NEPAL and TIBET Cultural Tour with Everest Base Camp

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu – introduction to the trip and welcome dinner
You will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. In the afternoon we will discuss the trip with you, and in the evening you are invited to the welcome dinner, where you can enjoy excellent Nepalese cuisine. Overnight stay in Kathmandu Guest House or similar, (A).

Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu – Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambunath Stupa
Today you explore Kathmandu with a local guide. The most popular places are the Buddhist/Hindu temple Swayambhunath, also called the Monkey Temple, which is reached via a long staircase and offers great views of Kathmandu. Other important sights include the Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, with cremation grounds, and the holy Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, which is decorated with colorful prayer flags. This stupa has been an attraction for Buddhist pilgrims for many centuries, who circle the structure several times, turning prayer wheels, praying and murmuring mantras (kora). Overnight stay in Kathmandu Guest House or similar, (F).

Day 3: Drive to Bhaktapur – Sightseeing in Patan and Bhaktapur
We go to Patan first. The city of Patan is the third largest city in Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara and is predominantly Buddhist with over 150 former monasteries. The Golden Temple is Patan’s most important main monastery. It is magnificently designed and has several gilded statues and three gilded copper roofs. Afterwards we drive to Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is an ancient Newari and royal city in the eastern Kathmandu Valley. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich culture, temples and wooden, metal and stone works of art. There we will visit Layaku, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairab Nath Temple and Dattatraya Temple. There are also numerous museums where you can learn about the craftsmanship of the local Newar people. Overnight stay at Hotel Bhaktapur Heritage House or similar category, (F).

Day 4: Drive to Pharping and sightseeing in Pharping – afternoon time in the monastery
Today we go to Pharping, which is approx. 25 km from Kathmandu. In Pharping we check into our guesthouse in the Neydo Monastery and get to know the area. Pharping is a culturally thriving Newari town identified with the sacred site of Hinduism and Buddhism where Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava, known as the lotus-born god) attained the status of a Mahamudra-Vidyadhara. This village is famous for numerous religious Buddhist monasteries, Bajra Yogini Temple, Gorakhnath Temple and Guru Padmasambhava Meditation Cave. It is believed that he achieved enlightenment in the Asur Cave. Recently, numerous Buddhist monasteries have been built in the area. In the evening we take part in the chants that take place daily in the Neydo Monastery. Overnight stay at the inn at Neydo Monastery, (B|L|D).

Day 5: Daily monastery life until midday and drive to Kathmandu
We start today at 5:00 a.m. First we listen to the morning chants of the monks and then have breakfast. After breakfast we can go on an easy hike in the area. From midday we drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight stay at Kathmandu Guest House or Hotel Tibet, (F).

Day 6: Panoramic flight to Lhasa (3,656 m)
During the flight to Lhasa you will have a great panoramic view of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. At the airport you will be greeted by our local Tibetan guide and driver and taken to the hotel. The drive from the airport to downtown Lhasa takes approximately 1½ hours. After checking in at the hotel, you can spend the rest of the day strolling around town on your own. However, try not to overdo things at this height. Recovery on the first day is crucial for good acclimatization. Overnight in the hotel, (B).

Day 7: In Lhasa – Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
Today’s first attraction is a visit to Drepung Monastery, the largest and most influential Tibetan monastery, which once housed more than 10,000 monks. The Dalai Lama was also one of the residents. After lunch, visit another monastery, Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa’s disciple Jamchen Choeje. A particularly impressive experience is the Buddhist scriptures that monks and novices discuss loudly and with great gestures. You can attend the debates Monday to Saturday between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the courtyard of the monastery. Overnight in the hotel, (B).

Day 8: In Lhasa – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple
In the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to the famous Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built in the 7th century by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo and later rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Today the Potala is a museum and a world heritage site. In the afternoon we visit the Jokhang Temple in the centre of the old city of Lhasa. Jokhang Temple is one of the holiest temples in all of Tibet and has always been overflowing with local pilgrims. Then take a stroll through Barkhor Street, which is characterized by devout pilgrims who crowded along the way. Barkhor Street is located in the old town of Lhasa City, circles the Jokhang Temple and finally opens into the central market of Lhasa. As a symbol of old Lhasa, Barkhor Street is a must for every visitor. Overnight in the hotel, (B).

