9 Days Tibet Shoton Festival Tour: Lhasa, EBC, Yamdrok Lake & Namtso
Tibet Shoton Festival Tour
Details
Kathmandu – Gyirong Border – Gyirong Town
Your Himalayan overland adventure begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Kathmandu. Travel north through the scenic river valleys and mountain landscapes of Nepal toward the China–Nepal border at Gyirong.
After completing immigration formalities, meet your Tibetan guide and driver on the Chinese side of the border. Continue to Gyirong Town, where assistance will be provided for hotel check-in and the rest of the evening is free for relaxation.
Travel Note：Travelers entering Tibet from Nepal can use a valid Chinese Tourist Visa obtained in Nepal. Your Tibetan guide will meet you at the Gyirong border with the original Tibet Travel Permit required for entry into the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Distance: Approx. 130 km | Driving Time: About 7 hrs
Meals: Not Included
Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong
Gyirong Acclimatization Day
Today is reserved for altitude adjustment in the beautiful Gyirong Valley. Spend the morning resting, enjoying the fresh mountain air, and allowing your body to adapt gradually to the Tibetan Plateau.
Travelers who feel comfortable may choose an optional short excursion to Milarepa Cave, a sacred meditation site associated with the famous Tibetan yogi Jetsun Milarepa. The cave is an important pilgrimage destination where visitors can experience a peaceful spiritual atmosphere surrounded by forested hills.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Distance: Approx. 5 km
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Hotel in Gyirong
Gyirong – Pelkhu Tso – Everest Base Camp – Tingri
Leave Gyirong and begin one of the most spectacular drives in Tibet. Pass the beautiful Pelkhu Tso Lake and cross vast highland grasslands before climbing toward the Himalayas.
At Gawu La Pass (5,198 m), enjoy an extraordinary panorama of several of the world’s highest mountains, including:
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Mount Everest (8,848 m)
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Mount Lhotse (8,516 m)
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Mount Makalu (8,463 m)
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Mount Shishapangma (8,020 m)
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Mount Cho Oyu (8,201 m)
Continue into Everest Base Camp for close-up views of the world’s highest peak before driving onward to Tingri for the night.
Distance: Approx. 480 km | Driving Time: About 11 hrs
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Hotel in Tingri
Tingri – Shigatse – Tashilhunpo Monastery
After breakfast, travel east along the historic G318 Highway toward Shigatse. En route, stop at the famous 5,000-meter milestone near Lhatse for photos of the high-altitude landscape.
Upon arrival in Shigatse, visit the renowned Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. Founded in 1447, this monastery is one of the most important religious institutions in Tibet and features magnificent assembly halls, ancient murals, and the tomb stupas of several Panchen Lamas.
In the evening, enjoy a complimentary Tibetan Yak Hotpot Dinner.
Distance: Approx. 239 km | Driving Time: About 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast Included, Tibetan Yak Hotpot Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Shigatse
Shigatse – Gyantse – Yamdrok Lake – Lhasa
Depart Shigatse and drive toward Gyantse, stopping at the impressive Karola Glacier (5,159 m), where massive ice formations descend dramatically from the surrounding mountains.
Continue across Gampa La Pass (4,794 m) for your first breathtaking view of Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s Three Sacred Lakes. Descend to the lakeshore to fully appreciate the vivid turquoise water set against snow-capped peaks and traditional Tibetan villages.
Arrive in Lhasa in the evening.
Distance: Approx. 280 km | Driving Time: About 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Lhasa Monastery Tour – Drepung & Sera
Begin the day with a visit to Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in Tibet and home to thousands of monks. Its sprawling white buildings spread across the hillside like a giant pile of rice.
In the afternoon, explore Sera Monastery, famous for the lively monk debating sessions held in the courtyard between approximately 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM (except Sundays). This unique tradition offers a fascinating glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist education.
Distance: Approx. 10 km | Driving Time: About 0.5 hr
Meals: Breakfast Included
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street
Today focuses on the cultural and spiritual highlights of Lhasa.
Start with the magnificent Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Explore its grand halls, chapels, murals, and sacred relics.
Continue to Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, where pilgrims gather from across the plateau to offer prayers and butter lamps.
Afterward, stroll through Barkhor Street, the oldest market district in Lhasa, filled with prayer wheels, traditional shops, and local Tibetan life.
Special cultural experiences today include:
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Tibetan Sweet Tea Break at a traditional local teahouse.
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Traditional Tibetan Costume Photo Session with professional photography in the historic Barkhor area.
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Farewell Tibetan Dinner featuring local specialties and festive hospitality.
Distance: Approx. 4 km | Driving Time: About 0.5 hr
Meals: Breakfast Included, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Lhasa
Departure from Lhasa
After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to either Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station according to your departure schedule.
Please provide your onward travel details in advance so that sufficient time can be arranged for check-in and security procedures.
Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Tibet again in the future.
To Airport: Approx. 70 km | About 1 hr
To Train Station: Approx. 20 km | About 30 min
Meals: Breakfast Included
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul | 2026-07 | $ 1218 | Book now |
| Aug | 2026-08 | $ 1168 | Book now |
| Sep | 2026-09 | $ 1218 | Book now |
| Oct | 2026-10 | $ 1098 | Book now |
| Nov | 2026-11 | $ 998 | Book now |
| Dec | 2026-12 | $ 998 | Book now |
| Jan | 2027-01 | $ 998 | Book now |
| Feb | 2027-02 | $ 998 | Book now |
| Mar | 2027-03 | $ 1098 | Book now |
| Jun | 2027-06 | $ 1168 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 8-Day Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour via Everest Base Camp
Fee Description
Services Included:
1. Tibet Permits: Tibet Travel Permit
2. Transportation: 9-17 seat tourist vehicle
3. Accommodation: 7 nights in twin-sharing rooms (3-star standard)
4. Meals: 4 breakfasts in hotel, 3 breakfasts in restaurant, Tibetan Yak Hotpot, Tibetan Sweet Tea, Tibetan Farewell Dinner
5. Guide: Professional English-speaking local Tibetan guide
6. Entrance Tickets: All entrance tickets fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary
7. Lodging and dining subsidies for guide and driver
8. Arrangements include planning, handling, operational and communication charges
9. Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance, Vehicle seat insurance
10. Drinking water provided during the trip
11. A container of Oxygen for emergency use;
12. Drop-Off service: Free drop-off at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (8:30 am to 10:30 pm); Free drop-off at Lhasa Train Station (24 hours)
Services Excluded:
1. Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.
2. Single Room Supplement: If you are a solo traveler, you need to share a twin room with another tourist (same sex in most cases). If you prefer to occupy a single room, or room sharing isn’t available, a single room supplement will be necessary.
3. Meals: Lunch and dinner not mentioned in the itinerary
4. Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
5. China Visa: Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) or China Group Visa application fees
6. International and domestic flight/train
7. Any losses incurred from the force majeure factor like government control, natural disaster, etc.
