Self-Launched High Road to Tibet: Kathmandu to Lhasa & Everest's North Face
14 days · Nepal & Tibet
G Adventures charges £2,100
No-markup version: ~£1,180 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched overland version of G Adventures' "High Road to Tibet" — 14 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, crossing the Himalaya into Tibet to reach Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and the Rongbuk Monastery beneath Everest's north face. You'll arrange your own Tibet Travel Permit and a legally required guide through a licensed Tibetan agency (mandatory for all foreigners), then build the rest yourself: a community homestay in Panauti, cooking a Nepalese momo lunch, wandering Barkhor Square, touring the Jokhang and Potala Palace, watching monks debate at Sera Monastery, and the epic drive over the high passes to Rongbuk. Costs are approximate, based on budget guesthouse stays, local buses and shared vehicles, and eating where locals eat.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and make your own way to a guesthouse in Thamel or Paknajol — the budget-traveller heart of Kathmandu. Pre-book a cheap airport taxi (≈£4) or take a metered taxi. Spend the afternoon acclimatising on foot: wander Thamel's trekking-gear shops and grab your first dal bhat. If your Tibet permit paperwork still needs signatures, use today to visit your licensed Tibetan agency's Kathmandu office to hand over your passport copy and China visa.
🚌Local taxi from airport ~£4
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (private room, £12-18/night)
- →Airport transfer to Thamel
- →Thamel orientation stroll
- →Confirm Tibet Travel Permit with your agency
Kathmandu: Durbar Square & Momo Cooking
Kathmandu, Nepal
Do your own orientation walk of Kathmandu Durbar Square (entry ~£8 for foreigners) — the old royal palace complex with its temples and Kumari Ghar. In the afternoon, book a half-day Nepalese cooking class in Thamel or Patan via GetYourGuide or Klook (from ~£18) where you'll learn to fold momos, then eat what you've made. Evening free to explore Freak Street and the riverside ghats.
🚌Walking; short taxi hops ~£2
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel
- →Self-guided Durbar Square walk
- →Momo cooking class via GetYourGuide/Klook
- →Evening in Thamel
Kathmandu to Panauti Community Homestay
Panauti, Nepal
Take a local bus or shared jeep from Kathmandu's Ratna Park / Old Bus Park to Panauti (≈£2, 1.5-2 hrs). If you're feeling energetic, hop off at Sanga and hike the remaining ~8 km through terraced farmland to the village. Panauti Community Homestay lets you book a night directly — sleep with a local family, help cook a Nepalese dinner (~£15-20 all-in including meals) and explore the ancient Newari temples by the river.
🚌Local bus Kathmandu-Panauti ~£2
🛏Panauti Community Homestay (multi-share, ~£15 incl. dinner/breakfast)
- →Local bus to Panauti
- →Optional hike from Sanga
- →Community homestay evening
Fly Panauti / Kathmandu to Lhasa
Lhasa, Tibet
Return to Kathmandu, then fly the trans-Himalayan route to Lhasa Gonggar (≈£250-320 one-way on Sichuan/Air China via Chengdu, or direct Air China Kathmandu-Lhasa when operating). A licensed Tibetan guide will meet you on arrival — this is mandatory for foreigners. Take it slow at 3,650 m: check into a guesthouse near Barkhor, drink lots of water, and rest. Early evening walk to Barkhor Square to see pilgrims circling the Jokhang at dusk.
🚌Flight Kathmandu-Lhasa ~£280
🛏Budget guesthouse in Lhasa Old Town (~£20/night)
- →Trans-Himalaya flight to Lhasa
- →Check in and acclimatise
- →Evening Barkhor Square walk
Lhasa: Jokhang Temple & Sera Monastery
Lhasa, Tibet
Your guide leads an orientation walk around Barkhor Square before a tour of the Jokhang Temple (~£8 entry) — Tibet's spiritual heart, where pilgrims prostrate day and night. In the afternoon head north of the city to Sera Monastery (~£5 entry) to watch the famous monk debates in the courtyard, usually mid-afternoon. Grab sweet milk tea (boe-cha) at a local teahouse.
🚌Walking and shared taxi ~£3
🛏Budget guesthouse in Lhasa
- →Barkhor Square orientation
- →Jokhang Temple guided tour
- →Sera Monastery monk debates
Lhasa: Potala Palace & Norbulingka
Lhasa, Tibet
Tour the magnificent Potala Palace (entry ~£15, timed tickets — book ahead with your agency) and explore the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Norbulingka, the Summer Palace (~£8), and stroll the park where locals picnic and festival celebrations take place in season. Evening free to relax back at altitude.
🚌Walking and shared taxi ~£3
🛏Budget guesthouse in Lhasa
- →Potala Palace tour
- →Norbulingka Summer Palace
- →Free evening in Lhasa
Lhasa Free Day
Lhasa, Tibet
A free day to enjoy 'the roof of the world'. Browse the Barkhor market stalls, sip yak-butter tea in a local teahouse, visit the Tibet Museum, or climb to the Chagpori viewpoint for a skyline shot of the Potala. Optional: join a sunrise kora (pilgrimage circuit) around the Potala with locals.
🚌Walking; local taxis ~£2
🛏Budget guesthouse in Lhasa
- →Barkhor market browsing
- →Teahouse afternoon
- →Optional Potala kora walk
Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake
Gyantse, Tibet
Set off early in a shared 4x4 with your guide (required) over the Gampala Pass (4,794 m). Stop at Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's three sacred lakes, turquoise and ringed by snow peaks. Continue past the Karola Glacier to Gyantse (3,977 m) — about 250 km / 6-7 hrs. Evening wander to the Kumbum Stupa and Gyantse Dzong fortress at golden hour.
🚌Shared 4x4 with guide, ~£70/day split between 2-3 travellers
🛏Guesthouse in Gyantse (~£18/night)
- →Overland drive over Gampala Pass
- →Yamdrok Lake stop
- →Karola Glacier viewpoint
- →Gyantse old town walk
Gyantse: Pelkor Chode & Kumbum
Gyantse, Tibet
Explore Pelkor Chode Monastery and the 32-metre Kumbum Stupa with its 76 chapels (entry ~£8) — a masterpiece of Tibetan art. Climb up to Gyantse Dzong, the hilltop fortress, for panoramic valley views (~£4). Browse the local Tibetan carpet workshops in the afternoon.
🚌Walking and short taxi hops
🛏Guesthouse in Gyantse
- →Pelkor Chode Monastery tour
- →Kumbum Stupa
- →Gyantse Dzong climb
- →Carpet workshop visit
Gyantse to Shigatse
Shigatse, Tibet
Drive on to Shigatse (3,836 m), Tibet's second city (≈90 km, 1.5-2 hrs). Visit the giant Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama, with its towering gilded statue of the Future Buddha (~£8). Walk the monastery kora with pilgrims and browse Shigatse's lively Tibetan market for handicrafts.
🚌Shared 4x4 ~£50 for the day
🛏Guesthouse in Shigatse (~£18/night)
- →Drive to Shigatse
- →Tashilhunpo Monastery tour
- →Monastery kora walk
- →Tibetan market browse
Shigatse to Rongbuk (Everest Base Camp, North Face)
Rongbuk, Tibet
Drive the legendary road via Lhatse and the Pang La Pass (5,150 m) to Rongbuk (≈300 km, 6-7 hrs). Look out for Shishapangma, Makalu, Everest and Cho Oyu from the pass. Check into a simple guesthouse or the Rongbuk tent camp directly beneath the north face of Everest (5,000 m). Bundle up: nights here are brutally cold.
🚌Shared 4x4, ~£75 for the day
🛏Rongbuk guesthouse / tent camp (multi-share, ~£20)
- →Drive over Pang La Pass
- →Himalayan viewpoint stops
- →Arrive Rongbuk (Everest North Base Camp)
Rongbuk: Everest Sunrise & Drive Back
Tingri / Shigatse, Tibet
Wake before dawn to catch sunrise on Everest's north face from Rongbuk — the highest monastery in the world sits right below it. Take the shuttle or hike to the Everest Base Camp viewpoint (5,150 m) for photos. After lunch, drive back toward Tingri or Shigatse for a lower-altitude night's sleep.
🚌Shared 4x4 ~£60
🛏Guesthouse in Tingri or Shigatse (~£16)
- →Sunrise view of Mt Everest
- →Rongbuk Monastery visit
- →Everest Base Camp viewpoint
- →Drive back toward Tingri/Shigatse
Return to Lhasa
Lhasa, Tibet
Long drive back to Lhasa (~350 km, 6-8 hrs) past the high plateau landscapes. Your last evening in Tibet: revisit Barkhor Square for souvenirs, trade stories with fellow travellers, and enjoy a final Tibetan meal. Your guide will accompany you to the airport tomorrow.
🚌Shared 4x4 ~£65
🛏Budget guesthouse in Lhasa
- →Scenic drive to Lhasa
- →Last-night Barkhor wander
- →Tibetan dinner
Lhasa to Kathmandu — Trip Ends
Kathmandu, Nepal
Fly back over the Himalaya to Kathmandu (≈£280). Depending on connections, either catch your onward flight home or spend a final night in Thamel guesthouses. Trip ends on arrival in Kathmandu — just like the original tour.
🚌Flight Lhasa-Kathmandu ~£280
🛏Optional final night in Kathmandu guesthouse (~£15)
- →Flight Lhasa-Kathmandu
- →Thamel farewell dinner (optional)
- →Onward connections
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,180 | £2,100 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £920 per person (44%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,180
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched High Road to Tibet: Kathmandu to Lhasa & Everest's North Face cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,180 per person for 14 days in Nepal & Tibet. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,180 — a saving of roughly £920 (44%) per person.
How long is the Nepal & Tibet trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Nepal & Tibet.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Nepal & Tibet, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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