Overview
Ultimate Nepal and Tibet is an epic privately guided Nepal and Tibet trekking and overland tour, unique to The Natural Adventure Company. It takes in all the highlights of Nepal and Tibet in 23 days (including 5 days of moderate trekking below 3,000m): exploring bustling Kathmandu and fabled Lhasa, hiking to Poon Hill to admire the sunrise over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, spending two days in the jungle of Chitwan National Park, driving on the stunning high road connecting Tibet with Nepal, visiting numerous temples and traditional villages, finishing with the highest temple in the world, located close to the historic Everest Base Camp used by the Mallory expeditions in the 1920s.
After a day for sightseeing and preparation in Kathmandu, we drive (or take a short flight) to Pokhara and begin our Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in the lush foothills and rhododendron forests, past beautiful villages and rural landscapes whilst embracing the local lifestyle. Reaching Poon Hill, we are rewarded with the stunning panorama of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri at sunrise.
After finishing the trekking part of the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour, you will experience the other side of Nepal in the jungle of the Chitwan National Park. Once home to a royal hunting reserve, Chitwan offers protection to numerous species including the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Gangetic dolphin, crocodile and wild bison.
Important: You will see other tour operators offering elephant riding activities and many tourists taking part in them during your time in Chitwan. However, we have an elephant welfare policy, and as such, we discourage travellers from riding elephants in Nepal or anywhere in the world. See the Responsible Travel section for more information.
Upon our return to Kathmandu, we will continue our Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour by flying to the sacred city of Lhasa in Tibet. In the company of our Tibetan guides, we will take in all the cultural highlights of Lhasa including the Potala Palace, the Jokhang temple, the Norbulingka, the Drepung and Sera monasteries, with visits to Gyantse and Shigatse.
Then we start an unforgettable overland crossing of the Tibetan Plateau on the Jyirong Highway, linking Lhasa with Kathmandu. The final highlight of the journey is Rongbuk, the highest monastery in the world, from where you will enjoy unrivalled views of the north face of Mount Everest. Then we drive down to Kathmandu after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border.
All our Nepal and Tibet trips are private departures, so you are free to choose your date (between September and May), and companions (minimum group size is 2 people) and our support crew will be with you during all trekking sections. During the treks, you will need to carry only your daypack. We provide one of the highest staff to client ratios on the trekking part: one trekking guide per party, one Sherpa assistant for every four trekkers and one porter for every two trekkers. On the other days, you will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking local guide and/or driver.
On this ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour, you will spend 18 nights in hotels or guesthouses (in Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara and all nights in Tibet) and 4 nights in traditional mountain lodges (tea houses) during the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. All overnights are on a twin-share basis, although occasionally in the remote Tibet areas you may have to multi-share.
- Explore vibrant Kathmandu, lakeside Pokhara and sacred Lhasa, taking in all the highlights, including Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959
- Experience authentic Nepali and Tibetan villages, meet locals during tea house stays and soak up the unique local culture
- Trek through magnificent forests and terraced fields abundant in hot springs and admire the sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare and the Annapurnas from Poon Hill
- Spend two days in the jungle of Chitwan National Park, abundant in wildlife
- Drive on the stunning high road connecting Tibet with Nepal
- Visit numerous temples, including Rongbuk, the highest temple in the world, from where you will admire the amazing views of the Everest north face
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu | 1,400m
Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport (you can choose any flight you wish), our representative will meet you and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. Relax at your hotel, then explore the streets of Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu
After a lovely breakfast in the morning, we start a guided sightseeing tour to four UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu that have historical and spiritual values. We will visit Pashupatinath, Temple Swoyambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bouddhanath Stupa.
Day 3: Fly to Pokhara | 45min | 1,400m
We set off on a 45min flight to Pokhara. On arriving Pokhara, check-in at your hotel and go for a short hike around Fewa Lake and the alleys by the lake. Feel free to get the help of our guide for last-minute trekking shopping.
