Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet Everest base camp overland tour

Trip Overview

Itinerary

Day 01: Flight Bangkok or other airport to Paro- Drive to Thimpu

Today, you will fly into Bhutan -the land of thundering dragon. The flight offers the spectacular views of the Himalayas, even the Mt Everest. Upon arrival at the Paro airport, our representative will greet you and drive you to Thimpu-the capital town. Overnight hotel.

Day 02:  Thimpu to Punakha excursion and back (150 kilometers) 7 hours (B/L/D)

After an early morning breakfast, drive to the famous Dochula Pass (3,102 meters) where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a view of the Himalaya Range.  Walk around 108 stupas and take some amazing photos.  Drive to Punakha Zong and time permitting, visit the Fertility Temple via rice field terraces.

Overnight in Thimpu.

Day 03: Thimpu – Paro

In the morning, you will visit the hospital for traditional medicine, Memorial Chorten and national Library. After lunch visit the Handicrafts centers and the School of Thangka Painting. Overnight hotel.

Day 04: Drive from Thimpu to Paro ( Hike to Tigers Nest Monastry if you like 3.5 hrs uphill and 2 hrs downhill walk)

Drive to Paro where you will visit the fortified tower of Ta Dzong, now a natural history Museum, ruins of Drugyal Dzongthat once guarded the invading Tibetan forces, and Kyichu Temple of 7th century.

Day 05: Paro- Kathmandu

Flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, transfer to hotel. After refreshment, sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur and Patan, two medieval sister principalities of Kathmandu which since then till today compete each other for their proud arts, crafts and architectures.You will visit the palaces, temples, stupas and monasteries.

Day 06-  In Kathmandu.

After Breakfast sightseeing tours to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath. Overnight hotel in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar square is a complex of palace, courtyards and temples built between 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of medieval Malla Kings of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath Stupa overlooks the valley from a height of 75 m from the average level of Kathmandu and is one of the holiest Buddhist shrines in Nepal.

Day 07 Kathmandu

{In the morning normal Everest flight or Helicopter flight to Everest base camp ( Optional – cost extra USD 200 each )}

Sightseeing tours to Pashupatinath and Bodhanth. Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu Shrines in the world. Chronicles indicates the existence of the shrine prior to 400 AD. The shrine lies on the bank of sacred Bagamti River which is venerated by Hindus as holy as Ganges in India. Bodhanath Stupa is the biggest Stupa of this kind in the world.. This is also UNESCO enlisted World Heritage Site.

Day 08: Kathmandu -Nagarkot hiking

After breakfast, you will drive to  Nagarkot and hiking to Changu narayan .

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 09:           Drive Kathmandu (start at 04:00AM) to Syabrubesi 1,460 m –  to Kerung Border
Starting our marvelous journey with an overland drive towards North West of Kathmandu past farm villages and towns with grand views of snowcapped peaks and then reaching at cooler areas within Langtang Himal in Dhunche 1,900 m high, a main and headquarter town of Rasuwa district around Langtang area, populated by Tamang people the hill tribe of Nepal.

From here downhill for two hours with overnight at Syabrubesi, the door to Langtang, Ganesh and into Tamang Heritage Trail and as well to Tibet border.

Drive to Kerung Border 2,890 m –
From Syabrubesi  drive on newly built road linking Nepal / Tibet border to Rasuwagadhi (1800m / 15 km / 1 hr min from Syabrubesi), here received by our Tibetan counterpart guide and drivers, after completing immigration & custom formalities on both side of the frontier Nepal / Tibet at Rasuwagadhi, continue drive further to Kerung county with first overnight stop in Tibet accommodation at local guest-house.

At Kerung afternoon with time to relax and enjoy views of Ganesh and Langtang Himal that borders Nepal and Tibet.

Kerung is also a famous religious and historical place, home of 11^th Centaury great saint and Guru Milarepa known for his tantric wisdom as well a poet and folk singer, his song are still remembered by local herdsman and villagers.

Day 10:   Drive to  New Tingri 4, 350 m – 06 hrs.
From Kerung onward where Tibetan high plateau begins as morning drive leads past Tibetan farm villages to reach on top of Lalung-la Pass (5,050m) with views of Mt. Shisapangma (8013m highest within Tibet).

After Lalung-la drive leads on vast Tibetan plateau with high and dry terrain to Old Tingri with first glimpse of Everest and Cho-Oyo peaks, from here few hour drive to Shegar also known as New Tingri and then transfer to your hotel or lodge for overnight stop.

Day 11:  Drive to Rongbuk Monastery 4,950 m and to Everest BC.
From New Tingri and Shegar (Xegar) our route diverts away from main highway towards North Everest base camp and Rongbuk area.

As drive leads over scenic Pang-la pass at 5,200 m high offering super panorama of world highest peaks including Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and adjoining peaks, from here descend to Tashi Dzong village to reach Rongbuk Monastery and its many smaller hermitage caves.

This holy and remote sacred spot first introduced to the world in 1920’s by 1^st British expedition teams of George and Irving Mallory as well a famous novel by James Hilton ‘Lost Horizon’.

