Nagchu Festival & Everest Base Tour to Nepal

Horse Racing Festival of Tibet, Everest North Face and Glimpse of Kathmandu

16 Days
Culture Tours
Festival Tours
Moderate

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Embark on a breathtaking journey to Nagchu (Nagqu), the rugged and mystical region of Northern Tibet. Known for its untouched natural beauty, rich nomadic culture, and vast grasslands, Nagchu offers a truly off-the-beaten-path experience. Whether you’re seeking spiritual depth, wildlife encounters, or a glimpse into the authentic life of Tibetan nomads, this adventure-packed tour has it all.

Fly into Lhasa and visit the landmarks and power places of Yarlung Valley, and then head north to Nagchu for the Horse Race Festival. It is one of the most significant festivals in Northern Tibet. Thousands of herdsmen throng in 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 China Nepal Friendship Highway, driving along the shores of spectacular Yamdrok Tso Lake, past several high passes with picturesque views of the Himalayas to Everest Basecamp. We will enjoy unobstructed views of Mount Everest and several other eight-thousand-meter peaks like Cho Oyu, Sishapangma, etc. Cross into Nepal and spend two full days in Kathmandu to explore its cultural heritage, including former palaces, temples, and monasteries.

Nagchu Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa
Day 2: In Lhasa
Day 3: In Lhasa
Day 4&5: In Nagchu
Day 6: Drive to Tashi Dor(Namtsho Lake)
Day 7&8: Drive to Gyantse
Day 9: Drive to Shigatse
Day 10&11: Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp
Day 12: Drive to Nyalam/Zangmu
Day 13: Drive to Dhulikhel
Day 14&15: In Kathmandu
Day 16: Departure

Visiting the main cultural sights of Tibet * Nagchu Horse Race Festival and cultural events * Everest North Face * Overland journey across Himalayas to Nepal * Highlights of Nepal’s places and sights.

Overview

Trip Type Festival Tours

Activities Included

Accommodation Hotel are 3 to 4 * however in some place it is in simple guest house with spartan amenities.

Meal Daily Breakfast at the staying hotels

Best Seasons March to October

Route Lhasa-Nagchu-Gyantse-Shigatse-Rongbuk-Zhangmu-Dhulikhel-Kathmandu

Best Months March, April, May, September, October

Good Months June, July, August

Lean Months November

Not Recommended Months January, February, December

Cost Information

To offer the lowest possible cost, our trips are tier priced according to the number of participants or members on the trip. Costs are based on double occupancy. If you wish to have a single room, you must pay the single supplement fee. If you are willing to share accommodations, we will match you with a roommate if one is available. If we cannot match you with a roommate, the single supplement will apply. Single passenger cost includes single room supplement.

Included

All transfers by private vehicle.
Accommodation in above listed or similar hotels.
Breakfast and dinner at the staying hotels.
Permits for Tibet.
Entrance fees to the sights listed.
Park Entrance fees.
English speaking local Guides for entire tour, and Flight Chengdu to Lhasa as listed separately. choice or resulting from natural and political situation.

Not included

Lunches.
International flights.
All visa fees.
Any changes in the itinerary due to your health condition, unforeseen circumtances or political situation.

Detailed Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1.

Arrival in Lhasa

Arrive by flight or train to Lhasa. Upon arrival in the Gonggar airport (Lhasa), our guide will meet you and drive to the 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 Lhasa

Kyichu Hotel

MEALS:

Altitude: 3658m

Day 2:

In Lhasa

Venture up to the colossal Potala Palace, dominating Lhasa skyline and explore the grandest of its rooms. See the jeweled burial chortens of past Dalai Lamas, 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 Jokhang and serves as Lhasa’s central bazaar, where one finds everything from precious Kham amber to prayer flags. Overnight In Lhasa.

Kyichu Hotel

MEALS:

Duration: 5-6hrs

Day 3:

In Lhasa

Explore Tibet’s two great monasteries: Drepung and Sera. Drepung once housed 10,000 monk, 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.

Kyichu Hotel

MEALS:

Day 4 & 5:

Nagchu

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. We have one full day to attend the famous Horse Racing Festival in Nagchu on the next day. Overnight in Nagchu.

MEALS:

Best available

Day 6:

Drive to Namtsho lake

Attend the festival in the morning and drive to Namtso Lake. Walk and take pictures of the lakes and some shrines near Tashi Dor. Overnight in Namtsho Lake.

MEALS:

Altitude: 4700m

Best available

Day 7 & 8:

Around Namtsho Lake-Drive to Gyantse

After we visit more of Namtso, we drive towards Lhasa and 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 town. Overnight in Gyantse.

Gyantse Hotel

Gyantse Yeti Hotel

MEALS:

Altitude: 3977m

Day 9:

Drive to Shigatse

Drive across Kampa la pass (4793m) and follow the shores of beautiful Yamdrok Tso Lake, passing through nomadic camps and villages and climbing up to Karola pass before descending to 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 will visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama. Overnight in Shigatse.

Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel

Shigatse Hotel

MEALS:

Altitude: 3800m

Day 10 & 11

Rongbuk Monastery(via Everest Base Camp)

We will take a detour to visit the 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 a superb view of the high mountains to arrive at Rongbuk monastery at 4980m, near Everest Base Camp North side. Overnight in Rongbuk Monastery.

MEALS:

Altitude: 4980m

Monastery Guest House(basic)

Day 12;

Drive to Nyalam/Zhangmu

After the 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 is a better place to stay. Overnight in Zhangmu.

MEALS:

Altitude: 2300m

Best available

Day 13:

Drive to Dhulikhel

After completing border formalities, we bid farewell to our Tibetan crews. Cross the border, and drive along the Araniko Highway. About one hour before reaching Kathmandu, we stop to spend the evening in the beautiful hill resort of Dhulikhel. Overnight in Dhulikhel.

Dhulikhel Mountain Resort

Dhulikhel Lodge Resort

MEALS:

Altitude: 1550m

Day 14& 15:

In Kathmandu

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. We will arrange a farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with a cultural show. Overnight in Kathmandu.