NEPAL & TIBET WITH EVEREST BASE CAMP – 14 nights / 15 days

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, met and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free to get over the jetlag.

[Guest will have to apply for their Tibet Visa in Kathmandu; complete and submit the necessary paperwork along with their original passport (s) with Chinese authorities and wait for 3-4 working days to get the visa approval.]

  Overnight at Kathmandu

Day 02: Kathmandu

After breakfast, you will be taken for a guided tour of Boudhanath with Lama Interaction and Pashupatinath Temple including the evening Aarti ceremony at Pashupatinath Temple.

Boudhanath: This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the Stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All Stupas contain holy relics and Bouddha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Bouddha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.

Visit the Monastery to interact with the Lama and blessing for health, peacefulness and productivity in Boudhanath.

Pashupatinath Temple: This is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva linga enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation Ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that.

Later see the beautiful Aarti ceremony at the bank of Bagmati: Pashupatinath Temple is regarded as one of the holiest shrines of Hindus across the world. Priests and devotees perform daily ritual worship and offer prayers at the temple in the morning, day and evening time. The evening ‘Aarti’ at the banks of the Bagmati River on the eastern side of the temple draws people in hordes. This evening rituals with a band singing hymns in praise of God, playing classical instruments, chanting of Vedic mantras, ringing of bells, burning of incense, and lighting of oil lamps, keep the people spellbound throughout. The ritual makes the evening environment dazzling. The Aarti is performed at 6 p.m. every day. The attendees experience a blissful moment.

Day 03: Kathmandu

Today after breakfast you will be taken for a guided visit to Chandragiri Hills by Cable car and Bholeshwar Mahadev Darshan.

Chandragiri Hill by cable car: Chandragiri Hill, located on the southwest of Kathmandu Valley, is the second highest hill after Phulchoki at 2,551 meters above sea level. With a 180-degree vista of the mountains, an astounding view of the concrete jungle that is Kathmandu Valley to the north, and the strikingly contrasting Makwanpur district to the south, Chandragiri Hill has been a popular hiking spot for hikers around the valley.

Chandragiri hills carry historical significance as well. It was from these hills that King Prithvi Narayan Shah caught the first glimpse of a much scenic and prosperous Kathmandu valley, which in fact instilled in the king’s mind an idea of annexing the valley into his kingdom. According to folklore, Prithvi Narayan Shah is believed to have amassed spiritual powers for the unification process after undergoing rigorous ‘Sadhana’ or meditation at these very hills. The Gorkhali King disguised himself while ascending the hills in order to avoid being recognized by the Malla Kings of Kathmandu Valley. With the recent opening of the Chandragiri Cable Car, tourists and locals alike now have the option of enjoying all this beauty without having to take the uphill hike. The ride from the bottom station to the hilltop gives you picturesque views of the Kathmandu Valley and the gorgeous Makwanpur beyond. The ride is a bit scary for those who have a fear of heights but the lust landscape more than makes up for it. Fresh, crisp air – a warm change from what we are accustomed to in Kathmandu – greets you as you step out of the cable car, and you forget that you are so near the Valley. It is the perfect escape for some much-needed refreshment from the humdrum of city life. But the weather is unpredictable, and it is advised to carry an umbrella and a jacket in the monsoons.

Day 04: Kathmandu

Today after breakfast you will be taken for a guided tour of Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square with a Rickshaw Ride at Thamel.

Swayambhunath: The most ancient and enigmatic of the Valley’s holy shrines the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock. Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: This is Kathmandu’s number one tourist attraction. Some of the square’s 50-plus monuments date from the 12th century, and most are from the time of the Malla Kings. Probably the most famous building here is the Kumari Bahal, a building richly decorated with beautiful woodcarvings, which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess, a manifestation of the great goddess Durga. Nearby the former Royal Palace is a Mall Dynasty dwelling, once considerably more extensive than today. Within, the courtyard Nassal Chowk, originally hosted dramatic dance performances, now it is the coronation site of the Shah kings and contains some of the finest wood carvings you will see anywhere in the kingdom.

Rickshaw Ride at Thamel: Discover Kathmandu like a local as you explore the city on an evening rickshaw ride. Start the tour from Kathmandu Durbar Square and pass buzzing bazaars and market squares as you head to the colourful tourist hub Thamel, where you'll spend time exploring by the different angels of Nepalese lifestyle, markets and many more. Sit back, relax and be enchanted as you take in views of the sunset, silhouetted temples and Kathmandu’s lively evening.

Day 05: Kathmandu

Today after breakfast you will be taken for a guided tour of Patan Durbar Square with visit of Patan Kumari.

Patan Durbar Square: Patan, the ancient city, once a kingdom in itself, is situated across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu. Patan Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. There are temples devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh and Vishnu all actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square, the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts. The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows, columned arcades, shrines and sunken royal bath are amongst the loveliest in all of Kathmandu.

