A detailed Namtso lake Kora Tibet tours program

I recently take a time off and went for a rekey to visit Namtso lake to search a good round Namtso lake Kora tour program. The Namtso lake round Kora has 366Km in total and we can finish it within one day if we drove from Damxiong county early in the morning or you could also do it within two day by driving slowly and have a beautiful camp along the lake site or nearby a nomad camp.

It is an extremely beautiful place for going around Namtso, We will see some nomad camps with their herds, flock of Yak and sheep, beautiful grassland, lots of beautiful snowcapped mountain around lake Namtso which are the mountain ranges of Nyenchen Thangla. The average elevation of the campsite is around 4500m.

If you wanted to finish a round Kora around Namstso lake, then there is no chance to make a campsite at the lake site. You would drive along the lake, visit some nomad camps, enjoy seeing a beautiful view of Nyenchen Thangla snow mountain, beautiful and different view of Namtso lake from other sites of the lake.

If you would like to visit Namtso lake differently, then you can drive slowly, you could make a camp in between and could also explore some of the beautiful snow mountains by doing a couple of hours trekking which is also very interesting.

According to my recky tour, I have made a beautiful programs of round Namtso lake Kora below. Hope this will be useful.

DETAIELD ITINERARY of how to visit Namtso lake differently:

Day 1 of Visit Namtso lake differently:

Tashido hermitage-Gorchung monastery, 4560m/76km, walk 4 hours and half. Camp

After breakfast, start your Namtso lake tour by van from Damxiong county and visit Namtso lake differently. You will drive on a paved road until Tashido and then take a dirt road form Tashido for around 300km distance. The road condition is ok and you will be driving along the south side of Namtso lake at the distance of 71 Km total to reach Gorchung monastery. The total duration of driving will be around two hours and half.

Enjoying a fantastic view of the whole Namtso lake from the south shore and a great closer view of Nyenchen Thangla mountain range.

You will be camping at Gorchung monastery which is almost to the base camp of Gurchen snow peak at the elevation of over 6000m. There is also a big nomad camp nearby the monastery. You can visit a nomad family and experience how the Tibetan nomads’ living standard is.

While you will be visiting a small Gorchung monastery and listen to the monks life story there if the monks did not go to the town to read scripture for the nomads.

In the mean time, our cooking team will prepare and ready your lunch. Have lunch and afternoon, you will trek to the base of Gurchen snow peak, takes you around 2 hours up, take a rest at a glacier lake,  enjoying a fantastic view of Gurchen snow peak and the lake.

Continue your trek around a beautiful mountain called Amitsegu clockwise, crossing a small pass and then come down the valley to the campsite for around 2 hours. You will have a tremendously beautiful view of whole Namtso lake and Nyenchen Thangla mountain range from the top of the Amitsegu small pass.

Day 2 of visit Namtso lake differently:

Gorchung monastery-Dokya Gompa-`Rarila (5640m)-Jado Gompa or Langchen Namgo-before village Number five, 4570m/140km. Camp

After breakfast, you will start your journey around the Namtso lake, drive along a spacious grassland or plateau, seeing a beautiful green plateau with snow capped mountain in a long distant mountain view from the northern Tibetan plateau.

After around two hours drive in a vast plateau, you will reach Dokya Gompa which is a small monastery located to the east shore of the lake. From the monastery view point, if the weather is clear, you will see a very clear view of Gorchung snow peak as well some beautiful Nyenchen Thangla mountain ranges.

Continue your journey of visit Namtso lake differently and cross Rirala pass which is just a very small pass of over 5640m, driving through several nomad camps and villages, reaching Jado Gompa or Langchen Namgo ( Elephant head ). You will drive to Langchen Namgo from the main dirt road at the distance of 500m, enjoy a great view of whole Namtso lake and some beautiful rocky hills along the lake shore.

From Langchen Namgo to our campsite is only around 15Km which will take you half an hour drive.

You will arrive at our campsite by around 3.Pm, have some snack and tea and then walk along the lake shore for around 2 hours. From our campsite, you will have the most beautiful view of the lake Namtso with a full landscape view of Nyechen Thangla mountain range.

Day 3 of visit Namtso lake differently:

Village No five-Damshung-Lhasa or Reting monastery, 4150m/258km. Camp

After breakfast, enjoy the most beautiful morning from the north side of Namtso lake shore. The other side of the lake is full of snow capped mountain, looks like a white scarf blowing around the lake Namtso. It is extremely a beautiful morning.

Start your journey of visit Namtso lake differently and pass by a couple of Tibetan nomad villages, after 36Km of bumpy road, you will reach a junction where the road goes to the south east to Damshung at the distance of 82Km and to the north west at the distance of 118Km to Bang Ga county. We will drive along a narrow paved road for 56Km to reach Namtso Xiang or the foot of Lagenla pass, then join the main road between Namtso lake and Damshung.

Take lunch in Damshung and then continue your journey to Namtso lake or Reting monastery.

If you have around two weeks time of Tibet trekking, we highly recommend to do Tsurphu Yampachen trekking with Namtso lake round Kora trek so that your Tibet trekking program will be very beautiful and unique.

Tibetan wedding ceremony – Festival Tibet tours

Tibetan Wedding ceremony is one of the biggest and most important ceremonies  in life etiquette, which has been highly valued by individuals, families and Society for a long time in the Tibetan community and it is one of the most important traditional culture of Tibet.

In the past, in Tibetan areas, marriage etiquette and customs were strictly hierarchical, and the procedures and customs were different from each other. Here, we can only introduce the traditional Tibetan Marriage Etiquette and customs based on the general family situation in Tibetan area.

1.Propose

This is the initial procedure of Tibetan wedding ceremony. Once the man sees a girl and likes her, he asks for the woman’s age and birth of date, and goes to the astrologer for divination (Tibetan term “PAZI”). If the astrology says she will be a good partner for his marriage, then the man chooses an auspicious day, brings a white Tibetan scarf known as Khada in Tibetan, tea and wine and other gifts to the woman’s family, and propose formally.

2.Engage

When the two parties agree to the marriage, they choose a good day for their family representatives and marriage witnesses to work out the engagement. The contents of the marriage contract are mostly mutual respect and love between the men and women, filial piety to their elders, high moral character, or inheritance of property in the future.

On the day of engagement, the man will give each of the young and old in the woman’s family a Khada and rich gift. The woman will prepare tea, wine, rice, etc. for hospitality. After the representatives of both sides enter the main hall and take their seats in turn, the host’s house will serve “Chema” with tea and wine. Chema is made of Tsampa, butter and sugar which is the symbol of the auspiciousness.

The proposed family presents a gift, especially a “Bangdian It is a kind of Tibetan robe with various colors and thin horizontal lines” to the mother, which is used as the “milk money” for the mother for raising her daughter.

After that, they put the engagement in duplicate on the high foot plate, read it aloud by the witness, and another witness checked it carefully. After reading, the witness put the family seals of the two families on the marriage letter in public, and then solemnly handed them to the father of the other party by the representatives of the woman and the man. Then the two parents presented Khada to the witness to express their gratitude.

When the engagement ceremony was held, neither the young men nor the young women attended, only the family members. At the end of the ceremony, the women’s family invited guests for a feast and got together for one day. In the evening, when the men’s family left, the women’s family offered each visitor a Khada.

3. Preparation before the Tibetan wedding ceremony

Before marriage, the family of the woman also chooses a lucky day. Hand over the dowry. The amount of dowry varies according to the economic situation, but there must be a Bodhisattva, a Book of scriptures and a pagoda.

In the Tibetan society, the dowry was very important when there is a marriage and it has several thousand years of history. It is said that Princess Wencheng brought these three items when she came to Tibet, so it has been handed down as a necessary part of marriage dowry.

The marriage husband’s family invites astrologer to make a fortune to determine the wedding date (Tibetan “Nianzi”). On the first day of the wedding ceremony, the man sent someone to wrap a set of beautiful clothes and eyewear with silk and satin and send them to the woman’s home for the bride to wear.

4. Welcome relatives during the Tibetan wedding ceremony

On the day of greeting the bride, the man’s family will be looking for an identity person to bring a team of people, horses and colorful arrows, with bright mirrors, jade and beads on them, and a pregnant and well-dressed mare with the same color as the woman’s belongings for the bride to ride and go to the woman’s house to meet her new mother.

Before the arrival of the horse team, the women should hold farewell ceremonies such as tea and wine honoring “qiema”. When the men’s greeting team enters the door, first insert the color arrow on the bride’s back, and then put the setting jade on the bride’s head, indicating that the bride has belonged to the man’s family. When the girl goes out, the family members of the girl take the colorful arrow and the leg of the lamb in one hand and stand upstairs and shout, “don’t take my family’s blessing away!” repeatedly until the girl goes far away.

Starting from the horse team, the leader of the team should be the best one (usually the astrologer). He wears a white robe, riding a white horse, holding the nine palaces and eight diagrams in his hand. Then the wedding representative, after that is attendant of the wife and the bride’s attendant.

Along the way, the man’s family should wait beside the road and offer three drinks to the horse team. If you encounter people carrying patients, taking out garbage and carrying empty baskets on the road which is considered as an unlucky sign. During the march of the horse team, the entourage sang “Xieqing” (a big song), while the bride cried as she walked.

Before the bride arrives, the man must dress up the gate and prepare a mat for the bride to dismount. The mat is a pocket with barley and wheat, covered with multicolored brocade, and the surface is painted with wheat grain as the symbol . Family will hold “Chema” and barley wine at the door.

The traditional entrance ceremony is very complicated. From getting off the horse, entering the door, going upstairs to entering the hall, you have to drink an ode and present a hada. After the brides’ hall, sit at the bridegroom’s head, and the welcoming and seeing off teams also sit down in turn. Then they begin to offer “Qima”, tea and wine, and Khada to Buddha statues and parents.

After that, the bride and groom enter the bridal chamber, and the family begins to entertain the guests for three days. In three days, relatives and friends sent Khada and gifts one after another.

 Summary of Tibetan wedding ceremony

The etiquette is very complicated, and in the past, it was only held by families with certain economic strength. Of course. The marriage of contemporary Tibetan young men and women have long been very simple in terms of etiquette and customs. The biggest taboo of Tibetan Marriage and love is to forbid the marriage of close relatives, which conforms to the principle of human eugenics.

Marriage is not only forbidden between cousins and sisters, but also for those who have an aunt cousin relationship. Generally, matrilineal descendants can intermarry after four generations. In some areas, it takes seven to nine generations to get married. However, as long as the patrilineal descendants know that they are the same ancestor, intermarriage is strictly prohibited.

