15 Day Tibet Nepal Bhutan Himalayan Exploration Tour

Welcome to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet! Upon your arrival at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the Lhasa train station, your local tour guide will greet you to escort you to your private vehicle to transport you to your downtown Lhasa hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to rest and relax in your hotel and become acclimatized to the higher elevations of Tibet.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

This morning after a nice breakfast at your hotel, we will begin our exploration of this amazing city with a visit to the incredibly beautiful icon of Lhasa – the Potala Palace. Construction on the Potala Palace began in 1645 A.D. as an ideal location for a governmental building situated between the Drepung and Sera Monasteries and the old city of Lhasa, but it was built over an earlier fortress built by Songtsen Gampo in 637 A.D. Two chapels in the northwest corner of the complex still preserve parts of the orginal fortress. This spectacular complex, containing 13 stories of buildings with more than 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and approximately 200,000 statues, was built into the side and top of Marpo Ri (Red Hill) and it remains as one of humanity’s most beautiful structures after nearly 400 years. We will have the opportunity to enter the palace complex and explore many of the stately chapels as we learn about its fascinating history.

From the towering Potala Palace we will move on the historic Jokhang Temple, which is widely considered as the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism. The oldest parts of the Jokhang Temple date to 652 A.D. with the last renovation done in 1610 A.D. to create the structure as it stands today. This ancient temple contains a massive number of ancient religious artifacts, the most important of which is the Jowo Rinpoche, the most sacred statue in Tibet. This life-sized (5 foot, 1.5 meter) statue of Shakyamuni at the age of 12 was reportedly blessed by the Buddha himself and was brought to the Jokhang Temple by Princess Wencheng around 1,400 years ago.

After visiting the sacred Jokhang Temple, we will explore the area surrounding the temple on Barkhor Square and Barkhor Street. Barkhor Street travels around the Jokhang Temple in a circle for about 1 kilometer and it is a popular route for Tibetan pilgrims as a “kora” or religious circuit. The square and street have many shops and stalls selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods, religious items, handicrafts and souvenirs.

After visiting Barkhor, we will return to our hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

Today after breakfast we will continue our in-depth exploration of this wonderful city with a visit to the beautiful Norbulingka Palace and Park, the location of the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas from the 1780s up until 1959. It features the famous Potrang, the private palaces of former Dalai Lamas built in the grandiose style of traditional Tibetan architecture.

After visiting the palaces and park at Norbulingka, we will travel around 5 kilometers to the western outskirts of Lhasa to visit the Drepung Monastery. The word "drepung" in Tibetan language means "prosperity". Since its establishment in 1416, Drepung Monastery has served as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. During its prime, more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery. Throughout its history, many important and famous Tibetan leaders studied at this monastery, including the Dalai Lamas. Accordingly, Drepung Monastery is also respectfully known as the “Mother School of Dalai Lamas”.

In the afternoon, we will escort you on to another famous monastery in Lhasa - the Sera Monastery. Sera Monastery is famous for its spectacular “Buddhist Debates”. As a daily routine, the monks gather in a courtyard, and debate on the various Buddhist doctrines with exaggerated gestures, which is thought to be helpful in facilitating a better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study. After enjoying the "Buddhist Debates", we will take you back to your hotel with the rest of the day and evening to relax or explore on your own.

Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

This morning after breakfast we will set off for Gyantse, a drive of about 260 kilometers (162 miles). Along the way we will stop by one of the four holy lakes of Tibet – Yamdrok Lake. At an elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level, Yamdrok Lake is a massive freshwater lake covering around 638 square kilometers (246 square miles). Lying amidst snow-capped mountains and fertile pastures dotted with grazing yaks and sheep, Yamdrok Lake is famed for its stunning panoramic views.

After plenty of time taking in the magnificent scenery of Yamdrok Lake, we will drive on through more spectacular scenery, passing by the beautiful Karola Glacier (elevation 5046 meters) that lies very near the highway.

After reaching Gyantse, we will visit the Palcho (Pelkhor) Monastery, an ancient complex of structures that traces its history back to the 9th century A.D. The most notable feature of Palcho Monastery is its Bodhi Dagoba, also known as a “kumbum”, which is a multistoried aggregate of chapels in Tibetan Buddhism. The kumbum at Palcho Monastery stands 32 meters (105 feet) high as a nine-tiered building with 108 gates and 76 chapels and shrines. The first five floors of the kumbum are square with the upper floors in a circular shape, giving it a pyramidial appearance. We will also have the opportunity to climb up to the ancient Gyantse Dzong (Fort) that overlooks the city and dates back to 1286 A.D.

