Holidays
Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour

2 reviews

Ke Classic

Ke Classic Free Single Supplement*

Holidays

Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour

Nepal, Tibet

2 reviews

Available Departures: Oct

Free Single Supplement*

15 days from

US$5,735

without flights

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Culture

Guided Group

LEISURELY

The classic overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Trip Code: EFT

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as regular walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

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All Grade Information

Section:

Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour

Name: Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour
Brand: KE Adventure Travel
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Highlights

FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT on 2026 departures for a limited time – learn more here.
Lhasa's fabled Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Drepung Monastery
Kathmandu sightseeing including Bodhnath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath
Rongbuk Monastery and views of Everest's stunning north face
Gyantse, Shegar and the exciting new road route back to Nepal via Kyirong

At a Glance

Group Size 5 to 12
Join In Kathmandu

Accommodation & Meals

14 Breakfasts
11 Lunches
14 Dinners
12 nights Hotel
2 nights Guesthouse

Overview

Providing a range of rich experiences and an insight into two of the world's most fascinating countries, this unbeatable Tibetan discovery holiday will excite even the most seasoned traveller. Combining Kathmandu, Lhasa, several other important Tibetan monastery towns, as well as an excursion up to the north side of Mount Everest at Rongbuk, this is real adventure travel.

After a day of sightseeing in Kathmandu, a chance to tick off some of the colourful highlights including Bodhnath, Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, the group will fly directly over Mount Everest to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Here, there's 3 days to acclimatise and to experience the best of the the city's landmarks, including the astonishing Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and many other important Buddhist monasteries and buildings. Then, setting off to travel back to Nepal overland in comfortable vehicles, we'll experience the best of the high and wild Tibetan Plateau. There will be stops at roadside villages and viewpoints and short walks to points of interest with the chance to meet the Tibetan people, most of whom are nomadic herdsmen living in yak-hair tents. There's an overnight at Samye Monastery and at the magical monastery towns of Gyantse and Shigatse. We've also included a visit to and an overnight in the Rongbuk Valley beneath the singularly spectacular north side of Mount Everest. Finally, the last 2 days of this epic journey will take you north of Shishapangma, Tibet's 8000 metre peak, to the Tibet-Nepal border crossing at Kyirong. Revised and improved, this is still, unquestionably, one of the world's great adventure travel holidays.

Is this holiday for you?

This classic touring holiday from Lhasa to Kathmandu traverses some very remote country. During the tour the group will travel in a comfortable private vehicle (or vehicles) and the majority of the roads used on this holiday are now smooth tarmac. However, some sections of the route, particularly the roads to and from the Rongbuk Valley (Everest) and the first part of the drive from the Tibetan border back into Nepal, are more rugged and can be dusty. Although this is a discovery tour, there are several days when the group will explore on foot to make the most of the sightseeing. The walking element of the holiday is not sustained or strenuous (except on account of the altitude) and we will be following good paths at all times. These elements of walking are also, largely, optional.

Itinerary

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Day 1

Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided.

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Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

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Day 2

Sightseeing in Kathmandu including Bodhnath and Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath.

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After breakfast at our hotel, we will be picked up and taken on a guided sightseeing tour amongst the most important of Kathmandu's sites. We start out with the exciting drive across town to the 35 metre-high white-painted Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath, one of the largest in the world. A gilded spire with 13 tiers (representing the stages man has to go through to attain nirvana) sits on top of the white dome and features the all-seeing eyes of Buddha facing each of the 4 cardinal directions. Ropes of prayer flags hang down from near the top of the stupa which is located on an ancient trade route from Tibet. There are many Tibetan people, refugees from their home country, who live in this part of Kathmandu and devout pilgrims circle the stupa continually. It is a powerful place. Not too far away is Pashupatinath, the great Hindu sanctuary beside the Bagmati River. There are hundreds of temples on this site which is also a place of cremation for Hindus. The ritual burning of bodies takes place on raised platforms alongside the river. It is fascinating to spend an hour at the site, exploring amongst the temples, perusing the souvenir stalls and photographing the super-colourful sadhus (Hindu holy men) who hang out here (and make a good living by posing for photographs). We will have lunch in the city and then drive out to visit the 'Monkey Temple' at Swayambhunath. The approach to the site is by way of a staircase of 365 steps. We’ll take our time, looking out for the mischievous macaques which inhabit this area. There are some colourful statues of Buddha low down and lots of prayer flags festooning the trees that line the walkway. As well as the impressive central stupa, there are lots of shrines and temples here and it’s always busy with worshippers. This is also one of the best places from which to get an overview of the city. Returning to our hotel, we will get together again in the evening and go out for a meal at one of the restaurants in Thamel.

