1 612 869 8502 

Highlights of Tibet and Nepal


14 days 13 nights

Code TN115

Category Tibet Classic Tours

  • Group Size 2-16
  • Difficulty Level 2
  • Rating Popular
  • Highest Altitude 5010m (16, 432 ft.)
  • Trip Starts From Chengdu, China
  • Trip Ends At Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Accommodation Hotels
  • Type Tours
  • Destination Chengdu Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Kathmandu Chitwan Pokhara
Dates & Prices
Please, contact us for the price and the dates for this trip

Overview

This trip features the major attractions of two Himalayan countries: Tibet and Nepal. First, you arrive in Chengdu (or Beijing) and then fly into Lhasa- the heart and soul of Tibet. Here, you will explore the majestic palaces of the Dalai Lama and the major Buddhist monasteries and temples. Enjoy a scenic drive on the high roads of Tibet, across several high passes that offer views over the vast Tibetan plateau and snow-capped mountains of the Himalaya. You will have the opportunity to take an optional Kora hike on the pilgrimage path at the monasteries and stop in the picturesque roadside villages and meet the locals.

A spectacular flight over the Himalaya brings you to Kathmandu- the capital city of Nepal. Here, explore the UNESCO cultural heritage sites that include Durbar Square with medieval palaces, Hindu temples, and Buddhist monasteries. You will then head to Chitwan National Park, where you will see Asian One-Horned Rhinoceros, among other wildlife. The final destination in Nepal is Pokhara valley, nestled in the lap of Annapurna Himalaya- known for serene nature, fresh air, gorge, lake, caves, and mountain views.

From Pokhara, take a scenic flight back to Kathmandu and connect with your international flight back home.

Trip Cost

July through October

  • US$ 2825per person.
  • US$ 745 Private Room Supplement. 

November through February

  • US$ 2560 per person.
  • US$ 655 Private Room Supplement. 

April through June

  • US$ 2660 per person. 
  • US$ 675  Private Room Supplement.

Plus Estimated internal airfare 

US$1200 (Airfare Chengdu-Lhasa-Kathmandu and three domestic airfares within Nepal).

Note: International airfare to Chengdu and return from Kathmandu is not included.

Trip Dates 2019

19 Apr, 23 May, 22 Jun, 9 Jul, 28 Aug, 6 Sep, 14 Oct,  4 Nov

Trip dates don't work for you? Please, choose your date for a private trip.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01~Arrive in Chengdu, China

Arrive in Chengdu on your own. After completing immigration and custom formalities, meet the shuttle van driver in the curbside at the arrival gate and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Chengdu Airport Hotel
Day 02~Flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, Tibet

(Alt 3595m/11,792 ft.)

After breakfast, take the hotel shuttle van to the airport for flight to Lhasa. Have your passport and Tibet entry permit handy to check in the flight.  

Upon arrival at the Gonggar Airport of Lhasa, you are greeted by your Tibetan guide and get transferred by van to the hotel in the city (1-hour). Today, you need to take complete rest to acclimate. The symptoms of altitude sickness include but not limited to, light-headedness, disorientation, headache, nausea, etc. Do not panic; drink plenty of water, and take rest. No sightseeing is scheduled today so that you can make enough rest and get adequately acclimated to the conditions. The effects of altitude should go away within a day or two. If the symptoms persist or get worse, you need to see a doctor. 

For information on Altitude related sickness, prevention, and remedies, please visit the website for the Nepal International Clinic. (http://www.nepalinternationalclinic.com/altitudesickness.html)

Overnight: Four Points By Sheraton
Meals : Breakfast
Day 03~Visit Drepung Monastery, Norbulingkha Palace and Jokhang Temple

Following breakfast, refreshed, we set out to explore the wonders of the holy city of Lhasa. We begin from Drepung Monastery, five miles west of central Lhasa. Once the world's largest Monastery, it is home to around 7,000 monks. The monastery was the power center of Tibet and home to the Dalai Lamas until the 5th Dalai Lama built the Potala Palace. We visit the Ganden Palace, the main assembly hall, chapels and colleges in the monastery complex and also enjoy the panoramic views of the valley from the monastery.

