Itinerary Summary

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1 - 4	Kathmandu	Kathmandu Valley, 7 World Heritage Sites, Buddhist Temples, Amazing Architecture	Tibet International Hotel, Dwarikas
4 - 7	Lhasa	Ancient traditions & Modern city life, Potala Palace, Monasteries & Temples, Markets & Culture	Yabshi Phunkhang, Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa
7 - 9	Shigatse	Tashihunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Panchen Lama’s Palace	Manasarovar, Qomo Langzong Hotel
9 - 11	New Tingri	Mt. Everest Views, Rongbuk Monastery, Karo La Glacier	Roof of the World
11 - 12	Shigatse	Tashihunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Panchen Lama’s Palace	Manasarovar, Qomo Langzong Hotel
12 - 13	Lhasa	Ancient traditions & Modern city life, Potala Palace, Monasteries & Temples, Markets & Culture	Shangbala Hotel
13 - 14	Kathmandu	Kathmandu Valley, 7 World Heritage Sites, Buddhist Temples, Amazing Architecture	Tibet International Hotel, Dwarikas
14 - 16	Pokhara	Refreshing Himalayan Breeze, Beautiful Snowcapped Mountains, Friendly Pokhralis	Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Pokhara, Fishtail Lodge
16 - 18	Chitwan	National Park, Elephant and Jeep Safaris, Wildlife Encounters	Sapana Village Lodge, Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
18 - 20	Dhulikhel	Himalayan Range, Temples, Local Handicrafts, Intriguing Culture	Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, Dwarika's Resort

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 4

International Arrival

Transfer from Kathmandu Airport to Hotel

Kathmandu

3 Nights

Kathmandu is a Himalayan valley kingdom, cradled within the foothills of mighty peaks. The city is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and several other attractions, such a carved rose-brick pilgrimage sites, artistic workshops, and cafes and courtyards brimming with friendly local families.

Included Activities

Durbar Square & Thamel Visit By Rickshaw
Explore Durbar Square, a durbar (court) of royalty, history and arts! Explore the house of the living goddess, or learn about the home of a red monkey god at Kal Bhairam Temple, decorated with its hundreds of erotic wood carvings. Kathmandu’s charm is best seen with an evening rickshaw ride that features silhouetted temples as the sun goes down. Embrace the colorful buzzing bazaars and market squares of Thamel that you can further explore by foot and venture into the lively nightlife.

Discover The Heritage Haunts Of Kathmandu
Discover the deeply spiritual heart of Nepal on this day tour of the key Hindu and Buddhist temples in Kathmandu. Begin your tour at Pashupatinath, an immensely revered pilgrimage site built in the design of a Buddhist pagoda. At the Swayambhunath Temple, its your turn to spin the sacred prayer wheels that encircle its huge circular base, each embossed with Buddhist mantras. Admire the traditional Buddhist artwork placed within the shrine (chaitya) and afterwards, attend a prayer session by Buddhist monks. Afterwards, travel to the ancient Boudhanath Stupa, one of the oldest and largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. Admire its graceful architectural lines and watch Tibetan pilgrims circle the Stupa as part of their prayer rituals. You can light a traditional butter lamp and offer your prayers, if you wish. (Full Day; Time of Day: Morning & Afternoon; Fitness Level: Easy; Please be suitably attired for visiting temples. Footwear and leather items are not usually allowed inside the Pashupatinath Temple. Please bring comfortable walking shoes).

Patan & Bhaktapur Visit
Nepal’s capital Kathmandu combines with Patan, the city of fine arts, and Bhaktapur, the city of devotees, to form the historic, artistic and cultural Kathmandu Valley. Explore Patan’s Hindu temples and Buddhist architecture! Considered Nepal’s cultural gem with its well-preserved pagodas, palaces and temples, regal Bhaktapur is surrounded by the mighty mountains of the Himalayas and boasts amazing views. It was also a stopping point for the ancient trade route between India and Tibet.

A Taste Of Traditional Nepal At Bhaktapur
Always wanted to know more about the secluded mountain kingdom? Here’s your chance. Visit a local Nepalese home to learn more about the local culture and daily life at the town of Bhaktapur. Savor the feeling of a home away from home as you are graciously welcomed into the lives of traditional Nepali people through a tour that will explain the mysteries of the Nepali lifestyle. Guests in Nepal are akin to God and you will have the chance to savor some traditional homemade delicacies, including fried fish, special curries, and boiled and fried eggs that are served with rakshi (homemade spirit).

