morning drive from Shigatse to Sakya, noon time arrive in Shegar, after lunch, away from Shegar, we will drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the drive we can bask in the splendor of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After long driving we eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. We can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. We have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5,250m/17,220ft) [no tour vehicles, apart from expeditions and trekking, are allowed beyond Rongbuk so you have to walk (16 kms round trip) or take local minibus to visit Base Camp]. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. Overnight at guest house.
Day 13: Drive down to Zhangmu (2300m/7, 544ft): 245 km/4-5 hrs
We will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savor the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar; you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, we find ourselves amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu (1350m/4428ft): 123 km/4-5 hrs
Cross the Friendship Bridge at the Nepal-China border across Bhote Koshi River. Do some customs formalities. Continue drive to Kathmandu. About 4 hours of drive through deep valleys takes us to Kathmandu.
| City | Nights | Hotels / Camps |
| Lhasa | 05 | Shangri La Hotel |
| Ganden Monastery | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Reting Monastery | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Namtso Lake | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Lhasa | 01 | Shangri La Hotel |
| Gyantse | 01 | Yeti Garden |
| Shigatse | 01 | Mangareva Hotel |
| Rongbuk | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
| Zhangmu | 01 | Tourist Lodge |
– 13 nights accommodation as mentioned in the program.
– All necessary Tibet entry and road permits.
– Transportation by good conditioned mini van.
– All entry fees to the sites and monasteries.
– Local English speaking guide.
– Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners.
– All taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.