If you plan your Tibet tour including a program which can also visit a Tibetan wedding ceremony, it will be a very interesting and unique Tibet travel program and you will have a different and authentic experience of Tibet trip. Check more details about Tibet festival tours.

Saga Dawa Festival enshrines the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha (Tibetan Buddhism). In Tibetan Calendar, 15^th day of 4^th lunar month is celebrating the full moon Saga Dawa Festival in Tibet. The main goal of the festival is to pray for the long life of the holy Gurus of all traditions and for spreading of Buddha’s teaching. The festival mostly starts in May and June.

Saga Dawa Festival is generally celebrating from 1^st till 15^th of fourth lunar month of Tibetan calendar but the people also consider to practice Puja, ritual ceremony for the whole month of fourth lunar calendar. Tibetans are considering the Saga Dawa festival as the most auspicious and precious months where ones can achieve good merit or the merit that achieve during this special festival can multiple the result that’s why Tibetans practice more prayers, do more pilgrimages and walk around the temples or monasteries or sacred mountains and lakes.

During this special occation, Tibetan people stop eating meat and many people save lots of animals ‘lives from butcher by paying a lot of money.  

The festival is very important for Buddhist as well as for Hindus that’s why we can see lots of Indian pilgrims travelling to mount Kailash during May and June. Many Tibetan Pilgrims do circumambulation around the holy sites like Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace which is Tsekor, Lingkor and Kailash Kora.

Mount Kailash is the most propitious or auspicious place where the full moon festival is celebrating and the giant prayer flag pole in Darpoche near Mount Kailash is replacing with new prayer flags every year during this special occasion of full moon festival.

Tibetans believe to raise or replace a new prayer flag can bring a lot of luck and can wish to flourish Buddhism so during this month, Tibetan people from different regions gather here in Darpoche for the full moon Saga Dawa festival and do Kailash Kora in order to get a great merit for all the sentient beings.

WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITY TAKES PLACE DURING SAGA DAWA FESTIVAL IN KAILASH

Though Saga Dawa Festival is celebrating all over Tibet but the largest Festival is celebrating in mount Kailash every year. In Darpoche, there is a prayer flag pole which is about 25 meters height covered with different colors of prayer flags printed with different kinds of Mantra on the prayer flags.

Every year, the old prayer flags are removed and new prayer flags are displaced around the pole during Saga Dawa Festival. On 15^th Day of 4^th Lunar month which is the full moon.

In the morning, the lamas or monks do their prayers around flagpole and get ready to erect upright the flagpole. Once the pole is erected upright, people starts to throw paper printed wind horse prayers in the air and do kora around the new upright prayer flag pole and pray for the peace of the world.

Tibetans believe that one kora around the Mt. Kailash during Saga Dawa festival equals to twelve kora around the holy prayer flagpole. People who have less time, they do Kora around the prayer flagpole instead of Kailash Kora which will take 3 days of trekking for tourist where most of Tibetan can finish within a day. The total distance of Mount Kailash is around 52km.

Thousands of tourists from different places and a lot of pilgrims from India gather at the holy Mt. Kailsh to do Kora or circumambulate every year. You can see lots of Tibetans doing prostration around the holy mount Kailash which is taking a month to complete one circuit around Mt. Kailash.

WHEN TO GO FOR SAGA DAWA FESTIVAL?

Mostly, the Saga Dawa Festival falls on May and ends in June according to the western calendar. In 2020, the festival starts on 5^th June which is the full moon 15^th day of 4^th lunar month and the full moon of Saga Dawa festival around Kailash for 2021 is 26^th May 2021.

Tibet Shambhala Adventure arranges our best Kailash Saga Dawa festival group tour and we guarantee you the trip service quality and get all the hotel and guest house bookings during this busy Kailash Saga Dawa Festival. You can join our Kailash group tour or private tour to enjoy the Saga Dawa Festival ceremony…..

HOW TO GET TO Mt. KAILASH FOR SAGA DAWA FESTIVAL?

You can book Kailash Saga Dawa festival group tour in around month advance of 15 days in advance through expert and experienced local Tibetan travel agent like Tibet Shambhala Adventure through which you can get Tibet travel permits and Mount Kailash special permits, comfortable private vehicle, experienced and knowledgeable Tibetan tour guide and all the guest houses or hotels on the way have been booked in advance.

You can start your Mount Kailash tour from Lhasa as well as can do the overland tour like starting the trip from Lhasa and ends the tour from Kyirong Border or Hilsa Border. With Tibet Shambhala Adventure, you can choose to have different Kailash tours for example Kailash group tour and Kailash private tour, with or without Everest Base Camp etc… Which you will need 12-15 days.

 If you choose to have the tour which starts from Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region, then you will get to visit the holiest Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera and Drepung Monastery which will take 2 days in Lhasa itself as well as you will acclimatize to the high altitude sickness.

Once you leave Lhasa, you will reach the sacred mountains, religious monasteries, popular sights and attractions and so on……… The highlight of Mount Kailash Saga Daw Festival tour is to visit all the highlights of Tibetan cultural parts including the Potala Palace, Jokang temple, in Lhasa and slowly driving to Mount Kailash through the western part of Tibet including Gyantse and Shigtase.

Passing by lots of beautiful natural landscapes, lakes and snow capped mountains, finally reach Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake. Doing three days Mount Kailash Kora is the most important part of this Kaialsh Saga Dawa festival.

It is not only one of the most challenging Tibet treks but also a very spiritual and mysterious adventure treks in the world. During your Kailash Kora, you will be overwhelmed when you see many Tibetans prostrating around Mt. Kailash.

If you did not book all those necessary items before your trip to Mount Kailash, especially during Saga Dawa festival, you will not get the rooms on the spot since there are lots of Indians and tourists as well as Tibetans during Saga Dawa festival.

With Kailash tour, you can also choose to visit Manasarover Lake which is good and holy place to visit.

Lake Manasarover is the highest freshwater in the world with the elevation of 4590m. During Saga Dawa, you can see many Tibetans and Hindus doing Kora around the Lake Manasarover as well as many Indians doing Puja or Prayer besides the holy lake Manasarover.

Indians believe that by taking a bath in the fresh water of the lake Mansarovar can wash your all sins.

Saga Dawa Festival is the longest and the most important religious festivals in Tibet as well as for Tibetans, it is the best and most precious time to do prayers from the whole year.

For whole month during Saga Dawa, apart from praying and doing kora, most of Tibetans do pilgrims to the different religious sites and monasteries, saves and free life of animals, giving money to beggars and do as much as good deeds throughout the month.

Since the positive and negative deeds can multiple on specific month and pray for every sentient being on the earth. For Tibetans, they strongly believe that no one should miss this chance to do good deeds and eliminate the bad deeds or sins that they did from time to time.

And for tourists, it is the life time opportunity to witness such an auspicious ceremony held in every parts of Tibet including the holy Mt. Kailash area. Tourists can see lots of religious activities, ritual ceremony in all the monasteries in Tibet.

Thousands of people walking around temple, palaces , monasteries, or sacred mountains or lakes in order to gain great merit for all sentient beings so the tourists can get more authentic experience during Saga Dawa festival. To get a lifetime opportunity of visiting Mt. Kailash during Saga Dawa Festival, You can contact our tour consultants for Mount kailash Saga Dawa group tour and they will take care of everything according to your wishes.

14 days mount Kailash group tour

Kailash group tour has become one of the most popular Tibet travel destinations in the last few years and there are thousands of thousands tourists and pilgrims are visiting Mount Kailash every year. People travel to Mount Kailash from Lhasa through visiting some of the important sites on the way or drive directly to Mount Kailash from Kyirong or Hilsa border between Tibet and Nepal.

The Mount Kailash also known as Gang Rinpoche to Tibetans which means the precious treasure of snow, with the elevation of 6638m (21778ft). It is located in the western part of Tibet. The mount Kailash is a sacred mountain for four different religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Bon religion.

The followers of these religions consider the Mt. Kailash as the holiest mountain. The different believes about Mt. Kailash according to each religion are:

1. For Buddhism, Mt. Kailash is the adobe of Demchok and his consort Dorje Pagmo and also the meditation cave of Saint Milarepa is there.
2. For Hindus, Mt. Kaialsh is the home of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.
3. To Jain, it is believed that the founder of their religion was awaken spiritually at Mt. Kailash.
4. To Bonpo, the Mt. Kailash is the place where their religious leader descended from heaven.

The Mount Kailash tour proffer you to have the distinctive experience of culture, landscapes, different kinds of wild lives, lakes and snow capped mountains, faithful pilgrims and many more….

The Mount Kailash group tour is the most popular tour that’s why every year there have hundreds and thousands of tourist to do Mount Kailash tour. For Kailash group tour, you at least need the holiday of 14 days in Tibet. The Kailash tour can be done in few ways for e.g.

1. Overland Kailash tour from Kyirong Border or Hilsa Border
2. Lhasa to Lhasa Kaialsh tour
3. Lhasa flight to Ali and by road to Lhasa or depart for border or by flight again abck to Lhasa.

Local Tibet Travel Agent like Tibet Shambhala Adventure who has many years of experience and knowledge, can provide you the successful and adventurous tour with verities of Mt. Kailash programs with different highlights of Kailash according to your choice.

WHAT YOU GET TO VISIT DURING 14 DAYS KAILASH GROUP TOUR?

The Kailash group tour starts from Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region. Like most of other Tibet tours, you are going to spend 3 days in Lhasa visiting the very religious highlights of Lhasa:

The famous winter palace of the Dalai Lama known as the POTALA PALACE, JOKHANG TEMPLE, the oldest and most sacred temple of Tibet, takes a walk around BAKHOR BAZAAR where hundreds of Tibetans are circumambulating around the Jorkhang Temple in order to pay homage to the image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

DREPUNG MONASTERY the largest monastery in Tibet and the second largest monastery in Tibet. SERA MONASTERY and enjoy the popular debating between monks taking place every day except in Sunday.

From day 4, you are going out of Lhasa heading towards Shigatse via Gyantse through three big mountains passes, KAMPA LA the highest pass of these, KARO LA and SIMI LA respectively. YAMDROK LAKE or the Turquois Lake.

Once you get to Gyantse, visit PALCHOE MONASTERY and KUBUM STUPA. In Shigatse, visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Penchen Lama and one of the six largest monasteries of Gelukpa school in Tibetan Buddism.

On day 5, you will drive to Sakya where you could visit SAKYA MONASTERY which is founded by Konchok Gyelpo in around 12^th century and there you also get to visit the great Buddhist library which has thousands of Buddhist scripture.

