Nepal Tibet Flight Tour
- Duration:
- 10 Days
- Price:
- From USD1949
- Route:
- Kathmandu-Nagarkot-Kathmandu-Lhasa-Namtso-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
This trip will lead you to explore from Kathmandu to Nagarkot. You can see the great natural scenery and feel the strong Hinduism atmosphere. The attractions include the main spots in Kathmandu Valley, such as Swyambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Durbar Square, Patan Museum, etc. And tourists can spend one night at Nagarkot Village, to enjoy the stunning sunset and sunrise of the Himalayas. Then you will fly to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, to see different plateau scenery and Tibetan Buddhist culture. Here you will ascend to the iconic Potala Palace, visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, and tour the stunning local monastery. Finally, head north to visit the sacred Namtso, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. After an overnight stay in Damxung, you will return to Lhasa and end this unforgettable trip of a lifetime.
Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
---|---|---|
1 | Arrival in Kathmandu | Pick up and transfer to the hotel. |
2 | Kathmandu Sightseeing | Swyambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple |
3 | Kathmandu - Nagarkot, 35km, Approx. 1.5hrs | Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nagarkot Village |
4 | Nagarkot-Kathmandu, 35km, Approx. 1.5hrs | Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum |
5 | Flight: Kathmandu-Lhasa(3650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel. |
6 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
7 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drak Yerpa, Sera Monastery |
8 | Lhasa - Namtso(4718m) - Damxung, 280km, Approx. 6hrs | Nyenchen Tangula Mountain Ranges, Namtso Lake |
9 | Damxung - Lhasa, 163km, Approx. 3hrs | Yampachen Hot Springs |
10 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseWelcome to Kathmandu! Our Nepali tour guide will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer you to the hotel. It’s only 6km from the airport to the downtown area. After a little bit rest, you can wander around this old city by yourself.
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, was built in A.D.723, already more than 1200years until now. It is the symbol of Nepalese ancient culture with the great art of architecture and wood carving. Numbers of palaces, temples, pagodas, and monasteries were built here during Nepal dynasties.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu
Today you will start to explore Kathmandu with our experienced Nepali guide.
Firstly, you will go to Swyambhunath Temple to see the stupa there. Swyambhunath was built 2000 years ago, even older than Kathmandu city! It's one of the World's Cultural Heritages in Nepal. And it's also called "Monkey Temple" as there are hundreds of wild monkeys living around it. The Swyambhunath Stupa is the second largest stupa in Nepal. The Buddha's eyes were painted on the four sides of the stupa, which means Buddha is watching you. The paint makes it so sacred that many pilgrims come to worship.
Then you will go to see the largest stupa in Nepal, as well as in the world. Boudhanath Stupa is located in the eastern of Kathmandu. 90% of Nepalese are Hindu devotees. You can see Lord Shiva everywhere. But here, Boudhanath is a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism as it's located in the main trading pass between Nepal and Tibet. So, every morning, there are many Tibetan Buddhists doing kora here, which is really an impressive scene.
In the end, we are heading to Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Nepal. The god of destruction - Shiva is enshrined in it. "Pashu" means "all living creatures", and "Patinath" means "the lord". This temple is also known as the "corpse cremation temple" because it's the place where Hindu devotees cremate the dead bodies in public.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu
Today we are going to visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square first.
"Durbar" means“Palace" in Nepalese language. There are three famous Durbar Squares in Nepal, one is in Kathmandu, one is in Bhaktapur, and the last is in Patan. After the 6th. The King of Malla Dynasty died, and all his three sons wanted to be the new king, so they controlled three different places and fought each other. These three Durbar Squares were built during that time.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is bigger than the other two squares. There are many temples, statues, and palaces over 500 years of history there, thus it's called "The Treasure of Medieval Nepalese Art” and "Outdoor Museum" as well.
After lunch, we are going to Nagarkot(2175m), 35km from Kathmandu. It's called the“Viewing Deck of the Himalayas" because it's the best place to see the overall perspective of the Himalayas. It used to be the secluded place of the Nepalese rulers, later it became the most popular place to enjoy the sunrise and sunset. The peak season is from Oct. to Mar. every year..
Stay overnight in Nagarkot village
After enjoying the great sunrise of Himalaya in Nagarkot, today we are going to another Durbar Square---Patan Durbar Square. It’s also one of the world's cultural heritages in Nepal. The biggest difference compared with the other two squares is the Newari classical architecture here.
In the afternoon, we are going to the Patan Museum. It may be the best museum in the South Asian Sub-Continent. It’s a complex of modern and ancient architecture art. The specialty seeing is those bronze statues, which are gods of Hindu and Buddhism. There are three showrooms of Hindu while 2 of Buddhism.
We will go back to Kathmandu in the late afternoon.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu
It takes around one and a half hours to Lhasa from Kathmandu by flight.
This is the first day you enter Tibet. Your Tibetan guide will greet you at the airport and send you to the lovely hotel. It usually takes 1.5 hours to drive from Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa. Tourists could have a look at Yarlung Tsangpo River, the largest and longest river in Tibet on their way to the hotel. After check in, you can have a good rest first. And if you feel like to go out, you can wonder around the city. But just remember that don’t take too much stuff, try to go with a light pack. Meanwhile, drink some more water. It’s really useful to get acclimatized to the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
After resting one night, today you will recover sufficiently to launch your Lhasa city tour, with close contact with Lhasa, which is the political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center of Tibet with a history of over 1300 years.
