The Overland Express: 7 Nights / 8 Days

  • Trip Code

    MKA-1109

  • No of days

    8

  • MEALS

    Included (B,L, D)

  • TRANSPORTATION

    Free pickup & drop.

  • ACCOMMODATION

    Hotel and Lodge

  • MAX ALTITUTE

    -

  • BEST SEASON

    Mar-May | Sep-Nov

  • START POINT

    Kathmandu

  • END POINT

    Kathmandu

  • SUITABLE FOR

    16 to 79 years old

  • WALK PER DAY

    4 to 5 hours walk every day

  • GUIDING METHOD

    Live Guide/Instructor

Trip Overview

Tibet Overnight express tour offers you the opportunity to visit the most exotic places in Tibet including the palace of Dalai Lama also known as Potala Palace along with the finest monasteries.. Crossing high desert and driving through over three 5000+meter passes and at the same time visiting Millarepa's cave. Clear view of Mt. Everest is visible from a distance. A 4 nights 5 days staying at the guest houses en-route, another three nights in the mystical Tibetan capital of Lhasas. A breathtaking mountain fiesta flight over the eastern Himalayan range will take you past, Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Makalu (8478 m), Mt. Kanchejunga (8585 m) and a host of other mighty Himalayan peaks finally reaching Kathmandu.

You will begin your overland journey from Kathmandu via Zhangmu, Nyalam, Tingri, Xeger, Xigatse, Gyantse and to Lhasa. The distance covered is roughly 1000 km on four-wheel drive vehicles or a coach.

The last three days are spent sightseeing in and around Lhasa. Although the road from Kathmandu to Lhasa was opened in 1984, it has not yet been metaled. Since the road is mostly over a mountainous and remote area repairs are difficult and costly and landslides and floods frequently damage major portions, which are usually repaired as soon as possible.


The Overland Express: 7 Nights / 8 Days Itinerary

  • Day 01
    Drive to Tatopani

    Early morning starts with a drive to Tatopani a border town in Nepal, which is 141 km. The drive is scenic and part of the road is in good condition. Trans border formalities. You Tibetan host will be at the border and the drive to the town on the other side is 8 km uphill. All formalities will be completed and your hotel will be assigned. 

  • Day 02
    From Zhangmu to Tingri

    It is a 251 km drive to Tingri. The drive gains elevation as it crosses slide tracks to Nyalam. Visit the Millarepa's cave where he is supposed to have attained enlightenment. Millarepa is a sage and is highly respected in Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight at  Tingri.

    Overnight express

  • Day 03
    Short Hike and Drive to Xigatse

    Morning a short hikes to view the distant Mt. Everest known as Qomolangma in Chinese. Then drive to Xigatse via Sakya Monastery. The Monastery is 143 km south of Xigatse and was built in the thirteenth century by Konchok Gyalpo and houses some 30,000 volumes of ancient Buddhist scriptures or Sutras. The total distance between Xigatse and Xegar is 245 km. Overnight Xigatse Hotel.

  • Day 04
    Xigatse

    This is the second largest city in Tibet and the capital of the province of Tsang. The rulers of this province had dominion over all of Tibet prior to 1642 AD. At Xigatse you will visit Tashilunpo Monastery which is the seat of the Panchen Lama who is second in spiritual importance only to the Dalai Lama. The monastery was built in 1447 by Gendun Drup and once housed upward of 3400 monks. Of particular interest at Tashilunpo is a nine story gilded statue of Maitreya - the "Future Buddha". A short drive of 95 km will take you to Gyantse.

  • Day 05
    Lhasa

     An early morning start to Lhasa and a 259 km drive will get you via Yamdrok Tso or the "Turquoise Lake". Overnight at Lhasa hotel.

  • Day 06
    We, spend this day exploring palaces.

    First on your list will be the Potala Palace.

    Potala palace

    The palace of the Dalai Lama a treasure of Tibetan culture was, till 1965, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet and quite possibly, the singularly most important building in all Tibet. It was built in the seventh century by Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and later renovated by the Fifth Dalai Lama in the seventeenth century to its present specifications. Your next stop will be Norbulingkha the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which was built, in the eighteenth century.

     

  • Day 07
    Today you will visit the Drepung monastery.

    Drepung monastery

    This is the largest monastery in the world and once housed 10,000 monks and nuns. It was built in 1419 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. A visit to the kitchen of this monastery is a must. Look out for the washing machine in which the monks mix their butter tea!

    Your next stop will be the Jokhang Temple.

  • Day 08
    Flight back to Kathmandu

    Early, morning drive to the airport. The flight back to Kathmandu, which is probably one of the most spectacular flights in the world. A representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Cost Includes

  • Tibet alien travel permits
  • Monasteries entrance fees and
  • English-speaking guide
  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • All necessary land transportation by
  • Japanese made Land cruiser
  • Sightseeing tours as per the program
  • Visa fee.
  • Air ticket (Lhasa-Kathmandu)

 info@makalu-adventure.com
 makaluadventures@gmail.com
 +977-9851037083

ALTITUDE ACCLIMATIZATION

To get the most from your trek, and to stay safe, it is important to follow acclimatization guidelines. At Makalu Adventure, whenever possible, we follow the acclimatization formula set out by Drs Jim Duff and Peter Gormly; experts in Wilderness Medicine. "Above 2000m, altitude illness is a possibility and above 2500m it becomes common".
"As a rough guide, above 2500m the maximum daily height gain between sleeping altitudes should not exceed 400m, with a rest day every third day or after every 1000m of sleeping ascent".
"Avoid overexertion and breathlessness while acclimatizing, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol, excess caffeine, salt and protein, your diet should be 70% carbohydrate above 3500m".

Why Choose Makalu Adventure

Makalu Adventure has been trading for over 25 years; is one of the leading trek and expedition agents in Nepal and is used as in-country agent by several international adventure companies. At the helm is Mohan Lamsal (MD) assisted by head trekking guide Tenging Sherpa and head climbing guide Sanu Sherpa. Teni started trekking as a porter aged 14 and has hiked every trail in Nepal, many times! Sanu Sherpa has the distinction of having climbed all 14, 8,000m peaks, twice! Mohan Lamsal is not only MD of Makalu Adventure, he is also the General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. You are in safe hands with Makalau Adventure.

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