The field notes
A journey with rhythm
Private guiding, thoughtful pacing, and enough room to absorb each place rather than simply pass through it.
PrivateThoughtfulLocal
Journey overview
The experience at a glance
The Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp is an extraordinary eight-day road journey connecting Nepal with Tibet across the central Himalayas. Beginning in Kathmandu, the route travels north through the hills of Nepal to the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung border before entering the expansive landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau.
Unlike a standard Kathmandu to Lhasa tour, this itinerary includes a rewarding detour to the northern side of Mount Everest. After entering Tibet, you travel through Kyirong and Tingri toward Rongbuk, where the world’s highest mountain dominates the horizon. Subject to weather, road access and current local regulations, you visit the permitted Everest Base Camp viewing area or the closest authorised viewpoint. At approximately 5,200 metres, this is the highest point of the journey and one of its most memorable experiences.
The route then continues to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Here, you visit Tashilhunpo Monastery before travelling through historic Gyantse. The journey from Gyantse to Lhasa crosses high mountain passes and follows the turquoise shoreline of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s most revered sacred lakes.
Two complete sightseeing days in Lhasa provide time to explore the city’s spiritual and architectural landmarks. Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor pilgrimage circuit, followed by the great monastic institutions of Sera and Drepung. The tour ends in Lhasa on Day 8, with a transfer to the airport or railway station for your onward journey.
This 8-day Tibet overland tour from Kathmandu is suitable for travellers who want to combine high-altitude scenery, Everest, Tibetan culture and historic monasteries within one compact itinerary. Accommodation outside Lhasa is relatively simple, and several days involve long drives at high altitude. A flexible attitude, appropriate travel insurance and careful preparation are therefore essential.
Foreign visitors cannot travel independently in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Himalayan Windows coordinates your approved itinerary with its Tibetan partner and arranges the required Tibet Travel Permit, route-specific permits, licensed guide and transportation. Travellers entering Tibet from Nepal may also require a Tibet Group Visa in Kathmandu, depending on the regulations applicable to their nationality and travel date.
Trip highlights
What makes this journey
- 01
Cross the Nepal–Tibet border at Rasuwagadhi–Kerung and travel across the vast Tibetan Plateau.
- 02
Visit the Everest Base Camp area on the northern side of Mount Everest, with an overnight stay near Rongbuk.
- 03
Explore Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and the historic monastic complex of Gyantse.
- 04
Drive beside sacred Yamdrok Lake and cross the high Karo La and Kamba La mountain passes.
- 05
Discover Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.
Places covered
Destinations on this trip
The places this journey moves through, in the order they shape the experience.
Kathmandu
Kerung
Shigatse
Gyantse
Lhasa
Day by day
8 days
Walk the route one day at a time — meals, overnight stays, and the details that shape each stage.
Leave Kathmandu early and travel north through the hills of Nepal toward Syabrubesi and the Rasuwagadhi border. The road follows river valleys and passes terraced fields, small settlements and changing mountain scenery.
Complete Nepalese departure formalities at Rasuwagadhi and cross the international border into Tibet. After Chinese immigration and customs procedures, meet your licensed Tibetan guide and driver. Continue to Kerung, also written as Kyirong or Gyirong, and check into a local hotel or guesthouse.
Border procedures and road conditions can affect the day’s schedule, so the published driving time should be treated as an estimate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Hotel in Kyirong
- Distance
- 170 km
- Altitude
- 2,800m
NoteDue to the recent flash flood at the Rasuwagadhi–Kyirong border, entry and exit through this crossing are suspended until further notice. Please contact us to arrange a suitable alternative route.
The road climbs from the green Kerung Valley toward the higher and drier Tibetan Plateau. As the elevation increases, forested hills give way to open plains, isolated settlements and distant Himalayan peaks.
Weather permitting, the journey may provide views of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu and other Himalayan mountains. Continue toward Tingri, an important settlement along the historic route between Nepal and central Tibet.
Because today involves a significant increase in altitude, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and tell your guide immediately if you experience symptoms of altitude sickness.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Hotel in Tingri
- Distance
- 250 km
- Altitude
- 4,300m
Leave Tingri and travel toward the Mount Everest Nature Reserve. The route crosses a stark high-altitude landscape with panoramic Himalayan views when the weather is clear.