Hotel Options

Tibet International Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Tibet Intnl-Tibetan Boutique Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	International

Dwarikas – Opt 2

Room	Dwarikas - Heritage Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 4 - 7

Transfer from Kathmandu Hotel to Airport

Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa

Transfers from Lhasa Gonggar Airport to Lhasa Hotel (60 Km, 1 hr)

Lhasa

3 Nights

The center of the Tibetan Buddhist world for over a millennium, Lhasa (‘Place of the Gods’) remains largely a city of our mystical imagination. The Potala Palace soaring above the city and the whitewashed old Tibetan quarter still preserves a bit of traditional Tibet.

Included Activities

Drepung Monastery And Sera Monastery Tour
Experience the otherworldly life of Tibetan monks! The Drepung and Sera Monasteries are two of the three great universities to follow the Gelug or Yellow Hat school of Tibetan Buddhism that the Dalai Lama belongs to. Many believe the Drepung Monastery to be named after a famous Indian Stupa where the Buddha taught the Kalachakra Tantra. Admire historical relics, Buddhist scriptures and beautiful stone art and paintings around this monastery. The Drepung was home to the early Dalai Lamas until the 17th century when the fifth Dalai Lama built the new Potala Palace. On your trip back, visit a traditional Tibetan home and share a delicious meal of the region’s ubiquitous meat-filled dumplings. Later, head to one of Tibet’s best-preserved monasteries – the Sera Monastery. A much later addition in the 15th century, the Sera was rebuilt by the Chinese government after the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960s. It now serves as a functional monastery famous for heated debates on Buddhist philosophy among resident monks! (Full Day, Private Activity & Transfers; Meal included: Tibetan dumplings; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes)

Highlights Of Lhasa
Soak yourself in the mysticism that defines Lhasa! Marvel at the impressive Potala Palace set atop Marpo Ri hill which was built by the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Surrounded by 7th century architectural marvels that form a part of the complex today, this World Heritage site is at the very heart of Tibetan cultural heritage. Visit the ancient Jokhang Temple right in the center of Old Lhasa, an exquisite amalgam of ancient Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese design and architectural elements. Direct your steps towards the more than 200 year old UNESCO World Heritage site of Norbulingka or ‘jeweled garden’ – an ideal example of Tibetan palace architecture. Set amid lush gardens, this summer palace of the Dalai Lama also served as a religious and administrative center. Spend your evening ambling around the streets of the bustling Barkhor Bazaar as locals go about their daily lives amid shops laden with jewelry, artifacts, masks and other souvenirs. (Full Day, Time of Day: Morning; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes. Please note that climbing the steps of the Potala Palace can be tiring due to the thin level of oxygen.)

Hotel Options

Yabshi Phunkhang – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Lodge

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa – Opt 2

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 7 - 9

Drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Tso Lake and Karo La Pass (340 km, 6.5 hrs)

Shigatse

2 Nights

Shigatse, the second largest town in Tibet, is next in importance only to Lhasa. Today Shigatse is home to the Panchen Lama, whose traditional seat is in yet another monastery in town – the Tashilhunpo.

Included Activities

Passage To The Tibetan Heartland: From Lhasa To Shigatse
Discover fascinating landscapes and the beautiful Pelkor monastery on this trip from Lhasa to Gyantse. On your way to Tibet’s Rongbuk Valley, enroute from Lhasa to Shigatse, travel over numerous Himalayan passes, crystal clear lakes and snow-capped peaks. from the top of the Gampala or Khamba La pass, take in the panoramic view of the Yamdrok-Tso Lake and the snow white peak of the Nyenchen Khangsar, one the highest mountains in Tibet. One of the holiest lakes of Tibet, the Yamdrok-Tso is also called the Green Jade Lake, because of its deep turquoise shade and calm waters. Drive on to a still higher mountain pass, the Karo La, for stunning views of a gigantic glacier. Watch how the huge frozen mass nearly cascades down to the road to Gyantse. Once you have reached the quaint town of Gyantse, discover the Pelkor Monastery with its famous Kumbum. You’ll be awed at the sight of the gigantic dzong overlooking the city.

Visit A Monastery With An Ancient Indian Connect (Shiagtse – Tingri)
Take a trip to the 9th century Sakya Monastery in the town of Sakya, enroute to Tingri from Shigatse. The town and the ancient monastic order take their names from the unusual shade of the earth in this part of the land. Learn from your local guide that the great Buddhist Master, Atisha Deepankara Srijnana, from Bengal in India, had prophesied the propitious site of the monastery. The Master was largely responsible for the spread of Buddhism in South Asia, especially to Tibet. Explore the centuries old Sakya complex with its numerous shrines, temples, and monastic cells. Admire the Tibetan Buddhist art and architecture of the complex that expanded over the ages. Established by Khon Konchok Gyalpo, it continued to be the seat of the venerable Sakya Order, headed by the Sakya Trizin, till the late 1950s. (Full Day, Morning Activity; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes).