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Day 3

Transfer to Kathmandu Airport and take the 90-minute flight to Lhasa.

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After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and check in for the 90 minute flight to Lhasa. The flight passes over the Khumbu area and if it's clear there are great views of Mount Everest and Makalu and of Kangchenjunga to the east. After landing at Lhasa Airport it's an hour's drive to the Tibetan capital, where we check in to our hotel. The altitude at Lhasa (3660m) will dictate that we take it easy for the next couple of days.

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Day 4

Sightseeing in Lhasa including the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor.

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On this first day in Lhasa we will visit the Potala Palace with a local guide and an interpreter. The Potala is the most spectacular of the sights of Lhasa, built on a small outcrop known as the Red Hill and dominating the city. The present palace was constructed in the 17th century during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama. It is a vast building, containing the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. Today, we will also visit the 7th century Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred shrines in Tibet. The temple has lots of small chambers and chapels, each with its own significance and there's always a queue of devout Tibetans forming an orderly procession through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor, a maze of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses which is the central market of Lhasa. The name Barkhor actually refers to the pilgrims' circuit around the Jokhang, which winds its way through the market streets. During the course of their clockwise circumambulation of the Jokhang, the pilgrims regularly stop to scrutinise the merchandise on the stalls which line both sides of their route. Sitting at a café in the Barkhor, watching the world go by, is a great way to spend the afternoon.

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Day 5

Sightseeing around Lhasa including the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery.

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In the morning we will drive a short distance from the city to the Sera Monastery, which is a fascinating complex of whitewashed walls and golden roofs, housing one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. From the monastery there are splendid views across the plains back to Lhasa. Then, in the afternoon, we will visit the Drepung Monastery which was the seat of power in Tibet prior to the construction of the Potala. At over 20,000 square metres, this is the largest monastery in Tibet. We return to the city and in the evening go out to take dinner in one of the city's typical Tibetan restaurants.

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Day 6

Drive to the Brahmaputra River and visit the impressive Samye Monastery.

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Setting off on an overland journey that will ultimately take us back to Kathmandu, we drive past Lhasa Airport and then on a new road along the left bank (north side) of the Brahmaputra River (here known as the Yarlung Tsangpo) to Samye Monastery. After around 2 and a half hours we will reach Samye which dates back to the 8th century and was the first formally established monastery in Tibet. Built in the form of a mandala and with 3 storeys, this impressive monastery's architecture reflects several influences prevalent in Tibet at that time. It is said to display Han, Tibetan and Indian architectural styles. We check in at a simple guesthouse adjacent to the monastery. This is basic accommodation designed principally for visiting pilgrims. There are no en-suite rooms but it is clean and tidy and has a kettle and basin in each room. The whole experience today is very much away from the normal tourist attractions and a chance to experience the real Tibet.

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Day 7

Return to the 'Friendship Highway' and cross the Khamba La and Karo La (5045m) to Gyantse.

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Rising early (hopefully to witness a pujah at the monastery) we drive back to the main road which is designated as Highway 318 but also goes by the name of the 'Friendship Highway'. We continue our epic journey along this famous high level road between Lhasa and Kathmandu. We cross the Khamba La (4794m), the first of the 6 major passes of our route, on a switchback road which winds to the summit. From the top of the pass there are dazzling views out across the turquoise waters of the lake of Yamdrok Tsho to the snow summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). During the period of maximum snowmelt in the spring, several rivers flow into this lake, but they dry up for most of the year. Similarly, the lake has no permanent outflow. Beyond the lake we pass through the small town of Nagartse and begin the climb up to the Karo La (5045m) with distant views of the Bhutan Himalaya on our left-hand side. At the pass there is the amazing sight of a huge glacier which tumbles down to within a few hundred metres of the road. Descending, we drive through the village of Ralung and then continue through a wonderful valley, with a series of colourful Tibetan villages. We will take the opportunity to stop a couple of times to take photographs and to meet the welcoming local people. We reach our hotel in Gyantse in the late afternoon.

