Our airport representative will be picked you up at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Sightseeing in Kathmandu. Breakfast. Today we explore the culturally diverse city of Kathmandu by bus with a local guide to ensure you receive the best explanations about the amazing sites seen on the tour. These include, Boudhanath Stupa( biggest Buddhist stupa in the world), Pashupatinath( famous Hindus temple in south Asia), Swayambunath (Monkey Temple) and Patan Durbar square(16th century Royal palace). It is about 35 Km. It takes 5:30 hours.

In the morning we will meet & transfer to the Kathmandu airport for the spectacular hour long flight to Lhasa. A China Southwest Airlines Boeing will fly us over much of the magnificent Himalayan range providing us with mountain views the entire way. Once landed at Gongar airport our Tibetan guide will meet you. We must travel two to 2 & half hours (90 km) by Land cruisers to reach the actual city of Lhasa. O/N at Hotel New Mandala (3*) or similar

On this second day a guide will lead you through several of Lhasa’s many monasteries. The first one we will visit is Sera Monastery, a fifteenth century sprawl of golden roofs and whitewashed walls. This well preserved monastery is located just a few miles North of Lhasa and is home to several hundred monks. In the afternoon we will visit the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is the most revered shrine in all of Tibet and is constantly bustling with devout worshippers. We will also be given the opportunity to shop in Barkor, the crowded central market of Lhasa.

A trip to Tibet would not be complete without experiencing the vital Potala Palace. This palace is Lhasa’s cardinal landmark and is a wonder of Eastern architecture. Your first sight of this massive structure will be a magical moment remembered for years to come. It has been a palace since the fifth or sixth century and was once home to the Dalai Lama. This truly amazing day will ended with a visit to the Drepung Monastery. Once the world’s largest monastery, housing 10,000 monks, Drepung monastery lies hidden in rocky ridges just beyond the city. Surprisingly much of the building was left untouched throughout the Cultural Revolution.

The breathtaking view at Khamba La allows one to see all the way to the summit of Nazin Kang Sa. Truly an amazing view! While continuing westward we will travel over the Karo La, a high pass surrounded by stupendous glaciers. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages we pass through. The day will end in the town of Gyantse. We will spend the night in a hotel in this historical city. O/N Holy Lake hotel (**) or Gyantse Hotel (**) or similar.

First thing in the morning we will visit Gyantse Dzong. This fort dates back to the fourteenth century and offers some of the most amazing views of Gyantse and the surrounding valley. Before leaving we will also visit the famed Gyantse Kumbum. This magnificent tiered structure is the largest stupa in all of Tibet. If the exquisite gold dome is not enough, this stupa is packed with Tibetan sculptures and paintings.

The drive today, only 90 km, takes us to the second largest city in Tibet. Shigatse is a laid back city that provides excellent opportunity for both relaxation and exploration. As a group we will explore the local market and the Tahilhumpo Monastery. Tahilhumpo Monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and was able to last through the Cultural Revolution nearly unscathed. It is a great pleasure to spend some time exploring the busy cobbled lanes twisting around these ancient buildings. O/N Shenkang Hotel (***) or Manasarover Hotel (***) or similar.

The views of this desert plateau provide for wondrous entertainment as we travel along the Friendship Highway. This stretch is some of the most spectacular landscape in Tibet. After passing through the small town of Lhatse we will cross Gyatmso La, the highest pass on our journey. The land quickly descends to plains after Gyatmso La. While traveling through the plains we will see many nomadic herders, quiet countryside, and secluded monasteries. O/N at Everest Hotel (***) or similar.

After leaving Shegar we will travel only a short while before turning off the Friendship Highway. Our four wheel drive vehicles will takes us south towards the main Himalayan range while passing over Pang La. The view from the top of Pang La is truly stunning. One is able to see all the way from Makalu to Shishapangma. In the afternoon we will descend into the Rongbuck valley and Everest will jump quickly into view. This is your first chance to catch a glimpse of this awe-inspiring mountain.

Everest Base Camp Excursion (5090m) A 2 hr. trek from The Rongbuk Monastery will lead you to the base of the highest peak on earth – The North Face Of Mount Everest (8848m.) Or Mount Quomolangma in Tibetan. Explore the Base Camp and catch sight of the Rongbuk glacier. O/N at Everest View Hotel (**).

Drive back from Tingri, leave Tingri and cross Lalung La and Shung La, two more incredible passes. The views from thee passes are breathtaking once again. While standing on these passes one is surrounded by grandiose mountains such as Shishpangma, Cho Oyu, Gauri Shankar, and more. In the afternoon, drive downhill to Nyalam. Begin descending from the arid Tibetan plateau to the small town of Zhangmu. O/N at Zhangmu Hotel (**).

Drive downhill from Zhangmu to The Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for the group and head to the Nepalese border. The Friendship Bridge lies at the Border of China and Nepal and is only a few kilometers from Zhangmu. It spans the impressive Bhote Koshi River. Sadly we must say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver at this point. Our Nepalese staff will meet you at the immigration Control in Kodari and help with all the reentry formalities. The city of Kathmandu, lies only five hours to the south. O/N at the Hotel in Kathmandu.