Traverse through the mountainous beauty of Tibet.
Beginning in the compact capital of Kathmandu, embark on a fulfilling expedition to the mystical lands of Tibet. This 11-day journey will take you through the mountainous passes, past stunning lakes, and into spiritual communities enriched and enlightened by Buddhism. Take a day trip from Kathmandu to explore Nepal’s natural side, explore Tibet’s wondrous capital of Lhasa to be awed by the imposing Potala Palace, and venture high into the hills to Shigatse, notably for the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This peaceful small group trip has adventure written all over it.
Flanked by the majestic Himalayan Mountains, Kathmandu is nothing short of a legendary destination. Its bustling alleyways are filled with monks, incense, goats and sacred cows, and its temples steeped in symbolism.
With knowledgeable local guides and others to look after the finer details, it has never been easier to make the journey into the far-fetched and mystical land of Tibet.
In Lhasa, discover the dazzling former home of the Dalai Lama and the enchanting atmosphere of the pilgrim-filled Jokhang Temple – the holiest in the Tibetan Buddhist world.
Each leg of a Tibetan road trip seems more incredible than the last. Climb stunning passes, drive along the sides of misty mountains, and take in jaw-dropping views of skies and shimmering lakes.
Accompany devoted pilgrims on their kora (prayer circuit), spinning prayer wheels on a clockwise walk around the perimeter of the vast Tashilhunpo Monastery.
This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for up to date recommendations.
Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. Please note that Tibet has a strong Buddhist culture, so please keep an open mind and be respectful of pilgrims who may be worshipping during your visit.
Steeped in myth, spirituality and of course remote mountainous terrain, Tibet is a great place to visit if you're an open-minded traveller. This itinerary is operated at a leisurely pace, but please note that independent travel is not allowed in Tibet, therefore, to visit any tourist sites, you will need to have a licensed guide with you. In your limited free time, if there's another monastery that you wish to visit, please consult your tour leader. Only a few meals are included, so mostly you'll find your own (with plenty of suggestions from your leader of course) – a great way to mingle with locals and discover unexpected delights!
There are some quite long days of travel, which can be tiring. On the other hand, the scenery is absolutely amazing, so sit back, relax and soak it up.
Note that in recent years there have been some restrictions on certain nationalities being able to travel on specific departures. Tibet has also been known to be closed down to foreign tourism without warning.
1. Please do not obtain a Chinese visa in advance. As we must enter on a Group Visa when crossing into Tibet from Nepal, any other valid Chinese visa in your passport will be cancelled.
2. In order for us to apply for your Tibet entry permit you must provide a scanned, colour copy of the personal details page of your passport to your booking agent no later than 40 days prior to the start date of your trip. You will also need to advise us of your current profession at this time.
3. Your tour leader will lead you through the visa application formalities on Day 1 including arranging for passport photos to be taken for your visa. Please see itinerary Day 1 for details.
4. Please be aware that in recent years there have been times when restrictions on nationalities being able to travel on specific departures have been implemented or Tibet has been closed to foreign tourists without warning.
5. Due to the demands of travelling at high altitudes a Passenger Self Assessment Form is required for this trip.
6. All clients will be entering Tibet on a Group Permit arranged by Intrepid Travel and as such it's not possible for anyone to leave the group and remain in Tibet or continue to travel in China individually. All travellers must enter and leave Tibet with the group.
7. It's a criminal offence for anyone to carry images of the Dalai Lama or the Tibetan flag - doing so may lead to confiscation of the items, detention, arrest or imprisonment by Chinese authorities. We strongly advise travellers against carrying these items at any time in or into China.
8. A Single Supplement is bookable to purchase on this trip for all nights, subject to availability.
9. Please note while traveling in China you will not be able to access some popular websites, particularly social media or news sites.
10. You will have different tour leaders in Nepal and in Tibet. The flight and immigration procedures between Kathmandu and Lhasa will be unaccompanied.
11. The two internal international flights on this itinerary between Lhasa and Kathmandu are included in the trip price.
12. The luggage limit for the included flights is 23kg for check in luggage, 7kg for carry on.
13. This trip starts with a Welcome Meeting on Day 1 at 2pm.
14. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information
