Tibet Explorer

Xi'an - Kathmandu

31 days through China, Nepal

FROM: $3875 USD

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary, Local Crew Member in certain areas

Accom:

Comfortable Hotel 4 nights
Basic Hotel 15 nights
Guesthouse 6 nights
Multishare Hostel 1 night
Camping without facilities 3 nights

Meals:

Breakfasts x 14, Lunches x 4, Dinners x 4

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

HTC

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

This is a journey across the roof of the world, the Tibetan Plateau and down its southern slopes and into Nepal and Kathmandu. It is a journey through some of the remotest and most spectacular scenery on earth and through an ancient culture that is still as powerful today as it was a thousand years ago. We start in the heart of China, Xi'an and the home of the Terracotta Army and spend the first week doing all things Chinese, before climbing slowly into the wilderness of the Tibetan Plateau. We pass over immense passes, past beautiful lakes and arrive at the holy city of Lhasa. South of Lhasa we climb high up the Friendship Highway to the wonderful towns of Gyantse and Shigatse to soak up yet more Tibetan culture. Then it's on to the highlight of the expedition, a visit and a hike to the Ronkbuk monasteries, which nestle under the towering face of Mt. Everest. We are now travelling through the most sensational landscapes, climbing over passes over 5000 metres high, before descending through gorges and passes to the foothills of the Himalayas and the lands of Nepal.

HIGHLIGHTS

Exploring the Sagke or Ganjia Grasslands of the lower Tibetan Plateau

Staying in the Forbidden City of Lhasa

Everest Base Camp from the Tibetan Side

Wild Camping on the Tibetan Plateau

Driving over high mountain passes through the Himalayas

Rural Traditional manor house stay in the stunning village of Nuwakot

Explore Kathmandu and its stunning temples and sites

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is a tough trip in more ways than one. We will be travelling to high altitude and potentially camping in extreme conditions. Hotels can be basic and you should be prepared to be outside your comfort zone. On the other hand, we will stay in some comfortable places to recover and the pace of the journey is fairly easy.

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Xi'an (24th July 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 2 - Pingliang (25th July 2021)

Today we will start our journey with a drive from Xi'an to Pingliang.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Day 3 - Pingliang (26th July 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 4 - Lanzhou (27th July 2021)

Today we will arrive into the chaotic city of Lanzhou, with time to explore in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 5 - Xiahe (28th July 2021)

From Lanzhou we will drive on to the enchanting Tibetan town of Xiahe, where we will be staying for 3 nights.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 6 - Xiahe (29th July 2021)

Today we have a free day to explore the incredible Labrang Monastery and the local town.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 7 - Xiahe (30th July 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 8 - Liujiaxia (31st July 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 9 - Qinghai Hu (1st August 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 10 - Qinghai Hu (2nd August 2021)

Today we will complete our drive to the vast and starkly beautiful Qinghai Hu Lake.

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Day 11 - Golmud (3rd August 2021)

We continue our overland journey today across the high plateau, arriving at the small town of Golmud.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Day 12 - Amdo (4th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Day 13 - Amdo (5th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 12

Day 14 - Amdo (6th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Day 15 - Lhasa (7th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 16 - Lhasa (8th August 2021)

After breakfast we will have a guided tour of the incredible Potala Palace as well as an included visit to the Sera Monastery.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 17 - Lhasa (9th August 2021)

Today we will get the chance to wander the Tibetan quarter around the Jokhang Monastery, one of the most sacred in Tibet.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 18 - Lhasa (10th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 19 - Gyantse (11th August 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 20 - Shigatse (12th August 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 21 - New Tingri (13th August 2021)

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!

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Day 22 - Rongbuk (14th August 2021)

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 Guesthouse

Please note: It is no longer possible to visit the actual Tibetan Everest Base Camp as it is closed to tourists as of February 2019.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 23 - New Tingri (15th August 2021)

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.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 24 - Friendship Highway (16th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Day 25 - Nuwakot (17th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Day 26 - Nuwakot (18th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 27 - Pokhara (19th August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Day 28 - Pokhara (20th August 2021)

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!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 29 - Khatauti Khola (21st August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Day 30 - Kathmandu (22nd August 2021)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 31 - Kathmandu - End Date (23rd August 2021)

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.

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

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Departing

Finishing

Total Price (USD)

24 Jul 21 Xi'an

23 Aug 21 Kathmandu

$3,875 USD
Was: $4,305 USD
Save: $430 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 31 days Add to basket

23 Jul 22 Xi'an

22 Aug 22 Kathmandu

$4,005 USD
Was: $4,450 USD
Save: $445 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 31 days Add to basket

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Tibet Explorer

Xi'an - Kathmandu

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