High Road To Lhasa

Arrive Chengdu, China

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the hotel. Remainder of the afternoon/evening at leisure. Overnight: Chengdu Jaho Forstar Wenshuyuan or similar

Fly Chengdu to Lhasa (3,670m)

This morning we are transferred to the airport for the flight to Lhasa. You will be advised which flight to book as the group are required to arrive into Tibet together due to the group permit. On arrival at Lhasa Airport you will be transferred to the city – a drive that takes around two hours. Due to the high altitude, you need to take it easy when you arrive in Lhasa. (Chengdu to Lhasa flights not included in trip cost.) A briefing will be given around 5pm by your guide, where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Drive: 65km, ~2hrsAltitude: 3,670mOvernight: Gangjian Hotel or similar

In Lhasa (3,670m)

The following two days are scheduled to appreciate the long and rich cultural history of Lhasa. We include visits to the Jokhang, the Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama), and the famous Potala Palace. We also include visits to the nearby monasteries of Drepung and Sera. The Old City of Lhasa was built around the Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet. Drive: N/AAltitude: 3,670mOvernight: Gangjian Hotel or similar

Drive to Gyangtse via the Khamba Pass (4,900m) and Karo La (5,200m).

From Lhasa we drive down the Kyichu Valley to the Yarlong Tsampo (Brahmaputra) before ascending to the Khamba Pass (4,900m). The views are outstanding – in the foreground is the vast freshwater Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake, while to the south the snow-capped ranges merge with the main Himalayan range. We drive around the lake before crossing the Karo La (5,200m) to reach Gyantse. The town is strategically located in the Nyang Chu valley on the ancient trade routes from the Chumbi Valley, Yatung and Sikkim, which met here.Note: while we endevour to stick to the projected itinerary, travel in Tibet is by nature unpredictable and a flexible approach is always needed. Drive: 7-8hrsAltitude: 3,977mOvernight: Gyantse Hotel or similar

In Gyangtse, drive to Shigatse (3,845m)

Gyantse is a remarkable place that has escaped much of the Chinese influence evident in other major Tibetan towns. It is dominated by the ancient fort that was besieged by British forces in 1904 during the famous Younghusband Expedition. We also visit the remarkable octagonal chorten, the Kumbum (or Pango Chorten)- built in 1444 on a series of four levels, each of which contains separate chapels. In the afternoon we drive to Shigatse. Drive: 2hrsAltitude: 3,845mOvernight: Manasarova Hotel or similar

Drive to Shegar (4,330m)

The drive to Shegar can be completed in half a day, which allows time this afternoon to visit the Shegar Fort and Monastery. Shelkar is famous for the Shelkar Chode Monastery, founded in 1266 by a Kagyu lama, but it has been a Gelugpa monastery since the 17th century, and formerly had over 400 monks. Although, destroyed by the Red Guard during the Cultural Revolution, the assembly hall has since been rebuilt and there is an active branch monastery in Boudhanath, Nepal. The ruins of the old dzong are located on the hill behind the monasteryDrive: 5-6hrsAltitude: 4,330mOvernight: Qomolangma Hotel or similar

Drive to Rongbuk (5,000m) via the Pang La (5,150m)

The drive over the Pang La (5,150m) affords our first views of the north face of Everest (8,848m). From the pass we descend to the village of Phadhruchi, before driving up the Rongbuk Valley to Rongbuk Monastery and unrivalled views of the mountain's north face. At Rongbuk we stay in the small lodge attached to the monastery, which has recently been reconstructed following the excesses of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. Nowadays there are about twenty monks in attendance. Drive: 7-8hrsAltitude: 5,000mOvernight: Rongbuk Guesthouse or similar

Rongbuk Monastery then drive to Tingri (4,300m)

Access to Everest Base Camp used by the famous interwar British expeditions is currently restricted to mountaineers with the necessary permits. That said the view of Everest from the monastery is definitely worth the trip as it dominates the valley carved by the glacier originating from the mountains northern flank. In the afternoon we will commence our drive to Kathmandu, stopping to overnight in the small remote town of Tingri.Drive: 5-6hrsAltitude: 4,300mOvernight: Snow Leopard Guest House or similar

Drive to Kyirong (4,130m)

Continue our drive to Kathmandu. Today we are heading for the border town of Kyirong. Following the 2015 earthquake the former friendship highway was badly damaged resulting in its continued closure. This new route was opened initially to ensure that trade between Nepal and China could continue. In 2017 the border post was opened to tourists allowing for travel along this legendary overland route to recommence. This road is sure to add to the sense of adventure as it traverses parts of both Tibet and Nepal new to tourism. Road conditions along this route are changeable as improvements to the road continue to ensure that it can accommodate the traffic using it. Drive: 4-5hrsAltitude: 4,130mOvernight: Pingcuo Raoxi Hotel or similar

Drive to Kathmandu (1,400m)

Today we cross the border into Nepal and complete the final stage of our journey from Lhasa via the earthquake ravaged Langtang region. It is a fitting conclusion to an epic overland journey and the comfort of the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu will no doubt be welcomed with open arms. Drive: 160km, ~6hrsAltitude: 1,400mOvernight: Radisson Hotel

In Kathmandu (1,400m)

Today you have a full day at leisure to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.Drive: N/AAltitude: 1,400mOvernight: Radisson Hotel

In Kathmandu, trip concludes

After breakfast, you will be provided with an airport transfer. Trip concludes.