Arrive in the Rongbuk area beneath the North Face of Mount Everest. Visit Rongbuk Monastery and, depending on arrival time, weather and local access regulations, explore an authorised Everest viewpoint. The exact programme may be adjusted by your guide according to permit conditions and operating restrictions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Tenthouse
- Distance
- 100 km
- Altitude
- 4,980m
NoteAccommodation in the Everest region is basic, and temperatures can fall sharply after sunset.
Rise early for your scheduled visit to the permitted Everest Base Camp area or North Everest viewpoint. On a clear morning, the North Face of Mount Everest rises dramatically above the surrounding Himalayan landscape.
Return to Rongbuk and continue across the plateau toward Shigatse. This is a long road journey, but the descent to approximately 3,900 metres generally provides some relief after the night near Everest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Hotel in Shigatse
- Distance
- 330 km
- Altitude
- 3,950m
NoteAccess may involve an authorised local shuttle, walking or visiting the closest approved viewpoint. The precise access point can change according to weather, environmental restrictions and local regulations.
Begin with a guided visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas. The monastery remains one of the most significant religious institutions in Tibet.
Continue to Gyantse to visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the multi-level Kumbum Stupa, subject to opening conditions and the confirmed sightseeing programme.
The journey to Lhasa passes the high Karo La and Kamba La passes and follows the shoreline of Yamdrok Lake. Its turquoise waters contrast with the dry mountain slopes of the Tibetan Plateau. Cross the Yarlung Tsangpo River and continue to Lhasa, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Hotel in Lhasa
- Distance
- 350 km
- Altitude
- 3,650m
Explore the cultural and spiritual heart of Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace at the time allocated by the local authorities. Once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, the palace contains chapels, ceremonial rooms, religious art and historic treasures.
Continue to Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Tibetan Buddhism. Walk with pilgrims around the Barkhor circuit and explore the lanes of Lhasa’s old quarter.
The order and timing of visits may change according to ticket allocations, opening hours, security procedures and local religious events.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Hotel in Lhasa
- Altitude
- 3,650m
Visit Drepung Monastery, historically one of Tibet’s largest monastic institutions. Its white buildings rise along the hillside northwest of central Lhasa.
Continue to Sera Monastery, known for its monastic courtyards and traditional philosophical debates. Debate sessions are subject to the monastery’s operating schedule and are not guaranteed every day.
Return to central Lhasa with free time for shopping, photography, or a final walk around the old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Overnight
- Hotel in Lhasa
- Altitude
- 3,650m
After breakfast, transfer to Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station for your onward journey. Your flight or train ticket is not included unless specifically stated in your final quotation.
You may fly or travel by train to a city in mainland China. A direct Lhasa–Kathmandu flight can be arranged when operating and available. Travellers returning overland to Nepal will require additional days and a separately confirmed itinerary.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Private vehicle & English-speaking guide throughout · Kathmandu to Lhasa
Trip essentials
What your journey covers
A clear split between what we arrange and what you budget yourself.
- Seven nights’ accommodation: One night in Kerung, One night in Tingri ,One night in the Rongbuk or Everest region, One night in Shigatse, Three nights in Lhasa
- Twin or double sharing rooms in hotels (6-night) and basic Tenthouse in Rongbuk (1-night)
- 7 Basic Breakfasts
- Licensed English-speaking Tibetan guide from the Tibet border through the scheduled Lhasa programme.
- Private or group transportation in Tibet, according to the confirmed departure type and group size.
- Necessary transportation between the border, Everest region, Shigatse, Gyantse and Lhasa.
- Tibet Travel Permit.
- Route-specific permits required for the approved Everest Base Camp itinerary.
- Entrance fees for the monasteries, temples and attractions specifically listed in the confirmed itinerary.
- Scheduled transfer to Lhasa Airport or railway station on Day 8.
- Local government taxes and service charges applicable to the included arrangements.
- Accommodation, sightseeing and airport transfers in Kathmandu. (can be arranged on request)
- Tibet Group Visa or China visa fee, where applicable
- Flight or train ticket departing from Lhasa.
- Lunches and dinners throughout the tour.
- Bottled drinks, additional drinking water, snacks and alcoholic beverages.
- Single-room supplement.
- Travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance.
- Personal expenses, laundry, telephone calls and internet charges.
- Tips for the Tibetan guide and driver.
- Additional accommodation, meals, transportation or flight changes caused by weather, road closures, border delays, cancelled services, political restrictions or other circumstances beyond Himalayan Windows’ control.
Before you go
