Tibet & Nepal Culture and Nature Tour

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you will head for Norbulingka - a traditional summer palace and residence starting from the 7th Dalai Lama. It is also the place where they conduct their affairs and religious activities. The whole garden covers an area of 46 hectares, with more than 370 rooms of different sizes, known as “garden of the garden”. It is the largest, most scenic and most historic garden in Tibet.

Then continue to Drepung Monastery. It is known for the high standards of its academic study and is the highest status monastery in Gelug Order. It used to be the former state monastery of Tibet, which served as the headquarters for the Dalai Lama before moving to the Potala Palace.

After lunch in the local restaurant, you will proceed to monastery of Sera, which is one of the “Three Great Monasteries” of the Gelug Order. Today, about hundreds of monks live and study here. The highlight is the debating at around 3 - 5 o'clock in the afternoon. When you arrive at the debating court at this time, you will see groups of monks excitedly debating in a living atmosphere.

Overnight in Lhasa.

Sere Monastery

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you will drive about 3 hours to Tsedang, which is reputed as "the cradle of Tibetan Civilization". Before reaching Tsedang, you will visit Samye monastery, the first Buddhist monastery to be founded in Tibet. And it is the first monastery that contains three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Then you will take a ferry to cross Yarlung Zangpo River and visit Tsedang. Tsedang is the center of the Yalong River Scenic Area, the  national-level scenic spot in Tibet. Here you will enjoy wonderful views of glaciers, idyllic pastures, sacred mountains and lakes.

Overnight in Tsedang.

breakfast and lunch

Today, you will pay a visit to Yumbu Lakhang Palace, the first building of Tibet was built in the 2nd century for Tibetan Kings. It situates on a summit of a small hill on the east bank of the Yarlung River.

Then you will head for Trandruk Temple, which is the second of Tibet's earliest geomantic temples after the Jokhang.

Overnight in Tsedang.

breakfast and lunch

Today, you will leave for Gyantse from Tsedang where you will find the horses and yaks along the way. Your first stop is the crystal-clear Yamdrok Lake-- one of the three largest holy lakes in Tibet. It is the largest inland lake in the northern foothills of the Himalayas. Yamdrok lakeside is a highland pasture with clear water and rich grass. Meanwhile, you can catch the splendid views of the stretched mountains and the snow-capped mountains at distance.

Drive westward along the lake, and you will see magnificent Karola Glacier. Then move on to Gyangtse Pelkor Chode. The Monastery(4000m) is a typical Tibetan Buddhist temple building combined with a pagoda temple, and is the only one completely preserved to today. With a large group of monumental buildings, it is known as the king of pagoda in Tibet. There is also the famous Kumbum, a chorten containing many sacred images. After the tour, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Gyantse.

Yamdrok Lake

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, we drive towards Shigatse. In Shigatse, you will visit the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery where you can see the well-preserved largest statue of Jampa (future Buddha) in the world.

In the afternoon, we drive to the Sakya county where you can visit the famous Sakya Monastery. It was founded in 1073 and was the principal monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is surrounded by high black colored walls with watch towers on all four corners. There are a large number of valuable cultural relics, such as seals, Buddha statues and tens of thousands of square meters murals of Yuan Dynasty.

Overnight in Sakya.

Tashilhunpo Monastery

breakfast and lunch and dinner

Today you will drive from Sakya to Everest Base Camp. You will pass through the grassland, torrent, and mountains. If the weather is clear, you can have a glimpse of the splendid views of 4 mountains which are over 8000m, including Mount Lhotse (8516m), Mount Everest (8848m), Mount Qowowuyag (8201m), Mount Mayalu (8463m).

Overnight in EBC.

Everest Base Camp

breakfast and lunch

Wake up in the morning and enjoy the moment when the first sunlight shines over summit of imposing Mount Everest.

After grasping the wonderful pictures, you can stroll to the Rongbuk Monastery, exploring this world’s highest Buddhist compound. If you wish, you can do the meditation and experience the unparalleled tranquility and harmony there. Or you can interact with monks and nuns with the help of guide to learn more of their unique spiritual life.