From Sakya, you will drive about 485km to Saga then to Drongba County via NAMRING LA with the elevation of 4650mts and you will see amazing view of villages and beautiful NGAMRING LAKE through vast grassland. You will reach Drongba about 8-9 hr. since we need to consider the speed limit.

Next day, you will drive to MANASAROVER LAKE known as Mapam Yumtso in Tibetan with the surface elevation of 4590m. As to Hinduism believes that once he or she swims in the the Manasarover lake and take a bath, his or her sins will be cleansed for hundreds of lifetimes. At the same time, there are lots of Indians doing prayer or puja.

In Bon religion. it is said that the founder of Bon religion called Tonpa Shenrab took bath in the Mansarovar lake after he ascended to the top of the Mount Kailash so the Bonpo also believe Mansarovar lake as a very holy lake for them.

In Buddhism, our lord Buddha used to meditate near the Mansarovar lake on many occasions. Near the Manasarover lake, there is a very beautiful monastery called CHIU MONASTERY built on the hill side with a great view of Mt Kailash from the monastery.

On the way to Mt Kailash,  you will encounter beautiful Tibetan nomad camps, wild animals like wild donkey and antelopes etc. From Lake Manasarover, you can see a magnificent and incredible view of Mount Kailash.

Walk around holy lake, visit Chiu Monastery, from monastery, you will have the most beautiful view of Mount Kailash as well as Manasarover lake from Chiu Gonpa.

Once you visit Chiu Gompa and finish exploring around Mansarovar lake, you will be driving to Darcchen which is located to the foot of the Mount Kailash as you need to prepare for the upcoming three days Mount Kailash trekking known as Kailash Kora such as hiring porters or yak through the support of your local Tibetan tour guide.

1^ST DAY OF KAILASH KORA:  First day of Kailash Kora starts from Dharchen with the elevation of 4560m. After around 2 hr. of walk, you will reach at Dharpoche where you will see huge prayer flag pole which is changed every year during the Saga Dawa Festival.

During Kora, you will meet lots of Tibetans doing the same kora. Continue walking towards DIRAPHUK which is a small monastery that you can visit during your Kailash Kora and it is also the first night stop with a great view of Mount Kailash north face. It will take 6-7 hr. of walk to reach Diraphuk.

2^nd DAY OF KAILASH KORA: Starting from Diraphuk to Zutrulphuk with the average elevation of 4810m. Today’s trekking is the most difficult day during your Kailash Kora as you are going to ascend to Drolma La with the elevation of 5630m and steep down to Zutrulphuk. 

Zutrulphuk monastery is the magical cave where Mila Repa saint used to meditate in the 11^th century when he visited Mount Kailash. It will take 8-9 hr. walk to get to Zutrulphuk.

3^rd DAY OF KAILASH KORA: Starting from Zutrulphuk to Dharchen, the last day of Kailash Kora as well as the easiest walking day. Today, you will have a beautiful view of Lake Rakshas Tal from distance when you are trekking down in the valley and it is also the ending point of Mount Kailash Kora. From there, you will drive towards Lake Manasarover.

Next day you will drive from Manasarover to Saga via Drongba County through the vast Tibetan plateau and grassland where you will see some wild animals like wild donkeys known as Kyang in Tibet.

Continuously drive to Shigatse through beautiful mountains views, villages, grassland etc. From Shigatse, you will directly drive to Lhasa along the Brahmaputra River. Brahmaputra river is started from Mount Kailash, it flows through the western plateau, Shigatse, Tsetang valley and then to Nyingtri where it makes a grand Canyon and finally empties into India. .

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT KAILASH?

The best time to do the Kailash Tour is from May to October. From June to September you will meet many pilgrims doing Kailash Kora. Especially in June, it’s Saga Festival and in Dharpoche, there will have a big religious ceremony and will change the prayer flag like every year.

At the highest peak of Kailash Droma La pass, you will see snow during most of the period almost throughout the year. The temperature normally drosp below zero on the top of the pass during the summer as well when the weather is cloudy or snowing on the top.

ACCOMMODATION AROUND MOUNT KAILASH

These days, the accommodation condition in Kailash area has been improved a lot. But still the guest houses around Kailash Kora are still very basic comparing to other parts of Tibet.

On the way to Mount Kailash, the accommodation in In Drongba, Saga, Kyirong, Tholing and Dharchen: they have some good hotels from 3 to 4 star hotels like Himalaya Hotel, Changbao Hotel, Saga Hotel, Norling Hotel, Kyirong hotel etc. which can provide attached bathroom, where you can take hot shower.

But in Manasarover Lake, Diraphuk, and Zutrulphuk, they have very basic guest houses or lodges where you have to use public toilet on these places and also you have to share the rooms as dormitory rooms.

 If you choose to do camping during Kailash tour, you can do that and we can provide you all camping equipment and cooking team which makes trip more deluxe and comfortable during three days Kailash Kora and around Mansarovar lake but the trip cost makes much higher than staying in guest houses because of extra support truck, equipment and cooking team.

WHAT TYPE OF FOOD YOU WILL GET DURING KAILASH TOUR?

For Kailash tour, you cannot expect lavish meal like other place of Tibet. There are only small restaurants in Kailash area where you will find Tibetan noodles, fried rice, steamed momo, some vegetable with meat etc.

During Kora, you can prepare some instant food, fruits etc. you will encounter some food seller where you will get noodles, fried rice, vegetable and potatoes, snacks water etc. during kora.

TIPS TO AVOIDE HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Since Kailash group tour starts from Lhasa where you get to acclimatized gradually to high altitude. You need to stay hydrated all the time, drink water as much as you can, eat lots of fruits and green leafy etc. don’t let yourself to catch cold which is very dangerous for high altitude sickness, you must avoid alcohol and keep your immune system strong.

Tibetan herbal medicine called HONGJIINGTIAN and GAUYUANAN helps a lot to prevent from high altitude sickness. Also the medicine name DIAMOX can also help but it cannot get in Tibet, you have to bring it with you from your place if necessary.

Just in case you are sick from altitude and dos not help even if you take some medicine, then contact with your local Tibetan tour guide and go to the hospital or to the lower altitude place.

Kailash Group tour can give you the lifetime experience with amazing landscape, Tibetan nomadic camp, vast grassland, holy Manasarover lakes, magnificent Mount Kailash etc. also you get to see lots of different religious pilgrims and tourists as well as local people doing kora around Kailash. You can experience abundant of religious site and monasteries throughout the Kailash group tour.

Yamdrok lake trekking – Travel To Tibet

Yamdrok lake trekking is one of the best and beautiful short trekking tour in Tibet which allows you to visit most important religious sites in Tibet as well as beautiful mountain views, Tibetan traditional villages, nomadic and farmers’ life and different kinds of wild lives.

Yamdrok lake trekking takes you from 3650m elevation to the highest elevation of Jeshul la pass which is above 5000mts. You will get the happiest experience to witness the Tibetan nomadic life and moreover during your trek, you will get to communicate with the Tibetan local people to get more authentic and special attachment with them.

This Tibet trek gives you the chance to have extraordinary experience of visit isolated monasteries, villages, towns, mountain view, farms, courtyard, beautiful yaks, horses, sheep, and sometimes you will see the beautiful wild animals like blue sheep, wolves, foxes, antelope etc……

HIGHLIGHTS OF YAMDROK LAKE TREKKING

You are going to spend three days in Lhasa including arrival day, to visit the spectacular Potala Palace which is the most holy pilgrimage site, originally built by the great King Songtsen Gonpo. The famous Jokhang Temple, the most sacred Temple situated in the center of Lhasa. Both are listed in the UNESCO sites.

Walk around Bakhor Bazaar where you will encounter hundreds of Tibetan people doing kora around Jokhang Temple. Visit Sera and Drepung monastery.

You can have a short hike around Sera Monastery which will help you to have good impact on acclimatization to high altitude. You will also meet many Tibetans, circumambulating around Sera Monastery.

Within those 3 days, you will get great time to be acclimatized which can have great significant for your up heading trekking trail for few days.

Driving from Lhasa along the Kyichu and Brahmaputra rivers and head towards Drathang fresco monastery which will take you around 2 and half hr. On the way, you will see beautiful Tibet villages, surrounded by greenery barley field and trees.

DRATHANG MONASTERY was established as a kadam institution by Drakpa Ngonshe and it has the most beautiful wall painting which has more than a thousand years history.

On the way to LANGTHANG DEWACHEN, visit DUPUE CHOKOR MONASTERY and eventually reach to camp site at Langthang Dewachen, from there trek to BUMTHANG MONASTERY and back to campsite.

Next day you are going to trek to the hip of Jesul la Pass where you are going to set the camp and from there you can see the courtyard of sheep and yaks. Then next day, trek towards JESHUL LA PASS with the elevation of above 5000mts, from there you see the amazing YAMDROK LAKE also known as Turquoise Lake and KURLA MOUNTAIN.

Then trek to KANGRU MONASTERY which have more than hundreds of years history but these days you will find only few monks and nuns. The camp site near monastery which is full of grassland where we can see the animals grazing.

From the top of PENZELA 4650m, you can have a beautiful view of Yamdrok Lake as well. On the way back to Lhasa, you will visit TAKLUNG MONASTERY and SAMDING MONASTERY.

YAMDROK LAKE TREKKING ASCEND AND DESCENT

Drive from Lhasa through Yarlung River to Drathang Fresco for around 2 and half hr. drive, visit Drathang monastery and then continue drive for about 1 hr. towards Langthang Dewachen, on the way, you can see the big farm and visit Dupue Chokor monastery. Now your Yamdrok lake trekking starts from Langthang Dewachen where you are going to set the camp.

You will trek to Bumthang Monastery for 1 hr. walk back and forth. The trail is slightly ascent and then descent. There you will see beautiful Tibetan villages and farms etc…..

From Langthang Dewachen campsite, you will have the extraordinary and unique experience with Tibet Shambhala Adventure i.e. you get to watch the sky filled with beautiful stars in the night and visit a Tibetan family to see how the Tibetan farmers’ houses.

Today you are going to trek to Lhemachen, which will take 6 hours ascent walk to reach Lhemachen from Langthang Dewachen and you will camp at Lhemachen for the night to be ready to cross Jeshul la pass for the next day.

Again ascent to Jesul la with the elevation of above (5000mts) which will take 3 hr. walk to reach. There have courtyard of sheep and yaks. You will have the view of nomadic life, yak and sheep courtyard and sometimes you can also see blue sheep.

From the top of Jeshul la pass, you will see the beautiful snow caped mountain view if the weather is clear. You will have the magnificent view of Yamdrok Lake as well from the top of Jeshul La. Then descent for around 2 hr. walk through nomad trail to reach Kangru Monastery, visit Kangru monastery and meet our vehicle in Kangru. From Kangru monastery, if we drive to the camp site at Yamdrok lake, it will take around 30 min and if we walk, it will take around 2 hours.