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Day 8

Visit the Kumbum, then drive to Shigatse and visit the Tashilunpo temple complex.

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Gyantse is an important town, one of the largest in Tibet and is overlooked by an impressive 15th century fort, once the stronghold of a powerful war-lord. Younghusband and his troops occupied the fort for a month during his expedition to Tibet in 1904. This morning, after a reasonably early start, we will go to see the most important of Gyantse's religious sites; the spectacularly large and ornate stupa known as the Kumbum. This gold-topped pyramid has been little-damaged over the centuries, and is one of the finest buildings in Tibet. The paintings which adorn its many chapels (there are 112 chapels in all) are especially fine. We will spend a couple of hours here, before driving 90 kilometres on a very good road to Shigatse. On arrival, we will check in at our hotel and have lunch, before heading out to see Tashilunpo monastic complex. The red and gold buildings which comprise this monastery are surrounded by a high wall, and around this wall there is an important pilgrim's circuit which includes small shrines, significant rock inscriptions and many prayer wheels. The circuit takes less than an hour, but much longer if you stop regularly to watch the goings on of the Tibetan pilgrims. A ruined fortress follows a rugged ridge above the city, which is the second largest in Tibet and capital of the province of Tsang.

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Day 9

Continue along the 'Friendship Highway' to Shegar.

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Continuing our drive along the Friendship Highway, we climb to a pass which offers a first distant view of the main (Nepalese) Himalayan range which we must eventually cross. Descending from the pass we reach the small town of Lhatse, which has the feeling of a frontier town in the Wild West. Apart from its hot springs, Lhatse's claim to fame is that the long road to western Tibet begins a short distance west of the town. Beyond Lhatse, we climb up to cross the highest pass on the Friendship Highway, the Gyamtso La (5220m). Then, rounding a bend on the descent from the pass, we are confronted by our first views of Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. We encounter wild Tibetan settlements, lonely monasteries and the encampments of nomadic herders on the next 50 kilometre stretch of road to Shegar. We overnight at one of the best hotels in Shegar which offers basic but comfortable accommodation. It is from here that we will set off on our detour to the Rongbuk Valley and the north side of Everest.

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Day 10

Drive southwards across the Pang La (5150m) to Rongbuk and Mount Everest.

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We leave the Friendship Highway and head south towards the great chain of the Himalaya on a road which was constructed by the Chinese for an Everest expedition in 1960 and which has recently been graded and improved. Climbing up to cross the Pang La (5150m) we will stop off to take in the superb views of the arrayed peaks of the Himalaya; one of the finest panoramas from any road pass in the world. We then drop down to Phadhruchi and from there the road follows the river, ascending very gradually. Everest is lost from sight to begin with, but as we turn into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever. The Chinese authorities do not permit private buses on the road to the monastery at Rongbuk (5200m) and we will make a short transfer in official cars. Our support vehicle is allowed to bring our equipment and supplies. Rongbuk is one of the highest monasteries on Earth and we will overnight nearby in a basic guesthouse. If we are blessed with good weather, as the sun sets, the north face of Everest is typically illuminated by pink and orange light - a truly memorable sight.

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Day 11

Exploration around Rongbuk and Everest Basecamp and then drive out to Old Tingri.

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We will spend the morning at this remarkable place. The site of the modern-day basecamp for the north side of Everest is situated close to the snout of the Rongbuk Glacier just a few kilometres beyond the monastery and at the end of a rough road. If, at the time of our visit, the Chinese authorities are allowing tourists to go as far as basecamp, then we will drive up there. The view of Everest from anywhere in the valley is spectacular in any case. After lunch, we will board our transport for the drive out of this remote place. We take the old road directly to Old Tingri (on the Friendship Highway) from the lower Rongbuk Valley. This is a pretty rough road, crossing another 5000 metre pass which, yet again, provides excellent views of Everest and Cho Oyu. Overnight in another basic Tibetan hotel.

