The Tibet Challenge -
Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 Depart UK
We depart from the UK for the overnight flight to Kathmandu.

DAY 2 Arrive Kathmandu
We arrive in Kathmandu and are met by some of our team of Sherpas. We transfer by private coach to our comfortable hotel situated in the very centre of the Thamel tourist district of the city. We are within close walking distance of the many restaurants, bars and shops which this part of the city is famous for. After checking into our rooms we can relax before an early evening meal.

DAY 3 Free in Kathmandu
A free day to explore this lively and exotic city. Guidebooks will suggest many popular excursions including the Buddhist stupa at Bodnath and the Monkey Temple at Swayambunath. These are best visited using a taxi or by bicycles which are available for rental at every street corner. In truth there are so many places to see in the Kathmandu valley that you will not have time for all of them. Many people enjoy just wandering about the narrow alleyways of Asan market place, or down by the temples and pagodas of Durbar Square, near to the old hippy area of Freak Street. Others will need to scour the plethora of walking and climbing shops for that last essential piece of trekking equipment. And for those who just have to stay in touch with the outside world you can check your email in one of the many internet cafes which have sprung up around Thamel Chowk and the Kathmandu guest house. In the evening we will visit a traditional Newari restaurant for an authentic Nepali meal and live entertainment.

DAY 4 Fly to Lhasa
An early start today for our flight to Lhasa. This exciting and spectacular mountain flight is operated by China South West Airlines using Boeing 757 aircraft. These flights can sometimes be delayed or disrupted if the weather is bad in either Kathmandu or Lhasa so be prepared for a delay. Our flight path takes us directly over the highest peaks in the Himalaya and we will be able to see Everest, Makalu and Kangchenjunga as well as a myriad of other peaks. We land at Gonggar airport, which is some distance away from Lhasa, and after arrival we have a jeep journey of about two hours before we reach our central hotel. In the evening we will be able to stroll around the central Barkhor square in front of the Jokhang Palace where various restaurants and cafes are located. The Jokhang is the most important Gompa in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout pilgrims making the ritual circumambulation.

DAY 5-6 Exploring Lhasa
Sightseeing in Lhasa. At 3600 metres above sea level Lhasa is one of the world’s highest cities and we will need to spend at least two nights here to help us acclimatise properly before our trek commences. This time can be spent visiting the many fascinating Tibetan Buddhist Gompas and Palaces which are located in Lhasa and its environs. The Potala will be top of most peoples list, but other places which should be visited include the Gompas at Sera and Drepung, the Norbu Linka (the summer palace of the Dalai Lama) and for those who wish to venture a little further afield the newly restored monastery at Ganden. Lhasa has undergone substantial Chinese inward immigration over the past decade and indigenous Tibetan culture now rubs shoulders with karaoke bars, Chinese restaurants and snooker clubs.

DAY 7 Gyantse
We leave Lhasa and drive west along the road which eventually links Tibet with Kathmandu. During the course of our holiday we will ultimately drive the entire length of this fantastic highway all the way from Lhasa to Kathmandu. At first we travel on tarmac but this soon ends and we drive on a dirt jeep road. This important highway is maintained to a very high standard and although we will occasionally encounter sections which are in disrepair, for the most part we have a surprisingly smooth ride. The road climbs up to the Kamba La (4794m) where we can stop and look out across Yamdrok Yam Tso, a turquoise lake set amidst high mountains. The road travels around the lake and then climbs over another pass, the Koro La (5045m). We finally descend to the town of Gyantse (3950m), famous for the Kumbum, a huge gold-domed stupa. On the highest hilltop in the town lies Gyangtse Dzong – the imposing hill top fort. It was this particular fortification that the British under Younghusband captured from a large force of Tibetan troops in 1907. A prominent plaque, written in English, commemorates the ‘Hero City’ of Gyantse in its valiant, but ultimately futile, defence against the imperial British invaders. Overnight at the Gyantse Hotel.

