8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland: Self-Launched Tibet Adventure

Leave Kathmandu early (05:00) by shared jeep or local bus heading north to Rasuwagadhi (the Nepali side of the Kerung border, ~145km, 6–8 hours on rough mountain roads). Options include public buses from Kathmandu's Machhapokhari bus park or a shared jeep booked in Thamel the day before (~£15–20). Complete exit formalities and cross into China at Kerung, where your Tibetan agency's guide/driver should meet you with your permit. Check into a simple guesthouse in Kerung town (2,700m) and rest — this is your first altitude night, so drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.

🚌Shared jeep/bus Kathmandu–Rasuwagadhi ~£15–20; border crossing on foot; short taxi into Kerung ~£3

🛏Simple guesthouse in Kerung town (£15–20 twin share)

• →Early-morning drive through Nepali hill country
• →Nepal–Tibet border formalities at Rasuwagadhi/Kerung
• →Arrive on the Tibetan Plateau and acclimatise

Join a shared 4WD/minibus (arranged through your Tibetan agency, or a shared seat on a Tingri-bound vehicle) for the 235km drive across the plateau. Stop at Pikucho Lake and, weather permitting, take in views of Cho Oyu (8,201m) and Shishapangma (8,027m). Roads are rough and the altitude climbs quickly — take it slow at stops. Overnight in a basic guesthouse in Tingri (4,300m), the classic Everest-viewpoint stop.

🚌Shared 4WD/minibus Kerung–Tingri ~£25–35 per person

🛏Basic guesthouse in Tingri (£12–18 twin share)

• →Pikucho Lake viewpoint
• →Cho Oyu and Shishapangma viewpoints
• →Altitude-acclimatisation evening in Tingri

Continue 245km east, crossing the 5,220m Gyatso La Pass with sweeping plateau panoramas. On arrival in Shigatse (Tibet's second city, 3,840m), visit Tashilhunpo Monastery — seat of the Panchen Lama — including the towering Maitreya Buddha statue and its chapels (entry ~£7, usually payable in yuan). Stay in a budget hotel in the old town and eat at one of the small Tibetan restaurants near the monastery.

🚌Shared 4WD/minibus Tingri–Shigatse ~£25–30 per person

🛏Budget hotel in Shigatse (£15–22 twin share)

• →Gyatso La Pass (5,220m)
• →Tashilhunpo Monastery and Maitreya Buddha statue

Morning visit back to Tashilhunpo's kora (circumambulation path) with pilgrims, then drive to Gyantse to see the Kumbum stupa with its 100,000 painted Buddha images (entry ~£6). Continue over the Karo La and past the turquoise Yamdrok-Tso Lake, then follow the Yarlung Tsangpo valley into Lhasa (350km total, a long day). Check into a guesthouse near the Barkhor for the next three nights.

🚌Shared vehicle Shigatse–Gyantse–Lhasa ~£30–38 per person

🛏Guesthouse/budget hotel near Barkhor, Lhasa (£18–25 twin share)

• →Tashilhunpo kora with pilgrims
• →Gyantse Kumbum stupa
• →Yamdrok-Tso Lake viewpoint
• →Yarlung Tsangpo valley drive

Book Potala Palace tickets in advance through your agency or the official WeChat mini-programme — entry is timed and capped daily (~£22). Climb the palace's steps slowly and explore the chapels and former Dalai Lama quarters. In the afternoon visit Jokhang Temple (~£10) and join the pilgrim circuit around the Barkhor, browsing the market stalls for prayer flags and thangka. Evening stroll along the old town lanes.

🚌Taxis around Lhasa ~£4–6 total

🛏Guesthouse/budget hotel near Barkhor, Lhasa (£18–25 twin share)

• →Potala Palace (timed entry, pre-book)
• →Jokhang Temple
• →Barkhor kora and market browsing

Take a local taxi or minibus west to Drepung Monastery (entry ~£8) and walk through its whitewashed lanes up to Ganden Palace, once the Dalai Lama's residence. In the afternoon head to Sera Monastery (~£7) and time your visit for the famous 15:00 monk debates in the courtyard — a highlight not to miss. Return to the Barkhor for dinner at a Tibetan teahouse (yak momos and butter tea ~£5).

🚌Shared taxi/minibus around Lhasa ~£6–8

🛏Guesthouse/budget hotel near Barkhor, Lhasa (£18–25 twin share)

• →Drepung Monastery and Ganden Palace
• →Sera Monastery
• →Monk debate ceremony (approx. 15:00)

A long 400km drive west back toward the border, passing nomadic herders' camps and chances to spot wild ass, antelope and, if lucky, distant Everest views. This is the reverse of the arrival route but on the Friendship Highway stretch — a shared 4WD seat is the usual option (~£35–45). Overnight in a simple Shegar guesthouse (4,300m) where it's cold — bring a warm layer.

🚌Shared 4WD/minibus Lhasa–Shegar ~£35–45 per person

🛏Basic guesthouse in Shegar (£12–18 twin share)

• →Plateau drive with nomadic herder sightings
• →Wildlife spotting and Everest-range views
• →Roadside lunch stop

Early start for the ~425km return to the Kerung border, retracing the plateau and descending through the gorge to Rasuwagadhi. Clear Chinese exit and Nepali entry formalities, then catch a shared jeep or bus back to Kathmandu (arriving late evening). Bring snacks and cash for the border area — ATMs are unreliable. If you'd rather not rush, some travellers add a night in Kerung; note Tibet regulations require entering and exiting at the same point, so you can't simply fly out of Lhasa.

🚌Shared 4WD Shegar–Kerung ~£30–40; shared jeep Kerung/Rasuwagadhi–Kathmandu ~£15–20

🛏Not included — own arrangements in Kathmandu

• →Border exit and re-entry formalities
• →Descent from the Tibetan Plateau into Nepal
• →Return transfer to Kathmandu