Visit Patan Kumari – Living Goddess: Kumari, A 'living goddess' made a rare public appearance to take centre stage at a religious festival in Nepal. A Kumari, meaning virgin in Nepalese, is a young prepubescent girl, considered by devotees to be incarnation of the Hindu goddess of power, Kali.

Patan Museum: The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of Patan Durbar, one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

Day 06: Kathmandu - Keyroung

After breakfast, drive to Keyroung (Nepal – China border). After immigration formalities on both sides, drive to Keyroung.

Arrive and check in at your hotel.

Day 07: Keyroung to Shigatse 3900M (480 km / 7-8 hrs drive)

After breakfast, drive to Shigatse.

Day 08: Drive to Lhasa (3660M) / 6-7 hrs drive

- After breakfast, drive to Lhasa

Arrive at Lhasa and check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day free for acclimatisation.

Day 09: Lhasa

Today after breakfast you will be taken for a guided tour of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulinka Palace

Potala Palace: Also known as the “winter palace”. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. is a 13th storied complex monument rising to a height of above 117m which houses 10,000 shrines and over 200,000 images and about 1000 rooms. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas.

Jokhang Temple: Jokhang a seventh-century geomantic temple at the heart of Lhasa is the most sacred temple of all Tibet. It is considered to be a Power Place in all Tibet. Queen Bhrikuti, a Nepalese princess married to King Songtsen Gampo founded Jokhang Temple and in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti the main gate of the temple faces west towards Nepal. The most impressive structure of the Jokhang Temple is the many chapels surrounding the temple.

Norbulinka Palace: Also called the “Jewel Park”, is a large open area about four kilometers to the west of Lhasa, and referred to as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Since the time of the Eight Dalai Lama, the park has been used as a summer palace, retreat and recreation area for the successive Dalai Lamas.

Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide.

Day 10: Lhasa

Today after breakfast you will be taken for a guided tour of Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Barkhor Market.

Drepung Monastery is a beautifully landscaped monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses.

Sera Monastery: This monastery is approx. 5km drive away from Lhasa. Sera Monastery was founded in 1419. It sits in the prettiest and most charming atmosphere at the base of Mount Purbuchok. Sera Monastery used to be an important centre for learning where in the past approx. 5,000 to 6,000 monks resided. Currently, about 550 monks are supposed to be living there. The important structures inside the monastery include Coqen Hall, (the main assembly hall), three Zhacangs (Buddhist colleges) and twenty-nine Khangtsens (monk dormitories). The most intriguing feature here is the nine-meter image of Maitreya which was erected in 1419; here one can also witness the practice of debate among the monks, who pitch their knowledge against each other.

Barkhor Market (Bazar): The most popular Barkhor Market (Bazaar) is a square where Tibetan handicraft items, Buddhist artefacts, carpets, paintings etc. are all in sale for your delight.

Day 11: Drive to Gyantse (3950M /12956FT) /, 4 hrs:

After breakfast drive to Gyantse.

Leaving Lhasa and a drive of 265km, taking about 4-5 hours including a break for lunch at one of the villages en route. We will drive over two spectacular high passes – the Kampa La at 4750m and Karo La at 5010m, over, and along the beautiful deep blue-green Lake called Yamdrok Lake or Turquoise Lake. The landscape of the Tibetan Plateau is truly unusual and spectacular. We will arrive in Gyantse an old Tibetan Town against a backdrop of magnificent 14th-15th century fortresses and temples. Here we will visit Pelkhor Chode Temple, which served the Geluk Sakya and Buluk orders. Here the Khumbum Stupa is an architectural masterpiece built in the style of 108-sided Mandela. It is the most revered Stupa in Tibet and houses 112 chapels of which only 23 are open to the public.

Day 12: Drive to Everest Base Camp to Tingri (5000 M/16728Ft) 335Km, 7 hrs. (Highest Altitude Monastery in the world)

After breakfast, drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the drive, you can bask in the splendour of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for approximately 85 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5100m. You can then view the spectacular sight of Mount Everest. You have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5150m.) which is approx. 15 km further. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for it.

Day 13: Drive to Keyroung (2300M/7544Ft) 300 Km, 5 hrs:

As you drive down, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to the verdant Keyroung the Nepalese border. After driving for 300 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Keyroung at 2300m Keyroung is a small border town teetering on a precipitous hillside. It serves as the main port of entry into Tibet when coming overland to and from Nepal.

Note: Breakfast is not served at the hotel in Keyroung so we will take guests to a local restaurant for breakfast.

Day 14: Drive to Kathmandu

After breakfast, we drive down to the Chinese Immigration, Keyroung. The Friendship Bridge across the Bhote Koshi River brings you closer to Immigration Control in Rasuwa Gadhi where you will part with your Tibetan guide and driver and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to Kathmandu.

Day 15: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to onward destination

This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.