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Day 12

Drive across the north side of Shishapangma to the town of Kyirong.

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Following the main road towards the west, with views of Everest and Cho Oyu on our left hand side, we turn off before the Lalung La and continue in a westerly direction across a remote part of the Tibetan Plateau. We pass the 27 kilometre-long lake of Paiku Tso (4500m) and will have a stop to look out for some of the rare bird species that live here, including black-necked crane and bar-headed goose. In this area we also have the best chance to see the Tibetan wild ass known as a kiang. Leaving the lake we have 2 more 5000 metre passes to cross and this time on our left hand side we can see Shishapangma, the only Tibetan 8000 metre peak. Dropping down into the Kyirong Valley and turning southwards into an increasingly green and pleasant part of Tibet, we overnight at a hotel in Kyirong (3000m).

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Day 13

Cross the border into Nepal and drive through the Langtang region to Kathmandu.

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On this final day of our journey, we drive to the border with Nepal which is marked by a 'Friendship Bridge'. We have to complete the border-crossing formalities again at the Nepalese post at Rasuwa Ghadi. At this point the road enters a narrow gorge with many waterfalls, forest and small houses. We reach Syabrubensi in the Langtang and climb via a switch-back section to Dhunche before dropping down gradually to Trisuli Bazaar. The road is better again as we reach the Arnikho Highway and make the final crossing of the Kathmandu valley rim to reach our hotel. Time to freshen up before going out into Thamel for a celebratory meal.

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Day 14

A free day in Kathmandu.

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It is useful to have a spare day after our travels through Tibet. Today is free for independent sightseeing. Lunch is not included, but we will get together in the evening for a final dinner with the guide.

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Day 15

After breakfast transfer to Kathmandu Airport for the flight home.

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KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.

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The Route

Airport

Point

Peaks

Direction

Transfer

Internal Flight

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

Professional English-speaking Nepalese and Tibetan tour guides
Kathmandu and Lhasa airport transfers
Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa
All land transport involved in the itinerary
All accommodation as described
Meals as described in the Meal Plan
Guided sightseeing programme in Kathmandu and Lhasa
Tibet Entry Permit

What's not Included

Travel insurance
Nepalese visa
Tips for the local support team
Miscellaneous expenses - souvenirs and drinks etc

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

The group will meet at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Meal Plan

With the exception of lunches on days 13 and 14, all meals are included in the holiday price.

Special Diets

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets. Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Food & Water

During this holiday we will have a wide variety of eating experiences, ranging from sophisticated international cuisine when in Kathmandu, to excellent Tibetan dishes in Lhasa and more basic, but still wholesome, Tibetan and Chinese meals on the road.

Accommodation

During this holiday the group will spend 4 nights in Kathmandu at the centrally-located Hotel Aloft or similar. In Tibet, we will use a reasonable standard of hotel accommodation in the larger towns, whilst in one or two of the places we stay we will be obliged to use guesthouses or simple hotels which are unavoidably basic. All accommodation is allocated on a twin sharing basis. The rooms at Samye Monastery do not have en-suite facilities. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Depending on availability, single room occupancy can be pre-booked at supplementary cost. Extra hotel nights in Kathmandu can also be pre-booked.

Group Leader & Support Staff

The group will be led throughout by an experienced English-speaking Nepalese tour guide. When in Tibet there will also be a local guide, as well as one or more drivers appointed by our Tibetan agent.

Altitude

This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. Unless you have previous experience of trekking above 4000 metres you should consult one of our trekking experts before embarking on this holiday. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies.

Spending Money

Approximately £250 (or equivalent in US dollars, Euros etc.) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including local staff tips. It is not necessary to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Kathmandu and in Lhasa. However, outside of these cities, cash US dollars are more easily exchanged and in emergencies small US dollar bills can sometimes be used to make purchases. We recommend that you change approximately £100 into Nepal rupees on arrival in Kathmandu and £100 into Chinese renmibi in Lhasa. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATM's in Kathmandu (Nepalese rupees only).

Guidance on Tipping

Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. Most groups will hand out tips with a bit of ceremony when saying goodbye to local staff. Your Nepalese tour leader will advise the group on an appropriate level of tipping. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around £100 (in rupees) to these tips - although the amount you give is entirely up to you. Please note that you will have the opportunity to tip your tour leader separately (and additionally) during dinner on the final evening of the holiday.

