The Overland Express

  • Trip Code

    MKA-1038

  • 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

This 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.


DETAILED Itinerary

  • Day 01
    Drive to Tatopani a border town in Nepal

    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..

  • Day 03
    A short hikes to view the distant Mt. Everest

    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 Drive

    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.

    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.

    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
    Drive to the Airport

    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.


 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 28 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.

Client Reviews

EXCELLENT : (5 / 5.0 ) 94

100% recommend this Package.
Score Breakdown
  • Michal Wensierski
    Poland/England

    Excellent service and a welcome by Makalu Adventure

    My name is Michal from Poland/England. I summitted Everest on 15th May 2025, 07:55 AM despite of heavy winds. Me and my Sherpa Phurba were only two people to summit on that day. I summitted with Makalu Adventure which is a great company, with great people and amazing supplies. Everything you need, from base camp to....
    Read More: Alumnus Michal achieves childhood dream as he summits Mount Everest
  • Rhisael Rabe
    Philipines

    Great Service! Very good company Makalu Adventure for Expedition

    I successfully climbed Mt Everest (8848.86 m). The climbing was much adventurous and challenging than other peaks I submitted before. Well it was definitely dangerous and thrilling but what made it easier and worth it was Makalu Adventures. I'm so glad my friend recommended me Makalu Adventure. The whole trip was so well organized, the sherpas (Phurba Onggel Sherpa and Dasange Sherpa) guided us all the way to the summit making the journey smooth. I had a lot of fun and the accommodation along with the food was great even in the higher altitude which I did not foresee. It was an experience to remember for a lifetime. Thank you Makalu Adventures for a great adventure. Great services
  • Babar Ali
    Bangladesh

    Historic moment unfolded in the world of mountaineering




    See more pictures on Instagram

  • Georges Abou Rjeili
    Canada

    Thank you Makalu Adventure team for organizing Everest Expedition Journey

    Hello my name is Georges Abou Rjeili from Canada and I just completed summitting Everest with Makalu Adventure. Overall it's a great company and I would recommend it for everyone. Thank you




  • Gabriella Nicola Nel
    South Africa

    Wonderful experience of World's Highest Mountain Mt. Everest (8848.86 m) climbing

    My name is Gabriella Nicola Nel, I just submitted Mount Everest with Makalu Adventure. It was an incredible experience; we did have some hiccups in terms of getting frostbite on the way down from the summit and I'd just like to thank Mohan and the Makalu Adventure team for organizing a long long rescue from Camp 3 which is extremely difficult and I believe that the company saved my life with a successful Summit. As well for the season which was a very dangerous season I'd just like to thank everyone from Makalu Adventure.




  • Thomas G Masterson
    Canada

    Thanks Makalu Adventure team for organizing trip to Top of the World

    I climbed of Mount Everest with Makalu Adventure. We got to Camp three on Everest and the quality of the Sherpas in helping was excellent and the quality of the food in both base and advanced base camp was very good.



  • Michael
    -

    Wonderful Experience and thanks to Makalu Adventure for organizing trip

  • Saman Tahmooresi
    Iran

    Many thanks to Makalu Adventure

    Saman Tahmooresi has successfully climbed World's highest Mountain Mt. Everest (8848.86 m) on 13th May 2022





  • Arthur George Prestidge
    -

    Wonderful adventure Experience of Himalayas and Climbing

    Arthur George Prestidge has successfully climbed World's highest Mountain Mt. Everest (8848.86 m)


  • Akke Rahman
    Bangladesh

    Thanks to Mohan Lamsal and Makalu Adventure team for organizing trip to Top of the World

    Thanks to Mohan Lamsal and Makalu Adventure team for organizing trip to Top of the World, Mt. Everest. Yahoo, I successfully climbed the Top of the World : Mount Everest 8848M on Friday 13th May 2020 07:30 AM


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