Hotel Options

Manasarovar – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Lodge

Qomo Langzong Hotel – Opt 2

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Lodge

Day 9 - 11

Drive from Shigatse to Tingri (240 km, 4.5 hrs)

New Tingri

2 Nights

This little town’s claim to fame is its convenient position along the Friendship Highway between China and Nepal. Also called Xegar or New Tingri, it offers an excellent enroute stoppage to the Everest Base Camp and back.

Included Activities

Day Trip To Mt Everest
Seize your opportunity of a lifetime to gaze up at the world’s highest peak from the Everest Base Camp! On your way from Xegar/ New Tingri, cross the famous Gawula pass that’s set high at 5198 meters above sea level. The famous explorer George Mallory passed through this on his way to the magnificent mountain. The region offers gorgeous views of five of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mt Makalu, Mt.Lhotse, Mt.Everest, Mt.Chowoyo and Mt.Shishapangma. Stop by the Rongbuk Monastery – the highest monastic complex in the world replete with intricate murals and architecture. The massive Chortens of the Rongbuk Monastery, set against the backdrop of the Everest with its singular peak, make for great photographs! Afterwards, take the shuttle bus or leg it up to the Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side of the Sino-Nepal border. This area is fairly level, but you would be well advised to walk at a leisurely pace, considering the thin levels of oxygen here. Savor the moment that you encounter one of the planet’s most amazing landmarks, in blissful solitude. Following a simple yet deliciously hot lunch at the monastery or in the tented restaurant, drive back to Shigar or New Tingri. (Full Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Meal included: Lunch; Fitness Level: Easy, but mind the high altitude; Please bring comfortable trekking boots and don’t forget your camera).

Hotel Options

Roof of the World – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Homestay

Day 11 - 12

Drive from Tingri to Shigatse (240 km, 5 hrs)

Shigatse

1 Night

Included Activities

Encountering The Golden Maitreya At Tashilumpo Monastery
Encounter one of the most resplendent of Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, on this trip to the 15th century Tashihunpo Monastery. Set against the Himalayan hills, this monastery is the seat of the spiritual leader Panchen Lama, who is second in importance only to the Dalai Lama. Admire the white washed monastic cells topped by a crowd of golden tombs where past Panchen Lamas rest. A huge wall hemming the complex is hung with intricately worked thangka paintings depicting Tibetan festivals – all washed in gold paint. The best surprise reveals itself as you gaze up at the biggest gilded statue in the world – the Golden Maitreya or Future Buddha. The massive statue is studded with precious gems and surrounded by innumerable golden thangka paintings of this powerful incarnation of the Buddha. Explore the many chapels, funeral chortens, beautiful paintings and mandalas, and stop by the assembly hall where nearly a 1,000 monks chant their prayers. If you’re lucky, you could catch them at a debating session within the complex. (Half Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes).

Hotel Options

Manasarovar – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Lodge

Qomo Langzong Hotel – Opt 2

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Lodge

Day 12 - 13

Transfer from Shigatse Hotel to Train Station

Departing Shigatse at 15:20 Hrs and arrival in Lhasa 17:59 Hrs

Transfer from Lhasa Train Station to Hotel

Lhasa

1 Night

Hotel Options

Shangbala Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Day 13 - 14

Transfers from Lhasa Hotel to Gonggar Airport, Lhasa (60 Km, 1 hr)

Flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Transfer from Kathmandu Airport to Hotel

Kathmandu

1 Night

Included Activities

Hotel Options

Tibet International Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Tibet Intnl-Tibetan Boutique Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	International

Dwarikas – Opt 2

Room	Dwarikas - Heritage Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Heritage

Day 14 - 16

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (190 km, 7 hrs)

Pokhara

2 Nights

Pokhara has it all – a picturesque valley nestled amid majestic mountains, glorious adventure trails and delicious cuisine! Originally envisioned as a center of commerce, the city’s roots can be traced back to the 17th century, when it featured on the trade route between India and China.

Included Activities

Highlights Of Pokhara
Jaunt into tranquility during your full day tour of Pokhara. Explore the incredible Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist temple that was built in 1947 as a symbol of world peace, located atop Anadu Hill. Discover one of the city’s oldest temples, Bindhyabasini Mandi, which is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati. At the International Mountain Museum you can delve into the history of mountaineering and the Himalayan peaks. Head to Purano Bazaar in the old quarters, where the ancient architecture of Newari traders is on display through narrow streets lined with shops. A one hour drive to the village of Naudanda (nine hills) boasts excellent views, as does a scenic boat ride on Pehwa Lake.