DAY 8 Shigatse
In the morning we board our vehicles and continue the drive following the Tsangpo River to Shigatse (3900m). We arrive in Shigatse in time for lunch, after which we will be able to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the spiritual seat of the Panchen Lama. Overnight at the Shigatse Hotel.

DAY 9 Shegar
Today we have a long drive to Shegar. The road crosses the high and barren Tibetan plateau on a dusty road, and on the way we pass close to Sakya Gompa, one of the few Tibetan monasteries to survive the destruction of the Cultural Revolution. It is a 25 mile detour to Sakya so this erxcursion will be optional. In Shegar there is only one crudely built hotel, and we have little choice but to use it. However the poor amenities here are more than compensated for by the wonder of Shegar Fort – the Crystal Fort – which sits stop a steep hill. This was the fort which captivated the early British Everest expeditions of the 1920’s and ‘1930’s and on a clear day we can see Everest from its highest ramparts.

DAY 10 Drive to Ronbguk
Shortly after leaving Shegar we turn off the main highway and head south towards the Pang La, a high pass which gives access to the northern flanks of the Everest region. The road climbs steeply up a long series of perfectly inclined zig zags to the crest of the Pang La (5000m). When we reach the top of the pass we get a fantastic panorama of the Himalaya stretching literally for hundreds of miles from Makalu and Kangchenjunga in the east all the way across to Shishapangma in the west. And directly ahead of us rising above everything lies the black outline of Everest. The Pang La is definitely a place to linger to fully take in the view, but eventually after taking our photographs we continue by jeep down an equally long set of switch backs to the village of Phadhruchi where the road divides. Staying on the main road we continue to the famous Rongbuk Monastery where we camp.

DAY 11 Day hike to Everest Base Camp
From Rongbuk Monastery we will spend a day hiking up to Everest Base Camp for the classic views of the World's highest peak. The views are truly stunning, and for anyone who feels unable to do the hike, it is possible to travel by horse and cart. In the afternoon we return to Rongbuk for our final night in the high mountains.

DAY 12 Drive to Tatopani
From Rongbuk we have a very early start for our road journey back to Nepal. This road is without doubt one of the World's great wonders. Cut into the almost vertical sides of a narrow gorge, the road requires excellent concentration from our drivers! After loading our jeeps we drive back over the Pang La and descend all the way to the main road at Tingri. Whilst our jeeps refuel here we can have a second breakfast in the pleasant Tibetan-run Everest View hotel. We then follow the Friendship Highway which links Nepal with Tibet. The road eventually begins to climb steadily up to Lablunga La (5200m). In clear weather this is another outstanding viewpoint and one where we will be able to get out of the jeeps and stretch our legs. Most prominent is Shishapangma (8027m) which presents a huge aspect from just west the pass. But to the south we also have a great view of the peaks of the Nepalese Rolwaling including Menlungtse (7181m) and Gauri Shankar (7145m). After we leave this pass we have a continuous descent of nearly 3500 metres down a road which is surely one of the most spectacular in the world. The valley narrows slightly and we come to the Tibetan town of Nyalam. From Nyalam we continue down ever steeper zig zags. Soon we are closely following the river which flows into Nepal where it eventually becomes the Bhote Kosi. The river gorge becomes narrower and narrower until finally the road is literally cut into sheer cliffs with vertical drops of hundreds of feet to the side. Finally we reach the outskirts of Zhangmu, perched precariously on a steep hillside. We proceed through immigration and drive down to Friendship bridge which marks the border with Nepal. We change vehicles and continue for 20 minutes to our campsite near the village of Tatopani.

DAY 13 Return to Kathmandu
From Tatopani we drive back to Kathmandu, arriving at our hotel around lunchtime. The remainder of the day will be free for shopping or sight-seeing.

DAY 14 Depart Kathmandu
The morning will be free and we will depart from Kathmandu in the evening.

DAY 15 Arrive London
We arrive back in the UK.

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