17 Days Kathmandu to Beijing Overland Small Group Tour

Arrive Tribhuvan International Airport, tour guide will await you outside the arrival area. Transfer for your stay at Kathmandu. (Our local office staff will meet you to collect your passport to apply for Chinese Visa for you, Visa fee is not included in price quotation and you will need pay extra service charge 20 USD/person).

Notice: Chinese embassy requires 3 working days to issue the Visa. We advice you  arrive in Nepal 3 working days in advance before going to Tibet.

Stay overnight in Katmandu.

Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies taken place. Swayambhunath the golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa is adorned with a colourful fluttering of prayer flags; it crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu.

The last site we visit for today is Patan City which is the second largest town in Kathmandu valley. Patan's central Durbar Square is entitled in the World Heritage Site and absolutely packed with temples, the Golden Temple which is the unique Buddhist Monastery was founded in the 12th century, is a large rectangular building has three roofs and a copper gilded facade with the images of Buddha and Avalokitesvara where there are Buddha images and illustrations on the walls.

Stay overnight in Katmandu.

Pashupatinath the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, the old buildings on the site were destroyed by Moslem invaders in the 14th century, its stone linga smashed to dust, but it rose again behind their retreating backs. Succeeding monarchs reinstated the temple and the images. Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.

Stay overnight in Katmandu.

In the morning, our Kathmandu staff will escort you onto a jeep bound for the Nepal-China border, Rasuwa Gadi. The distance from Kathmandu to Rasuwa Gadi is approximately 130 kilometers and usually takes about 7 hours.

Rasuwa Gadi provides basic hotel accommodations and breakfast. We'll stay here, awaiting entry into Tibet, China, the following day.

The road from Kathmandu to the border is quite bumpy, but the scenery almost makes you forget the rough journey. Along the way, you'll see numerous magnificent snow-capped mountains along the southern foothills of the Himalayas. These mountains sit atop vast forests, towering into the sky.

As the jeep passes through Langtang National Park, you'll encounter a particularly rugged section of the road, with the vehicle swaying wildly on muddy terrain. However, the exciting part is the possibility of encountering some interesting wildlife along the way.

Stay overnight in Rasuwa Gadi.

Warm Tips:
Before heading to the China-Nepal border, please visit our office in Kathmandu at least 3 business days in advance. Submit your passport and pay the visa and service fees. Our Kathmandu staff will assist you in processing your Chinese Group Visa.

In the morning, our Nepal border staff will escort you into Tibet to meet your Tibetan guide. This marks your first day in Tibet, and it's crucial to acclimate to the high altitude before heading to higher areas. Therefore, you'll spend a day in Gyirong Town at an altitude of 2800 meters, adjusting to the plateau environment while exploring the beautiful Gyirong Valley.

Gyirong Valley, nestled on the edge of the Himalayan forests and snow-capped mountains, offers a paradise where you can admire dense forests, tranquil villages, and stunning snow peaks towering above the trees. It's been acclaimed as the "most beautiful valley in the world" by the British explorer Howard-Bury in “Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance.” Here, you will hike to visit the village of the Tibetan Sherpa, immersing yourselves in its snowy mountain landscapes and lush forests.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

After breakfast, you'll depart from Gyirong Port and ascend towards areas above 4500 meters, ultimately reaching Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5200 meters. This 380-kilometer journey offers a varied landscape, transitioning from low valleys to high plateaus.

Initially, you'll be enchanted by forests, waterfalls, and seemingly bottomless gorges before traversing the Kong Tang Lamu Mountain Pass (5236 meters) into the plateau. Along the way, you'll pass by Shishapangma Peak (8027 meters) and the serene Lake Paiku Tso, witnessing their tranquil and harmonious beauty.

Continuing into the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, you'll come across Gawula Pass (5198m), acclaimed as one of the world's most stunning Everest viewing platforms, offering a panoramic Himalayan view. Here, you'll witness the breathtaking lineup of the five highest peaks in the Himalayan range, all towering above 8000 meters.

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, the second viewpoint of Mount Everest, you'll admire the world's highest peak and visit the world's highest monastery, Rongbuk Monastery.

After that, you'll travel to Tingri County (4300 meters). (Considering the rapid ascent from low altitudes to over 5000 meters, we've chosen to overnight in lower Tingri to ensure your travel safety and prevent altitude sickness.)

Stay overnight in Tingri.

After breakfast, you will depart from Tingri and travel to Shigatse, the first big city on this trip. Along the way, you will make a stop at the 5000m milestone of the G318 National Highway in Lhatse.