Hotel Options

Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Pokhara – Opt 1

Room	Deluxe Room
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Boutique

Fishtail Lodge – Opt 2

Room	Deluxe
Meals	Breakfast
Style	Lodge

Day 16 - 18

Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan (160 km, 6 hrs)

Chitwan

2 Nights

Chitwan: A wholly different experience! Chitwan is home to one of Asia’s finest National parks and one of the most traditional and conservative indigenous people of Nepal – the Chepangs.

Included Activities

Safaris In Chitwan
Explore this World Heritage reserve on an adventurous jeep safari. You have the option of taking an elephant ride for spotting wildlife as well; and if you’re particularly adventurous, a canoe ride along the Rapti River may be just the thing for you. Accompanied by your forest guide, enjoy your safari through dense jungles, tall elephant grass and marshland—the perfect territory for the park’s resident population of Big Cats. Chitwan’s very own Big Five include the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal tiger, the leopard, the Asian elephant, and the Himalayan sloth bear. The park is home to a huge and varied population of birds and gharials (or crocodiles) too. If you’re lucky, your naturalist guide could also arrange for a safe nature walk through the park.

Hotel Options

Sapana Village Lodge – Opt 1

Room	Sapna Lodge-Deluxe
Meals	Jungle Plan
Style	Lodge

Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge – Opt 2

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Full Board
Style	Lodge

Day 18 - 20

Transfer to Airport

Flight from Bharatpur, Chitwan to Kathmandu

Drive from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel (32 km, 1.5 hr)

Dhulikhel

2 Nights

Dhulikhel: Undiscovered gem Dhulikhel is a scenic and ancient town located east of Kathmandu with panoramic views of the Himalayan range, enchanting temples, exquisite local handicrafts, and friendly and intriguing culture.

Included Activities

Highlights Of Dhulikhel
Go on a tour of the traditional Buddhist Tamang villages; enjoy nature walks in the many popular trails; go birding and view some exotic species of birds.

Hotel Options

Dhulikhel Mountain Resort – Opt 1

Room	Dhulikhel Mt-Deluxe Room
Meals	Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
Style	Resort

Dwarika's Resort – Opt 2

Room	Dwarikas Resort- Junior Suite
Meals	Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
Style	Resort

Drive from Dhulikhel to Kathmandu (32 km, 1.5 hr)

International Departure

Price & Inclusions

Option 1 From $ 7,290 /person
Option 2 From $ 9,190 /person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.

Price Includes

Accommodation in one double room for 20 days / 19 nights
Meals as indicated
Flights mentioned below on Economy Class unless otherwise specified:
- Kathmandu – Lhasa (Flight)
- Lhasa – Kathmandu (Flight)
- Bharatpur, Chitwan – Kathmandu
The following train journeys in the highest class available:
- Departing Shigatse at 15:20 Hrs and arrival in Lhasa 17:59 Hrs
All activities as listed:
- Kathmandu: Durbar Square & Thamel Visit by Rickshaw
- Kathmandu: Discover the Heritage Haunts of Kathmandu
- Kathmandu: Patan & Bhaktapur Visit
- Kathmandu: A Taste of Traditional Nepal at Bhaktapur
- Lhasa: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery Tour
- Lhasa: Highlights of Lhasa
- Shigatse: Passage to the Tibetan Heartland: From Lhasa to Shigatse
- Shigatse: Visit a Monastery with an Ancient Indian Connect (Shiagtse – Tingri)
- Xegar- New Tingri: Day Trip to Mt Everest
- Shigatse: Encountering the Golden Maitreya at Tashilumpo Monastery
- Kathmandu: A Taste of Traditional Nepal at Bhaktapur
- Pokhara: Highlights of Pokhara
- Chitwan: Safaris in Chitwan
- Dhulikhel: Highlights of Dhulikhel

All airport and hotel transfers
A high-quality air conditioned vehicle with unlimited mileage and a trusted chauffeur throughout your trip, apart from during your stay at a beach/backwater resort or houseboat if applicable.
All activities described in the itinerary, including entrance fees wherever applicable, accompanied by our tour guide
Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip
Welcome kit including all important documents and information regarding your itinerary
Insolvency insurance
Fees and taxes

English speaking accompanying guide in Bhutan
All government and royalty taxes in Bhutan
Organization and fees for your visa to Bhutan & China/Tibet

Tibet and Nepal: Himalayan Highlights

Itinerary Summary

Ideal For

Itinerary Details

Kathmandu

Lhasa

Shigatse

New Tingri

Shigatse

Lhasa

Kathmandu

Pokhara

Chitwan

Dhulikhel

Price & Inclusions

Price Includes