Another option of trekking to Yamdrok lake from Kangru monastery is instead of driving to the lake side, you can trek through Penzela pass with the elevation of 4650m for around 1 hr and 30 min. ascent and half hr. descent from the top of the Penzela pass.

From the top of the Penzela pass, you will have an amazing view of Yamdrok Lake with turquoise in color. There you can see lots of piled stones with scripted Mani on it. Set the camp at Renposur.

Today, you are departing from our camping crew and head towards Lhasa by driving along the Yamdrok Lake anti clockwise direction and visit Taklung monastery on the way which is a very important Kagyupa monastery around Yamdrok region.

Taklung is one of the biggest towns around Yamdrok lake region and it used to be a very important trading town between Tibet and Bhutan and nowadays it is a township between Nakartse county and Lhodark county.

After visiting Taklung monastery, you will continuously drive to Samding monastery which is situated on the hill side to the west side of Yamdrok lake with an elevation of 4423m.

There are 20km back and forth from the main road to head towards Lhasa, visit Samding monastery and then continue your journey towards Lhasa through Chushul village and eventually you will reach Lhasa, the holy city of Tibet.

THE BEST TIME TO DO YAMDROK LAKE TREKKING

When the weather gets warmer, then it is easier to do hike or trek in Tibet, i.e. from April to June and September till October is the very best time to do the trekking in Tibet. July and Aug is the rainy season which is little bit harder to trek in Tibet since the place will be wet. Summer is also a good time to do trekking in Tibet since we don’t have heavy rain like in other low altitude countries.

HIGH ALTITUDE SICKENESS

It is very important to do the full body checkup before planning to do a Tibet Trek because if the clients already have some disease of heart, surgery sickness etc. the doctor will not recommend you to travel to Tibet since it is a high altitude travel destination.

Yamdrok lake trekking is not a very difficult trek but you still have to pass by the highest mountain pass called Jeshul La at the elevation of 5000mts and then steep down the valley to Kangru monastery.

It is very common to catch a mild symptom of high altitude sickness like headache, dizziness, insomniac, vomiting etc. it is defer from people to people’s health to get those symptoms, it is not that everyone have high altitude sickness. Some people don’t have any problems of high altitude sickness at all. You can overcome from high altitude sickness in 2-3 days.

For mild symptoms, you can overcome by eating Tibetan herbal medicine which is very useful. If the symptom gets worst, then you must go to the hospital. You must eat well like green leafy vegetables, fruits, drink plenty of water etc. to overcome high altitude sickness.

Usually, 99% of our clients don’t get altitude problem since we plan a perfect Tibet trekking program and always recommend to spend three nights in Lhasa and drinking a lot of water in order to acclimatize to the altitude.  

CAMPING FOR YAMDROK LAKE TREKKING

You will camp for 4 days in this trekking program. During those days, you will reach the very pleasant place for camping where you get to see Tibetan Villages, mountains, lake, nomadic life, Yaks, sheep grazing, courtyards and vast grassland etc….. Our professional camping crew will arrange you the best chosen place to camp and serve you the most delicious outdoor meal.

Yamdrok Lake trekking gives you the new experience of witnessing the historical and religious site in remote place where the mass tourist normally cannot reach as well as beautiful Tibetan nomadic life, animals, vast grassland and many piles stones of Mani…….

Tibet Shambhala Adventure always try to make a unique and extraordinary Tibet trekking program for e.g. in this Yamdroke Lake trekking, we have made program where the clients can view the beautiful stars in the night, visit a Tibetan family, visit a monastery and communicate with Tibetan monks in order to get more authentic Tibet travel experience.

We always give the first priority to our clients by providing extremely the best service to satisfy our clients all the time.

Trip to Nyingtri Tibet to see the Peach Blossom Cultural Tourism Festival

Trip to Nyingtri Tibet to see the Peach Blossom Cultural Tourism Festival in Nyingtri or linzhi in Chinese, located in the eastern forest region of Tibet and it has beautiful scenery and numerous scenic spots.

The main scenic spots include the scenery belt of Niyang River, the world cypress King Garden, Tsomo Jiri Forest Park, public village ancient ecological assistance, Serkyim la or Sejila National Forest Park, Lunang or Lulang forest sea, ancient mulberry king, Bonri mountain, Bonri Shenquan, Dongjiu hot spring and lamaling temple.

There are different kinds of Tibetan ethnic in Nyingtri including Menba, Luoba and other ethnic minorities living here, as well as Dengs and Sherpas. Their living habits and religious beliefs have a strong traditional color and unique national customs.

As the little Swiss of the Tibet, there are Nyingtri Peach Blossom Cultural Tourism Festival is an annual event, which is the biggest festival in Nyingtri Tibet. Because of the large temperature difference and little precipitation in spring.

From March to May is the most beautiful and romantic season for Nyingtri. We can see that the peach blossom blooming all over the mountain like a paradise. At this time, the weather is becoming better and warmer, peach blossom is blooming against snow mountain, which is very beautiful and charming.

At the end of March and the beginning of April, it is the best time to make a trip to Nyingtri Tibet to see the Peach blossom Cultural Tourism Festival because every year, Nyingtri Peach Blossom Festival is held in Gala village Bayi District during this period of time, , which makes it more convenient for tourists to watch peach blossom. Because The peach blossom in Nyingtri Area is different from other places. It’s called “Tibetan peach”, commonly known as “wild peach”. The trees are tall and the life is more than thousand years, flowers are numerous and wildly blooming.

Due to the geographical environment of Nyingtri, the peach blossom blooms at different times. However, from March 25 to April 10, the peach blossom in Nyingtri has basically bloomed. The order of peach blossom opening in Nyingtri city is: Lang County – Bayi district – Bomi County – Milin County – Zayul County – Gyamdha County.

When you come and enjoy the Nyingtri Peach Blossom Festival, Gala village will be the first stop, known as “the first Peach Blossom Village”, they usually hold the opening ceremony of Peach Blossom Festival here.

There are local folk traditional dance and stage show the T stage show will focus on the exquisite costumes of various ethnic groups such as Gongbu Tibetan, Menba and Luoba in Nyingtri.

The ethnic groups such as the workers of the Tibetan Plateau, the Mamba and the LuoBa ethnic groups will display their own exquisite costumes so that you can fully appreciate the essence of the Tibetan people’s clothing culture.

During Trip to Nyingtri Tibet to see the Peach blossom Cultural Tourism Festival, Couple activity is also popular, someone will wait for you in peach blossom forest. Meet the one in such a romantic place.

Many photography lovers taking pictures and make the moment last forever. During the festival, you can enjoy seeing those visitors painted a peach flower by their face or hands, then taking pictures. Local people will carry out a stone lifting competition which is a special sports competition in Tibet.

Archery is also a popular activity in Nyingtri, because there are many mountains and woods here, so the ancestors in Nyingtri almost are huntsman and good at shoot arrows. 

Nyingtri is the lowest altitude area in Tibet, from the end of the March to April, lots of people come and enjoy the beautiful view here. Garang lake in Bomi County, The peach blossom here is mainly divided into Runa village and Galang village, which is the starting and ending point of the Peach Blossom Festival in Bomi county, with the peach blossom ditch in Bomi in the middle. Gala village is an administrative village, known as peach village, located in the Western Niyang River Valley, 

Suosong village located in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon scenic spot , it is in the middle of the mountain, there are beautiful peach blossoms blooming all over the river. This is the best place to enjoy peach blossoms in the canyon, and also the place where peach blossoms are most concentrated in the canyon. You can see the magnificent view of Namjagbarwa here, which is the highest mountain in Nyingtri area, with an altitude of 7782 meters. It is the holy land of the oldest Buddhism “Bon Religion” in Tibet, known as the “father of Tibet’s mountains”.

During your Trip to Nyingtri Tibet to see the Peach blossom Cultural Tourism Festival, peach blossom blooms on both sides of the road in Bomi, it stretches for 30 kilometers, which is known as the longest peach blossom ditch in China and it is mainly located in Bodui Tsangpo River Valley .

There are many residents and peach blossom embellishes in front of the house, and you can see the snow mountain in the distance from the peach blossom cluster. Peach blossoms are in full bloom at the foot of the mountain, and the top of the mountain is covered with snow.

The peach blossom in Laru village is the most abundant one in Gongbo Gyamda county. The whole village is full of over 100 years old peach tree with strong branches. From the end of March until the middle of April is the best time to enjoy the peach blossom every year. Clusters of pink and green highland barley form a unique style.

Recommended route for the trip to Nyingtri Tibet to see the Peach blossom Cultural Tourism Festival is : You can either fly to Lhasa first, do the sightseeing in Lhasa including a visit to the Potala Palace and Jokang temple and then drive slowly to Bai via visiting Darksum lake, then visit Gala peach flower village, continue to Bomi county to see the Peach flower festival or you can directly fly to Nyingtri from Chengdu and do the trip accordingly.

Once you arrive in Bomi, you can start from Bomi town to Runa village – Qingduo town – yuxu Township, return to Bomi County. Among them, Runa village, Qingduo town and Xumu township are all located on a line in the north of Bomi County.

8 days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal

8 Days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal is one of the most popular tours in Tibet. It is a big dream for most of the tourists to travel to Everest Base Camp and see the best view of Everest, the World’s highest mountain, the mighty Mount Everest and its base camp situated in the south western part of Tibet with the altitude of

5000mts. Before 2018, the Everest Base Camp from Tibet side was at the elevation of 5200m above sea level which is 8km distance beyond Rongbuk monastery and all the tourists had to walk to Everest Base Camp from Rongbuk monastery for around two hours.

Since 2018, the Everest Base Camp was moved close to Rongbuk monastery at the elevation of 5000m above sea level and it takes only a few minutes to reach Everest Base Camp from Rongbuk monastery. If you still like to walk around Everest Base Camp or Rongbuk monastery, you can still plan around two to four hours walk with a fantastic view of Mt Everest. For details, you can talk with Tibet trip consultant of Tibet Shambhala Adventure.

Many of the tourists got misleading or wrong information about Everest Base Camp and think that Everest Base Camp was completely closed to the tourists but in reality, Everest Base Camp is still opened to the tourists. Only the difference is the location of Everest Base Camp which is a bit closer to Rongbuk monastery and a bit longer to Everest than before but the view of Mt Everest from the present Everest Base Camp is still the same and you can still see a fantastic view of Mt Everest from new Everest Base Camp at 5000m.