In the afternoon, you will reach Shigatse, and then explore the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the residence of the Panchen Lama and also the largest monastery in Shigatse. This expansive monastery occupies the hillside, housing the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha, serving as the spiritual heart of Shigatse. You can see monks, wearing yellow hats and red robes, walking through the temple. If you are lucky, you will also see a Dharma ceremony held in the temple.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today you will leave Shigatse and head to the final destination of this journey—Lhasa. Along the way, immerse yourself in Tibet's splendid scenery and discover the leisurely lives of local villagers.

When reaching Gyantse, seize the opportunity to capture memorable photos of the ancient city, and visit the Perklor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. En route from Shigatse to Gyantse, you will witness vast stretches of lush green barley fields (in summer) and golden fields (in autumn), alongside numerous farms.

Then, you will pass by the Karola Glacier (5100m). Positioned right by the roadside, it resembles a serene maiden grooming herself while gazing from afar at the majestic snow-capped mountains.

The final stop will be at Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. This stunning lake unveils its beauty from the Gambala Mountain Pass (4790m), curving like a blue ribbon, while the towering Mt. Noijin Kangsang (7191m) can be seen in the distance. As you descend to the lakeshore, explore various viewpoints offering intimate encounters with the lake's shoreline. Towards the lake's end, you'll have the opportunity to visit a welcoming local family in the village and have lunch with them.

After that, you will reach Lhasa and check in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will first visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet that once housed over ten thousand monks. Here, you'll explore the Coqen Hall, where your guide will provide a detailed explanation of the Tibetan Buddhist worldview and narrate the stories of renowned figures in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Additionally, you'll tour the Loseling College (or an equivalent) within Drepung Monastery to understand monks' practices and studies. Exploring their dormitories will offer insight into their daily routines and living conditions.

In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Sera Monastery, established in 1419 and long regarded as a significant Buddhist seminary. Here, you'll observe the renowned monk debates, a highlight of Sera Monastery. Your guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of how these debates aid monks in acquiring knowledge and advancing through academic degrees.

After today's sightseeing, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow group members.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to visit the magnificent Potala Palace, where you'll stand atop its heights and gaze down upon the city of Lhasa. Your guide will narrate the life and tales of the successive Dalai Lamas within the Potala Palace and meticulously introduce the various halls and treasures housed within its walls.

Once you've explored the grandeur of the Potala Palace, your next stop will be Longwangtan Park nestled at its base. This tranquil spot offers a unique vantage point to admire the majestic Potala Palace and partake in traditional Tibetan cultural experiences.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the sacred Jokhang Temple—the heart of Tibetan faith and life. Within the temple resides the rare and revered 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, an image so lifelike that it resembles seeing the Buddha in person. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can take a clockwise kora, witnessing how local Tibetans practice their Buddhist beliefs.

Following this, your guide will take you to the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea house in Lhasa, where you can enjoy Tibetan sweet tea with locals. Your guide will join everyone, sharing insights into the social relations and daily leisure life of Tibetans.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, we end the trip in Tibet and take the Qinghai Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world to ancient City Xian in mainland China. The train will move on Qinghai Tibet Plateau and down to China, the highest point of the railway is above 5000m, You will pass by Naqu Grassland and Cuona Lake, Tuotuo River-the resource of Yangtze River, World Natural Heritage Kekexili Naturel Preserve, Yuzhufeng, which is the main peak of Kunlun Mountain.

Overnight in the train

The Train will arrive in Xian in the evening. Please take taxi on your own to the reserved hotel.

Overnight in Xian.

The tour guide will pick you up from Xian railway station

The day tour in Xian is impressive too. The Emperor’s Terracotta Army is also one of the eight wonders in the world. These terracotta warriors and horses are the size of a real army, and were buried alongside the Emperor in a vast underground palace. The archeological site of Banpo Village, built more than 6,000 year ago, and you will see how the resident matriarchic tribe used to survive in the Neolithic age. Short visit at the Terra-Cotta Replication Factory on the way back to downtown.

Overnight in Xian.

Today, you will experience the world famous Chinese High-speed Train from Xian to Beijing, the whole journey takes about 5 hours. When arrive in Beijing, please take taxi on your own to the reserved hotel. The free time in Beijing is for your leisure.

Overnight in Beijing.

Today is guided tour to Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace which are the traditional must-see places in Beijing. These attractions present to the visitors an image of how the ancient Chinese emperors manage the country, what their family life is, how they spent leisure time, how they sacrifice gods.

Overnight in Beijing.

Today, you’ll visit the Great Wall’s Badaling section, where you’ll experience firsthand one of the world’s greatest wonders. This well-preserved and iconic segment of the Great Wall offers breathtaking views and a fascinating glimpse into China’s rich history. As you hike along the ancient walls, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape.

The tour ends, please arrange taxi by your own to the airport.