Day 4: Drive to Nayapul | 1h; Trek to Ulleri | 4-5h | 2,020m
We drive in the morning from Pokhara to Nayapul which takes around one hour to reach. After arriving at Nayapul we start our trek and cross Modi River at Birethanti, then follow an easy trail by the river. After walking for around three hours, we arrive in Tikhedhunga and have lunch. After lunch, we start the trekking part of the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour by following the trail which gradually ascends to Ulleri village.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, ↑600m, final elevation 2,020m
Day 5: Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani| 4-5h | 2,860m
After walking for two hours, steep uphill through the lush green forest of rhododendron, we reach Banthanti and have our lunch there. After lunch, we ascend gradually through the forest. Ghorepani is a small village inhabited by Magar people that sits atop the ridgeline and backdrops Mt Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, ↑1,300m, final elevation 2,860m
Day 6: Climb Poon Hill; Trek Ghorepani to Chuile| 7-8h | 2,310m
An amazing pre-dawn trek to Poon Hill (1.5-2h, 3,210m) reveals a stunning sunrise over the Himalaya. After a well-earned breakfast in Ghorepani, we start our walk on a short but steep ascent to Deurali. From Deurali, the trail is mostly downhill, covered by lush green forest and with occasional human settlements. Climb a steep uphill section right before Tadhapani where we eat our lunch taking in the great views of Mount Machapuchhare, Annapurna south, Hiun Chuli, and Annapurna II. Another one hour downhill walk through woodland takes us to Banthanti where we leave the main trail and follow a side trail that leads us to Chuile.
- Walking for the day: 7-8h, ↑1,200m ↓1,300m, final elevation 2,310m
Day 7: Trek Chuile to Jhinu Danda | 4-5h | 1,780m
We trek uphill to Kuldighar and again downhill to Chomrong Khola and cross it for the last time. We follow the uphill trail through Chhomrong village for a while, followed by a short downhill section, we arrive at Jhinu Danda. We stay here for a night and enjoy the hot springs soothing our tired muscles. The spring is 20min downhill from Jhinu Danda.
- Walking for the day: 5-6h, ↑400m ↓500m , final elevation 1,780m
Day 8: Trek Jhinu Danda to Nayapul | 4-5h; Drive to Pokhara| 1h
The trail today undulates down the Modi River Valley. We begin our trek with a comfortable downhill walk to the New Bridge and follow the trail through terraced fields and small villages. After arriving in Naya Pul, we drive back to Pokhara (1 h). The lakeside town of Pokhara is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a cold beer and celebrate your successful completion of the trekking part of the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, ↑300m ↓900m
Day 9: Drive Pokhara to Chitwan | 5h | 415m
We drive to the tourist bus stand (5min). Take the tourist bus and ride past river valleys, terrace fields, and highway settlements to the southern lowlands (5h). Upon getting off the bus, meet the park staff, who will drive you to the resort. After having checked in, enjoy the lunch and make yourself comfortable amidst the beautiful garden. The manager will brief you about the activities schedule. In the afternoon, drive to the nearby river where alligators, birds, and rhinos can be spotted along with the mesmerizing sunset view.
Day 10: Chitwan National Park
Early in the morning, we drive to the river and start canoeing through the jungle to spot alligators and various species of birds. After canoeing, we walk through the forest and take the jeep back to the resort. After lunch enjoy a jeep drive into the national park where we can spot more wild animals, and if lucky, Royal Bengal tigers. After we drive back to the resort, enjoy the dinner, and walk to the community hall to view the cultural show.
Day 11: Drive Chitwan to Kathmandu | 1h | 1,400m
After breakfast, the staff will drive you to the bus station, and you will board the tourist bus, which will drive you to Kathmandu. Free time for sightseeing and preparation for the next part of this amazing journey.
Day 12: Flight Kathmandu to Lhasa | 1.5h | 3,670m
Today we start the overland part of our Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour. Our Nepali driver will take you to the airport for your flight. Upon arrival at Gonggar airport (Lhasa), meet with the Tibetan guide and transfer to the hotel (1h). Take it easy today, and allow your body to acclimatize.
Day 13: Lhasa – Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar
The following three days are scheduled to appreciate – with a relaxed pace to allow for the effects of altitude – the numerous places of interest and Lhasa’s long and rich cultural history, accompanied by an English-speaking local guide.
Potala Palace
Enjoy a tour of Potala Palace, a magnificent structure and true architectural wonder built in the 1600s. The Potala palace was first and foremost the residence of the Dalai Lama and his large staff. Besides, it was the seat of the Tibetan government, where all ceremonies of state were held; it housed a school for religious training of monks and administrators, and it was one of Tibet’s major pilgrimage destinations because of the tombs of past Dalai Lamas. This is where the Dalai Lamas would meditate and handle affairs of state. Admire the golden statues, three-dimensional mandalas, ancient scriptures.