The most popular tour in Tibet is Everest Base Camp tour (EBC TOUR) where thousands of tourists are visiting every year. There are many different Everest base camp tour programs with different no. of days. You can also choose to have Everest Base Camp tour by

1. Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal
2. Overland EBC Tour from Nepal
3. Mountain bike EBC Tour
4. Motor bike EBC Tour
5. Home Stay EBC Tour
6. Self driving EBC tour

And many more… to have easy and complete sight visit throughout your journey to Everest Base Camp is 8 days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal or vice versa, which is very popular tour and it will be your best option or decision ever take. With Tibet Shambhala Adventure, you will have the most overwhelming tour experience with flexibility in programs and to do challenging trip with our more than nineteen years experienced Tibet travel guides.

HOW TO BEGIN 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL? GO TO LHASA BY AIR OR TRAIN

There are two ways to get to Lhasa, the main city of Tibet Autonomous Region.

1. From Kathmandu (the capital city of Nepal) by taking flights to Lhasa. There are a couple of flights daily flying from Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) to Lhasa (Gongkar Airport), the only International Airport which have direct flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa during high season. The most preferred airlines from Kathmandu to Lhasa is Air China, Sichuan Airlines. It will only take about 1 hour. to get to Lhasa from Kathmandu by air.
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3. From mainland China to Lhasa by Air or by train. There are many flights from mainland China to Lhasa and the most preferred flights are Beijing to Lhasa, Shanghai to Lhasa, Chengdu to Lhasa, Kunming to Lhasa and so on… the fastest direct flight will take at least 2-3hrs to reach Lhasa. If you choose to travel to Lhasa by train, then there are many other train schedules from different cities of China like Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining.
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WHAT KIND OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRE FOR 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

There are two ways to get to Tibet, one from Nepal and another from Mainland China.

If you travel from Nepal to Tibet, then firstly, it is necessary to search for authorized Tibet travel agent who will help you to get Tibet Travel Documents for your 8 days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal or you can choose fully registered and the best Local Tibetan Travel Agency like Tibet Shambhala Adventure from where you can get all the required information about Tibet tours and will take care of all the necessary documents like Tibet Travel Permit and how to obtain China Visa.  

Secondly, you will need China Visa to enter Tibet. No need to take China visa from your country if you come to Tibet from Nepal because once you get to Nepal, your China visa will be cancelled and through your chosen travel Agency in Nepal, you have to apply for China Group Visa which will take 3 working days to get and need at least a week preparation for Tibet travel permit prior to start your Tibet tour. The Visa Invitation letter will be sent from Local Travel Agency in Tibet. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the Nepal Sightseeing tour.

If you want to enter Tibet from Mainland China, then you will need Individual China Visa to enter Tibet, which you need to apply to the Chinese embassy in your country. To apply individual China Visa, you will need the first night hotel reservation in mainland China and the international flight booking details. If you need any help for the first night hotel confirmation, you can ask local Tibetan travel agency like Tibet Shambhala Adventure. They can help you to provide those documents.

Once you get China Visa and you need to send Passport and China visa copies to your local Tibetan travel agency to prepare for Tibet travel permits which will take around two weeks. Once the Tibet travel permit is finished, your local Tibetan travel agency must send the original Tibet travel permits to you hotel in mainland China or to deliver it at the airport from where you are flying to Lhasa as you must need original Tibet Enter Permit to board the flight or train to Tibet from mainland China.

WHAT YOU CAN SEE DURING 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

The 8 days Everest Base Camp Tour from Lhasa to Nepal will start from Lhasa, arrival in Lhasa, the holy city of Tibet and you will spend three days in Lhasa for acclimatization so that you will have easier Tibet tour for the rest of your journey without having any problem of high altitude.

You will take rest on the arrival day and drinking a lot of water to dehydrate, for second and third day, you get to visit The Potala Palace which is recorded in the Seven Wonders of the World and it is world’s heritage site too. The Potala Palace was founded by King Songtsen Gonpo in the 7^th century and it is the landmark of Tibet.

JORKHANG TEMPLE is situated in the old section of the Lhasa city and it is surrounded by Bhakor Bazar. Jokang temple is also known as Tsuklakhang which was also founded by the King Songtsen Gonpo in the 7^th century and the temple has become the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site in Tibet after the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni was resided in Jokang. Jokhang Temple is also listed in the world’s heritage site.

For the third day during your 8 days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal, you will visit Drepung and Sera monasteries, the two largest monasteries in Tibet. DREPUND MONASTERY, founded by Jamyang Chojey and it is the largest monastery in Tibet.

SERA MONASTERY, was founded by Jamchen Chojey. The very famous debate among the monks to achieve higher level of Buddhist Philosophy. The debate are performing every day from 3pm to 5pm except for Sunday.

GYANTSE: From day 4, you will start your journey towards the Everest Base Camp. On the way you will come across breathtaking sceneries. First you will drive to Gyantse from Lhasa with 270km through Quxu County and it will take about 5-6 hrs. On the way you will enjoy visiting YAMDROK, the holy Lake also known as Turquoise Lake because of its turquoise color which is at the road side to Gyantse. After Yamdrok Lake, you will see the spectacular glacier called KAROLA GLACIER of Nyenchen Kangsang snow mountain. Then after an hrs. drive from Karola Glacier, you will reach Gyantse. you will visit the famous PALCHOE MOANSTERY, KHUBUM MONASTERY and GYANTSE DZONG which is near to Palchoe Monastery

SHIGATSE: After visiting the most beautiful town of Gyantse, you will head towards Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet Autonomous Region. In Shigatse, you will have the sightseeing of TASHI LHUNPO MONASTERY, the seat of the Penchen Lama and Tibetan Market in old town where you will find verities of Tibetan Traditional handicrafts, Thangkas and many more….

After Shigatse, you will be heading towards RONGBUK MONASTERY AND EVEREST BASE CAMP: now this is the most exciting day for you because you are very near to the mighty Mount Everest, there are only 340km from Shigatse to Rongbuk. There you will visit the world’s highest monastery, the RONGBUK MONASTERY. You get to enjoy the sunset and sunrise view of Mt Everest from Rongbuk if the weather is clear and of course the astonishing view of Everest from Rongbuk. You will have the most beautiful view of Mt Everest from the present Everest Base Camp near Rongbuk monastery.

KYIRONG: you will drive to Kyirong Border with the elevation drop to 2800mts. On the way, when you reach old Tingri, you will have a splendid view of JO OYU, SHISHABANGMA and the MOUNT EVEREST, if the weather is clear. You will also pass the Peikutso Lake and after few hrs. drive you will reach Kyirong. Kyirong is the birth place of the Milarepa and the place has very pleasant weather.

The last day in Tibet, about 20km and 40min drive, you will reach to Kyirong Border, say good bye to Tibetan tour guide and driver and meet our representative from Nepal travel agency. There you will complete the immigration process and get your Nepal Visa, drive to Kathmandu for about 150km with dusty and bumpy road and at the same time, you will have beautiful mountain with forest views.

WHAT IS THE TRAVEL DISTANCE FOR 8 DAYS EVERET BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

This 8 days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal starts in Lhasa, the holy city of Tibet Autonomous Region and you are going to have Religious Monasteries, amazing Mountain views and beautiful natural sceneries throughout your journey, especially the great view of the Mount Everest , the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Jo Oyu, Mt. Shishabangma and Peiku Tso Lake. The total driving distance from Lhasa to Nepal 8 days EBC tour is approximately 1185 kilometers.

HOW IS THE ROAD CONDITION FOR 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

These days in Tibet, the road condition has been improved a lot and most are paved unlike before. Every year there are thousands of tourists visit Everest Base Camp so, the road to EBC was reconstructed and the road for entire Tibet part trip is paved and in very good condition which gave a great benefit to the travelers to have better and comfortable trip as well as could reach the destination quicker.

On the way to Everest Base Camp, driving through mountain passes as well as drive down to Kyirong border, the road is full of twists and turns.

But the road condition to Kathmandu, after crossing the Kyirong Border is dusty and bumpy. During raining season, the road condition to Kathmandu can be worsen because of landslides. Even though there are around 150km distance only from Kyirong border to Kathmandu but it takes around 8-9 hours drive.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO DO 8 DAYS EVREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

Actually, you can do this 8 days Everest Base Camp tour throughout the year but the best time is summer and from April to October where the sky remains clear and weather will be pleasant. From June to August is the rainy season in Tibet and will experience some rain during the tour but it does not have heavy rainfall like in the lower places of Nepal or India.

If you chose to do the 8 days Everest Base Camp Tour from Lhasa to Nepal in winter time, it’s also doable and there are less tourists and the weather is always clear. You have guarantee to see Everest during winter time  The winter weather can be chilly and more wind and very cold in the Everest area so you cannot stay overnight in Rongbuk because the guest house will close during winter but you can do a day excursion to Everest Base Camp from Shegar and spend the night in Shegar. The sceneries and gorges of Kyirong and Nepal side are more beautiful in summer.

WHAT TO WEAR DURING 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR IN TIBET?

It totally depends on the season you choose to do this tour. Summer in Tibet, the weather is very comfortable and warm in the day time. You can wear some t-shirts, shirts, summer pants and sunglass to protect your eye in day time and some sweater and jackets during evening in Lhasa, Gyantse and Sigatse area. But in Everest, the clothing you will need some warm cloth throughout the year and also need wind proof jacket, boots, warm hat, sun glasses, scarf during cold weather.

FOOD EXPERIENCE DURING 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL

You will get all kind of food in Lhasa for example, Tibetan food, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and western food which you can enjoy from small local restaurant to star rated restaurants. From Gyantse- Shigatse-Kyirong, you can also get Tibetan, Chinese and in some places, you can also get to enjoy the continental food as well. You can also experience to have Tibetan noodle, Tibet Momo, Tibetan butter tea or sweet tea which is very popular in Tibet with local people in the tea house.

WHAT KIND OF HOTEL YOU WILL COME A CROSS FOR THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR?

In Lhasa, there are many hotels from 2 star to 5 star and also some Tibetan style Boutique Hotel. 5 star hotels like St. Regis Resort and Shangri-la Hotel where many tourists are staying. The famous 3 star hotels like Kyichu Hotel and Yak Hotel where many of tourist love to stay. The popular Tibetan style boutique hotel like Lubhum Tsang Boutique Hotel and Lingtsang Boutique Hotel and etc…. In Gyantse, there have 3 star hotel and the best Tibetan Style Hotel is Yutok New Wing Hotel.

In Shigatse, you will get many hotels like Tashi Choedar Hotel and Gesar Hotel as 4 star hotel.

There is no hotel in Rongbuk, the tourist are staying in Rongbuk Monastery Guest House but from November to April, the Rongbuk Guest House will close for winter because of cold weather and the tourist have to stay either in Old Tingri or in Shegar.

In Kyirong, there are also some good 3 star hotels and many guest houses.

WILL YOU FACE ALTITUDE SICKNESS DURING 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

Yes, for some tourist, the mild headache and shortage of oxygen can be happen at the beginning of the tour which is quite similar and normal for most of the tourists. You won’t face such problems after 2-3 days which is why we are programing the tour itinerary for 3 days in Lhasa in order to acclimatize to the altitude.

During your Tibet trip, it is extremely important to keep yourself dehydrated by drinking plenty of water and if necessary, then you can take some altitude sickness medicine. And of course if you face lack of oxygen, then you can use bottled oxygen which is portable to bring with you throughout your Tibet tour.

If you travel with Tibet Shambhala Adventure, our company provide oxygen cylinder in the vehicle but if you book your Tibet tour with a travel company who does not provide oxygen for free, you can buy the portable oxygen bottle in hotel and stores.

It is very rare for this kind of tour to have serious kind of altitude sickness, but still if happen so, then your guide will help you to suggest whether you need to have sopme medicine or take you to the hospital.

If you caught cold and cough before starting Tibet tour, then it is easier to have lung and respiratory problem once you reach to high altitude like Everest Base Camp so, you got to be very careful and take precaution.

WHAT WILL BE THE COST FOR 8 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR FROM LHASA TO NEPAL?

The tour cost can be differentiate into two as below:

1. The Private Tour: In this, the program are flexible where you can comfortably do your tour. Sometimes you can change the program slightly where if it’s possible. The private tour cost are of course higher and depend on what kind of hotels and vehicles you choose. In general, for 8 days Everest Base Camp tour from Lhasa to Nepal cost US$1300-US$1400 Per Person based on 3 star hotel for 2 Pax group size and can be higher in peak season.
2. The Fixed Departure or Group Tour: In this situation, the programs are fixed and there will be many tourist with different nationalities. The cost is very much affordable and we Tibet Shambhala Adventure runs the fixed departure tour every Saturday from Lhasa to Nepal and vice versa. If you are looking for budget tour, then it is the best option to contact us….

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TIBET SHAMBHALA ADVENTURE?

Tibet Shambhala Adventure is fully registered and internationally licensed travel company under Tibet Tourism Bureau and the China National Tourism Bureau. We are officially listed in top 5 leading tour companies in Tibet owned by Tibetan. We have more than 19 years experience in Tibet tourism industry and we have knowledgeable, experienced and friendly local Tibetan tour guides and drivers. They will make sure to have a comfortable, safe and satisfied trip for you. You won’t regret choosing us and our team.

Six cities and one prefecture of Tibet Tours

Travel in Tibet Autonomous Region should be an organized tour and it is very important to get to know a general knowledge of Tibet from the point of geography before you go to Tibet. Tibet Autonomous Region is located in the southwest of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of more than 4000 meters, known as the “roof of the world”.

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet and the headquarters of the Tibet Autonomous Region which is one of the five ethnic autonomous regions in China.

Tibet Autonomous Region is the province with the least population and density in China. Today’s population of Tibet Autonomous Region is 2.8000 million and eighty thousand people. 

The population distribution of the whole region is very unbalanced, mainly concentrated in the South and East. The middle reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo River and its main tributaries, Lhasa River and Niangchu River Basin, are the most densely populated areas. Ali in the west of Tibet and Naqu in the north of Tibet have a very small population. The northern part of Qiangtang grassland is even called “no man’s land”.

It is essential to know how this big Tibetan high plateau is divided before the travel in Tibet Autonomous Region. Tibet Autonomous Region is divided into six cities and one prefecture. They are Lhasa city in the center, Shigatse city in the west, Shannan city in the south, Nyingtri city in the eastern forest region, Nagqu city in the north, Chamdo city in the far east and Ngari prefecture in the far west.

Lhasa, which means “holy land” or “Buddhist land” in Tibetan, has been the political, economic, cultural and religious center of Tibet. The magnificent Potala Palace is the symbol of the supreme political and religious regime and it is a must visit sights when you travel in Tibet.

 As early as the seventh century, after Songtsan Gampo annexed neighboring tribes and unified Tibet, Songtsan Gampo moved his capital from Yarlung valley to Lhasa, (now Lhasa), and established the Tubo dynasty.

Shannan ( Lhoka in Tibetan ) , a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located to the south of Lhasa city and lower reaches of the main stream of the Brahmaputra River ( Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan ) from Kailash ( Gangdise or Kang Rinpoche in Tibetan ) to Nyenchen Tang Gu la Mountain.

Shannan is considered as the origins of Tibetans and believe that the monkey and mountain ogress got married and gave birth to the six offspring. Those 6 offspring were multiplied to five hundred offspring and slowly, those offspring are believed to be transformed into human beings.

According to the legend, the monkey is considered as the manifestation of Avalokitesvara or the god of compassion and the supine ogress is considered as the manifestation of Tara. During your Tibet tour, you can see a big mountain called Wangpo Ri in front of Tsetang, the head city of Shannan which is the place where the monkey and mountain ogress used to give the birth.

Shannan has more than 600 kilometers long boundary line with a very important strategic position. Samye Is one of the main scenic spots of Yarlung valley, located in Samye Town under Shannan District of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Samye monastery was built in the period of Tubo Dynasty in the 8th century AD during the reign of Tibetan King Trisong Detsen. It is the first monastery in Tibet where seven wise men were ordained and become the first monks of Tibet.

The construction of Samye monastery was built according to the Buddhist cosmology, surrounded by beautiful different colored Buddhist stupa. The central Buddha Hall building has three styles of Tibetan, Han and India. Samye monastery is one of the most interesting scenic sights to visit during your Tibet tour.

Shigatse, a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is located in the southwest border of the People’s Republic of China. Shigatse has a population of 750,000 in 2017 and has jurisdiction over 1 municipal district and 17 counties. There is Mount Everest, in Dingri County, Shigatse city, the highest peak in the world. If you plan to travel in Tibet Autonomous Region, you should not miss to travel to Everest Base Camp from Tibet side.

There are many other cultural sights and scenic sights in Shigatse such as Shigatse and Gyantse fortress ( Dzong in Tibetan ), Tashi Lhunpo monastery, the seat of the Penchen Lama and a home to a giant statue of Maitreya Buddha or the future Budha, Palchoe monastery and Kubum Pagoda stupa, the biggest Buddhist stuap in Tibet, Shalu monastery, dominated by it’s unique green rooftop, Sakya monastery where it holds the largest Buddhist library in the world and five most beautiful Tibet trekking gorges in the world including Kangshung face valley.

Chamdo, officially Qamdo or Changdou in Chinese, a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Tibet Autonomous Region , is located in the Hengduan Mountain and the Sanjiang River ( three rivers )  (Jinsha River, Lancang River, Nujiang River) basins, located in the eastern part of Tibet, at the border between Tibet and Sichuan, Qinghai and Yunnan.

With Chamdo as the center, known as “Pearl of Tibet East” laudatory name. Ranwu lake is located in Ranwu Town, Bashoe County, Chamdo City, about 90 kilometers away from the county seat of Bashoe. It is the main source of PALONG Tsangpo river, a tributary of Yarlong Tsangpo River. Ranwu Lake in Tibetan means “goat milk like Lake”. The whole lake is like a narrow river valley, When the ice and snow melt, the snow water will flow into the lake, so that there is always abundant water here.

Chamdo was not opened to the tourist till 2019 so there are many nice and off the beaten trails to be discovered if you make a plan to travel to Chamdo during your Tibet tour. One of the most adventurous and beautiful Tibet adventure tours is Shangrila to Lhasa overland tour which takes you to many beautiful places in Chamdo. During this spectacular Tibet overland tour, you will drive along the beautiful villages of Tsakalo, salt field village, Ranwu lake and Chamdo Jampaling monastery so on.

Without making several travel in Tibet Autonomous Region, you cannot complete exploring the most beautiful parts of Tibet such as Nyingtri, a prefecture-level city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is known as Gongbu .meaning “the throne of the Niang family or the throne of the sun “. Located in the southeast of Tibet, the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Nyingtri has beautiful scenery, dominated by dense forest, snow-capped mountains, beautiful glacier and gorgeous lakes.

Many areas in Nyingtri are known as “the south of Tibet because they are located to the border between Tibet and India”. There are Nyingtri Peach Blossom Festival, rich and colorful Nyingtri ditch, etc. At the bottom of Metok County and Zayul County, there is the deepest canyon in the world – Yarlung Tsangpo River Grand Canyon and the third deepest canyon in the world – PALONG Zangbo Grand Canyon. If you are tired of visiting wilderness of the Tibetan plateau and dessert land, you can make a visit to Nyingtri during your travel in Tibet Autonomous Region.

Nagchu or Naqu officially, a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is located in the north of Tibet and the eastern end of Changtang plateau or Qiangtang Plateau, the mountains are continuously distributed, divided by many lakes and basins, and the lakes are scattered. The average altitude is above 4500 meters. The climate is dry with high cold and lack of oxygen.

Nagchu, Naqu officially, was once called “black river” because of the Nagchu River in the upper reaches of Nujiang River passing through the territory. People in northern Tibet are enthusiastic, open-minded, generous and helpful. They are especially good at singing and dancing. They have melodious singing, beautiful dancing and bright rhythm, especially tap dancing and circle dancing.

Ngari, officially known as Ali, region is a prefecture-level administrative region of the Tibet Autonomous Region, located in the northern part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau — the core of the Qiangtang Plateau, “Ali” is a transliteration of Tibetan, meaning “territory”,etc.

Until the beginning of the 9th century, it was still called Shangzhong “Xiang Xiong officially “. In Chinese historical records, different dynasties have different names for it. With an average altitude of more than 4500 meters, Ali area is known as “the roof of the roof of the world”, “the third pole of the world” and “the forbidden area of life”.

The main mountains in the territory are the great Himalayas, Gangdise or Kailash, Karakoram Mountain, etc., the main rivers are Senge Kabob or Shiquan River, Xiangquan River, Peacock River, etc., and the main lakes are Mansarovar lake, Zarina mucuo, Bangong Lake, Rakshastal lake, etc. The mystical Guge Kingdom and Tholing monastery which are the second highlights of Ali region when you make a travel in Tibet Autonomous Region.

