High Road from Lhasa

Tour Itinerary 

Day 1:                         Accommodation:        (D)        

Namaste! Arrive in Kathmandu to be greeted by your Tour Crew at the Tribhuvan Airport from where you will be driven to the beautiful Dwarikas Hotel, a living museum. The food is a treat here and the setting very peaceful and relaxing. Overnight Dwarikas Hotel, Kathmandu.

Day 2:                         Accommodation:        (B, L, D)

An introduction to Kathmandu with a city tour, which includes visits to Swayambhunath ( Monkey Temple), Pashpathinath, Durbar Square ( Kathmandu) and Bodhnath. Finish the day with a nine course Nepali meal at the unforgettable Krishnapan Restaurant at Dwarikas. Overnight Dwarikas Hotel, Kathmandu.

Day 3:                         Accommodation:        (B, L, D)        

Members of the group who would like to participate in the optional Mount Everest scenic flight will be picked up around 05:45hrs and whisked off to the airport, returning for a delicious Dwarikas breakfast before taking in the sites of Kathmandu. The city tour which includes visits to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashpathinath, Durbar Square (Kathmandu) and Bodhnath. Finish the day with a nine course Nepali meal at the unforgettable Krishnapan Restaurant at Dwarikas. Overnight Dwarikas Hotel, Kathmandu.

Day 4:                        Accommodation:         (B, L, D)     

Flight to Lhasa. The flight from Kathmandu to Gongkar Airport (which is approximately 65km from Lhasa) takes one and a half hours. We have four nights in Lhasa, staying at the very tasteful Yak Hotel. It’s literally only a few minutes walk from Barkhor Square and is home to the mouth-watering Dunya Restaurant. Today we will begin to record everyone’s oxygen saturation levels with our pulse oxymeter. We will be doing this for the next week or so, until everyone is well and truly acclimatised. Lhasa’s altitude is approximately 3,650m. Drive time two hours. Overnight Yak Hotel, Lhasa.

Day 5:                         Accommodation:         (B, L, D)    

It’s very important for you just to chill and relax, do nothing strenuous, have a day off or maybe do some very ‘light’ sightseeing… you are acclimatising. It’s not unusual for some people to feel a little ordinary when they first fly into Lhasa. Overnight Yak Hotel, Lhasa.

Days 6 & 7:               Accommodation:         (B, L, D)           

Two days are now spent in Lhasa exploring the city and surrounding areas. Included will be Barkhor Square, the Jokhang, the Potala Palace, the Summer Palace (Norbulingka) and both Sera and Drepung Monasteries. Sera is famous for monks yelling and gesticulating at each other… they debate very vocally! Overnight Yak Hotel, Lhasa.

Day 8:                         Accommodation:        (B, L, D)            

Depart Lhasa and arrive in Gyantse after skirting Yamdrok-Tso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet. We also drive over our first high pass for the trip, Kamba La at 4,700m. We only spend one night in Gyantse at the Gyantse Hotel. Drive time seven to nine hours. Overnight Gyantse.

Day 9:                         Accommodation:       (B, L, D)             

In the morning there will be plenty of time to explore Gyantse Kumbum, which is the largest chorten in Tibet, as well as the magnificent Gyantse Dzong that dominates Gyantse’s skyline as it majestically perches over the town. After lunch we depart for a two night stay in Shigatse, staying in Hotel Manasarovar. Drive time two to three hours. Overnight Hotel Manasarovar.

Day 10:                      Accommodation:       (B, L, D)      

A full day is spent in Shigatse, the capital of Tsang province giving time for a guided tour through the huge Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama and to also wander around the Shigatse Dzong. Overnight Hotel Manasarovar.

Days 11:                    Accommodation:        (B, L, D)  

Short drive to Sakya. We take time out to explore the imposing fortress like Sakya Monastery. Stay at Sakya Hotel… from tomorrow, the next eight nights are spent in a tent. There are a total of eight bush camps on this trip... Drive time two to four hours. Overnight Sakya.

Days 12 & 13:          Accommodation:      (B, L, D)            

We drive in some of the most remote countryside many of you will have encountered in your lifetime.There are no trees and very little vegetation with only the occasional nomad camp and ruined monasteries scattered along parts of the road. We take our time to explore and take photos. Our camp crew will be busy looking after all of your needs and at the end of every drive day; we will arrive at our camp, which will be a welcome sight in this seemingly empty countryside. Drive times six to eight hours each day. Overnight bushcamps.

Day 14:                       Accommodation:      (B, L, D)          

Day 15:                    Accommodation:      (B, L, D)     

We drive to Darchen, which is the starting point for the Mount Kailash Kora where we get the chance to mix and mingle with many of the pilgrims who are about to begin, or have just completed this arduous pilgrimage. The Mount Kailash Korais one of the most important pilgrimages in Asia and to date no one has climbed this incredibly symmetrical and spiritual mountain. Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred mountains in the world. We bush camp at the same site as the night before at Lake Manasarovar. Drive time two to three hours. Overnight bush camp.

Days 16 & 17:          Accommodation:     (B, L, D)            

We head back east -  the same way we came so there are more opportunities to explore this magnificent and unique countryside. Once we reach Saga we will no longer be back tracking. Drive times six to eight hours each day. Overnight bush camps.

Day 18:                      Accommodation:      (B, L, D)          

We bush camp at the very remote Paiko Tso (Lake) very close to Shishapangma, the 14^th highest mountain in the world. Drive time six to eight hours. Overnight bush camp.

Day 19:                       Accommodation:     (B, L, D)            

Drive to Rongbuk (Rongphu) and Everest Base Camp (5150m). Rongbuk is not only the highest monastery in Tibet at 4900m, but in the world. Bush camp within walking distance of EBC standing within a stones throw of Mount Everest rarely fails to bring out ones emotions. On our way to and from EBC, we drive over Pang La (pass) 5,050m. On the ascent and descent of this pass there are over eighty switchbacks… we know because we have counted them! This is the last bush camp for the trip. Drive time six to eight hours. Overnight bush camp.

Day 20:                       Accommodation:      (B, L, D)          

Drive to Lao Tingri. Here we stay at the Snow Leopard Guesthouse. Drive time six to eight hours. Overnight Guesthouse.

Day 21:                       Accommodation:      (B, L, D)          

An amazing drive from Nyalam to Zhangmu; the road has literally been carved out of the cliff in places. From La Lungla Pass to Zhangmu we drop nearly 3,000m in 100kms… or 1,450m in 30kms (Nyalam to Zhangmu). Stay in Zhangmu Hotel which is literally only metres away from Chinese immigration. Last night in Tibet. Drive time six to eight hours. Overnight Zhangmu Hotel.

Day 22:                      Accommodation:      (B, L, D)            

Enter Nepal. For the first time in a long time; we are surrounded by lush green vegetation. We head south on the Arniko Highway and stay at the Last Resort for two nights. The Tibetan border is less than 15km from here, though we have to pick our way through many old landslides and the going can be slow. . Drive time (including border formalities) four to six hours. Overnight permanent tented accommodation. Overnight The Last Resort.

Day 23:                       Accommodation:      (B, L, D)          

The Last Resort is perfect for both the adrenalin junky or one seeking peace, relaxation and solitude. This magical little place is a slice of heaven. A fantastic way to conclude our time together on the road. A visit to Nepal isn’t complete unless a stay at the Last Resort is included in your itinerary. Overnight permanent tented accommodation. Overnight The Last Resort.

Day 24:                       Accommodation:    (B, L, D)            

Day 25:                       

Farewell and end of trip. We see you safely to the airport and personally bid you farewell.