12 Day Essential Tibet

Fully Guided Adventure Small Group

Our Price From 2,454 Per Person

Exclusive Savings 645 Per Person

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Trip Length

12 Days

Trip Starts

Chengdu

Trip Finishes

Kathmandu

12 Day Essential Tibet Itinerary (G Adventures)

Countries Explored: China, Nepal

Trip Operator

G Adventures

109 Reviews

Trip Style

Classic

Departures

Jun 2025 to Oct 2028

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

Pace

Moderate

Guide Level

Fully Guided

Trip Code

ACLK

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 12 Day Essential Tibet. From the sacred peaks of Tibet to the cultural hub of Kathmandu, explore overland the best of the Himalayas on this 12-day tour. Discover mighty temples and small outposts on a journey that offers incredible vistas at every turn of the trail. Camp in yak hair tents at the base of mighty Everest, and try your hand at making Tibetan momos. This adventure takes you from China through Tibet's incredible mountain scenery and delivers you straight to Kathmandu, Nepal's heart and soul.

Itinerary

Arrive at any time and get settled in. Your China and Tibet adventure kicks off with a welcome briefing with your CEO and fellow travelers. If you're up for a meal, join your CEO for a local dinner after the briefing. Stay: Rongcheng Hotel

Today begins your journey to Tibet. Board a flight to Lhasa and as you make your way off the plane, you will be greeted by your Tibetan CEO. Grab your bags and head to the hotel and join your CEO for an orientation walk of Lhasa. Stay: Lhasa Banak Shol Hotel

Spend the morning with your CEO exploring the Unesco World Heritage site of Jokhang Temple. Walk throughout the complex and take note of the many original pieces still intact from the original construction. Then, continue the tour in Lhasa's oldest district to explore Barkhor Street, an ancient and holy pilgrimage path. Then enjoy free time in the heart of the Tibetan Quarter. We recommend getting some lunch at a local teahouse. In the evening, we'll have a cooking class of traditional Tibetan food and then sit down together to eat what we made. Stay: Lhasa Banak Shol Hotel (D)

Start today's adventure with a visit to the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This dzong fortress was the winter palace of Dalai Lamas for over three hundred years. Then in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery and witness the monks at debate. This unique cultural practice allows for a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy and visitors are allowed to observe as per a set schedule. Stay: Lhasa Banak Shol Hotel

As you make your way from Lhasa to Gyantse, make a few important stops along the way. First, visit Yamdrok Lake, a stunning freshwater blue lake thought to be part of a sacred group of four lakes guarded by a local deity. Then, drive through Karola Pass en route to Karola glacier where you will stop to admire the view of the Tibetan stupa flanked by glacial mountains all around. Arrive to Gyantse and if you have steam left, join your CEO to hike to the Gyantse Fortress for a birds-eye view of the area. Stay: Gyangtse Yutok Hotel

Today provides another opportunity to visit a sacred Tibetan Buddhist site in Gyantse. Visit Pelkor Chode Monastery this morning to admire the many sculptures and paintings lining the walls. See Gyantse Kumbum, the iconic multi-leveled edifice. Then, travel to Shigatse and visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the most culturally significant monasteries in Shigatse. Witness monks going about their day and choose to join in with the kora, a meditative practice. Stay: Gesar Hotel

Bid Shigatse farewell and travel onward to Sakya, and visit the Sakya Monastery and Nunnery. Return to the hotel on foot and choose to join your CEO for dinner. Stay: Sakya Yuanfu Hotel

Pack an overnight daypack, and depart to make your way towards your overnight near Everest Basecamp. Visit the Rongbuk Monastery and then embark on a short hike. Tonight, spend the night in yak hair tents that allow you to get as close as possible to Basecamp in the hopes of getting glimpses of Mt Everest. Choose to go on additional hikes to the upper monastery with your CEO. Stay: Rongbuk Tent Guesthouse

Depart Everest and make your way back the way you came to the entrance of the park. Board a private vehicle headed to Kyirong. This border town is known for it's warmer climate and green landscape. Relax and enjoy the view. Stay: Kyirong Shell Hotel

Prepare for another beautiful driving day on your way to Nepal. Cross high mountain passes amongst fluttering prayer flags, enjoy jaw dropping views of the Himalayan range, stunning lakes and forest, then begin to descend in altitude towards lush, green Nepal. After immigration, cross the bridge joining Tibet and Nepal by foot. Jump in the vehicle and make the winding, bumpy, yet extremely scenic drive to Kathmandu. Kyirong is the main customs border crossing between Tibet and Nepal, for tourists and for commercial purpose. As such, it can be quite busy and there can be long wait times. Stay: Hotel Traditional Comfort

Join your CEO on a morning exploration of Bhaktapur. A World Heritage Site, Bhaktapur is made up of three large squares filled with shrines, temples and plenty of activity. In its heyday, Bhaktapur was the most powerful of the Kathmandu Valley kingdoms and its capital for 300 years. Return to Kathmandu for the afternoon at leisure. Join your CEO for an optional farewell dinner to your incredible journey through China, Tibet and Nepal. Stay: Hotel Traditional Comfort

Depart at anytime

Trip Inclusions

Stay in a Yak hair tent.
Traditional to nomadic Tibetans.
With an incredible view of Mt. Everest.
Explore Lhasa and take a tour of the famed Potala Palace.
Witness Tibetan Monks debate at the Sera Monestary.

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Tibetan Cooking Class, Lhasa
Your Local Living Moment: Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent, Everest Base Camp
Orientation walk in Lhasa, Durbar Square
Gyantse, Jokhang Temple Tour
Barkhor Square Orientation Walk
Tibetan Cooking Class
Potala Palace Tour
Sera Monastery Tour
Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum Visit
Tashilhunpo Monastery Visit
Sakya Monastery Visit
Rongbuk Monastery
Everest Viewpoint
Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent
Border crossing to Nepal
Bhaktapur Excursion

Nomadic tent (1 night), hotel (10 nights)
A variety of styles of hotels/guest houses are used on this trip. In many instances they might not be like what you are used to back home as service and efficiency can vary. In some areas we stay in simple local guest houses in stunning locations - rooms are small and simple and there may only be shared toilet facilities and showers. A sleep sheet/bag is recommended as whilst there is plenty of bedding and (in most cases) it does get washed, it can be dusty and cold especially in winter/Spring.

One CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout China and Tibet
You will have a Nepalese CEO in Nepal

1 dinner

Train, private vehicle, walking, plane

Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Brochure

G Adventures Earth (2024)

We’ve been the leaders in small-group adventure travel since 1990. How’d we get here? By listening to our travellers and giving them what they want: flexible itineraries, freedom to explore, smaller groups, safety and peace of mind, and locally based guides who show you your destination in a way you’d miss travelling any other way. Check out how we’re l...more

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.

Essential Tibet

Overview

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Chengdu

Day 2: Chengdu - Lhasa

Day 3: Lhasa

Day 4: Lhasa

Day 5: Lhasa - Gyantse

Day 6: Gyantse - Shigatse

Day 7: Shigatse - Sakya

Day 8: Sakya - Everest Base Camp

Day 9: Everest Base Camp - Kyirong

Day 10: Kyirong - Kathmandu

Day 11: Kathmandu

Day 12: Kathmandu

Trip Inclusions Expand All

Journey Highlights

Trip Inclusions

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Brochure

G Adventures Earth (2024)

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