Nepal Travel and Tourism by Tibet Shambhala Adventure

Zhangmu, Gyirong or Kyirong and Hilsa Borders

There are four ways to go to Tibet from Nepal. One way to go to Tibet from Nepal is by air ( fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu ) and another way to go to Tibet from Nepal is by land ( Nepal to Gyirong border, Nepal to Zhangmu border, Nepal to Hilsa border )

Zhangmu was one of the most popular ways to go to Tibet from Nepal prior to the earth Quake in Nepal in 2015.

Zhangmu, which can be known in three different languages as “Dram in Tibetan” “Zhangmu in Chinese” and “Khasa in Nepali” Language.

It is a custom town and a border between Nepal and Tibet which located in Nyalam County under Shigatse District. On Nepal side there is a town called Kodari. The friendship bridge is the border line between Nepal and Tibet, where tourist crossing the border and trade are happening between Tibet and Nepal.

The altitude of Zhangmu is 2300 meters ( 7546ft ) above sea level and have very pleasant climate of mild and humid, hot in summer, rainy, snowy but warm in winter as compare to other place in Tibet. It surrounds with bushed, trees and greeneries & flowers blossomed almost throughout the year.

Zhangmu was also quite noisy as well because of many trucks loaded with the things, transportation take place. You can find schools, banks, restaurant, bazaar, offices, hotels etc. besides the street. Everyday lots of trucks loaded with things from Nepal as well as China are going between narrow roads.

Zhangmu has become the most welcome sight both for Tourist as well as well as for traders.

For tourists who like to go to Tibet from Nepal, it was very exciting and convenient to go to Tibet from Zhangmu because in the one hand, they can reach Zhangmu border in 4 hours drive and in the other hand, they can get to Everest Base Camp from Tibet side in two days, magnificent Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.

Because of the beautiful place and some custom paper work, it is worth to stay overnight in Zhangmu. There is 790km away from Lhasa city to Zhangmu and there are many cultural sights to visit between Zhangmu and Lhasa during your Tibet trekking tour. .

Unfortunately, April 2015 Nepal and the bordered towns of Tibet hit by the earth quake very badly and being a border Zhangmu and Gyirong also effected with loss of local people’s life and homes, which led the local people of Zhangmu were evacuated and stayed in Shigatse until now.

But in 29^th May 2019, the Zhangmu border was re-opened only for the small business. We are looking forward to the day announcement for reopening Zhangmu for the tourist and local people to return back to their hometown.

Zhangmu and Gyirong Border Bridge was badly damaged by the earth quake but Gyirong border experienced quicker recover & safer and open the border for trade as well as for tourists who travel to Tibet from Nepal or the tourists who can travel to Nepal from Tibet.

Gyirong was a restrict area until 2017 and it was closed to both tourists and trades. In around September 2017, Gyirong border was opened to both trades and tourists and it has become the most popular border for the tourists who go to Tibet from Nepal.

GYIRONG BORDER

Gyirong Border with the altitude of 2800meters ( 8900fts) has monsoon climate with warm weather. Gyirong has higher in altitude as compare to Zhangmu Border. It is under Shigatse District as well. On the other side, there have Rasuwa fort of Nepal. The Gyirong Border Bridge were reconstructed after damaged by the earth quake hit in 2015.

Thus, the tourist and trade are happening there since 2017. Most of tourists like to choose Nepal to Tibet Overland tour through Gyriong Border. Gyirong has a beautiful valley known as Gyirong Valley.

SIGHTSEEING IN GYIRONG

Gyirong is worth to stay overnight which you could enjoy the pleasant weather with greeneries all around. In Gyirong, You can also visit some sights like Pakba Lhakang (Monastery). The monastery was built by King Songtsen Gampo and the structure of monastery is very much like Nepali Temple.

The ruins of Gongtang Kingdom which was first found by King Songtsen Gampo. There is also an old temple called Dolma Lhakang.

Rigsong-Gonpo Statue which means statue of the three Bodhisattvas, the statue was carved on the rock. In the middle, there is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, on the left there is Vajrapani Bodhisattva and on the next left, Manjushri Bodhisattva.

TRAVEL ROUTE TO EVEREST BASE CAMP FROM GYIRONG

If you want to visit Everest, then there is around 400km driving distance from Gyirong which will take about 7 hrs and on the way, you will see the most beautiful landscape of Pekutso lake, Shisha Bangma and Jo Oyu snow mountains.

The tourists can travel from Nepal to Tibet via Gyirong-Old Tingri-Rongbuk-Everest Base Camp from Tibet side-Shigatse-Gyantse Lhasa or the vise verse. By road, Gyirong has a distance of about 850 kilometers from Lhasa if you drive directly. The port is only 18km away from Gyirong Town which will take about 40min drive.

Tibet Shambhala Adventure will provide you the most popular tours like Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour, Everest Base Camp Tour, Kailash tour, cultural tours and or a tailor made Tibet tour according to your choice.

WHEN TO VISIT TIBET VIA GYIRONG

It is the key point and very important to choose the best season to travel to Tibet from Nepal via Gyirong border. From May to Oct is the best time to go to Tibet from Nepal via Gyirong as well.

There is no much snow in winter in Gyirong. If you choose to do Tibet winter tour through Gyirong, then Gyirong has very pleasant weather.

ACCOMMODATION IN GYIRONG

There is no hotels or guest house at the border itself But there are some good hotels and guest houses in Gyirong town where tourists are allowed to stay.

We Tibet Shambhala Adventure will take care of everything like accommodation, transportation, food etc. throughout the Tibet trip. In Gyirong, you will get Tibetan, Nepali and Chinese meals.

OPENING AND CLOSING TIME OF GYIRONG BORDER

The custom at Gyirong Border opens at 10:00 and close at 17:30 Beijing Time. Gyirong Port is the largest Overland port in Tibet where trading are happening and handling thousands of tourists through this border. It is the only overland entry into Tibet Autonomous Region from Nepal.

Go TO TIBET FROM NEPAL VIA HILSA BORDER IN THE WESTERN TIBET

Another way to go to Tibet from Nepal is Hilsa border. Hilsa border is located close to Purang county. Purang county is one of the lowest areas of Ngari regions with a altitude of 3600mts above sea level, located to the south of Mount Kailash at the distance of 120km.

The things to see between Hilsa border and Purang county are Korzhak or Korcha monastery which has more than a thousand years history and different kinds of ethnic people including Nepali, Tibetan and Chinese.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO TIBET FROM NEPAL THROUGH HILSA BORDER

The best time to go to Tibet from Nepal through Hilsa border is from May-Mid October and many tourists choose the trekking route from Simikot to Hilsa border. They trek from Simikot to Hilsa border for around 7 days and cross the border and get to Mount Kailash. There are thousands of Indian pilgrims who fly to Hilsa border by helicopter and drive to Mount Kailash.

Hilsa border usually opens by around 10. Am Beijing time until 5.00 Pm but usually the Chinese army comes to the custom any time between this specific time if the local Tibetan travel guide requests them.

The distance from Hilsa border to Kailash is just around 160km with a very good road condition. On the way, you will have fantastic view of Mt Kailash, Rakshastal lake and Mansarovar lake. The distance from Hilsa border to Lhasa is 1365km through the wilderness of the western plateau and Shigatse city.

Tibet Shambhala Adventure is an expert to design you any kinds of tailor made Tibet tours or you can choose our readymade Tibet travel packages from our website. The Tibet trips that you book with Tibet Shambhala Adventure will assure to be a comfortable, interesting and authentic Tibet travel tour. So, don’t miss this precious opportunity to have your unforgettable lifetime Tibet travel experience with Tibet Shambhala Adventure.

8 days Nepal to Tibet tour

Nepal to Tibet Overland Tour

 8 days Nepal to Tibet Overland Tour is the most famous tour where you can visit two countries with different culture, traditions, variety in food, Religion etc. some are common for instant Religion like Buddhism are also practicing in Nepal and shares the world’s highest mountain. 

Nepal and Tibet are the closest neighbor where you can have breathtaking drive from Kathmandu to Tibet via Kyirong Border, for now the only border crossing between Nepal and Tibet is Kyirong Border. So, this Tibet tour will be the best option for you to experience with Tibet Shambhala Adventure. “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”.

How to get to Nepal?There are two ways to get to Nepal. First way to get to Nepal is by Air. Nepal is very much flexible to the tourists to enter Nepal so if you just think of traveling to Nepal, you can easily book a ticket and fly to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. You don’t have to prepare visa before your arrival since Nepal government gives arrival visa to most of the countries’ tourist.

Usually, the shortest visa that you can get at the airport is 15 days Nepal tourist visa and it cost around 25US$. If you already plan to travel to Tibet from Nepal and back to Nepal after your Tibet travel, you might ask for a multiple entry visa so that you don’t have to ask again another visa to enter Nepal when you return from Tibet. The multiple visa might cost a little higher and longer days of visa.

How to look for a right travel agency in Kathmandu for Nepal to Tibet overland tour ?

There are thousands of travel agencies in Kathmandu and you will see several hundreds of travel agencies in Thamel Bazar of Kathmandu valley. Most of those travel agencies can help you to arrange Nepal to Tibet overland tour and can help you to get China group visa for Tibet travel.

Another way to look for a right travel agency is to search the best local Tibetan travel agency from google or other internet resources and you can directly deal with local Tibetan travel agency who can give you more accurate information and better Tibet trip cost prior to your arrival in Nepal or even from Kathmandu.

How to get China visa and Tibet travel permit for the Nepal to Tibet overland tour?

Make sure that you must have around a week time to wait in Kathmandu for the documents of China visa and Tibet travel permit if you book the trip in Nepal. The Nepalese agency has to get China visa invitation letter from the partner Tibetan travel agency and the application of China visa in Kathmandu takes you three working days.

Make sure that your passport is not a diplomatic passport and that you don’t enter Nepal with diplomatic passport because without Nepal visa on your normal passport, you will not be able to enter Tibet from Kyirong border.

Driving distance from Kathmandu to Kyirong border in Tibet ?

The driving distance between Kathmandu and Kyirong border is 150Km only but the road condition is not so good, especially during the summer because it is a heavy monsoon in Nepal and sometimes it is possible to have heavy landslides as well. An adventure four-wheel drive journey is started early in the morning in Kathmandu and arrive in Kyirong between 2-3.00 Pm Beijing time.

Kyirong is the bordered town between Nepal and Tibet. The total driving time is  around 8-9 hours. The landscape is beautiful, dominated by hillside villages, forested gorge, and green rise field and the Langtang national park.

How to cross Nepal Tibet border?

Once you arrive in Syaburibesi at Nepal side, there are Nepali border guides who can travel to China Tibet side with special license so our Nepali guides will introduce to the border guides and will take you to Tibet side. Just take a departure stamp from Nepal custom at Syaburibesi and walk over the friendship bridge between Nepal and China Tibet.

