Lhasa to Kathmandu via EBC Tour

From Kathmandu, it will take around an hour to reach Gonggar airport. The scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa allows you to view the breathtaking Himalayas flying over the country. Upon arrival at the Gonggar Airport, you will be received by one of our representatives and then transferred to your hotel in Lhasa which might take around an hour's drive under normal road conditions. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude. Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today.

Overnight at Lhasa.

Breakfast at the hotel.  An experienced guide will take you on a full-day tour.

A) Sera Monastery:

Sera Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of Lhasa. Sera monastery functions using the principle of the Gelukpa sect of Buddhism. The monastery also serves as the university for those who are interested in Buddhism. The monastery is situated five km north of central Lhasa and was built in 1419. It was the home for 5000 monks in the days of its highest glory, though the number now is reduced to a few hundred. The best time to visit the monastery is in the morning when the monastery is most active, in the debating courtyard you can see the monks debating from 3 to 4 pm. (not weekends)

B) Norbulinka:

Norbulinka is also regarded as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. It lies in a quiet and beautiful garden in the western part of Lhasa. The palace was completed in 1956 and is mostly famous for the well-preserved wall paintings and superb mandalas. There is one particular wall painting inside the palace that depicts the history of Tibet and all the Dalai Lamas. The Dalai Lama lived here during his last days in Tibet. The rooms have remained as they were when the Dalai Lama left in 1959. Here you can also see the cars which the Great 13th Dalai Lama imported to Tibet.

C) Jokhang Temple and Barkhor square:

Jokhang Temple is the holiest and most active Buddhist temple in Tibet. It is situated 2 km east of Potala and was built in 647 AD. The temple was built by the greatest of the Tibetan emperor ‘Tsrong Tsang Gampo’ to house the image of Buddha that was brought from Nepal by his Nepalese wife Bhrikuti. However, another image, the Jowa Sakyamuni, was later moved here by the king's other wife (the Chinese Princess Wencheng), and it is this image that gives the Jokhang both its name and spiritual potency: Jokhang means 'chapel of the Jowo'.

Equally interesting is the Barkhor Bazar that circles Jokhang. The medieval atmosphere, the crowd, innumerable shops selling ritual objects, and the never-ending pilgrims will take you to its spell.

Overnight at Lhasa

Breakfast at the hotel.  An experienced guide will take you on a full-day tour.

A) Drepung Monastery:

Drepung monastery is one of the important monasteries of Lhasa as it functions as one of the three pillars of the Tibetan state.  The monastery is situated about 8 km to the west of central Lhasa. Drepung monastery was once the largest monastery of Tibet', with a population of around 7000 monks. Built-in 1416 this was one of the important monasteries belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism. It houses different colleges for the study of Buddhist philosophy and the interesting sight is to see is the debating monks.

B) Potala Palace:

Potala Palace dominates the Lhasa skyline from every corner. Originally there were buildings from 640 AD but the present Potala Palace was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. It has served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas. It is 117 m high, 13 storied and has 1000 rooms. Different sections of the palace house a great wealth of cultural and art objects of Tibet. Many parts of the palace, now turned to a museum are open for the visitors. Pilgrims and tourists are mostly attracted to the three-storied buildings, sights of magnificent chapels, golden stupas and prayer halls.

Overnight at Lhasa

You will be driving to Shigatse with an experienced guide.

After an early breakfast, you will be taking a long drive of almost 7-8 hours’ drive under normal road conditions to Shigatse. On the way you will climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m), from there you can observe the breathtaking sight of the holy Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise color and snowcapped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. The drive further continues to Gyantse. The town was established between the 14th and 15th centuries which later became the main center for Tibet's wool trade with India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim. Nine major monasteries were built in the vicinity of the town. You will be visiting the Kumbun Stupa and Palkhor Chode Monastery.

Kumbun Stupa:

The Kumbun Stupa of Gyantse is the city’s foremost attraction. The word Kumbun means 100,000 images which you can see at the chapels of the stupa. The image is a 32m-high Chorten, which is marvelously constructed. The stupa consists of white layers trimmed with decorative stripes along with its crown-like golden dome. The interior is also awe-inspiring as seems like an endless series of tiny chapels with fine paintings.

Palkhor Choede Monastery:

Palkhor Choede Monastery is the main monastery in the Nyangchu river valley situated in Gyantse. The monastery is a complex of different structures however is most famous for its 108 chapels on its several floors and the old Dzong or fort. The monastery was believed to have made by Pelden Zangpo. Architecturally, the monastery is a fusion of Han, Tibetan, and Nepali architecture. You will further drive to Shigatse which is the second-largest town of Tibet. Overnight at the hotel at Shigatse.

Morning visit to Tashilhumpo Monastery. It is one of the famous cultural landmarks of Shigatse. It is one of the few monasteries in Tibet which has come through the Cultural Revolution. The monastery is the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet covering 70,000 square meters where you can see the largest gilded statue of the Future Buddha. After we will drive to EBC via Lhatse, Tingri, Tsola Pass (4600M), and Gyatsola pass (5248M). From the zigzag road before the EBC, we will come to see Everest at first. We will see the evening sunset view over Mount Everest.

Stay overnight at  guest house.

In the morning, if the weather is good then you can enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak. You will pay a visit to Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery, home to both nuns and monks.  Hike to north Everest Base camp and time for pictures. Later we will drive on the Nepal china friendship highway to Kerung viewing the magnificent scene of Mount Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake.

Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Kyirong.

Today is the final day of your tour and our vehicles from Nepal will be waiting at Rasuwagath for your transfer to Kathmandu. You will drive to Kathmandu in a jeep or bus according to the number of a person in the group.

Overnight at Hotel.