Nagchu Festival & Everest Base Tour to Nepal

Fly into Lhasa and visit the landmarks and power places of Yarlung Valley, Lhasa and then head north to Nagchu for Horse Race Festival. It is one of the most important festival in Northern Tibet. Thousands of herdsmen throng to Nagchu riding fine horses and carrying the local products. In addition to the horse race, there are archery and cultural shows. Visit Namtso, the heavenly lake of Tibet, Tsurpu Monastery of Karmapas and return to Lhasa. Then we set out south on Tibet Nepal Friendship Highway, driving along the shores of spectacular Yamdrok Tso Lake, crossing several high passes with spectacular views of the Himalayas to Everest Basecamp. We will enjoy unobstructed views of Mount Everest in addition to several other 8 thousand meters peak like Cho Oyu, Sishapangma etc. Cross into Nepal and spend two full days in Kathmandu to explore its cultural heritages that includes former palaces, temples and monasteries.

Outline Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (Alt 3,658m/12,193ft) (D)
Arrive by flight or train to Lhasa. Upon arrival in the Gonkhar airport (Lhasa), you will be met by your guide and driven to holy city of Lhasa, scanning the vast countryside for the first sight of the Potala Palace. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner this evening. Overnight in hotel Kichu or similar

Day 2: In Lhasa (B/D)
Venture up to the colossal Potala Palace, dominating Lhasa skyline and explore the grandest of its myriad rooms. See the jeweled burial chortens of past Dalai Lamas as well as statuary, frescoes, and paintings. Eight Dalai Lamas are buried in this famous building. The original parts of the Potala date back to the 7th century. Later visit the Jokhang, Tibet’s most sacred temple, which draws multitudes of pilgrims from all over the country. It houses Tibet’s most revered statue, a magnificent image of Jowo Sakyamuni. Then stroll around Barkhor, a pilgrimage circuit that encircles the Jokhang and also serves as Lhasa’s central bazaar, where one finds everything from precious Kham amber to prayer flags. In its hidden corners, you may find shrines, prayers or ceremonies taking place. Overnight In Lhasa.

Day 3: In Lhasa (B/D)
Explore Tibet's two greatest monasteries: Drepung and Sera. Drepung once housed 10,000 monks and Sera almost as many. If we're lucky, we'll see and hear the lilting, booming chanting of the sutras or the theatrical debate of the monks. Visit the lovely Jewel Park, where the Dalai Lamas spent their summers, enjoying informality impossible in the Potala. Overnight In Lhasa.

Day 4&5: Nagchu (B/D)
The northern highland of Tibet is a vast region flanked by the great Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges on one side and the Gangdise Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range on the other side. We have one full day to attend the famous Horse Racing Festival in Nagchu on the next day. Overnight in best available Guest House (2 star).

Day 6: Nag Chu-Tashi Dor (Namtsho Lake) (B/D)
In the morning, attend the festival and drive to Namtso Lake. Walk and take pictures of the lakes and some shrines near Tashi Dor. Overnight in simple Guest house (Dorm style rooms).

Day 7&8: Namtso - Gyantse (B/D)
After morninng we have time for more viewing. Then drive towards Lhasa but continue to Gyantse, across Kampa la pass (4793m). After the pass, the road traces the shores of beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake. In the evening we arrive in Gyantse, where we spend two nights, so we have time to explore this beautiful and well preserved town.
Overnight in Gyantse.

Day 9: Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse (B/D)
Drive across Kampa la pass (4793m) and follow the shores of beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake, passing through nomadic camps, villages and climb up to Karola pass before descending to Tibetan town of Gyantse. The following day, we visit the highlights of Gyantse such as Pelkor Chode and Kumbum stupa and drive to Shigatse (3 hrs). At Shigatse, we visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama. Overnight in Shigatse (3 star hotels)

Day 10&11: Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Basecap (B/D)
Drive and take detour to visit Shakya monastery on our way to Xegar, where we spend a night in a simple hotel. From Xegar, we turn off the Friendship Highway for a stunning ride across Pangla (5200m) with superb view of high mountains to arrive in Rongbuk Gompa monastery at 5000m, near Everest Base camp (north face). Visit the base camp. Overnight in Monastery Guest house. (Accommodation is very primitive here)

Day 12: Rongbuk-Nyalam/Zangmu (B/D)
After sunrise view from your guest house, head back to the Friendship highway and continue south to Lao Tingri for a last glimpse of the great mountains. Continue our drive to Nyalam, a roadside Tibetan town with inns and guesthouses. Depending on available time, we will continue down to Zangmu as it a better place to stay.
Overnight in hotel

Day 13: Zangmu-Dhulikhel (4662ft, 5hrs) (B/D)
After completing border formalities, we bid farewell to our Tibetan crews and continue the trip with Nepali driver and Guide. About 1 hour before Kathmandu, we stop to spend the evening in beautiful hill resort of Dhulikhel.
Overnight in Dhulikhel Resort.

Day 14&15: Kathmandu (B/D)
During these two days, explore the cultural and architectural highlights of Kathmandu Valley. Visit the medieval principalities of Bhaktapur and Patan, their Durbar Squares with former Royal Palaces, Hindu Temples and Buddhist monasteries. Also visit the major attractions of Kathmandu such as the Boudanath, Pashupatinath and Syambhunath. One of the dinners will be arranged in a typical Nepali restaurant where you can also see Nepali folk dance performances. Overnight in comfortable Soaltee Crowne Plaza hotel

Day 16: Kathmandu (B)
Departure transfer to the airport in time for your flight to next destination.