Tibet Overland Tour

Your Tibet Overland Tour begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu through green valleys, rushing rivers, and terraced hillsides leading toward the Nepal–Tibet border at Rasuwagadhi. After completing customs and immigration, you’ll cross the Friendship Bridge into Tibet, where your Tibetan guide and driver will warmly welcome you. The drive continues uphill through winding roads surrounded by deep gorges and small mountain villages until you reach Kerung (2,700m) — a quiet Tibetan town surrounded by pine forests. Take it easy today and enjoy your first night on the Tibetan Plateau while your body begins to adjust to the higher altitude.

Today, the road rises sharply as you travel across the vast landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. You’ll pass through high mountain passes with stunning views of Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) — the only 8,000-meter peak entirely within Tibet — and other Himalayan giants. The scenery changes from green hills to wide open valleys dotted with yak herders and nomadic tents. The drive to Tingri or Lhatse gives you your first real taste of Tibet’s wild beauty and isolation. As the altitude increases, it’s important to rest well, drink plenty of water, and move slowly. In the evening, you can stroll around the small settlement and meet friendly locals who always greet travelers with a smile.

The drive from Lhatse to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, takes you through sweeping plains and snow-capped mountain horizons. Along the way, you’ll see herds of yaks grazing peacefully and clusters of white-walled villages surrounded by barley fields. On arrival in Shigatse, we visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama and home to the Panchen Lama — the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery’s golden rooftops and giant Buddha statues are incredible to witness. You’ll have time to explore the traditional market area nearby, where Tibetan carpets, butter lamps, and prayer beads fill the stalls.

Today is a shorter driving day, giving you more time to enjoy the cultural and historical heart of Gyantse, one of Tibet’s most charming towns. As you travel through wide fields and local farms, you’ll notice how rural Tibetan life continues much as it has for centuries. In Gyantse, we visit the Gyantse Dzong (Fortress), which stands proudly above the town, and the Kumbum Stupa, a remarkable structure filled with hundreds of small chapels and intricate murals. Each level of the stupa tells a different story of the Buddha’s life and teachings. The town itself feels peaceful, with narrow stone streets and friendly locals going about their day.

Today is one of the most scenic drives of the entire Tibet Overland Tour. We leave Gyantse and climb towards the Karo La Pass (5,010m) and Kamba La Pass (4,794m), both offering incredible views of snow-covered peaks and glaciers. Along the way, we stop to admire the dazzling Yamdrok Tso Lake, one of Tibet’s three holy lakes. Its turquoise water stretches far into the horizon, surrounded by brown hills and white peaks — a truly magical sight. Continuing along the highway, we pass traditional Tibetan villages before arriving in Lhasa, the spiritual capital of Tibet. As you approach the city, the golden roofs of temples and the distant outline of the Potala Palace come into view.

Your first full day in Lhasa begins with a visit to the magnificent Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Once the winter home of the Dalai Lama, the palace stands tall above the city, with more than 1,000 rooms filled with chapels, murals, and treasures from centuries of Tibetan history. Later in the afternoon, we visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet, where pilgrims from across the plateau come to pray. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, a circular market where you can see locals spinning prayer wheels, selling handicrafts, and chanting mantras as they walk clockwise. This day perfectly captures the living spirit of Tibetan culture.

Today offers deeper insight into Tibetan monastic life. In the morning, we visit Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in the world and home to more than 10,000 monks. It sits peacefully on the slopes of a mountain and offers wide views of the city below. In the afternoon, we explore Sera Monastery, famous for its lively monk debates, where monks discuss Buddhist philosophy in a unique, energetic style. You’ll have time to interact with the monks and learn how these traditions have survived for centuries. Later, you can stroll through Lhasa’s streets, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy a cup of Tibetan butter tea at a local café.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Tibet. Our team will transfer you to Gonggar Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu or to your next destination. As you look out of the plane window, you’ll see once again the mighty Himalayas — the same peaks that accompanied your journey by road. The memories of the monasteries, lakes, mountains, and smiling faces of the Tibetan people will stay with you forever. Your Tibet Overland Tour officially ends today, but its magic will remain in your heart.