Ten minutes downhill, we find the Nechung Monastery, which served as the State Oracle until 1959. No Dalai would take any important decision without consulting the Nechung Oracle.

Next, the old town of Barkhor and the Jorkhang Temple, built in the 7th century, and now the most revered of all the religious shrines in Tibet. Thick with the smell of butter lamps, burning incense, the murmur of sacred Tibetan mantras, prostrating Tibetan devotees, visiting the Jorkhang is an unrivaled Tibetan experience. We’ll make time for a walking tour of the old town, unaffected by the Chinese influence, and full of craft workshops and back-street chapels and on the pilgrimage path with the Tibetan devotees spinning prayer wheels or counting beads with the utterance of sacred mantras. The complete circuit can take up to 3 hours, but you may cut it short and return to Barkhor Square from anywhere if you choose.

An optional Tibetan opera and folk dance show are available tonight. The play with dinner costs about US$ 15.

Overnight: Four Points By Sheraton
Meals : Breakfast
Day 04~Lingkhor walking tour, Potala Palace and Sera Monastery

We’ll start early today to make the most of our time. First, by car to Dickey Lam (Deji Zhonglu in Chinese) to join the hundreds of Tibetan pilgrims heading to the Potala Palace. The trail takes us through the rock carvings and a chorten built entirely of the carved mani stones. At the intersection of Beijing Road and Dickey Lam, we might see devout Tibetans rubbing their backs, shoulders, and hips against a series of holy rocks! We walk past to the Golden Yak statue, and, if time permits, we can climb scenic viewpoints on the way to Potala Palace, Lhasa's cardinal landmark.

Potala Palace, situated atop a 130-meter hill, is among the most exceptional architectures of the world. It was the power center of Tibet until the Dalai Lama's departure to India in 1959. The complex has two palaces – white and red. The White Palace contains the throne rooms of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas, a reception hall, meditation room, and the bedrooms used by Dalai Lamas. The Red Palace houses various chapels and the tombs of several Dalai Lamas. A visit to Lhasa is incomplete without visiting Potala Palace.

The other great Gelugpa monastery of Lhasa is the Sera Monastery, our next stop. Three miles north of central Lhasa, Sakya Yeshe, the disciple of Tsongkhapa, founded it. In its heyday, the monastery was home to 5,000 monks; now only 500 live there. The monastery has not lost its charm. An essential part of the Sera Monastery visit is the Monks’ debating ceremony each afternoon. Beforehand, we might want to visit the various chapels of the monastery. Enthusiastic hikers can also hike on the monastery’s pilgrimage path.

 

Overnight: Four Points By Sheraton
Meals : Breakfast
Day 05~By vehicle from Lhasa to Gyantse

(13,467 ft., 176 miles, 6 hrs.)

Today, we travel to Gyantse town, which still maintains traditional Tibetan characters while other Tibetan towns are rapidly changing to modern Chinese cities. The road trip involves the crossing of two high passes the Kamba La (15,700 ft.) and the Karo La (16,500 ft.) and follows the banks of the Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. The Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes of Tibet and has beautiful turquoise green water. On the way, we will take side excursion of Samding Monastery and Ralung Monastery, which are less frequented by the visitors (subject to permission by local authorities).

Arrive in Gyantse late afternoon. After settling into your accommodations, your guide will take you to stroll in the town.

Overnight: Gyantse Hotel
Meals : Breakfast
Day 06~By vehicle from Gyantse to Shigatse

(Altitude 12,785 ft. distance 57miles, 2 ½ hrs.)

After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery- the two main highlights of Gyantse. The Kumbum Stupa is a landmark of Gyantse, and you can spot from far away. Time permitting, we may also take a short hike to the historical fortress of Gyantse.