Then, you will head for Gyirong, where you will leave for Nepal. On the way, you can enjoy the stunning scene of Himalaya and Gangdise Mountain.

Overnight in Gyirong.

Gyirong

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, your guide will escort you to Gyirong border. Then, you will cross the border bridge on your own and check in at Nepal border. You will get the Nepal visa upon arrival and one photo at passport size will be needed.

After entering Nepal, your guide will be waiting for you. Your guide will accompany you to the hotel in Kathmandu (7-8hrs) by vehicle and help you check in. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

breakfast and lunch

You will start your tour of Kathmandu from the bustling bazaars in Ason where you can see various vegetable, spice and textiles.

Next, walk to the grand Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is the centre of the old city and preserve the temples and palaces complex from the 12th to the 18th century. There are a number of splendid temples to visit, including Kasthamandap, Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairab (God of Destruction), Kumari Bahal, etc. If lucky, you may have a chance to see the living goddess in Kumari Bahal.

Then visit Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple. Located on a small hillock in west Kathmandu, it boasts excellent view of the valley. The stupa was built in 460 A.D. by King Manadev and soon became an important center of Buddhism.

Afterwards, go head to visit the Pashupatinath Temple. Known as temple of burning corpse, it is the largest and holiest shrines for Hindus. Situated on the bank of Bagmati river, it was built in the 5th century. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. After the tour, return to hotel.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Pashupatinath Temple

breakfast

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to airport to take a flight to Pokhara. Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty, beautiful lakes and stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. Located in the south valley of Himalayan, its serene lakes and magnificence snow mountain rising behind them create an ambience of peace and purity.

Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free at leisure. In the evening, you can walk around the tourist area of lake side and experience the nightlife of Pokhara.

Overnight in Pokhara.

World Peace Stupa

breakfast and lunch

Early in the morning, your tour guide will pick you up to Sarangkot to catch the sunrise and beautiful panoramic views of annapurna range, dhaulagiri and fishtail mountains (Optional: Self-paying activity like paraglider can be available in Sarangkot). Then return to hotel for breakfast.

Afterwards, drive to see the Devis Fall, a stream from Phewa Lake falls straight down and vanishes underground through a natural cave. Then walk across the Devis Fall area and pay a visit to Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. It is one of the longest caves in Nepal at 2950 meters and is a sacred cave enshrined Hindu gods.

Next, take a short hike to World Peace Stupa that situated at an altitude of almost 1000 meters on the southwest of Pokhara. Once reach the top, you can enjoy the wide panoramic view of stretching towering mountains. While seeing the stunning natural sights around, you will immerse yourself in the peaceful ambience.

Afterwards, you will take a relaxing journey on Fewa Lake. Take a beautifully painted boat around the lakeshore, you will enjoy the beauty and serenity of the lake and mountains. Besides, the most important religious monument of Pokhara, Barahi Temple, is located on an island at the center of Fewa Lake.

Overnight in Pokhara.

Fewa Lake

breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, check out and drive to Chitwan (Approx. 4 hours). Chitwan National Park is the most popular destination for tourists who want to experience Nepal's wildlife. It’s home to the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger. You have chance to come across numerous of wildlife, such as one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, wild bison, etc.

Upon arrival at your resort, check-in. In the afternoon, enjoy sunset view from Rapti River Beach.

Overnight in Chitwan.

Rapti River Beach

breakfast and lunch

You will participate in full day jungle activities like bird watching, elephant safari, canoe ride and nature walk.

Wake up in the morning and take a nature walk to discover various birds. Then you will start jungle safari on elephant back to see different kinds of deer, rhinoceros, wild boar, leopard and many other smaller animals. Afterwards, proceed for Dugout Canoe Ride along with Rapti River to see rare species of crocodile.

In the late afternoon, you will visit Tharu village on an ox-drawn cart. The village itself is comprised of several mud and reed huts. You can see the domestic and farm animals roam around. And there’s a small museum which displays the tools and traditional clothes people use out in the field. In the evening, Tharu Tribal Dance will be presented by the local Tharu villagers.

Overnight in Chitwan.

Chitwan National Park

breakfast

Today, your guide will pick you up to the airport. And you will fly to Kathmandu for catching your departure flight.