Nepal Tibet Tour
Trip Overview
The Nepal Tibet Tour is a 12-day journey that links two of the great centres of Himalayan culture: the Kathmandu Valley and the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. It begins with three days among the temples, stupas and royal squares of Kathmandu, continues overland across the Himalaya onto the Tibetan Plateau, and ends with a flight from Lhasa back over the mountains to Kathmandu. Along the way you see the full sweep of Tibetan Buddhism, from the monasteries around Boudha to the great monastic cities of Shigatse and Lhasa.
In Kathmandu you join a morning ceremony at a monastery near Boudhanath, with chanting, drums and long horns, before travelling south to Pharping to visit the Asura Cave, a meditation site linked with Guru Rinpoche, and the monasteries around it. The day ends at Swayambhunath with views across the valley. A second day is spent in Bhaktapur and Patan, the best-preserved of the valley’s royal cities, with the Nyatapola Temple, Krishna Mandir, the Golden Temple and the Patan Museum.
The overland section starts with a drive north to the Nepal-Tibet border at Rasuwagadhi and Kerung (Gyirong). From Kerung the road climbs onto the plateau, where on clear days the snow peaks of Cho Oyu and Shishapangma rise above wide brown valleys and the lake of Peiku Tso. You cross the Gyatso La (Gyatchu La), at over 5,200 m the highest pass of the journey, and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, seat of the Panchen Lamas. The road to Lhasa passes Gyantse and the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso. In Lhasa you have two full days for the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the Barkhor circuit, Drepung and Sera monasteries, where monks debate in the courtyard most afternoons, and the Norbulingka summer palace.
Who is this trip for?
This tour suits travellers with an interest in Buddhism, history and landscape who are comfortable with long drives and high altitude. No trekking is involved, but much of the Tibetan section is above 3,600 m, so take the first days on the plateau slowly. The Chinese group visa and Tibet Travel Permit are arranged by our team in Kathmandu, and all meals are included throughout.
Nima Adventure is based in Boudha, Kathmandu, and works with experienced Tibetan guides on the ground. The tour combines a Nepali guide in Kathmandu with a local English-speaking Tibetan guide in Tibet, giving you insight from both sides of the Himalaya.
Trip highlights
- Monastery ceremony near Boudhanath and the caves and monasteries of Pharping
- Bhaktapur and Patan, the valley's finest Newar royal cities
- Overland crossing of the Himalaya via the Kerung border onto the Tibetan Plateau
- Views of Cho Oyu and Shishapangma and the high Gyatso La pass
- Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and the turquoise Yamdrok Tso
- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor pilgrim circuit in Lhasa
- Monk debates at Sera Monastery and a trans-Himalayan flight back to Kathmandu
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in KTM, a representative will greet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.
Visit a monastery around Boudhanath Stupa for meditation and a ceremony by monks with chanting, drums, and trumpets. In the afternoon, journey to Pharping to visit the Asura Cave and local monasteries. End the day at Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) for panoramic valley views.
Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, known for its medieval ambiance and Nyatapola Temple. Continue to Patan Durbar Square to admire the Krishna Mandir, Golden Temple, and Patan Museum. Evening leisure time at local markets.
Enjoy a 6-7 hour scenic drive to the Nepal-Tibet border. Complete immigration formalities on both sides before continuing to Kerung Town for an overnight stay.
Drive uphill to the high Tibetan plateau, often called the "Roof of the World". Weather permitting, view Himalayan peaks like Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Shishapangma, and visit Peiku Tso Lake en route.
Continue the scenic drive across the Gyatchu La Pass (5,220m), the highest pass en route to Lhasa. Overnight stay in Shigatse.
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, then drive to Lhasa via Gyantse. Pass the turquoise Yamdrok Tso Lake and the Brahmaputra River. Overnight stay in Lhasa.
Take a short walk to the iconic Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet's holiest shrine, and conclude with a walk through the bustling Bharkor Bazaar.