Baggage Allowance

You should take a single piece of travel luggage plus a small daypack. Your main baggage item should be a robust kit bag or holdall or a good quality wheelie-bag. The baggage allowance on the flight to Lhasa is 20kg. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel in Kathmandu.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates (see Health & Vaccinations below), and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check the FCDO for the latest advice for each country visited before travel.

Visa Nepal

All nationalities require a visa. The visa process is partly automated and the fee is $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, $125 for 90 days. The visa is FREE for children under 10 years. The visa allows multiple re-entry. Payment must be made in cash and USD, GBP or Euros are accepted.

Part of this on-arrival visa process involves filling in a ‘Tourist Visa Application Form’ and you can simplify the procedure at Kathmandu Airport by filling this form in online (within 15 days of travelling) at this link. This generates a receipt which you present (hard copy or saved on your phone) on arrival. This should allow you to go straight to the cashier to pay for your visa and has the potential to save you time in the visa queue.

Whilst these are not now needed for the visa process, we recommend that you travel with at least 2 spare passport photographs.

Please Note - FNMIS App Requirement

Travellers to Nepal are now required to download an app to their phone to comply with the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS). The app will be scanned wherever passport details are normally shared (such as hotels, airline arrival and check-in and trekking checkpoints). The aim of the system is to streamline service delivery and to enhance the safety of foreign nationals travelling in Nepal. FNMIS does not collect any personal data beyond what is already obtained through existing procedures.

These are the app download links:

• iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/department-of-immigration/id6749536250

• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.govnp.doi

If you are travelling via India (Delhi or Calcutta) to your destination you may also require a visa for India. This may apply even if you are not leaving the airport unless your baggage has been checked all the way through to your destination. Generally, if you use the same carrier for both legs of your journey, you will not need an India Visa. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF India.

Visa Tibet (China) from Nepal

In a recent policy change for tourist visits in 2026, China will allow 30-day visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from the UK, most of Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

We will make the arrangements for your Tibet Entry Permit through our agency in Kathmandu and to facilitate this we need you to email to us the following - 5 weeks before departure.

1). A good quality scan or photograph of the information page of your passport.

2). Two good quality passport-style photographs which include your whole head and neck.

3). Personal details - full name - marital status - occupation - employer's name, address and telephone number.

4). Emergency contact details - name - nationality - occupation - relationship to you - telephone number.

Important Notice for US Citizens and others for whom the visa-free policy does not apply.

US passport holders must obtain their Chinese visa from the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in their own country before traveling to Nepal. Our agency in Kathmandu will make the arrangements for the Tibet Entry Permit in this case.

Health & Vaccinations

Vaccinations:

You should be up to date with the routine vaccinations recommended in the UK for overseas travel.

You must also contact your doctor or travel clinic to check if there are specific vaccinations or other preventive measures that you need for the area you are visiting, in good time before you are due to depart.

On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dental check-up.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates.

Please check the FCDO and Travel Health Pro. For all of your intended destinations for up-to-date advice.

Severe Allergies:

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips.

Currency

The unit of currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee.

Politically part of China, the unit of currency in Tibet is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi.

Preparing for your Holiday

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise. This is principally a touring holiday and there is no element of trekking but there are opportunities for exploration on foot around the places we visit and the fitter you are the more enjoyable your holiday will be. We suggest you adopt a regime which includes regular walking, cycling or similar.

Climate

At the time of our Everest from Tibet departure (October) the daytime temperature in Kathmandu is likely to be around 25°C and in Lhasa around 15°C. At night on the Tibetan Plateau the temperatures will fall to close to freezing point (and at our highest point in the Rongbuk Valley possibly as low as minus 10°C). Tibet is sheltered by the Greater Himalaya from the full effects of the monsoon and receives very little precipitation at any time of the year. We can expect, clear, cold conditions in Tibet in October, with blue skies and good visibility. However, weather in mountainous areas is notoriously difficult to predict, and short-lived storms can occur at any time of the year.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Books

Tibet. Bradt Guide
Tibet. Lonely Planet
Handbook. Victor Chan
The Tibet Guide. Stephen Batchelor
Abode of Snow. Kenneth Mason
Seven Years in Tibet. Heinrich Harrer

Maps

Tibet - Reise Know-How. 1:500,000. Available www.stanfords.co.uk

Lhasa to Kathmandu - Himalayan Maphouse. 1: 700,000. Available Kathmandu

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Equipment List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your luggage to a minimum as this makes for the most comfortable travel experience.