Meet your local Tibetan travel guide at China custom with all your necessary Tibet travel permits with him. Be in the queue, give the passports to your Tibetan guide. The guide will do necessary paper work from China custom and then give the passports back. Get entry stamp on your China group visa and drive to Kyirong town which is 18km from the border. The road condition is far better than the road in Nepal.

Is it important to spend a night in Kyirong border?

It is very important to have a night in Kyirong during Nepal to Tibet overland tour because in the one hand, the travel distance from Kathmandu to Kyirong is very long and tough. In the other hand, your Tibetan guide must make another Tibet permit from PSB (People’s Security Bureau ) by showing your original passports for the travel route from Kyirong to Lhasa. Another reason to spend a night in Kyirong is to acclimatize to the condition of high altitude in order to succeed your Tibet travel.

How far is the travel distance from Kyirong to Lhasa?

This Nepal to Tibet overland tour officially begins from Kyirong town. Kyirong is the birth place of Milarepa who is one of the most famous Buddhist Yogi, got enlightenment within his lifetime. If the time permits, you can also visit this sacred cave on a rocky mountain to the left side of the main road to Lhasa after around 20km drive from Kyirong. The total distance of 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour is around 1098km from Kathmandu to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet.

What you can see during 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour?

This Tibet overland tour will take you through some of the highest mountain passes including Gungtang la pass, Gyatso la pass, Karola pass and Kampa pass. All those high mountain passes are above 5000mts above sea level and you will enjoy a panoramic view of different Himalayan Mountain ranges and beautiful lakes including Yamdrok lake.

You will drive through beautiful Tibetan villages, dominated by their unique Tibetan architects with white washed walls, colorful prayer flags raised onto the roof of the Tibetan traditional houses, fertile lands of barley and rapeseed flowers, great view of Mt Everest and other above 8000mts mountains including Shisha Bangma and Jo Oyu.

Visit Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet and Tashi Lhunpo monastery, one of the six largest monasteries in Tibet and the seat of the successive of the Penchen Lama.

Gyantse town, one of the least influenced town from modernization and a home to Palchoe monastery and Kubum Pagoda stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa in Tibet with 9 stories high. The old town of Gyantse and the Tibetans who are into their traditional costume makes the town very unique and special. Old fortress of Gyantse Dzong and beautiful Tibetan traditional houses make it a real Tibet.

After Gyantse, your 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour takes you to Lhasa city via Karola glacier, located to the foot of Nechen Kangsang snow mountain ( 7200m ) and Yamdrok lake, one of the most beautiful and most sacred lakes in Tibet. You will be driving along the lake side and will enjoy seeing a fantastic view of entire Yamdrok lake and Nechen Kangsang snow mountain from the top of Kampala pass which is the last highest mountain pass during your 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour.

Driving down the zigzag road of Kampala pass, you will enter into the Brahmaputra river valley ( Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan ) The valley is created by Brahmaputra river which is the longest and largest river in Tibet, starts its source from the western part of Tibet near Mount Kailash, flows through Shigatse, Tsetang, the cradle of Tibet, located to the south of Lhasa city and continuously to the south and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal.

In the summer time, the valley is very beautiful by extreme green trees, barley field, and beautiful Tibetan villages and finally enter into Lhasa, seeing the Potala Palace standing still in front of you when you cross over the bridge of Lhasa river after Lhasa train station, Eventually, reaching Lhasa as your final destination of the 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour.

Lhasa is the center of Tibetan culture, religion, business and official headquarters. It is also the home to some of the most famous and greatest sights of the Buddhist temples, Palaces and monasteries. Some of them have been listed in the UNESCO world heritage sites. Visiting the highlights of the Lhasa city including the Potala Palace, Jokang temple as the UNESCO world heritage sites and Drepung and Sera monasteries, the largest Buddhist philosophical colleges in the world, dominated by beautiful Tibetan traditional buildings, old wall painting and lots of ancient culture and antiques inside the monasteries.

If you visit the monasteries during special occasions, you will witness monks chanting, musk dancing and of course monks debating in Sera monastery. During your Tibet tour, you can also see some of Tibetan festivals such as Shoton festival or Yogurt festival in the middle of summer, monks’ musk dancing festivals or Thangka display festivals if you are lucky to take Tibet tour for a right time of the festival.

During your Tibet tour, it is very important to take a walk around the Jokang temple and enjoy walking with local Tibetans around the Jokang temple and watching the Bazzar in Bharkor. In front of the Jokang temple, it is very interesting to spend some time to watch a big group of Tibetan pilgrims who are doing prostration in front of the joking temple to pay homage to the most sacred statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Condition of the Road from Kyirong to Lhasa:

The road condition in Tibet these days is very good and most part of the road in all the regions of Tibet is paved so it make the tourist to travel to Tibet more conveniently than before. Regarding on the road condition of this 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour, apart from Nepal side, the road for entire Tibet journey is paved so it is an easy and comfortable road journey except crossing some of the highest mountain passes of the Himalayas through many zigzag roads.

When is the best time to do 8 days Nepal to Tibet Overland Tour?

The best time to do this beautiful Nepal to Tibet overland tour is from April-October because during this period of time, you can see beautiful green scenery, warm and beautiful weather, comfortable temperature and many Tibetan traditional festivals also occur during summer time but you can do this Tibet tour throughout the year because of a good road condition and good facility on the way from Kyirong to Lhasa.

What kind of food you will get during Nepal to Tibet overland tour?

Nowadays, no need to worry about the food in Tibet during your Tibet trip because there are plenty of Chinese and Tibetan restaurants in every stop like Kyirong, Tingri, Shigatse and Gyantse. In Kyirong, Shigatse and Gyantse, you can also find restaurants which serve continental food as well.

Once you arrive in Lhasa, you will have a variety of food options that there are western, Chinese and Tibetan restaurants and many of them are high quality restaurants where you can get different kinds of imported wine and whisky.

What kind of hotel you will get during this Tibet tour?

Nowadays, the hotel facility in Tibet has been improved a lot for the last 10 years so there are different optional hotels available on the way during your Tibet trip.

In Kyirong, there are a few good 3* conditioned hotels, in new Tingri ( Shegar in Tibetan ), there are a couple of good conditioned 3* hotels, in Shigatse, there are optional hotels from 4 star to 1 star, in Gyantse, the best available hotels are 3* and in Lhasa, you can find the best hotel from Shangrila or ST Regis Lhasa Resort and Lubhum Tsang boutique hotel and Songtsam Choekyiling resort and many other optional different kinds of hotels from 5 star to 1 star.

What kind of guide you will get for the Tibet trip ?

Most of the time, you will get English speaking guides in Tibet but if you have a specific language speaking guide request, Tibet Shambhala Adventure can arrange you French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian speaking guides for your Tibet tour. All the guides of Tibet Shambhala Adventure are local Tibetans and they are knowledgeable and very well know the culture, religion, lifestyle of the people of Tibet and so on. 

What kind of vehicle you will get during Nepal to Tibet overland tour?

In Tibet, you must have a tourist licensed vehicle and it depends on what kind of vehicles you will be provided. Normally, it depends on the size of your group. If the group number is above 4 people, we will arrange comfortable mini van, or van, mini bus or bus according to the group size. Tibet has the largest tourist bus as 29 seats. If your group is bigger than 27 people, then we will arrange two buses for the Tibet trip.

Is there high altitude problem for this Tibet tour?

Usually, having a little dizzy or headache in the beginning of Tibet tour, it is very common and usually, this kind of symptom will be gone after 2-3 days in Tibet. Drinking a lot of water is compulsory and you might take some high altitude herbal medicine, made in Tibet which really helps you to avoid from altitude sickness. In general, most of the tourists don’t get severe altitude sickness because this kind of Tibet tour is slowly moving around.

How is the travel Rescue and evacuation system for this Tibet travel tour?

Actually, there is no need of travel evacuation for this kind of Tibet trip because you are traveling through towns and cities so just incase you are sick from altitude, your guide will take you to the hospital nearby and they will take care of altitude problem. If they can not solve the problem, then they will send you to Lhasa or Shigatse for the further treatment. In Tibet, we don’t have helicopter evacuation service. You will be sent to the hospital by ambulance.

Does the trip cost cover Tibet travel insurance?

If you book Tibet trip with an officially registered travel company in Tibet like Tibet Shambhala Adventure, they all have travel agent liability and travel accidental insurance but we recommend you to buy personal and evacuation travel insurance to make sure that all your cost will be covered just incase you are sick from altitude.

Can we get Medical kit and Oxygen during your Tibet tour?

Tibet Shambhala Adventure always offers a big full cylinder of oxygen in your vehicle and medical kit including some altitude medicine, cold and headache medicine, bandages and other necessary equipment for the medical kits.

How much does it cost for 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour?

The cost of Tibet tour mainly depends on as below:

1. Which month you are traveling to Tibet?
2. Number of People in a Tibet travel group.
3. What type of accommodation you are requesting
4. If you want us to include all three meals etc

In General, if you take a private 8 days Nepal to Tibet overland tour, it will cost around 1300US$ per person approximately on the basis of 2 people group size but if you are looking for a low budget Tibet tour, you can join our fixed Departure tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa and this Tibet tour departure is guaranteed on every Saturday. To have more information of this Tibet trip, please check Tibet travel at Tibet Shambhal Adventure.

Can you extend the tour to mainland China after this Tibet trip?

Yes, we can definitely help you to extent this Tibet tour to any kinds of mainland China cities. You can travel to mainland China from Tibet by flights or train but the most important thing is that you must let your travel agency know when you book the Tibet travel because you must ask for a separate single China visa when we apply for the China visa in Kathmandu. Once you have a separate China visa, you can easily travel to mainland China from Lhasa.

About The Author:

This Article has been written by Dawa Tsering, Managing Director at Tibet Shambhala Adventure. Dawa Tsering, a resident of Lhasa city, has worked 20 years in the Tibetan tourism industry, traveling to every corner of Tibet including the western and eastern Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Region. He has dedicated a lot to the Tibetan tourism industry especially, adventure trekking, motor biking, mountain biking and Tibetan home stay. He is fluent in Chinese, Tibetan and English. He can tailor you any type of unique Tibet tour and Tibet trekking tour throughout the region.

Contact Information:

Company Name: Tibet Shambhala Adventure

Contact Person: Dawa Tsering

Designation: Managing Director

Contact No.: +86-891-6386662

Fax: 86-891-6321655

Address: Nyangra Road, Xinfu xincun, 89

Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region,

China 850000

Email: sales@shambhala-adventure.com

Website: https://shambhala-adventure.com/