8-Day Kathmandu and Lhasa

Once you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, complete the immigration formalities. You will then be met by our airport representative and transferred to the hotel. You will be briefed about the programs and rest of the day will be at leisure.

Meals included: Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet (Kathmandu)
Elite Accommodations: Dwarika's Hotel

After breakfast start your day with a visit around Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal as well as the political and cultural capital of the country. Kathmandu is blessed by a living goddess. The Kumari Devi is the most important of several living goddesses in Nepal. Visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the goddess resides surrounded by temples and a museum. You will take a rickshaw ride amidst the vegetable and spice market in Ason to Thamel, a tourist hub, where we will stop for lunch.

Later, we will visit Swayambhunath Stupa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrine of Nepal and is also known as a Self-Created stupa or the monkey temple.

Then, we will head to Patan, the city of artisans and a paradise of fine arts. In the heart of Patan, amidst the hustle and bustle of the marketplace is the Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exquisite works of religious art and architecture, ancient palaces, pagoda temples, Hindu and Buddhist shrines adorn this place. Note: the April 2015 earthquake destroyed some of the temples in the Durbar Square. Reconstruction is currently taking place.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet (Kathmandu)
Elite Accommodations: Dwarika's Hotel

Optional activity: in the early morning, you can take a one-hour scenic mountain flight to see the Himalayas. The Himalayas has always been a great source of mysticism. This flight offers a rare, fascinating opportunity to embrace the legendary Himalayas and discover the ineffable beauty that is guaranteed to be one of the most mesmerizing experiences ever. You will return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the medieval city of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon translates as the "City of Devotees." A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the extraordinary Bhaktapur Durbar Square has monuments that reflect the glory days of the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the Kathmandu valley. In Bhaktapur, you will also have the opportunity to try your hand at pottery and make a customized pot which you can take it home as a souvenir.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet (Kathmandu)
Elite Accommodations: Dwarika's Hotel

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport, where you will catch a flight to Lhasa, Tibet (approximately one hour flight time). Upon arrival at the Gonggar airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel (approximately one hour).  Lhasa, the heart and soul of Tibet, is a city of wonders. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet (Kathmandu)
Elite Accommodations: Dwarika's Hotel

After breakfast, we will visit the Sera Monastery, which is 5 kilometers north of Lhasa.  The Sera Monastery’s setting is one of the prettiest in Lhasa, hugging the ridge that forms the Northern wall of the Kyi Chu Valley.  We will also visit the Drepung Monastery, one of the "great three" Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet.  The Drepung Monastery houses many cultural relics, making it more beautiful and giving it more historical significance.  Afterward, we will take you back to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kyichu Hotel
Luxury Accommodations: St. Regis Resort

We will visit the Potala Palace, the chief residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, which has been the focus of the travelers for centuries.  Next, we will visit Norbulingka, the biggest man-made garden in Tibet. The park was built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in 1755, and became the summer residence of the Eighth Dalai Lama.  Then, we will visit Jokhang, which means "House of the Lord," located in the center of old Lhasa and is the oldest and the most revered religious structure in Tibet.   Jokhang was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China, and Nepal and thus features an intriguing mix of architectural styles.  We end our day in Barkhor Street, the oldest street in Lhasa, which runs through the center of the old city.  Barkhor Street is a circular street where Tibetan culture, economy, religion, and arts assemble. The word Barkhor refers to the middle of the three concentric holy circuits around the Jokhang.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kyichu Hotel
Luxury Accommodations: St. Regis Resort

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu (approximately one hour flight time). Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath Stupa. The magnificent temple of Pashupatinath with its astonishing architectural beauty is situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple, which is built in pagoda style, has a gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. The Pashuptinath Temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also Nepal’s most renowned Hindu cremation site.

Later, we will visit the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and a center of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa is built on a massive three level mandala-style platform and is 36 meters (118 feet) in height. We will bring you back to your hotel afterward.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Kyichu Hotel
Luxury Accommodations: St. Regis Resort

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast