13 Days Classic Tibet Nepal Bhutan Tour

Our guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel in the early morning and then drive to Drepung Monastery, meaning Rice Heap Monastery in Tibetan. The whole monastery is large in scale and the white buildings cluster and cover the hillsides. Drepung Monastery is known as Gelug's most important monastery in Tibetan Buddhism.

In the afternoon you will first visit the Tibet Museum. Here you can see life scenes, exquisite clothing, house architecture, and festival customs, etc. to explore the special and mysterious Tibetan customs. Then you will visit Norbulingka, which is a typical Tibetan-style royal garden, the summer resort of the Dalai Lama. 

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, we will visit the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m (12,359.55ft) at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of the former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of Tibet's 33rd great king.

In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of Lhasa's old town. Jokhang Temple is Tibet's most sacred temple and is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit the temple, you will have time to walk around Barkhor Street, one of the most devotional routes, as well as Lhasa's crowded central market since the early days. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

We will pass Kampala Pass (4790m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three holy lakes. Standing on the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m) in the distance.  

Next, on our way to Gyantse, you will see the beautiful Karola Glacier, which is only 300 meters from the road.

Then visit the main monastery in Gyantse – Pelkor Chode Monastery, famous for its exquisite architecture and intact murals and statues.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery and then drive to Lhatse, a small town 150 km from Shigatse, and you may have lunch in the local restaurant. After a short rest, you will proceed to Tingri. You will pass Tsola Pass (4600M) and Gyatsola Pass (5248M). In the late afternoon, you enter Mount Everest National Nature Reserve. You can enjoy the panorama of the Himalayas at Gawula Pass (5198m). Then we drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp to stay overnight. If the weather is good, you can have a clear view of the sunset of Mount Everest.

If it’s summertime (usually May~Oct), we will carry on the last few kilometers to Everest Tent Camp to stay the night; if winter time (usually Nov~Apr), we will stay at Rongbuk Monastery’s guesthouse. Both places have but only dormitory beds available. In both places, you can see the glorious sunset of Everest if the weather is good.

Stay overnight in Rongbuk guesthouse or Nomad Tent.

We didn’t include breakfast this morning. You will understand why when you’re at Everest Base Camp. Tibetan breakfast, such as noodles, Zanba, etc. about CNY 30 is available here. It is highly recommended to bring along some cookies and instant coffee. You can get up early and enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak in the accommodation area if the weather is good. Then you will visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, also a holy place at the foot of Mt.Everest.

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After sightseeing, we will drive to Gyirong, the border between Tibet and Nepal. On the way, tourists can enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Mt. Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake. After passing Ghungtang Lhamo (5236M), we will arrive in Gyirong in the late afternoon.

Stay overnight in Gyirong Town.

In the morning, your guide will take you to the Gyirong Port - Tibet Nepal Border and our driver from Nepal will meet you on the other side. Then transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is for you to look around the area, or just rest in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, we will explore Kathmandu City. The guide will take you to visit the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square, the city's Royal Palace Square, which is surrounded by ancient buildings from the early 16th century. The magnificent architecture, exquisite decorations, and the intensity of historical objects give a great insight into Nepali culture.

After that, continue the tour to visit Swayambhunath Pagoda, one of Nepal's oldest Buddhist sites. Swayambhunath is a vast golden stupa festooned with prayer flags that flutter in the breeze, on a hill overlooking the entire city. Then make your way to Patan, the second largest city in Kathmandu Valley. Patan City has one of Nepal's oldest Buddhist temples dating back to the 12th century and is a great place to explore Nepal's Buddhist culture.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, we will visit the ancient Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, one of Asia's largest stupas and a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Set on the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is one of Nepal’s famous UNESCO sites, and the sunset over the temple roofs is spectacular. Then head to Boudhanath, located on the ancient trade route. It is a place of meditation and part of the spiritual journey around Kathmandu. As one of the largest stupas in the world, it has been the site of many Tibetan prayers over the centuries.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Jenpalegso La (Welcome to Bhutan)! On arrival, meet your private guide and driver who will stay with you for the rest of your trip. You will start in Thimphu. The drive is one hour by road. Thimphu is a charming city, probably the smallest capital in the world, resting in the heart of the Himalayas.

In the afternoon, visit the landmark National Monument, which is not only to commemorate the late king but also for world peace. It is also ththe e place where Thimphu people's daily koras are most concentrated. Locals believe that the kora can wash away previous sins.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

In the morning you will be driven from Thimphu to Punakha, crossing the Dochu La Pass at 3,100 meters, where you are able to see the 108 beautiful Chortens, also known as Druk Wangyal Chortens. It's to commemorate those who lost their lives in the suppression of the Assamese rebels in southern Bhutan and to pray for world peace. In Punakha, you will visit the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan Punakha Dzong, which was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After visiting the Dzong, you will get back to Paro.

Perched above Rinpung Dzong, the ancient Ta Dzong is a watchtower. It was built in 1649 to protect the undefended Dzong. And it was renovated into a National Museum in 1968. The unusual round building was built in the shape of a conch shell, with 2.5m-thick walls. The watchtower suffered damage in the 2011 earthquake but reopened in 2016 as the nation's premier museum.

Stay overnight in Paro

In the morning you will trek from the bottom of Paro Valley to Taktsang Monastery, perched on the side of the mountain. Taktsang (commonly known as Tiger's Nest) is Bhutan's most sacred site and one of the top ten super temples in the world to visit. Located at an elevation of 3120 meters, Taktsang is the birthplace of Bhutanese Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress, which was the manifestation of his divine consort Yeshe Tsogyal.

You can ride a horse or walk to Tiger’s Nest. It is a challenging trek, so you will gain merit with every step. The view from the Paro Valley to the monastery is worth your climb. The hike starts from a gentle forest with some prayer flags. After passing a creek and some water-powered prayer wheels, the trail begins to get steeper. 

Halfway up the monastery, there is a nice teahouse with great views of Taktsang Monastery that makes it a welcome stopping point. You can have some tea and rest here. You can continue climbing to the viewpoint, which is the best place to take photos of Taktsang. From here, you will walk down a series of steep stairs to a waterfall to reach your final ascent to the entrance. Here you will be required to leave your backpacks, cameras, and phones. 

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Bhutan's oldest temple. After visiting today’s attractions, if time permits, the tour guide can also take you to visit the ordinary market in Paro, where you can buy some handicrafts with Bhutanese characteristics.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, take you to the airport, and help you check in for your flight from Bhutan.