Late morning, we leave for Shigatse-the the second largest city of Tibet. About 13 miles (20 km) before Shigatse, we will take a 2.5-mile side trip of Shalu Monastery. It was the first of the major monasteries to be built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism and was an essential center of the Sakya tradition.

Upon arrival in Shigatse, check into the hotel and later take a relaxing walk through Shigatse's Flea market, which is an excellent bargain place for Tibetan souvenir.

Overnight: Qomo Langzong Hotel
Meals : Breakfast
Day 07~ Return drive to Lhasa

(186 miles, 6 hrs.)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel. First, we visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama, who is the second most revered religious leader of Tibet after Dalai Lama. The monastery is one of the six major Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet.

For the return journey, we will take the southern friendship highway that runs along the Yarlung Tsambo River. Upon arrival, check into your accommodations, and the balance of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Four Points By Sheraton
Meals : Breakfast
Day 08~Flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu

After breakfast, get transferred to the airport in time for the flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. It's one hour and 30 minutes long spectacular flight across the Himalaya! Enjoy the breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, including Mount Everest.

You can obtain a Nepal visa upon arrival at Kathmandu airport. The visa fee costs US$ 25 (good for 15 days) and one picture. Complete the immigration and custom formalities and meet Far & High representative at the arrival gate. Following introductions, get transferred to the hotel in the city.

After refreshment, and time permitting, you can visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square with the former Royal Palace complex. It used to have an array of ancient and medieval Hindu Temples with rich wood carving and stone sculptures. But several of them were either collapsed or damaged during the earthquake of April 2015. The temples and palaces are under renovation and reconstruction.

We will visit the temple of Living Goddess Kumari. Sometimes, she grants a glimpse to the visitors from the balcony. We will take a stroll through the streets of Indrawchowk and Assan-the traditional business hub of Kathmandu and end up in touristy Thamel.

We end up the day in a typical Nepali restaurant where you will enjoy Nepali welcome dinner amidst folklore dancing.

Overnight: Maya Manor Boutique Hotel
Meals : Dinner
Day 09~Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Bhaktapur

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you for sightseeing. We first visit Boudhanath Stupa that claims to be the largest Buddhist monument in Asia. The area is predominantly Tibetan and reminds of Barkhor Square of Lhasa. Around the central stupa are several Buddhist monasteries associated with different schools of Buddhism. 

Next, visit the Pashupatinath temple-the most revered Hindu temple of Nepal. The temple is on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, which is one of the principal tributaries of the holy Ganges. Admission to the central temple courtyard is reserved for the Hindus only, but you may still view the temple from another side of the river.

Now, we head to Bhaktapur-the smallest of the three medieval principalities of Kathmandu valley-but the best-preserved one. We visit the Durbar Square of Bhaktapur that constitutes the former palace and an array of temples with intricate wood carvings, metal works, and stone sculptures. We take a stroll on the cobbled streets with shops, art workshops lined up on either side. We visit the Duttratraya Temple, Puajarimath Complex, and also the potter's square. We will take a chance to see the traditional Thangka painters, woodcarvers, and potters at work.

Late afternoon, you are dropped off at your hotel for your time.

Overnight: Maya Manor Boutique Hotel
Meals : Breakfast
Day 10~By flight to Chitwan National Park

After a leisurely morning breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Bharatpur airport (Less than an hour drive from both Sauraha and Kasara area of Chitwan National Park). It's a short (20 minutes) flight, but due to weather, you can expect delayed schedules.

Upon arrival, you are met by your resort representative and transferred to the resort. After lunch, you will have some time to rest, and then your local guide will take you for a visit to a Tharu Village. Tharus are the aboriginal inhabitants of Chitwan who still live with their centuries-old lifestyle and traditions.

In the evening, enjoy the Tharu cultural show or slide show presentation on Chitwan's flora and fauna.

