Kathmandu Lhasa Tour

Welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport and then take you to the Kathmandu hotel. After you have checked in, then the rest of the day is yours to relax after an international flight or take a leisurely stroll around the local streets provided you have the time.

In the evening, your tour guide will give you a brief orientation of the trip to come, how to get the Tibet visa, and answer all your questions before you start the sightseeing program.

Today combines the necessary visa formalities with some of Kathmandu Valley’s most important cultural landmarks. Your sightseeing tour begins with Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal, and the tranquil Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, following the completion of the paperwork required to obtain your Tibet visa.

In the afternoon, we visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where you can see intricately carved temples, traditional courtyards, and ancient structures that showcase the artistic heritage of the Kathmandu Valley before returning to your hotel.

After the completion of the necessary visa formalities scheduled for the day, we will continue our sightseeing with visits to three more UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Patan Durbar Square is famous for its exquisite Newari art and architecture, while Kathmandu Durbar Square is proof of the royal history of the city with its palaces, temples, and courtyards.

The last stop is Swayambhunath Temple, located on a hill over Kathmandu Valley. Calm environment, colorful prayer flags and views of the city are the pleasant way to end another day of the cultural exploration.

Today, you will visit Pharping, a small town that is closely tied to the history of Buddhism with your Tibet visa in hand. There are ancient monasteries, meditation caves and sacred temples that make the atmosphere very peaceful and very different on the busy streets of Kathmandu.

Pharping is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site associated with Guru Rinpoche who is believed to have meditated here before introducing Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet. After exploring the area you will return to Kathmandu for your final evening before travelling to Lhasa.

Today is free before your international flight allows plenty of flexibility. You may spend the day relaxing at the hotel, exploring local cafés, shopping for souvenirs or simply enjoying your final free day in Kathmandu before continuing to Tibet.

Later this afternoon we will have a pre departure briefing where your travel documents will be reviewed, flight arrangements will be confirmed and the next phase of the tour in Tibet will be explained.This ensures everything is in place before tomorrow’s flight to Lhasa.

This flight is the start of your Tibetan adventure. Depending on the weather, the trip provides spectacular scenery of the Himalayan range, some of the highest mountains in the world. When you reach Gonggar Airport, your Tibetan guide will pick you and take you to your hotel in Lhasa.

The remaining part of the day is spent in the acclimatization process since Lhasa is at an altitude of 3,656 meters. Taking a rest, drinking as much water as possible and not engaging in unnecessary physical activities will make your body acclimatize to the higher altitude, before sightseeing begins.

The first full day in Tibet introduces you to some of the region’s most celebrated landmarks. The day starts with visiting the ancient Potala Palace that was once the winter home of Dalai Lamas and is one of the most important architectural and cultural monuments in Tibet. Its large halls, chapels, and historical collections are an interesting reflection of Tibetan Buddhism.

Next in the tour is the Jokhang Temple, which is considered the seat of Tibetan Buddhism. The temple is surrounded by Barkhor Market which is a good place to see how people live in this area as pilgrims, monks, and traders can be found along its historic streets. You will go to Lhasa and then return to the hotel.

Another day of exploration reveals more of Tibet’s rich Buddhist heritage. The largest monastery in Tibet, Drepung Monastery, is named due to magnificent assembly halls, ancient scriptures, and serene hillside location. A visit to the monastery offers a more insight into Tibetan life in monasteries and religion.

Afternoon is spent at Sera Monastery where you can have a chance of observing the famous monk debate sessions that take place in the monastery court. There is some free time before you return to your hotel and you can go re-visit Barkhor market to do shopping or you can go and have fun in the busy life of the old town of Lhasa.

After breakfast, our representative will transfer you to Gonggar Airport for your return flight to Kathmandu. The picturesque drive through the Himalayas gives one last chance to view the amazing mountainous sceneries before it reaches Nepal.

Following your arrival in Kathmandu, the evening ends with a traditional Nepali farewell dinner, where you can reflect on your experiences in Nepal and Tibet. Your final evening in Kathmandu also includes the presentation of a trip completion certificate.

Your Kathmandu Lhasa Tour comes to an end today. As per your international flight schedule, our representative will drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport to continue with your journey.

Thank you for choosing Nepal Wanderlust Treks. We hope this journey has given you lasting memories of the cultural heritage of Nepal and the spiritual sites of Tibet, and we hope to see you once again on another Himalayan adventure.