After visiting the ancient fort, we will check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Gyantse

This morning after breakfast, we will take a short 10-minute drive outside of the city to visit Pala Manor, a well-preserved complex that purportedly shows the differences in living conditions between the wealthy aristocratic Tibetans and the poor serfs that worked for them. From there we will drive on another couple of hours to reach Shigatse, the home of the Tashilunpo Monastery, which is the official seat of the Panchen Lama, the second highest ranked figure in Tibetan Buddhism. This ancient monastery was founded in 1447 A.D. by Gedun Drub, who was posthumously named as the First Dalai Lama. The monastery also holds a massive statue of the Future Buddha that stands 26.2 meters tall and 11.5 meters wide and is embedded with diamonds, pearls, amber and corals along with 355 kilograms of gold.

After visiting the Tashilunpo Monastery, we will check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse

After breakfast this morning we will embark on a long but incredibly scenic 7-hour drive from Shigatse to see Mount Everest. Along the way, if the weather is clear, we will be able to see some of the Himalayan mountain range’s most famous peaks, each of which rise more than 8,000 meters above sea level, including Makalu, Lhotse, Gyachung and Cho Oyu. Upon reaching the Ronkbuk Monastery, the world’s highest altitude monastery, we will be able to see the majestic peak of Mount Everest. The rest of the day will be free for you to visit the Ronkbuk Monastery and explore the surrounding area with its incredible views.

Notes on Accommodations:

Visitors to Mount Everest during the off-season (November to April) will stay overnight at the Rongbuk Guesthouse near the Rongbuk Monastery. During the peak season (May to October), guests will stay the Tibetan Tent Camp, located about 4 kilometers from the Rongbuk Monastery. Please be aware that accommodations at both places are very basic with only dormitory beds and communal squat toilets. Duvets, heated blankets and hot water are provided but we recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag and toilet paper for this part of the trip. There is no running water so there are no sinks or showers. Meals will be in the dining hall where only basic breakfast and dinner are provided with no menu.

Accommodation: Overnight at local Guest House

This morning, wake up early to see the incredible sunrise as it shines upon the peak of the world. If we have stayed overnight at the Rongbuk Guesthouse, we’ll drive to the Tibetan Tent Camp (elevation 4900 meters) to enjoy a closer view of Mount Everest. Of course the peak of Mount Everest is covered by snow year-round, so when the sun shines on the peak it looks like a giant white pyramid. This is one of the most famous views of Mount Everest in photographs, and if the day is clear enough you will be able to witness it with your own eyes. On bright days you may also see a wisp of a cloud hanging just above the tip of Mount Everest, which flies eastward in the fast-moving westerly wind, creating an effect just like a flapping flag. This unique effect is known as the “Cloud Flag” and it is spectacular as it changes from surging waves into a thin wisp of smoke, or from something resembling galloping stallions into the mysterious veil of a goddess.

After plenty of time taking in the incredible scenery of Mount Everest, we will drive on through some more incredible Himalayan scenery to reach Gyirong Town. Along the way, if the weather permits, we will be able to see Shishapangma Peak and the stunningly beautiful Pekutso Lake before we check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Gyirong Town

This morning we will be leaving Tibet and China to travel into the neighboring country of Nepal and Kathmandu by walking through customs and crossing the border. From the customs checkpoint we will drive on through some wonderful mountain scenery for about 160 kilometers, taking around 6 hours to get there due to the narrow and bumpy roads. Please be aware that during the rainy season this road will be muddy and can sometimes be closed due to landslides.

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, we will take you to your local hotel and help you get checked in for the night. You will have the rest of the day to relax in your hotel room, or you can begin to explore the local area on your own.

Accommodation: Overnight in Kathmandu

After a nice breakfast at your hotel, we will do some exploring around the legendary city of Kathmandu. We will start off at the historic social and religious center of the city at Kathamandu Durbar Square, one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At Kathmandu Durbar Square, the inner complex is the site of the Old Royal Palaces which housed the kings of the Shah and Malla Dynasty, who ruled over Kathmandu until the 19th century. The outer complex consists of many pagoda-style temples that have intricately carved wooden facades, some of which date back to the 1500s.

From the ancient Kathmandu Durbar Square we will move on about 2 kilometers west of Kathmandu to Swayambhunath Temple, one of Nepal’s oldest religious sites with its origins believed to be from the early 5th century A.D. Revered by both Buddhists and Hindus, Swayambhunath is also sometimes known as the “Monkey Temple” due to the hordes of monkeys that inhabit the complex. If the weather is clear we will be able to see a fantastic panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range in the distance, as well as a wonderful over Kathmandu and Kathmandu Valley. From Swayambhunath we will travel on to Boudhanath with its massive Buddhist stupa, the largest such stupa in Nepal and one of the largest and most important stupas in the world. The all-seeing red, white and blue eyes of Buddha are painted on all four sides of the stupa, similar to Swayambhunath, and surrounded by hundreds of fluttering prayer flags, prayer wheels and smaller images of the Buddha.