Visit Drepung, the largest monastery in Tibet, and Sera Monastery, famous for its daily monk debates. End the day at Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport for a flight over the Himalayas back to Kathmandu. Enjoy aerial views of Mt. Everest (weather permitting). Free time for relaxation or shopping upon arrival.
Free day in Kathmandu for shopping and rest.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure
What’s included
Cost Includes
12 items-
Airport pick-up and drop by private vehicle.
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Kathmandu city sightseeing with a licensed city tour guide.
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China group visa fee and assistance.
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Flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu.
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Accommodation in mentioned or similar category hotels (Vajra/Hotel Wusizang in KTM, Dolmaling in Lhasa, Mansarovar in Shigatse).
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All necessary Tibet entry and road permits.
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1 Local Tibetan English-speaking guide and 1 Nepali Tour Guide.
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Transportation by good conditioned tourist bus (guaranteed seat for each client).
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Entry fees to all sites and monasteries in Nepal and Tibet.
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Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for the entire tour.
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Daily mineral water and a welcome/final departure scarf in KTM.
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First aid kit and oxygen in the vehicle if needed.
Cost Excludes
5 items-
International airfare from/to your country.
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Tips for the guide and driver.
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Personal insurance, medical, and emergency evacuation.
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Expenses of personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, etc.).
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Extra costs due to unforeseen circumstances (landslides, disasters, flight disruptions, etc.).
What to pack
- Passport valid for at least six months, with spare passport photos
- Warm down or synthetic jacket, fleece and thermal base layers
- Warm hat, gloves and a buff for windy passes
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for monastery steps
- High-factor sunscreen, SPF lip balm and good sunglasses
- Moisturiser and eye drops for the dry plateau air
- Reusable water bottle and electrolyte sachets
- Personal medicines, including altitude medication if prescribed by your doctor
- Snacks for long driving days
- Modest clothing for temple and monastery visits
- Head torch and a universal plug adaptor
Note: Pack light: a soft bag is easier for vehicles and domestic flights. Our team will send a full checklist when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Entering Tibet from Nepal requires a Chinese group visa, issued by the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu, and a Tibet Travel Permit, plus further permits for areas outside Lhasa. Our team arranges all of these. We need a clear scan of your passport several weeks before departure, and your original passport for the visa process in Kathmandu. A standard Chinese visa already in your passport is normally not valid for this route.
Lhasa sits at about 3,650 m and the road crosses passes over 5,000 m, so altitude is the main challenge. The drive from Kerung, at about 2,700 m, onto the plateau is a big step up, and mild headaches or breathlessness are common at first. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, walk slowly and tell your guide about any symptoms. Oxygen is carried in the vehicle. If you have heart or lung conditions, consult your doctor before booking.
April to October is the main travel season. May, June, September and October usually bring the clearest skies and the best mountain views, while July and August see some rain but greener valleys. Winters are very cold, and Tibet sometimes closes to foreign visitors for periods in late winter and early spring. Permit rules can change at short notice, so we confirm the situation when you book.
The roads in Tibet are mostly well-paved highways, but there are long stretches between towns and speed limits are strictly enforced, so days on the road can feel long. The Nepal side between Kathmandu and the Rasuwagadhi border is narrower and can be affected by landslides, particularly in the monsoon. Expect simple roadside restaurants and basic toilets on the way, and bring snacks, water and patience.
In Lhasa and Shigatse we use comfortable tourist hotels with private bathrooms and heating. In Kerung and Tingri or Lhatse the hotels are simpler, but rooms are clean. Hot water and heating can be limited in smaller towns, so a warm layer for the evenings is useful. All accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis, and single rooms can be arranged on request.
Photography is not allowed inside the Potala Palace and many monastery chapels, and some sites charge a separate fee where it is permitted. Outside, you can photograph buildings and landscapes freely. Always ask before photographing monks, pilgrims or nomads, never photograph police, military posts or checkpoints, and follow your guide's advice, as these rules are applied strictly.
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