Exclusive Tibet Trip- 13 days

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Nirvana Journeys will be waiting with a personalized placard. You’ll be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. After check-in, enjoy a welcome drink and a brief orientation session. Use the evening to stroll through the colorful streets of Thamel or rest for the adventure ahead.

Day 2 is dedicated to the ancient city of Kathmandu.

• Kathmandu Durbar Square: Discover the "Kumari Ghar" (home of the Living Goddess) and the intricate wood carvings of the old royal palaces.
• Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): Climb the 365 steps to this hilltop stupa for a 360-degree view of the valley and watch the resident monkeys playing among the prayer flags.
• Pashupatinath Temple: Visit the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal on the banks of the Bagmati River to witness traditional cremation rituals and the evening Aarti (fire prayer).

Explore the spiritual "twin cities" of the valley.

• Boudhanath Stupa: Join thousands of pilgrims circumambulating one of the world's largest stupas. This is the heart of the Tibetan community in Nepal.
• Patan Durbar Square: Known as the city of artists, you’ll visit the Krishna Temple and the Patan Museum, which houses some of the finest bronze and copper artworks in South Asia.

A final day for the valley’s hidden gems while we finalize your Tibet Group Visa.

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square: This "City of Devotees" is like a living museum. Walk through the 55-window palace and watch traditional pottery making in the squares.
• Changu Narayan: Visit the oldest Hindu temple in the valley, famous for its stone inscriptions dating back to the 5th century.

Your flight to Lhasa is arguably the most beautiful in the world, passing directly over the Himalayan range and Mt. Everest. To ensure better acclimatization, we drive directly from the airport to Tsedang (3,100m), which is lower than Lhasa. The Yarlung Valley is the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Spend the evening resting.

Samye Monastery: Visit the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet (8th century). Its unique design is a 3D Mandala, representing the Buddhist universe with Mount Meru at the center.

Yumbulakhang: Perched on a steep hill, this is the first palace of Tibet, built for the first king. The climb offers an incredible view of the patchwork farmlands below.

A day of high-altitude scenery!

• Yamdrok Lake: We stop at the Kamba-la pass (4,794m) for a bird's-eye view of this turquoise, scorpion-shaped holy lake.
• Karo-la Glacier: This "hanging glacier" is unique because it sits right next to the highway. You can feel the cold air coming off the massive ice wall.
• Continue to Gyantse, a town that maintains its old Tibetan character.

• Pelkor Chode Monastery & Kumbum: In Gyantse, explore the Kumbum, a nine-story stupa with 108 chapels housing "100,000 images" of Buddha.

• Drive to Shigatse: A short drive to Tibet's second-largest city.

• Tashilhunpo Monastery: Visit the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. It contains the world's largest gilded bronze statue of the Future Buddha (Maitreya).

Drive along the scenic Friendship Highway following the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

• Sera Monastery: Upon arriving in Lhasa, we head straight to Sera to witness the Monk Debating (usually 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM). Watch as monks use emphatic hand claps and gestures to debate Buddhist philosophy in the courtyard.

• Jokhang Temple: This 7th-century temple is the most sacred site in Tibet. Inside, you’ll see the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, which pilgrims travel thousands of miles to see.
• Barkhor Street: Walk the circular "kora" route with pilgrims. This is the best place to buy authentic Tibetan handicrafts and tea.
• Drepung Monastery: Once the world’s largest monastery with 10,000 monks, it sits on a hillside looking out over the city.

• Potala Palace: The iconic landmark of Tibet. You’ll climb the many stairs to explore the White Palace (administrative) and Red Palace (religious), including the golden burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas.
• Norbulingka: Known as the "Jewel Park," this was the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. Explore the beautiful gardens and the New Summer Palace with its intricate murals.

Enjoy a final morning in Lhasa before being transferred to the airport. The flight back to Kathmandu offers another chance for Everest views. We’ll host a farewell dinner in Kathmandu to celebrate your journey.

After breakfast, your private vehicle will be ready to transfer you to the airport for your flight home, marking the end of your Exclusive Tibet Trip.