Border Information: if joining the trip in Xi'an, you will most likely enter China at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (IATA code: XIY). Please note that our trips between Kathmandu and Xi'an travel through extreme environments and these itineraries WILL NOT NECESSARILY RUN AS PUBLISHED. We will adjust trip itineraries depending on weather, altitude effects, group make up and road conditions. This day by day itinerary is provided as a rough guide only. There will be a group meeting at 10:00am in our hotel in Xi'an - please look for a note from your tour leader when you arrive at the hotel giving more details about this important meeting. In the afternoon there will be an included visit to the awe-inspiring world-famous Terracotta Warriors. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Xi'an before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Xi'an.
Today we will start our journey with a drive from Xi'an to Pingliang.
Today we will have an included day visit to the holy mountain of Kongtong, where we can freely trek and explore the incredible area and visit all the temples built on impossibly steep mountain sides.
Today we will arrive into the chaotic city of Lanzhou, with time to explore in the afternoon.
From Lanzhou we will drive on to the enchanting Tibetan town of Xiahe, where we will be staying for 3 nights.
Today we have a free day to explore the incredible Labrang Monastery and the local town.
This morning after breakfast we have the option to day a day trip up into the Sangke or Ganjia grasslands of the lower Tibetan Plateau.
Leaving Xiahe, we drive on to the small town of Liujiaxia. En route we will have an included visit to the phenomenal Bingling Si Buddha Caves.
For the next 2 days we will be overlanding through Qinghai province through an area that is a giant basin surrounded by high mountains, and en route we will pass the vast and starkly beautiful Qinghai Hu Lake. The population of this part of the Tibetan Plateau is thinly spread and mainly comprises of Kazakhs, Moguls and Hui.
Today we will complete our drive to the vast and starkly beautiful Qinghai Hu Lake.
We continue our overland journey today across the high plateau, arriving at the small town of Golmud.
Leaving Golmud we head out across the plateau once again. We will spend the next 3 days slowly driving uphill to acclimatise to the altitude. Today we will cross the Kunlan Pass at 4849m.
Today's drive will take us over the famous Tanggula Pass (5231m) which marks the start of Tibet. There will be will be plenty of stunning views to enjoy today before reaching the town of Amdo.
We continue our drive towards Lhasa today. If time and conditions permit we may be able to make a side trip to Namtso Lake en route before finding a place to wild camp.
Today we complete our journey to the famous and evocative city of Lhasa, the religious, cultural and economic centre of Tibet, where we will be staying for the next 3 days.
After breakfast we will have a guided tour of the incredible Potala Palace as well as an included visit to the Sera Monastery.
Today we will get the chance to wander the Tibetan quarter around the Jokhang Monastery, one of the most sacred in Tibet.
We have a free day today to explore the beautiful city of Lhasa. Take the time to visit one of the many monastery's or temples in the area or simply stop for a drink at one of the local teahouses and soak up the atmosphere.
Today we will continue over the Kampa La Pass (4794m) to the town of Gyantse. In the afternoon we will have an included visit to the Palcho Monastery and time for an optional visit to the Gyantse Fort.
Depending on what time we arrived in Gyantse yesterday, we may decide to have some more time here this morning before driving on to Shigatse, Tibet's second biggest city.On arrival in Shigatse we will have an included visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Today we continue our journey with a drive over some more high mountain passes to reach New Tingri (also known as Shegar), where we will meet the junction for the road to Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side. This is usually a fairly long day's drive, but the stunning views and scenery make this one of the world's most visually fantastic journeys!
From New Tingri we make the journey to the Rongbuk Monastery.The drive is not an easy one, passing over another 5200m pass, but the views are sensational and (weather permitting) we should have excellent views of Mount Everest.Once we have reached the Rongbuk, we will have free time to explore the area and visit the Monastery and take in the stunning views of Everest! Tonight we will stay in the Monastery GuesthousePlease note: It is no longer possible to visit the actual Tibetan Everest Base Camp as it is closed to tourists as of February 2019.
This morning we have some more time at Rongbuk - hopefully when you open up in the morning, there will be a spectacular view of Mount Everest! We will drive back down to New Tingri this afternoon.
We will spend the next 2 days climbing high into the mountains over the Lalungla Pass (5050m) up into the Himalayas and then down to the Nepalese border. This is part of the famous "Friendship Highway", cutting through gorges, across plateaus and over high passes. On all the passes that we cross you will see the ever present pilgrim prayer flags, cairns and scattered "wind horse" papers.
Border information: Exit China at Kyirong, Enter Nepal at Rasuwa Gadhi.Crossing the border from the Tibetan Autonomous Region into Nepal, we will travel along small winding roads to the historic village of Nuwakot. Nuwakot is one of Nepal's hidden gems nestled in the central hills of the country. Full of ancient temples and palaces, it has a beautifully serene atmosphere and rustic ambience - perfect for getting a taste of the calm pace of rural Nepalese life.
Today we will have a chance to relax and unwind either exploring the local village or stretch your legs taking a walk around the terraced fields and hills of Nuwakot.
Today we will spend a little more time enjoying the serenity of Nuwakot, before taking a short drive to Nepal's second city - the adventure town of Pokhara! We will spend 2 nights here.
Today we will have a free day in the fantastic city of Pokhara. The area is famous for its myriad of spectacular waterfalls surrounded by fertile forests and towering mountains, for its fantastic choice of yoga and meditation retreats, and for its overwhelming choice of adventure activities from trekking to rafting to zip-lining to mountain biking!
This morning we will journey to Khatauti Khola, home to the Royal Beach Camp eco-adventure camp in the Nepalese mountains. There are several optional activities on offer here such as kayaking, rafting, hiking and mountain bikings or simply relax in the quiet surroundings.
This morning we will spend some free time at the Royal Beach Camp to give us more time to take part in the optional adventure activities there, then after lunch we will drive the last stretch up to Kathmandu, the evocative capital of Nepal.
Border information: if leaving in Kathmandu, you will most likely exit Nepal at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Kathmandu. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
