G Adventures
Essential Tibet
Essential Tibet
From the sacred peaks of Tibet to the cultural hub of Kathmandu, explore overland the best of the Himalayas on this 12-day tour. Discover mighty temples and small outposts on a journey that offers incredible vistas at every turn of the trail. Camp in yak hair tents at the base of mighty Everest, and try your hand at making Tibetan momos. This adventure takes you from China through Tibet’s incredible mountain scenery and delivers you straight to Kathmandu, Nepal’s heart and soul.
Highlights
Stay in a Yak hair tent, traditional to nomadic Tibetans, with an incredible view of Mt. Everest, Explore Lhasa and take a tour of the famed Potala Palace, Witness Tibetan Monks debate at the Sera Monestary.
Accommodation
Nomadic tent (1 night), hotel (10 nights).
Group Leader
One CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout China and Tibet. You will have a Nepalese CEO in Nepal.
Group Size Notes
Max 15, avg 12.
Meals Included
1 dinner
What’s Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment – Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Tibetan Cooking Class, Lhasa
Your Local Living Moment: Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent, Everest Base Camp. Orientation walk in Lhasa, Durbar Square. Gyantse, Jokhang Temple Tour. Barkhor Square Orientation Walk. Tibetan Cooking Class. Potala Palace Tour. Sera Monastery Tour. Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum Visit. Tashilhunpo Monastery Visit. Sakya Monastery Visit. Rongbuk Monastery. Everest Viewpoint. Everest Base Camp Yak Hair Tent. Border crossing to Nepal. Bhaktapur Excursion.
| Day 1 |
Chengdu, located in the center of the Sichuan Basin, is known as the "Land in Heaven" because of its agricultural wealth.
Chengdu is a city of broad streets and inviting parks. Points of interests include Du Fu Cottage, a shrine built in honor of the famous Tang Dynasty poet; Wu Hou Shrine, a shrine built for the Chinese military strategist of the third century, Zhug Liang; and the River View Pavilion (Wangjiang Lou) where 120 varieties of bamboo can be found. Northwest of Chengdu are the Dujiangyan Dam, built in 150 B.C. and Green City Mountain which is famous for its Taoist and Buddhist temples and monasteries. |
| Day 2 |
Chengdu, located in the center of the Sichuan Basin, is known as the "Land in Heaven" because of its agricultural wealth.
Chengdu is a city of broad streets and inviting parks. Points of interests include Du Fu Cottage, a shrine built in honor of the famous Tang Dynasty poet; Wu Hou Shrine, a shrine built for the Chinese military strategist of the third century, Zhug Liang; and the River View Pavilion (Wangjiang Lou) where 120 varieties of bamboo can be found. Northwest of Chengdu are the Dujiangyan Dam, built in 150 B.C. and Green City Mountain which is famous for its Taoist and Buddhist temples and monasteries. |
| Day 3 |
One of the world's highest plateaus (approximately 12,000 ft. above sea level). Home to the Potala Palace, former living quarters of the Dalai Lama. Visit one of Tibet's holiest shrines, the revered 7th century Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims come to prostrate themselves before the statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, lavishly enthroned in silver and gold. |
| Day 4 |
One of the world's highest plateaus (approximately 12,000 ft. above sea level). Home to the Potala Palace, former living quarters of the Dalai Lama. Visit one of Tibet's holiest shrines, the revered 7th century Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims come to prostrate themselves before the statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, lavishly enthroned in silver and gold. |
| Day 5 |
One of the world's highest plateaus (approximately 12,000 ft. above sea level). Home to the Potala Palace, former living quarters of the Dalai Lama. Visit one of Tibet's holiest shrines, the revered 7th century Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims come to prostrate themselves before the statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, lavishly enthroned in silver and gold. |
| Day 6 |
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| Day 7 |
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| Day 8 |
Nestled in the Tibetan region of China, Sakya offers a fascinating blend of cultural richness and breathtaking landscapes. Known for its historical significance and vibrant Tibetan heritage, Sakya is a key destination for those interested in exploring the spiritual and historical heart of Tibet. The town is most renowned for the Sakya Monastery, one of the major monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1073, it serves as the headquarters of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism and is celebrated for its well-preserved murals and intricate statues. A visit to Sakya is not complete without exploring the surrounding region's natural beauty. The Sakya County area is known for its striking landscapes, including the vast, rolling plains and the rugged mountains that frame the horizon. The scenery is particularly stunning in the summer and autumn months, when the rolling hills are dotted with vibrant wildflowers and the clear skies offer unobstructed views of the majestic Himalayas. For those interested in local culture, Sakya's traditional Tibetan architecture and vibrant local markets provide a unique glimpse into daily life in this remote region. The town's markets are a great place to find traditional Tibetan crafts, including handmade textiles and intricate jewelry. Additionally, the local cuisine offers a variety of unique Tibetan dishes, such as tsampa (roasted barley flour) and momo (steamed dumplings). Fun Fact: The name "Sakya" means "Gray Earth" in Tibetan, which refers to the distinctive color of the soil found in the area. This natural feature has been a defining characteristic of the region's landscape and contributes to its unique charm. |
| Day 9 |
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| Day 10 |
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and situated in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains. Home to a number of Hindu and Buddhist temples, beautiful botanical gardens, and ancient palaces, Kathmandu is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Nepali culture, history, and religion. Be sure to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the optimal starting point for exploring this historical and vibrant city. |
| Day 11 |
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and situated in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains. Home to a number of Hindu and Buddhist temples, beautiful botanical gardens, and ancient palaces, Kathmandu is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Nepali culture, history, and religion. Be sure to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the optimal starting point for exploring this historical and vibrant city. |
| Day 12 |
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and situated in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains. Home to a number of Hindu and Buddhist temples, beautiful botanical gardens, and ancient palaces, Kathmandu is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Nepali culture, history, and religion. Be sure to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the optimal starting point for exploring this historical and vibrant city. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
06/06/25 - 06/17/25 |
Starting At $3,099 |
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|
06/20/25 - 07/01/25 |
Starting At $2,479 |
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|
07/04/25 - 07/15/25 |
Starting At $3,199 |
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|
07/11/25 - 07/22/25 |
Starting At $2,815 |
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|
07/25/25 - 08/05/25 |
Starting At $3,199 |
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|
08/01/25 - 08/12/25 |
Starting At $2,815 |
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|
08/08/25 - 08/19/25 |
Starting At $3,199 |
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|
08/15/25 - 08/26/25 |
Starting At $2,815 |
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|
08/29/25 - 09/19/25 |
Starting At $3,199 |
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|
04/17/26 - 04/24/26 |
Starting At $3,099 |
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|
05/15/26 - 06/26/26 |
Starting At $3,199 |
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|
07/03/26 - 08/28/26 |
Starting At $3,299 |
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|
09/04/26 - 09/18/26 |
Starting At $3,199 |
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|
10/16/26 - 10/20/28 |
Starting At $3,099 |
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Local Flights
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
