Best of Tibet – 12 night / 13 days

Day 01: Arrive in Kathamndu (1350m / 4430ft): You will be picked up at the airport in Kathmandu by our staff and take you to your hotel. Later, you will be briefed about you program.

Overnight at Nepali Ghar Hotel

Meal: Dinner

Day 02: Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley: Visit the Soyambhunath stupa on a hillock over looking Kathmandu valley. Well known as ‘Monkey Temple’ the golden spire crowning, Soyambhunath is the most ancient and mystical of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley.
Then visit Patan – the first city of Nepal. The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur, meaning city of beauty. The city is believed to be the first settlement in the Valley and famous for its amazing collection of fantastically carved temples and palace courtyards. Walk around local market of Kathmandu in the late afternoon or just relax at hotel.

Overnight at Nepali Ghar Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara (850m / 2790ft): A short and scenic flight will take you to the beautiful town Pokhara. The lush natural beauty of Pokhara contrasts with spectacular Mountain views and tranquil lake has quietly won the hearts of travelers from around the world. After check-in at hotel, visit International Mountain Museums and walk around colorful lakeside.

Overnight at Hotel Barahi
Meal: Breakfast

Day 04: In Pokhara: Pumdikot to Peace Stupa Hike: After breakfast, take a short drive to Pumdikot (1500m / 4920ft), a site of ancient fort on a hilltop. Then take a pleasant short downhill hike to Peace Stupa. The hike is downhill and offers outstanding views of the Fewa Lake, Pokhara city and Himalayas on the background. Drive back to Pokhara for lunch. Then, visit Gurkha Memorial Museums and Seti George.

Overnight at Hotel Barahi

Meal: Breakfast

Day 05: Drive to Kathmandu: A scenic 6 hours’ drive passing through several small towns and farm lands will bring you back to Kathmandu. The entire drive is stunningly beautiful and allows stopping at different places for taking pictures, drink and using bathroom at highway restaurants.

Overnight at Nepali Ghar Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Day 06: Fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (3570m / 11700ft) / drive to Tsedang (3500m / 11480ft) 1 ½ hour drive: The adventure starts with an eye-opening flight to Lhasa flying over Himalayas. You will be picked up by your Tibetan guide at Gonggar Airport. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Tsedang, which takes around 1 ½ hour. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and avoid exertion for acclimatization.

Overnight at Hotel (3*)

Meal: Breakfast, dinner

Day 07: Drive to Lhasa (3655m /12000ft): Tsedang is the cradle of Tibetan civilization and the area is filled with important historical landmarks. In the morning, visit Yambulakhang (the first Palace of Tibet dates back to 2^nd century BC). Then you will drive through spectacular landscape of Yarlung Tsangpo Valley to the Samey Monastery. Situated at the north side of Yarlung Tsangpo River also known as Brahmaputra River, the Samye monastery was the 1st monastery of Tibet built in the 8th century. Based on the Buddhist idea of universe, the monastery was built in the shape of Mandala. Built in Tibetan, Chinese and Indian architectural styles, the Samye Monastery is known as an architectural wonders. After exploring the monastery, you will drive to Lhasa with spectacular views.

Overnight at Hotel (3*)

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 08: Sightseeing in Lhasa: After breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour to Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka and Jokhang temple. At the famous Drepung Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the biggest monastic university of Lhasa, housing 7,700 monks in its heyday. Then you will visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama.  Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. It is the holiest shrine of Tibet situated in the heart of Lhasa.
Overnight at Hotel (3*)

Meal: Breakfast, dinner

Day 09: Sightseeing in Lhasa: You will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully Sera Monastery where you can observe monks debating and performing religious discourses. After the tour, you are escorted back to your hotel.
Overnight at Hotel (3*)

Meal: Breakfast, dinner

Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide

Day 10: Drive to Shigatse (3900m / 12800ft): Today you will drive on scenic Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway via beautiful Yamdrok-tso Lake and historic town Gyantse. Stop to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and visit large gold-domed stupa of Kumbum that houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. Then drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

Overnight at Hotel (3*)

Meal: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Drive to Lhasa: In the morning, visit Tashilumpu Monastery – the traditional monastic seat of the Panchen Lama, and a historically and culturally important monastery in Shigatse. Then drive to Lhasa along the legendary Yarlung Tsangpo River. After check-in at hotel in Lhasa, you will have free time for wandering the town on your own.

Overnight at Hotel (3*)

Meal: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu: After early breakfast, you will be transferred to Gongar Airport for Kathmandu flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up at airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Boudhanath, possibly the world’s largest Buddhist stupa and a site of great veneration and Tibetan cultural. Visit Tibetan monastery and painting school.
Overnight at Nepali Ghar Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Day 13: Depart from Kathmandu: Transfer to airport.

Meal: Breakfast