At first, you will go to the Potala Palace, which is the symbolic place of Lhasa and also the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century. The gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king are the most worth seeing in Potala Palace.
After lunch, you are going to Jokhang Temple, which was founded at the same time and by the same king as Potala Palace. From the outside, you can see many pilgrims prostrating in front of the temple. The most precious treasure of this temple is the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12.
Barkhor Street is the next destination that women love a lot. Because it’s a famous busy walking street where they can go shopping. There are many distinctive shops and stalls that sell different Tibetan stuff, like handicrafts, Thangka, and so on. Except for shopping, tourists can also join the Kora with pilgrims and locals, to explore Tibetan religious culture more deeply.
Optional:
You can go to visit the Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center if time is enough. You can also watch the Tibetan Culture Show in the evening for USD60 per person at your own expense.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.
In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, we drive to the holy Namtso Lake along the Qinghai-Tibet. On the way to Namtso, you will have a far view of Nyenchen Tangula Mountains. Enjoy the view of the vast grassland and spectacular natural scenery.
You'll arrive at Namtso Lake after passing Nagela Pass(5150m). It covers a total area of more than 1900 square kilometers. At an elevation of 4718 meters, it is also the highest-altitude salt lake in the world, the furthest depth being more than 33m. Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky Road Railway with snowy mountains background; while standing at the famous Nagela Pass, you can see the stunning view of holy Namtso Lake. If the weather is good, you will have a chance to enjoy the marvelous sunset view of the lake. Then we will drive to Damxung for and accommodation.
Stay overnight in Damxung
In the morning, we will go back to Lhasa. Yampachen lies just south of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains, famous for Yampachen Hot Springs, at an altitude of 4290 ~ 4500m making it the highest altitude set of hot springs in China. Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools have been set up here, in which visitors can enjoy a bath.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$1949 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by MARG***
HI, I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO TIBET AND NEPAL 10 YAS MORE O LESS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE BEST PERIOD TO GO
BEST REGARDS
Dear MARG****,
We can arrange 10 days more or less Nepal Tibet Flight Tour for you. It's a private tour. The best time to take this tour is from May to early October.
Tourists taking a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa need a China Group Visa which requires at least 4 applicants. We can entrust our Nepal work partner to find two Nepalese to help you with the China Group Visa, the service fee is from 130-160 p.p. based on 2 pax, not including the China visa fee. Usually, it takes 3 working days to obtain a China Group Visa in Kathmandu.
Or you can consider taking a connecting flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Chengdu. You can obtain a China visa in your country in advance.
Asked by Bian***
Hello! My boyfriend and I would like to visit Nepal and Tibet this summer in August (10-13 days in August central weeks). We saw the "Nepal Tibet Flight Tour" and it sounds good for us. Is it possible also to modify a little bit some stops along the tour?
Dear Bian****,
Yes, we can arrange a Tibet and Nepal tour for you in August.
Asked by Mink***
Hello, My husband and I would like to visit Tibet overland from Nepal. I found your company and like the sound of the tour you offer. After Tibet we would like to continue on and travel in China, then exit overland to Laos. Is it possible for us to travel China independently after Tibet with the Group Visa? Also we have stamps in our passports from some Middle East countries (Lebanon, possibly also Turkey by the time we arrive) will this be a problem when applying for the visa? Thank you for your help!
Dear Minka,
We can arrange your Nepal to Tibet overland tour. But right now, all international tourists enter Tibet by land from Nepal, they need to apply for a China group visa based on 4 applicants and all people should be present together to apply for the visa. And the China group visa will be valid after your Tibet tour and you can continue visiting China till it expires, usually 15 to 30 days.
From your plan, I suggest you open a group tour departure in advance, therefore we can recruit more people to join your date then you can apply for a China Group Visa together. For your passports from the Middle East, there's no problem applying for the visa so far.
Asked by Maud***
Hi, we are a Dutch family of 4, kids aged almost 11 and 13, living in Asia for over 10 years. Never been to Tibet and Nepal and currently living in Sri Lanka. We are looking for a 9/10 day trip starting in Kathmandu that shows the highlights of Nepal and Tibet: active, nature, culture, culinary. In the cities we like a good quality hotel. We don’t mind taking flights between Nepal and Tibet to cover more areas and also don’t mind camping in more nature / outside the city areas for a better experience.
Dear Maud****,
Thank you for sending us an inquiry!
As per your request, we can arrange 10 days Kathmandu & Tibet tour on 7 October for you. There is no direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa but connecting flight via Chengdu is available.
If you have any further questions or doubts, please let me know without hesitation. It is my pleasure to work with you at any time.
Asked by Muli***
Please send me the budget package for backpackers to travel Tibet and Nepal. We would like to book hotel and flight ticket to/from Kuala Lumpur at our own.
In your inquiry, you mentioned four of you would like to have this 10 Days Nepal Tibet Flight Tour. May I know when would you like to have this tour?
You can book your own flight ticket and hotel.
From Nepal to Tibet, you are required to apply for China Group Visa at China embassy in Nepal with our assistance even if you have had China Visa already. After you book your Tibet tour with us, we will send an official invitation letter for you to our partner in Kathmandu. After your arrival in Kathmandu, our Nepali partner will meet you for your original passport. With invitation letter, your original passport and one photo (passport photo size with white background), our Nepali partner could help you get your China Group Vias there within 3 working days).
I will quote for you after you confirm the itinerary.
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