You must bring the following items:

Comfortable walking boots or shoes
Sandals / Training shoes
Warm and comfortable walking trousers
Warm baselayer tops, long and short-sleeved
Casual shirts and T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
*Warm (down) jacket
Waterproof jacket
Windproof/waterproof overtrousers
Sunhat
Warm hat
Gloves
Sunglasses
Small daypack
Headtorch and spare batteries (there can be power cuts)
Sun protection (including bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottle
Washbag and toiletries
Antibacterial handwash
Sheet sleeping bag
Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets.
Swimwear (for hotel pools)
Travel clothes
Camera

Local Customs and Etiquette

During the course of this holiday we will visit several sites that are considered sacred to people of Buddhist and Hindu faiths. Please be respectful of local norms and customs in these places and pay attention to the advice given by your trip leader on how to dress and act. The Nepalese and Tibetan people are amongst the most polite in the world and are unlikely to let us know if anything we do offends but this does not mean they are not offended. We recommend that you always have a long sleeved shirt and trousers or full length skirt handy to put on when appropriate. In some places it will be necessary to remove your shoes or sandals and you should also consider bringing a pair of socks that can be quickly slipped on and off.

Notes

*FREE down jacket hire is included in your KE holiday booking upon request. Please make all requests at least 6 weeks prior to the trip departure date. Note all hire / rental equipment is issues in Nepal. Please remember to allow room in your luggage for these items.

Extensions

Chitwan Jungle Extension

3 Days

The jungles of southern Nepal are an interesting counterpoint to trekking in the foothills or the high Himalaya. Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge provides a relaxing and comfortable base for a wildlife safari and cultural village experience. During two days of wildlife viewing in the Chitwan National Park 'buffer zone' - the interface area between visitors and the animals that live at Chitwan – you will be accompanied by expert guides on safaris by jeep by boat and on foot.

Extension Code: CHTL

Sharing Price from

US$1,680

Single Traveller Price from

US$2,290

Single Room Supplement from

US$465

Extension Itinerary

Day 1

Show Details

KE extension package services begin with a transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight to Bharatpur. You are met by a Tiger Tops representative and transfer to the lodge. After a welcome briefing, you head off for the first of your jungle activities which may be by jeep, on foot or by boat. We can enjoy an excellent meal from the Tharu kitchen before retiring.

Meals

L D

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Day 2

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After an early wake-up call you will go out with your guide to catch the birds and animals at the watering hole. After breakfast at the lodge you will go out on safari again. As with yesterday your safaris can be by jeep, on foot or by boat. After a full day of wildlife viewing, you spend your final night at Tharu Lodge.

Meals

B L D

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Day 3

Show Details

Depending on your flight time, you may have another opportunity this morning to observe the animals at the watering hole, then after breakfast at the lodge, you transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu where KE extension package services end.

Meals

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Whats Included

Return flights - Kathmandu / Bharatpur / Kathmandu
Kathmandu Airport transfers
Transfers to the lodge on arrival at Bharatpur Airport
2 nights full board accommodation at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Jungle activities including jeep rides / boat rides / nature walks and birdwatching
Airport departure tax
National park buffer zone fee

What's Not Included

Any additional hotel nights required in Kathmandu before or after the extension
Expenses of a personal nature - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

1 Day

The Kathmandu Valley contains the cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu itself, all of which were once independent kingdoms. An exploration of the valley’s historic and cultural sights is an excellent way to begin or end your adventure in Nepal. Highlights of this tour includes a very early drive up to Nagarkot on the Kathmandu Valley rim, the perfect place to watch a Himalayan sunrise. This is followed by a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur, renowned for its temples and traditional buildings.