Day 9: Gyantse (3,900m) – Yamdrok Tso – 270 km / 6 hours drive
Today we have breakfast at 8 a.m. and then at around 8:30 a.m. we continue to Gyantse, which is 290 km from Lhasa. The road runs along Yamdrok Lake, a huge, blue-reflecting body of water at 4,300 meters above sea level, and then climbs up to the 5,010-meter-high Karo La (pass), a spectacular step between the glaciers. On the way you will visit the Samding Monastery, 112 kilometres southeast of Lhasa, which lies at an altitude of 4,423 meters and juts into the water on a barren hill about 90 meters above Lake Yamdrok at the end of a narrow peninsula. Samding Gompa was destroyed after 1959, but is currently being restored. Samding is the seat of Dorje Pakmo, the wife of the angry deity Heruka, the highest female incarnation in Tibet, and the third highest person in the Lamaist hierarchy after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. After almost three hours we reach the Kamba Pass (4,700m). From here we enjoy a beautiful view of the sacred lake Yamdrok Tso and its perfect turquoise colour. We continue along the lake and after an hour we reach the town of Nangartse (4,300 m), where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon the path leads us further up to Korala, which is 5,045 meters above sea level. From the top we can marvel at the spectacular Nojin Kangsang Glacier (7,206 meters). Before we get to Gyantse, we see another reservoir with turquoise water, which is embedded in a beautiful landscape in a fascinating valley. After about an hour we arrive at Gyantse, an old walled city dominated by a fortress from 1390. The original fortress was believed to have been built by Pelkhortsen, the son of the anti-Buddhist king Langdarma, who ruled between 838 and 841. The walls were built in 1268 after the rise of the Sakyapa sect. Gyantse is known as the “City of Heroes” because of their strong resistance to the superior forces of the British expedition to Tibet led by Francis Younghusband in 1903-1904. Overnight in the hotel, (B).

Day 10: Gyantse via Shigatse to Sakya, Shalu and Tashilunpo monasteries – 240km / 5 hours
Today we first drive to Shigatse, the agricultural center of Tibet. On the way we stop at Shalu Monastery, which houses the oldest surviving wall paintings in Tibet. Arriving in Shigatse, we visit the Tashilumpo Monastery – the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is considered the reincarnation of the Buddha of endless enlightenment. Built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, this monastery houses interesting items such as the relics of Shakyamuni, the Hall of Maitreya and an outstanding collection of gifts and statues. We continue to Sakya and visit the Sakya Monastery, another very important Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is the parent and main monastery of the Sakya school of the same name and was the political center of Tibet in the second half of the 13th century and the first half of the 14th century. Overnight stay in the hotel, (B).

Day 11: Sakya – Xegar to Everest Base Camp (5,000 m) – 220km / approx. 5 hours
After breakfast we set off for Xegar. The town with 3,000 inhabitants is the center of this remote region of Tibet and serves as a starting point for expeditions to Mount Everest and other peaks. As the journey continues we reach Tingri. When the weather is good, we can already see Mount Everest (8,849 m) on the horizon. The journey takes us over the Gyatso La Pass (5,248 m) and the Pang La Pass (5,120 m) to the new Mount Everest Base Camp (5,000 m). Here you have an excellent view of the gigantic north face of Everest. Overnight stay in a simple hotel, (B).

Day 12: Everest Base Camp (5,000 m) – New Kyirong (2,700m) – 7 to 8 hours drive
We start the day with the impressive sunrise at Mt. Everest Base Camp and a visit to Rongbuk Monastery, located at 5,000 m at the foot of Mount Everest. From this vantage point, surrounded by prayer flags, we enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan mountains, dominated by Mt. Everest (8,849 m). After spending some time on this “Roof of the World”, we head to Old Tingri where we can enjoy more spectacular views of the Himalayan Mountains and Mount Everest. After a short break for lunch, we continue our journey along a winding road to Kyirong. On the way there, the road descends into the Matsang Tsangpo Gorge, flanked by picturesque waterfalls and lush flora that creates a fascinating contrast to the arid landscape of Tibet. We cross two impressive passes, Thong La (5,050 m) and Lalung La (5,082 m), from which we can enjoy magnificent views of the imposing mountains, including the fascinating Shisha Pangma (8,027 m). During our journey we also pass the Milarepa Cave, located high above a cliff and said to be the place where the famous tantric master and yogi meditated. At the end of the day we return to the hotel for a restful night (overnight stay in the hotel, (B).

Day 13: New Kerung – Syabru Besi in Nepal – Kathmandu – approx. 8 hours
You drive to the Nepalese border approx. 22 km away. After the exit formalities, you cross the border. Your driver will be waiting for you and you will travel to Kathmandu by private jeep / vehicle. A nice drive where we cross many villages and watch locals at their work. Overnight in Hotel Tibet or similar category, (B).

Day 14: Leisure day in Kathmandu
Today is at your disposal, which you can spend with relaxation, further sightseeing, massage or a ‘mountain flight’. Overnight at Hotel Tibet or similar category, (B).

Day 15: Flight back home
Farewell and transfer to Kathmandu Airport. End of the journey, (F).

We reserve the right to make program changes due to special events, force majeure or weather reasons.

F = Breakfast | M = Lunch | A = Dinner

German guided tour
English guided tour

• 12. April 2025 -
  26. April 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 02. May 2025 -
  16. May 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 16. May 2025 -
  30. May 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 03. June 2025 -
  17. June 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 29. September 2025 -
  13. October 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 10. October 2025 -
  24. October 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 19. October 2025 -
  02. November 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly
• 07. November 2025 -
  21. November 2025 2.990 € Request non-bindingBook bindingly

This tour can also be booked for individual travelers at an additional cost or for your individual group at dates other than shown here.

