Himalaya Overland

Tangla pass (Photo: Claudine Weatherford)

Himalaya Overland (17 days, 16 nights)

This land journey from China to Nepal involves traveling by train and land-cruisers. The Quighai-Lhasa train is not just any train - it is the highest railway in the world reaching an altitude of well over 16,000 ft. After the train journey, hop on land-cruisers to visit the Base Camp of the highest mountain in the world - Chomolongma (Tibetan), Sagarmatha (Nepali) or Everest.

The journey begins in China's capital - Beijing. After walking a section of the Great Wall and visiting grand monuments in Beijing, you board a 48 hour train to Lhasa. The capital of Tibet - Lhasa - is the site of the Potala Palace, the ancient palace of the Dalai Lamas. Board land-cruisers for a journey on the now mostly paved Lhasa - Kathmandu Friendship Highway. Though this trip does not involve any trekking, it is still strenuous as you will be crossing several passes - some over 18,000 ft - and will be sleeping and eating in lodges with basic facilities. In and surrounding Lhasa are many other important monasteries such as the Sera Monastery, the Jokhang temple and the Drepung Monastery. You will visit all these monasteries. From Lhasa you will drive to Gyantse which is the site of the largest stupa in the world, the Kumbum stupa. Continue to Shigatse the site of the very impressive Tashilunpo monastery complex and seat of the Karmapa Lamas. Shigastse is the last of the larger Tibetan cities and past Shigatse amenities are limited. From Xegar, drive on snaking bumpy road to Rongbuk. From here you may opt to hike three hours to the Everest Base Camp. Continue drive to Kathmandu where the journey ends.

Itinerary

Day 01 - Beijing

Arrive Beijing. Transfer to Hotel. Day free. Overnight Hotel. (No meals)

Day 02 - Beijing

Full day sightseeing in Bejing. Visit the Mutianyue section of the Great Wall. This includes an optional hike of 2 to 3 hours. Drive back to Beijing. After lunch, visit the Tiananmen Square. Evening free. Beijing duck dinner in the evening. Overnight Hotel. (B,D)

Day 03 - Beijing

Full day sightseeing in Bejing. Visit the Forbidden City and the temple of Heaven. Evening free. Overnight Hotel. (B)

Day 04 and Day 05 - Train

Board the Quinghai-Tibet train for a 48 hour or so journey to Lhasa. The train goes over the Tanggula pass at 16,600 ft. and is the world's highest railway. Overnight train in soft sleepers. (Breakfast)

Day 06 - Lhasa (11,900 ft.)

Prostrating pilgrim and monks in Barkhor

Arrive Lhasa late in the evening. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight Hotel. (No meals)

Day 07 - Lhasa (11,900 ft.)

Visit Jokhang Temple and Drepung Temple. Overnight Hotel. (B)

Day 08 - Lhasa (11,900 ft.)

Visit Sera Monastery and Potala Palace. Overnight Hotel. (B)

Day 09 - Gyantse (13,000 ft.)

Drive to Gyantse. Overnight Hotel. (B)

Day 10 - Shigatse (12,600 ft.)

Visit the Kumbum Stupa. Continue to Shigatse. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery. Overnight Hotel. (B)

Day 11 - Xegar

Drive to Xegar. Overnight Lodge. (B)

Day 12 - Rongbuk

Drive to Rongbuk. Overnight Lodge. (B)

Day 13 - Rongbuk

Hike to the Everest Base Camp. Return to Rongbuk. Overnight Lodge. (B)

Day 14 - Nyelam

Drive to Nyelam. Overnight Lodge. (B)

Day 15 - Kathmandu

Prayer flags near the Boudha stupa

Drive to Kathmandu. (B)

Day 16 - Kathmandu

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu: In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a MillionDewdrops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Here you will witness a cremation along the ghats of the Bagmati river. Drive to Bhaktapur, the city of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Bhaktapur is regarded as an open museum and the city houses numerous temples and palaces dating back several centuries. Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel. (B,L)

Day 17 - Kathmandu

Final departure . (B)

Price Includes

All airport transfers
twin-sharing accommodation in hotels indicated in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Train: Beijing to Lhasa
Private transfer: Lhasa to Kathmandu
Tibet Permit
Transfers and sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary; all entrance fees

Price Does not Include

Your international airfare, visa fee for Nepal or China, and international airport tax
Personal insurance and emergency/rescue evacuation
Meals unless otherwise indicated in the itinerary
Bottled/canned beverages including soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and mineral water
Tips and gratuities, and expenses of personal nature

To Book this trip

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person. The deposit must be wired. We will refund up to $30 to cover your wire expenses. Wire details will be provided.

Download reservation form here »

Cancellation Policy

Cancel anytime prior to trip start date, forfeit trip deposit. No refunds for unused services after your trip begins.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tiber for hundreds of satisfied travelers each year. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us.

PRE AND POST TRIP EXTENSIONS:

Arriving early or leaving late? Nepal (and the region) has a lot to offer besides your main trip to Everest. Depending on the extra days you have and your budget, we would be glad to match you up with one of the following activities:

Jungle experience in Chitwan National Park. 3 days or 4 days.
Visit Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna region of Nepal – 2 days
Short trek in the Annapurna region – 3 to 7 days
Rafting in Nepal – 2 to 5 days
Short visit to Bhutan - 4 to 7 days

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813
Mobile: + 977 97410-33916

Or if you would rather have us call you at a time convenient for you, please email us your phone number and time that works best for you.

Join us on one of our specially designed trips to Tibet!