Extension Code: KTMV

Sharing Price from

US$175

Single Traveller Price from

US$285

Extension Itinerary

Day 1

Show Details

We have a long morning of sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley, beginning with a very early start (at around 0430). We drive for approximately 1 hour through the quiet streets to Nargakot on the valley rim to watch the sunrise light up the Himalayas. Dropping back down to the valley, you will then have a guided tour of medieval Bhaktapur before returning to your hotel towards midday.

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Whats Included

Experienced tour guide
Vehicle transport and driver
Entrance fees

What's Not Included

Packed breakfast to be provided. Other meals and drinks are not included

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 2 reviews

Wonderful road trip through Tibet ★★★★★

This was an ecellent trip, my 3rd with KE, and as previously, well organised. We were lucky to have two great guides, with their knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humour. Rajendra looked after us in both Nepal and Tibet, and Kelsa our Tibetan guide. Both were attentive to everyone's needs and ready and willing to share their knowledge. Rajendra has eyes like a hawk for spotting wildlife, and great knowledge. Thanks to him we saw blue sheep, Tibetan hare, marmots, golden eagles and black-necked ... Cranes. There is a lot of travelling but the roads in Tibet are generally good. The route taken meant we saw changing landscapes, from agricultural valleys to the high plateaus, from busy Lhasa to remote villages. All the accommodation was good, including kettles in most rooms and electric blankets in the coldest places. A couple words of warning: public loos are usually very basic and a sense of adventure is required to use them, vegetarians, such as I, don't eat very well in Tibet, menus tend to have meat in most dishes, so take a good supply of healthy snacks to supplement your diet. The journey from the border back to Kathmandu was certainly an experience. The road had suffered badly due to the monsoon and as it is the only route between the two countries the road was a mud bath from the heavy traffic. At one point it had been washed away. However, Rajendra had organised two sets of vehicles, one either side of the wash-out, and organised some locals to carry our bags and help us across the boulder strewn mud. My only disappointment was that the Monsoon was lingering on so our views of Everest were fragmented and from a distance only on our way back from Rongbuk.

By John from Penrith | 18 October 2019

Tibet

View all (23)

By Donald from Carshalton | 17 October 2019

An Amazing Experience ★★★★★

This was a superb trip with spectacular scenery and many glimpses of Tibetan culture. Everything was well organised and the standard of accommodation and food was higher than expected. Our Nepalese guide, Rajendra, was excellent: efficient, knowledgeable and very good company. He is also an expert naturalist and we saw a lot of wildlife that we might otherwise have missed.

By Donald from Carshalton | 15 October 2019

5 out of 5 from 3 reviews

Wonderful road trip through Tibet

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By John from Penrith | 18 October 2019

Tibet

View all (23)

By Donald from Carshalton | 17 October 2019

An Amazing Experience

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Donald from Carshalton | 15 October 2019

View Dates & Prices

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

Get in Touch

2026

Sat 17 Oct Sat 31 Oct

US$5,735 per Adult per Adult

US$625

Available

Book Now

More Information

Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: EFT /01/26/
This trip departs the UK on Fri 16 Oct returning to the UK on Sat 31 Oct

This trip begins on Sat 17 Oct and ends on Sat 31 Oct
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$625
Single Supplement Price: US$860 - Includes all group hotel and lodge nights. - Oxygen
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Land Only Information

Please refer to the 'Joining Arrangements & Transfers' within Holiday Information for further details.

Flights and other transport to your destination should not be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary starting at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Everest From Tibet Discovery Tour

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

You must bring the following items:

Local Customs and Etiquette

Notes

Extensions

Chitwan Jungle Extension

Extension Details

Chitwan Jungle Extension

3 Days

Sharing Price from

US$1,680

Single Traveller Price from

US$2,290

Single Room Supplement from

US$465

Extension Itinerary

Whats Included

What's Not Included

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

Extension Details

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

1 Day

Sharing Price from

US$175

Single Traveller Price from

US$285

Extension Itinerary

Whats Included

What's Not Included

Reviews

Traveller Reviews

Wonderful road trip through Tibet

Tibet

An Amazing Experience

Other Trips You Might like

Festivals of Bhutan

DATES & PRICES

2026

More Information

Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

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