Note: Your resort provides lunch at Chitwan. Due to travel delays or other reasons, if you do not arrive in the resort in time for lunch, you may request a lunch box on the last day at Chitwan.

Overnight: Jungle Villa Resort
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11~Jungle Safari at Chitwan National Park

Today, with the local nature guide, you will embark on various jungle safari excursions such as elephant safari, canoeing, bird watching, nature walk, etc. During the dry season (Nov-May), jeep safaris may be available as an option to an elephant safari. Chitwan National Park is one of the most famous game parks in Asia and home to the royal Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, one-horned rhinoceros, sambar, spotted deer, wild boards, gharials, marsh mugger crocodiles, and more than 600 different species of resident and migratory birds. The most commonly spotted animals are one-horned Asian rhinoceros, deer, monkeys, and wild boars.

Overnight: Jungle Villa Resort
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12~By flight to Pokhara

If you have an interest in birds, you will have the opportunity to take an hour-long birding trip in the morning before breakfast.

After breakfast, transfer to Bharatpur airport for flight to Pokhara. A 20-minutes brief flight, and you will arrive in beautiful Pokhara valley nestled in the lap of Annapurna Himalaya. Pokhara is often referred to as the capital of nature! On a clear weather day, you will enjoy splendid views of the Himalayan mountains.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, check into your accommodations. After wash up and change, your guide will take you to stroll in the lakeside.

Overnight: Atithi Resort and Spa
Meals : Breakfast
Day 13~Sightseeing of Pokhara

Early morning, we will drive to Sarangkot (1,592m/5,222 ft.) for sunrise view and Himalayan Panorama. On a clear weather day, Sarangkot offers spectacular views of the western range of the Himalaya and the valleys. On the way back, we stop at Bindhebasini Temple-the most revered of the Hindu Temples in Pokhara.

We return to the hotel for breakfast, and then we go for sightseeing. First, we visit Bindhebasini Temple- the most revered Hindu temple in Pokhara, where we can experience the Hindu rites and rituals. Next, we visit the vibrant Old Bazaar.

If you are keen on hiking, there are several hiking options. One of them is Peace Stupa hiking. The Peace Stupa lies at the ridge towering over the Fewa Lake. Take a boat across the lake and begin your hike that takes about 2-hours and you can arrange to meet your transport at the stupa and drive back to the hotel.

Other attractions of Pokhara include a deep gorge of Seti River, Davis Fall created by gushing waters of Fewa Lake and nearby Tibetan Village. Pokhara also has some fascinating museums such as mountaineering and Gurkha museums if you are interested. You may or may not visit all the attractions, depending on available time and interests.

Overnight: Atithi Resort and Spa
Meals : Breakfast
Day 14~Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu and depart

After breakfast, we will take a boating trip on Lake Fewa and visit the Island Temple of Barahi.

We will take an early afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. On a clear weather day, the flight offers spectacular views of the Himalayan mountains on your left side!

Upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you are met and transferred to the international terminal for flight to your next destination. 

Overnight: Maya Manor Boutique Hotel
Meals : Breakfast

Trip Map

Trip Info

Trip Includes

  • Accommodation on double occupancy basis.
  • There will be Daily breakfast and some meals included as indicated.
  • All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle.
  • Sightseeing admission fees.
  • English speaking tour guide.
  • Service of internal airfare reservation.
  • Tibet Entry Permit.
  • Service of airfare booking (Estimated in-tour airfare separately billed).

Trip Does Not Include

  • International and internal airfare. 
  • Airport Taxes.
  • Nepal Visa Fee.
  • China visa
  • Lunch and dinner except as indicated.
  • Drinks, tips, and other expenses of personal nature.
  • Travel & Health Insurance.
  • All extra expenses caused due to nature or unforeseen events.
  • Excess baggage charges.

Passport and visa

Your passport’s remaining validity must be a minimum of 6 months after your return date. Make sure you have two blank visa pages for each country you travel on this trip. 

