Tibet - Lhasa Overland Tour (Drive in Drive Out)

Start your journey with a scenic drive through the beautiful Nepalese countryside toward the Nepal–Tibet border at Kerung. After completing border formalities at Nepalese immigration, continue with an adventurous uphill journey to Chinese immigration—either by local jeep/bus (usually 1 hour) or on foot (about 2 hours in case of a landslide). After crossing into Tibet, transfer to Kerung town and check in at a local guest house. Overnight: Hotel in Kerung.

After breakfast in Kerung, begin the scenic drive through the vast and arid landscape of the Tibetan Plateau. Ascend gradually to the world’s highest plateau with stunning views of snow-capped Himalayan giants. On a clear day, you can catch glimpses of Mount Shishapangma (8012 m) and Mount Cho Oyu (8201 m)—two of the 14 highest peaks on Earth.

From Tingri, marvel at the distant but majestic view of Mount Everest (8848m) standing tall above the barren yet beautiful highlands. Continue over the Gyatchu La Pass (5220 m)—the highest point on the route—before descending into the fertile valley of Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Overnight at Hotel in Shigatse. 

After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama and one of Tibet’s most historically significant religious institutions. Admire its golden rooftops, massive Maitreya Buddha statue, and serene monastic courtyards.

Then drive to Gyantse, a charming town steeped in history. Explore the Kumbum Stupa—a unique architectural wonder with 108 chapels—and the nearby Phalkor Monastery, showcasing a rare fusion of Han, Tibetan, and Nepali styles.

Continue on a breathtaking journey to Lhasa, crossing over two high passes: Karo La (5010 m), with its stunning glaciers, and Kamba La (4794 m), offering panoramic views of Yamdrok-Tso Lake, one of Tibet's most sacred turquoise lakes. The route also runs parallel to the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo), the lifeline of southern Tibet. Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa. 

After having breakfast in hotel, we will begin the tour from UNESCO World Heritage sites: Potala Palace. which is also the winter palace of Dalai Lama. It's situated at 12,139 feet above sea level. It's a 13-story high building that contains over 1,000 rooms, various statues, stupas, murals and artifacts.

After visiting Potala Palace, we will visit Longwangtan Park which is located at the foot of the Potala Palace. Here, we will be able to appreciate the majestic Potala Palace from a different perspective and engage in local Tibetan folk activities as well.

Then after we will continue to Jokhang Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. Inside we can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Next to the temple there is Barkhor Street, filled with pilgrims and street vendors, selling traditional Tibetan items such as prayer wheels and jewelry. Here, we can do Kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

In the end, we can follow our guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. We can sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea alongside local Tibetans as guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life. Stay overnight at 3-star hotel in Lhasa.

After having breakfast in hotel, we will get ready for Lhasa Tour.

At first, we will go to visit Drepung monastery which used to be home of over 10,000 monks once upon a time and was founded in 1416. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala palace. We can meditate in this monastery for maximum 1 hour, if any rituals is not being performed during our visit.

In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery---It was one of the “three greats” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419. The highlight is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. Stay overnight at 3-star hotel in Lhasa. Guide will help you understand on how Tibetan monks participate in these discussions in order to learn new things and improve their academic standing. Stay overnight at 3-star hotel in Lhasa.

After an early breakfast, begin the long and scenic drive from Lhasa to Xegar (also known as Tingri). Today’s journey offers a spectacular transition from the cultural heart of Tibet to the rugged landscapes of the high Himalayas.

En route, enjoy stunning views of vast plateaus, traditional Tibetan villages, grazing yaks, and panoramic mountain ranges. This drive truly immerses you in the remote grandeur of the Tibetan plateau, often referred to as the “Roof of the World.”

After breakfast, begin your drive back toward the Nepal border. Descend from the high-altitude plateau, passing by windswept landscapes, small settlements, and dramatic mountain vistas along the way.

You’ll retrace the route through Tingri and continue westward toward Kerung, a border town that serves as the main overland gateway between Tibet and Nepal. The journey offers one last glimpse of the stunning Tibetan scenery before you exit the region. Overnight at Hotel or Guesthouse in Kerung. 

After breakfast, complete border formalities at the Tibetan and Nepalese immigration checkpoints. Once you cross back into Nepal, you will be met by our team for the scenic drive through the Langtang and Trishuli valleys back to Kathmandu.

The drive offers beautiful views of rivers, terraced hillsides, and rural Nepali life. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel.

Tour ends.