Jokhang Temple
The beautiful Jokhang Temple is Tibet’s spiritual heart and home of the most venerated Buddha statue in Tibet. It was built during the reign of king Songsten Gampo (605-650) to celebrate his marriage with the Chinese Tang dynasty Princess Wencheng, a Buddhist. The temple was called the Tsulag Khang or ‘house of wisdom’, but it is now known as the Jokhang, which means ‘house of Buddha’. Watch the pilgrims circle the temple day and make a kora, the holiest devotional circuit around the temple square and then stroll the bustling Barkhor Street.
Day 14: Lhasa – Drepung and Sera Monasteries
Drepung Monastery
Drepung is situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 5 km from Lhasa. It is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. It is considered one of the ‘three great monasteries’ (the other two are the Ganden monastery and the Sera monastery, covering 250,000 square metres. It had 7700 monks in total and possessed 540 pastures in its heyday. It’s building resembles a heap of rice; as such, it was given the name ‘Drepung’ which, in the Tibetan language, means ‘collecting rice’.
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery is located at the foot of Tatipu hills. It is one of three great monasteries of Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden monastery. The monastery complex is magnificent and covers an area of 114,946 square metres. Its main buildings are Thetsokchan hall, Dratsang (college), and Kamtsan (dormitory). Scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth, and unparalleled murals can be found in these halls. You can witness the monks engaged in a lively debate on Buddhist doctrines, a philosophical practice they have held for hundreds of years.
Day 15: Lhasa – Norbulingka Summer Palace
While Potala Palace was the official ‘winter’ residence of the Dalai Lamas, Norbulingka was their summer palace. Norbulingka. Be sure to check out the beautiful flowers in the botanical garden. The Norbulinka park and summer palace were completed in 1783 under Jampel Gyatso, the eighth Dalai Lama. The earliest building is the Kelsang Potang palace built by the seventh Dalai Lama. The ‘new palace’ construction began in 1954 by the present Dalai Lama and was completed in 1956.
The gardens are a favourite picnic spot and provide a beautiful venue for theatre, dancing, and festivals, particularly the sho dun or ‘Yoghurt Festival’, at the beginning of August, with families camping in the grounds for days surrounded by colourful makeshift windbreaks of rugs and scarves. There is also a zoo at Norbulingka, originally intended to keep the animals given as presents to the Dalai Lama.
Day 16: Lhasa to Gyantse | 261km | 7-8h | 3,950m
Today you embark on the last part of your journey, an amazing overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu on the ‘high road to Tibet’. Set off early this morning, driving down the Kyichu Valley to the Yarlong Tsampo (Brahmaputra) before ascending to the Khamba Pass (4,900m). The views are outstanding: the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdrok Tso backdropped by the main Himalayan range’s snow-capped peaks.
We will skirt the lakeshore before crossing the Karo Pass (5,200m) to reach Gyantse, strategically located in the Nyang Chu valley where the ancient trade routes from the Chumbi Valley, Yatung and Sikkim merge. It is dominated by the ancient fort besieged by British forces in 1904 during the Younghusband Expedition.
Day 17: Gyantse to Shigatse | 90km | 2h | 3,850m
Before we start the relatively short drive to Shigatse, we will visit Phalkor Monastery and the remarkable ancient Buddhist site of Gyantse Kumbum (meaning ‘100,000 images’), an 8-story structure built on a series of four levels containing 77 tiny chapels full of Buddhist images and sculptures – Buddhas, demons and saints. The Phalkor Monastery has a special influence over Tibetan Buddhism owing to its unification of three different sects, the Gelugpa, the Sakyapa and Bhutan Sects, in a single monastery.
After the visit to the monastery complex in Gyantse, we drive to Shigatse, the second-largest town in Tibet. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery, which is home to the Dalai Great Panchen and the largest monastery in the region, founded in 1447. The Panchen’s throne, a large number of ancient Buddhist sculptures and murals are rare treasures of the monastery.
Day 18: Shigatse to Sakya | 160km | 4-5h | 4,300m
In the morning after breakfast, we will start the picturesque drive to Sakya. On arrival, we will visit Sakya Monastery, one of the most impressive attractions in Tibet. Also known as Pel Sakya (“White Earth” or “Pale Earth”), it is the seat of the Sakya (or Sakyapa) school of Tibetan Buddhism, it was founded in 1073, by Konchok Gyelpo, originally a Nyingmapa monk of the powerful noble family of the Tsang and became the first Sakya Trizin.
Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the 13th and the 14th centuries under the Mongol Yuan dynasty’s overlordship after the downfall of the Tibetan Empire until they were eclipsed by the rise of the new Kagyu and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Its Mongolian architecture is quite different from that of temples in Lhasa and Yarlung. The only surviving ancient building is the Lhakang Chempo or Sibgon Trulpa. Originally a cave in the mountainside, it was built in 1268 by Sangpo and restored in the 16th century. It contains some of the most magnificent surviving artwork in all of Tibet.
Day 19: Sakya to Rongbuk Monastery | 295km | 9-10h | 5,000m
Today an exhilarating drive to Rongbuk awaits us. The drive over the Pang Pass (5,150m) offers the first views of Everest’s north face (8,848m). From the pass, we descend to the village of Phadhruchi, before driving up the Rongbuk Valley to the monastery. We will stay in the small lodge attached to the monastery, which has recently been reconstructed. Rongbuk is the highest monastery globally, and the lodge offers rather spartan accommodation, but the views from it are unrivalled.
Day 20: Rongbuk to Tingri | 90km | 4-5h | 4,300m
One of the highlights of the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour, Rongbuk Monastery is located a mere 7km below Everest Base Camp near Rongbuk Glacier’s tongue. This camp has been used by the expeditions attempting Everest from the north, Tibetan side, including the Mallory expeditions in the 1920s. Unfortunately, access to Base Camp is currently restricted only to mountaineers with the necessary Everest climbing permits. But the views of the mighty Everest are still utterly spectacular. In the afternoon, we will drive to the small town of Tingri where we overnight.
Day 21: Tingri to Kyirong | 200km | 5-6h | 3,900m
Today we are heading for the border town of Kyirong. Following the 2015 earthquake, the highway was badly damaged resulting in its continued closure. This new route and the border pass was opened in 2017 allowing for travel along this legendary route to recommence. We reach Kunda Pass at 5,236m, which offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and then start our descent. Kyirong is known for its warmer climate and green landscapes.
Day 22: Kyirong to Kathmandu | 160km | 5-6h | 1,400m
After breakfast, we drive to the Tibet/Nepal border and after immigration (wait times can be quite long on some days) we say good-bye to our Tibetan guide. We will cross the bridge marking the border on foot to meet our Nepali guide on the other side and continue to Kathmandu via the earthquake-ravaged Langtang region. It is a bit bumpy, yet extremely scenic drive.
Day 23: Departure
Your Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour finishes today. Private transfer to Kathmandu Airport or optional extension (highly recommended!).
What to expect
Accommodation
We always carefully hand-pick all places and regularly monitor their quality. For the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour, we have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. A variety of hotels/guesthouses/tea houses are used on this trip: comfortable hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lhasa and Chitwan; the best available guesthouses in town in Tibet; tea houses during the Poon Hill trek.
Tea houses are mountain lodges that are located along many of the trekking routes in Nepal that provide meals and accommodation. They are similar to mountain huts in the Alps except that in Nepal you primarily get private rooms and a wide choice of food. The tea houses, in general, offer simple but adequate accommodation; please be realistic about what to expect in the high mountains and in remote areas. Most tea houses are built specifically for trekkers, but some, in the more remote regions of Nepal, may double as the family’s home.
The teahouse’s centre is the heated eating hall (some lodges charge a fee to switch the heater on). The bedrooms are almost all twin-share (note that you may still be asked to share with 2 or 3 during peak season on very rare occasions). Bedrooms are not heated, and you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag. Most tea houses have only one or two basic toilets, and sometimes these are located outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it from the tea house. If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to use.
The owners make most of their income from the meals and beverages. For this reason, you are expected to eat all your meals at the teahouse at which you’re staying. Most teahouses sell snacks, soft drinks, tea, coffee and other essentials such as soap and toilet paper.
Almost all tea houses have electricity, but power outages are quite frequent. Electricity is available to charge your cameras and other electronic devices for a small fee at the dining rooms of most tea houses. A few of the lodges on this trek have WiFi which varies in quality of signal. Some lodges now have hot showers (you will be charged a small fee for using them). Note that sometimes this is simply a bucket of hot water and not a proper shower head.
Click to view default hotels
- Kathmandu: Holy Himalaya
- Pokhara: Big Pillow Inn
- Lhasa: Yak Hotel or Gang Jian Hotel
Meals
Several years ago, meal choices were limited and pre-booking the lodge fixed menu was often the only option. Since then, as the lodges have improved in quality, so has food choice, with most tea houses now offering an extensive menu. To give our customers choice, we now operate this holiday on a breakfast-only basis (welcome dinner in Kathmandu and all meals in Chitwan are also included). You will need to plan £10-20 per day in total for lunches and dinners when not included. Included breakfasts will usually be Asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs.