You can obtain a Nepali visa from a Nepali embassy in your country, or you can wait until you arrive at the port of entry to Nepal. You need to complete the visa application form and affix a passport photograph. Visa fee costs US$ 25 for 15 days and $ 40 for 30 days with multiple entry facility.

You need to obtain a Chinese visa on your own. We will help you with the necessary documents required to submit with a visa application. Our local Lhasa office will obtain Tibet entry permit and ship to the hotel in Chengdu that you will pick up when you check-in.

Please bring one passport picture with you for the Nepal visa application.

Accommodation

Our preferred hotels are three and four-star properties by local standards. You will have a private en suite bathroom with running hot and cold water and ensure adequate comfort.

In Nepal, we have comfortable four-star properties. In Tibet, we have limited choices; in Lhasa and Shigatse, we have four-star hotels. Whereas Gyantse Hotel is the only best hotel in Gyantse, locally classified as three-star. Most hotels do provide cabled or wireless internet, tea-coffee maker and mini-refrigerator.

Food

The trip includes daily breakfast at your hotel. While in Chitwan National Park, you will have three meals a day included in the hotel meal plan. In Kathmandu, you will have one Nepali welcome dinner. Most hotels do have onsite restaurants, and they offer Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, Nepali, and western-style dishes.

Lunch and dinner, except in Chitwan National Park, are not included. You can expect to spend US$ 10-15 for a decent 3-course meal in tourist class restaurants. 

Transportation

Depending on the group size, we provide Japanese or Korean made vans and buses for all transfers and tours. Our vehicles are air-conditioned, well maintained, and driven by experienced drivers. Drivers and guides are not the same persons.

Guide

You will be accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable English speaking local guides. Guides in Nepal and Tibet will be different persons. Besides guiding you on tour, your guides will help you check-in hotels and deal with the check posts and bureaucracies. 

Health Concerns

There is no mandatory vaccination required for entry into Tibet and Nepal, but you may consider vaccination against rabies, Hep A, Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, etc. Travelers with cardiac-pulmonary issues or any other medical conditions are recommended to consult their physician before you sign up for the trip.

The primary health consideration in Tibet is altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). When you first arrive in Lhasa (Altitude 11, 995 ft.), you may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea, and sleeplessness, etc. Usually, these symptoms should go away in a day or two. The trip has you spend the first three days in Lhasa, and you should be well-acclimated and be ready to travel to a higher altitude. The highest elevation in this trip is at Karo La pass, which is at 16, 432 ft, but the towns you spend a night in are in lower altitudes (Gyantse 13, 210 ft. and Shigatse 12, 467 ft.). If the symptoms persist or worsen, please see the doctor immediately. 

You should start some physical exercises like jogging, swimming, cycling, hiking, and aerobics about several weeks before the trip. This helps you keep fit and lessen the chance of getting altitude sickness. You should have a good sleep the night before you fly into Lhasa and take complete rest on the first day. It's also advisable to drink 3-4 liters of water daily and consume liquid food.

Climate and Weather

Nepal's weather is generally predictable and pleasant. There are four climatic seasons: March to May (spring), June to August (summer), September to November (autumn), and December to February (winter). The monsoon is approximately from the end of June to the middle of September. About 80 percent of the rain falls during that period, so the remainder of the year is dry. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. In this trip, we travel in the central valleys and southern lowland. In the central valleys of Kathmandu and Pokhara, the temperature remains mild throughout the year. In the coldest winter, the temperature may fall below freezing point, but days are surprisingly warm with 20 ºC /68º. In the hottest summer, the temperature ranges from 19-27ºC (67-81ºF). In southern lowland (e.g., Chitwan National Park, summer is scorching with temperature exceeding 40ºC (104ºF). Undoubtedly, Tibet is one of the harshest places for human existence. It is cool in summer, but excruciatingly cold in winter.