After our visit to Boudhanath, we will drive around 34 kilometers (21 miles) to the incredibly beautiful village of Nagarkot, which has one of the broadest views of the Himalayas in the Kathmandu Valley, with 8 of the 13 Himalayan mountain ranges visible from the village, including Mount Everest. The sunset over the Himalayas as seen from Nagarkot is breathtaking. After watching the spectacular sunset, we will check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Nagarkot

This morning, if you like, you can take an optional early morning sightseeing flight to get an up close look at Mount Everest and many other high mountain peaks, lakes and glaciers in the Himalayas.

We will plan to get up very early today to watch the stunning sunrise over Mount Everest before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will depart from Nagarkot and travel on to Bhaktapur, an ancient city located about 13 kilometers (8 miles) east of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa, was the capital of Nepal during the Malla Dynasty until the late 1400s and the largest of the three Newa kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur has the most well-preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal, with its rich culture, magnificent temples, wood, metal and stone artwork qualifying the city for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Bhaktapur, we will drive to Patan, which was once its own independent kingdom and is now famous for its Patan Durbar Square. This former royal square is known for its many ancient temples and palaces that feature exquisitely carved artwork inside and out.

From Patan, we will return to Kathmandu for more sightseeing in the capital city at Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal dating back to as early as the 4th century B.C. This massive temple complex is devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva, with numerous temples and shrines built in the various styles and traditions of the Hindu religion.

After exploring Pashuptinath, we will check into our hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Kathmandu

We will get an early start this morning as we take you to the Kathmandu airportfor your flight to Paro airport, the only international airport in Bhutan. This flight is unusually scenic with views of some of the world’s highest mountain peaks including Mount Everest along the way.

Upon arrival at the Paro airport, your local tour guide will escort you to your private vehicle where your driver will transport you to downtown Paro to begin your exploration of Bhutan. First up is a visit to the Bhutan National Museum to learn about this small country’s rich culture and history. The museum itself is housed in an ancient watchtower located on a hill above Rinpung Dzong, an ancient fortress and monastery also known as Paro Dzong, which we will also have the opportunity to visit today. From Rinpung Dzong we can walk across the cantilever bridge to Paro Town to explore the small town.

After our sightseeing in Paro, we will drive around 90 minutes to reach the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu and check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Thimphu

This morning after breakfast we will visit the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to the 3rd king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. With its bells and golden spires, the stupa serves as an important religious center for Bhutan’s local population. From the National Memorial we will move on to the Traditional Painting School where students learn how to create the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts such as painting, woodcarving, embroidery, sculpture, etc. After visiting the school, we will see the National Textile Museum where we can learn about Bhutan’s “national living art” – textile weaving. The museum contains many examples of Bhutan’s traditional costumes and historic textiles.

Next we will explore the Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife preserve area for the takin, the national animal of Bhutan. This unique animal looks like a muskox but it is more closely related to sheep.

After our visit to the Motithang Takin Preserve, we will depart from Thimphu, driving through a forest of hemlock and pine trees to drive on to Punakha. Along the way we will travel through the Dochu La Pass (elevation 3050 meters / 10142 feet) where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas.

Upon our arrival in Punakha, we will check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Punakha

This morning we will visit the Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. Constructed in 1637 – 1638, the dzong houses the sacred relics of the souther Drukpa lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the terton Pema Lingpa.

From the Punakha Dzong we will move on to the mysterious Chimi Lhakhang, a Buddhist monastery built on a hilltop in 1499 A.D. It is said that childless women can visit this temple to receive a blessing that will allow them to have a child.

After our visit to Chimi Lhaktang, we will take the scenic 3.5-hour drive back to Paro where we will check into our local accommodations for the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Paro

This morning we will embark on the short drive to the upper valley of Paro, where we can get a fantastic view of Mt. Chomolhari, a Himalayan peak that straddles the border between Tibet and Bhutan. From there we will move on to the Taktsang trail for a 2 to 3-hour hike to the spectacular Taktsang Monastery. Also known as Paro Taktsang, the monastery was precariously built into a cliffside about 900 meters (2,953 feet) above the Paro Valley floor in 1692. It is also sometimes referred to as the Tiger’s Nest due to a legend that Guru Rinpoche flew to the site on the back of a flying tigress in the late 7th century. Along the way to the monastery we will stop at a small tea house for tea and snack food, with the view of the Taktsang Monastery and the Paro Valley providing an incredible backdrop as we rest.

After visiting the Taktsang Monastery, we will return to Paro to spend the night.

Accommodation: Overnight in Takshang

This morning after breakfast, your local guide and driver will transport you from your hotel to the airport for the flight on to your next destination.

Accommodation: None