Difficulty and terrain
The trekking part of the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour is one of the easier treks in the Annapurna region and the Himalayas as a whole as you will be trekking roughly 5-6h a day (except for the trek on Day 6 which can take 7-8h). You should be in good physical shape and have experience in multi-day trekking before undertaking this tour (read more about difficulty grades).
Acute mountain sickness
Altitude is not a big concern on the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour. During the trekking part in Nepal you will overnight bellow 3,000m and the highest point you reach, Poon Hill, is only 3,210m. In Tibet, the highest place you will overnight is Rongbuk at 5,000m however you would have already properly acclimatised by then (that is why the Tibet part starts with a few ‘slow’ days in Lhasa).
When to go
The climate in Tibet is not as harsh as one would think it would be. Lhasa has mild weather from May to November. On the other hand, Nepal is subject to the defining influence of the monsoon from late May to mid‐September. The best times for visiting Nepal are in spring ‘pre-monsoon’ (March, April and May), and in autumn ‘post-monsoon’ (September, October and November). The summer months are very wet as it is the monsoon season and winter is extremely cold.
- Post Monsoon: September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as to minus 10ºC at the highest altitudes.
- Pre-monsoon: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but often a haze will build up in the afternoons. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons many people chose to trek in spring.
Getting there
Click ti view travel options
Special note regarding travel to Tibet and obtaining Tibet visa
Process for obtaining Tibet permit & visa:
- Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu needs at least 3 working days to grant the visa as per their new rules until further notice
- The embassy is open from Monday to Friday except on holidays. Hence, our customers are requested to be in Kathmandu with enough time to apply for the visa (that is why we have arranged the itinerary with the Nepalese part preceding the Tibetan part)
- Nepal visa and arrival stamp in the passport is mandatory to obtain a Tibet visa
Documents required for visa processing
- Clear scanned copy of Passport required 30 days in advance to initiate the process for visa invitation. Once we receive the visa invitation from Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB), we will apply for the visa on your behalf
- Passport should be standard type (diplomats, security/law enforcement personnel etc will not be able to get the visa through us)
Documents required to get the visa
- The original passport
- Passport scanned copy
- 2 photographsMRP size (33 mm x 48 mm, front-facing)
- Chinese Visa form filled up and duly signed by customer
We will not be liable for any damage or cancellation of the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet due to the Chinese Embassy’s closure or a halt in issuing permits by Tibetan Authority without prior notice. However, we will try our best to inform you well in advance if we expect such a situation.
Tipping
It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the quality of service. All our staff in Nepal and Tibet (guides, assistant guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage; however, tips are not a substitute for wages. The amount is purely a personal matter but we would suggest a tip per day of 15-20 USD for your guide, 8-10 USD for your porter and 5-6 USD per day for assistants and other staff. These apply to the whole party, not per person. Obviously, this is very much a rough guide and you are completely free to give whatever you feel is appropriate.
Inclusions
Included
- All ground transfers as listed in the itinerary (including one arrival and one departure Kathmandu airport transfer per party)
- Flight Kathmandu-Lhasa
- Flight Kathmandu-Pokhara
- Standard hotel: 4 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Chitwan, 2 nights in Pokhara, 4 nights in Lhasa
- Tea house: 4 nights in Nepal
- Standard/basic hotel/guesthouse: 6 nights in Tibet
- Sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and Tibet as detailed in the itinerary including entrance fees
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
- All breakfasts
- All lunches and dinners in Chitwan
- All national park fees and trekking permits
- 1 English-speaking tour guide in Tibet
- 1 English-speaking trekking guide during the trekking part
- 1 Sherpa assistant for every 4 trekkers during the trekking part
- 1 porter for every 2 trekkers during the trekking part
- Detailed pre-departure information pack including guide book, city maps and trekking maps
Excluded
- International flights and international airport departure fee
- Nepal visa fees
- Photography fees in the monasteries in Tibet
- Meals not listed as included
- Drinking water (beverages)
- Extra expenses due to unforeseen events such as natural disaster, roadblocks or health conditions of a fellow traveller
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lhasa only – ask our experts for a quote); in the tea houses and during the overland part in Tibet you may ask the owner if there are single rooms available and you can pay locally for them
- Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate solo travellers on the Ultimate Nepal and Tibet tour
- Kathmandu upgrade to a superior 4 or 5-star hotel
- Full board upgrade
- Extra nights in Kathmandu
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