At present most of retreat cells are abandoned with only few small shrines scattered at end of the valley. According to Rimpoche (high priest) of Rongbuk, this monastery was first built as a religious place past 250 to 350 years ago.

Day 12 – [TIBET] Larze

Visit Everest Base Camp and drive to Larze 4,160 m – 06hrs.
After a time in Rongbuk with overnight stop, take a local taxi or horse cart to reach at Everest North Base Camp, or one can walk taking 3-4 hours both ways.
To save time better on horse cart or motorbikes serving as local taxi takes about 45 mins to an hour to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,200 m high, rewards you with super full views of Mt. Everest with other adjoining peaks and Rongbuk glaciers.
Everest in Tibet known by the name Chomolungma means ‘Great Mother’ after a wonderful time at base camp return back to Rongbuk Monastery, and then continue drive on the same route to Shegar.
From Shegar drive leads over highest pass of the journey at Gyatchu-La at 5,220 m high festooned with thousand of Buddhist prayer flags and religious offering, with time here heading downhill on winding road to reach at Larze town for overnight stop.
Larze a growing town located on Nepal-Tibet / China Friendship Highway as well on the road to holy Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarover towards Tibet’s Far South West, which is near to Sakya Monastery and towards our destination at Shigatse.
Accommodation: hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – [TIBET] Gyantse
In the morning, visit the Tashilhunbo Monastery-the seat of Panchen Lama, one of the largest functioning monasteries of Tibet, before driving 90km to Gyantse. After refreshment in the hotel, visit the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum-the large gold-domed stupa that houses an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals …
Accommodation: hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 – [TIBET] Lhasa

Today’s drive is the most spectacular one and involves crossing of a high pass- we are greeted first time by the view of Lhasa Valley.
Accommodation: hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Lhasa

We will spend these two days visiting several of Lhasa’s many monasteries-such as  Potala Palace-the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jorkhang Temple, Barkhor Market etc. Overnight hotel in Lhasa.

Day 16:  Explore Lhasa (B)

Today visit Drepung Monastery, Mentshikang (Tibetan medicine center) and Norbulingka Palace.

The largest monastery in Tibet, Drepung Monastery lies 6 km west of Lhasa.  The construction of this Galukpa center began in 1415.  In this shelter of thousands of monks you will visit the prayer hall, meeting hall, kitchen which prepared meals for 7,000 monks and more chapels.

Tibetan Medicine Center (Mentsikhang Institute) was built in 1916, but the medical history goes back to the 3^rd century BC.  It is a Tibetan traditional health treatment center and the center for research for orthopedics. Surgery, pediatrics and internal medicine.

The Dalai Lama’s summer home is Norbulinka Palace which was constructed in 1755 and includes an enormous park.  There is a prayer hall and beautiful paintings and art work inside the palace.  This UNESCO site is located near Potala Palace, west of Lhasa city.

Day 17: Lhasa- Home

You will be transferred to Gonkar Airport (96km) for flight to Home

Cost

Land tour cost USD 2890 per person- twin sharing (based on group of 4-12 pax)

(Single supplement USD 1490 for solo traveler)

Below cost is extra and subject to change

Bangkok – Paro – Kathmandu USD 690 per person

Tibet visa USD 90 per person (depend on country passport)

Bhutan visa USD 40 per person

Total cost is 2890+690+90+40= USD3710 per person

Price Includes
• Hotels in double sharing in listed Hotels in Tibet, Bhutan & Nepal
• Breakfast in Tibet & Nepal , and full meals in Bhutan
• Land transportation Car in Bhutan, Nepal  and  Tibet
• English speaking local guides
• Monuments’ entrance costs
• Bhutan travel permit, Bhutan single entry visa , Tibet travel Permit, Tibet single entry Visa processing service

Cost does not Include
• Meals other than indicated.
• Nepal Visa $25 each.
• Alcohol, internet, telephone tips to guide and drivers
• All Lunches and dinners
• Extra cost created by weather disturbances, political unrest, flight cancellation
• Rescue evacuation
• Medical insurance
• Flight tickets from Home
• Cost of the flights are calculated extra

Importance Info
• This tour is more cultural and gentle adventures so all age group can enjoy it equally. we have offered some option hikes like to Tiger nest (you may take Horse too) and can add more on your request. some efforts needs to climb like Potala palace in Tibet.
• Accommodations are selected in central and peaceful location so you can move around comfortably . we use 3-5 stars hotels based on your budget and choice. all hotels have private bathrooms with hot and cold water and other basic needs.
• We use local guide and drivers who will meet you in the airports with your name cards.

Visa and Permit

• Bhutan visa is pre-process by us we need to have your passport copy by scan and one photograph by scan
• Tibet visa and Tibet travel permit also pre process by us. If you are going to Tibet from Nepal, Chinese visa must be issued from Nepal. If you plan to enter china from your home please get China visa from your country.
• Nepal visa is available at the airport. You need USD 25 cash and one photograph for Nepal visa 15 days multiple entry. For 30 days you need USD 40 per person

Flights

Notes
• Bangkok-Paro flight Operates Daily
• Paro to Kathmandu Direct flight operates everyday
• Lhasa to Kathmandu flight operates Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday only
• Lhasa-Chengdu flight operates everyday