In Lhasa, the relatively humane city in Tibet, although the temperature may exceed 29 ºC (84 ºF) in summer, it can also plummet to minus 16 degrees C (3 degrees F) in winter! Solar radiation is extreme in Tibet. The sunlight in Lhasa is so intense that the city is called Sunlight City. The thin Tibetan air can neither radiate nor absorb heat, resulting in temperature extremes during both day and night. However, it is not impossible to visit the holy snow land. The period from April to October is the best time to visit Tibet, avoiding the coldest months from December to February.

You should carry lightweight and tropical clothes with an umbrella for June to August. Between October and March, you should wear thin garments in Kathmandu and central valleys. If you are traveling during winter, of course, you need to keep yourself warm. And at the same time, make sure the bulky jackets do not take your luggage space. Traveling in Tibet also needs warm clothing no matter what time of the year you are going. We recommend layered clothing! For example, it is much better to wear a T-shirt, a long sleeve cotton shirt, a light sweater and on top that a windbreaker. It would be better than to wear one bulky down jacket or parka. This idea also comes in handy when you are packing and trying to keep under the weight limit. A windbreaker plus a sweater can be just okay if you walk around Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse during summer, but down jacket will be necessary if you travel from late October through April.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Booking and Cancellation

When you are sure you are traveling, please don't delay in booking. The internal flights are the key factor in determining whether your trip can be realized or not. We request you for a deposit of US$300 on land, plus the cost of domestic airfares along with the complete trip application form and passport copies.

Balance Payment

Balance payment is due 90 days before your departure. Depending on the number of applicants, we may set an early payment date.

Cancellations

  • Ninety days prior departure: Administrative fee US$ 150 per person.
  • Sixty-Eighty-nine day's prior departure: US$ 250 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
  • Forty-five days to fifty-nine days prior departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher.
  • Thirty days to Forty-four days before departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
  • Less than Thirty days: 100%.

Travel Protection Plan

We plan and do our best to make your trip smooth and seamless. But there still may be chances of unforeseen events and conditions such as illness, accident, inclement weather, and flight cancellation or missed connection or loss of baggage, etc. It may cause interruption or delay or total cancellation of your trip, putting your hard-earned travel investment in jeopardy. It’s also possible that you may need medical assistance, emergency evacuation, or medical transportation when you are traveling in remote areas. Far & High’s Tour cost does not cover any of these expenses or losses. So we strongly recommend you that you should protect yourself and your travel investment against those unfavorable conditions.

Accomodation

Accommodations and facilities

In this trip, we use comfortable four star hotels by local standard with exception to Gyantse Hotel which is a three star property. However, please, do not compare these hotels with western hotels. You will have en suite bathroom with running hot and cold water and most modern amenities.

Maya Manor Boutique Hotel, Kathmandu
Maya Manor Boutique Hotel, Kathmandu
Atithi Resort Pokhara
Atithi Resort and Spa Pokhara
4-Points By Sheraton, Lhasa
Jungle Villa Resort Chitwan
sheraton lhasa
Four Points By Sheraton, Lhasa
gyantse hotel
Gyangtse Hotel, Gyantse
shigatse van ray hotel
Van Ray Hotel, Shigatse

Add Ons

Everest View Flight

US$ 215

Mountain Flight

Buddha Air and other major domestic airlines of Nepal operate one hour daily mountain flight over the Himalayas - a wonderful opportunity to view Mount Everest and other majestic peaks without venturing into a laborious trekking. Of the fourteen peaks higher than 8000 meters, eight are in Nepal. Although there is no denying that walking up and down the hills for a close up view of the Himalaya is very much worth the effort, this we have to confess is not for everyone, due to the physical and time requirements. Buddha Air’s Everest Experience is meant especially for those who don’t want to leave Nepal without touching the sacred and majestic Himalaya. To get the best of the weather conditions in the mountains where strong winds start blowing gathering clouds and raising snow plumes which block the view as the day progresses ahead, mountain flights take place early in the morning. Mountain flight is something you don’t want to miss while you are traveling in Nepal.

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