Duration: 15 days
Costs: € 2.990 per person
Group size: min. 4 Persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of only four persons)
€ 560 for single room supplement (only for hotel accommodation, for lodge overnight stays during the trek in Nepal, especially during the high season, single accommodation is not available).

What’s included:

• Airport transfers within Nepal
• All necessary land transfers by private vehicle
• Flight Kathmandu to Lhasa incl. 27kg baggage allowance
• Welcome dinner in Nepal and Tibet
• Accommodation and breakfast throughout the tour in Nepal and Tibet
• Accommodation and full board during trekking in Nepal
• Sightseeing with entrance fees, English speaking guide, driver and vehicle in Nepal and Tibet
• Permits, National Park Access / Conservation Fees, Employee Insurance
• Trekking guide and porter
• TTB and Everest Permits
• Quality service
• Oxy meter (oximeter)

Not included:

• International flight from home country
• Flight Lhasa to Kathmandu (from June to September the return journey from Tibet is by flight)
• Additional tours and meals not mentioned
• Cold drinks
• Personal invoices
• Visa Nepal (US $ 50)
• Excess baggage on flights
• Insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency, evacuation and loss, theft of luggage or damage to luggage and personal effects)
• Tips

Tibet/China: Nationals from Germany, Austria and Switzerland can enter the People’s Republic of China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourist, visit and transit purposes. We will apply for the Tibet permit for you.

Please note that Tibet permits are not issued for journalists, professional soldiers, high government officials and diplomats and entry into Tibet is therefore not possible.

Insurance
Travel health insurance (with rescue costs) is essential for your own safety and a prerequisite for booking our trips. In the event of an accident in the mountains that necessitates a helicopter, the helicopter will not take off until full coverage of the costs has been clarified. We strongly recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance. Flights at bargain prices in particular cannot usually be re-booked or canceled free of charge. Complications with the weather, with your health etc. could also arise in Nepal/Tibet which would force you to abandon your trip.
We asked ERGO (travel insurance) to put together different service packages for you. You can book the right travel health insurance for you at https://www.reiseversicherung.de.
Please note: We recommend ERGO insurance to travelers residing in Germany and Austria. Other citizens are asked to book their travel insurance through an insurance provider in their country.

It should be noted that geoDiscovery Tours only recommends that its guests book travel insurance through ERGO and assumes no responsibility for the contractual content between the travel guest and the insurance provider. It is up to each guest to book their travel insurance through ERGO or another provider.

Please note:

• There are no single rooms available in the guesthouses at Everest Base Camp. Only shared rooms or double rooms are available here
• If accommodation is not available during peak season, festivals or additional dates, we will book an equivalent alternative for you. This is not a reason for a price reduction. Especially during the Saga Dawa Festival, there may be a large crowd of pilgrims anywhere in Tibet and there may be delays in food preparation in the hotels/guest houses
• Because of the long distances, long and tiring journeys are unavoidable on some days
• Due to the altitude of over 5000 m, good physical health, fitness and stamina are essential
• Team spirit, tolerance towards foreign cultures and a certain lack of comfort are required
• In general, outside of Lhasa you have to be prepared for very basic sanitary facilities

The hotels booked by us are as follows:
In Nepal
Kathmandu: Hotel Kathmandu Guest House or Hotel Tibet
Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur Heritage House
Pharping: Neydo Guest House

In Tibet
Lhasa: Kyichu Hotel
Gyantse: Yuto Hotel
Shigatse: Shigaryancha Hotel
Xegar: Everest Hotel
Kyirong: Pintsokangsa Hotel or Jilong Grand Hotel
Sakya: Yuanfu Hotel
Saga: Qiangjibu Hotel
Damxong: Holygoat
Old Tingri: Snow Leopard
Manasorover: Guest House
Darchen: Yuangfang Hotel
Zanda Valley: Chongqin Hotel

Tour program

The travel program is optimally coordinated for all trips we recommend. However, it can happen that roads are closed or impassable without prior notice, that there are waiting times of several hours due to traffic jams or fuel shortages, landslides, that access to sights can be closed for various reasons, or other restrictions such as flight delays or even cancellations Bad weather, strikes, health of the participants or unfavorable conditions during trekking make carrying out the travel program more difficult or, in the worst case, impossible. However, our local tour guides are prepared for such situations and will endeavor to achieve all program points to your satisfaction. The inconvenience is usually limited. Nevertheless, it must be pointed out at this point that, for the reasons mentioned, program changes are possible at any time and are not the responsibility of the organizer. The resulting costs are borne by the traveler. We ask for your understanding.

Please be informed that our trips are not suitable for people with reduced mobility.