Pick up at railway station or airport, check into hotel. Arrange meals on your own. Free visit to Potala Palace Square, overlook Yaowang Mountain and take full views of Potala Palace. Rest properly to adapt to plateau climate. Experience night scenery of Lhasa gently without strenuous exercise.

Morning tour of Potala Palace built on Red Hill at over 3700m altitude, 117m high with 13 floors. It integrates palace, temple and pagoda hall, serving as ancient Tibetan ruling center divided into White Palace and Red Palace.

Visit 1350-year-old Jokhang Temple, the oldest and most prestigious temple in Tibet. Admire 12-year-old Sakyamuni golden statue and statues of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti.

Stroll Barkhor Street, cultural epitome of Tibet with pilgrims, featured stalls and historic architectures. It is also the busiest commercial street with Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian goods. Free leisure at night, explore old alleys, night markets and local bars.

Drive to Namtso, one of three great sacred lakes in Tibet. Enjoy integrated sky and lake scenery, scattered islands, peculiar rocks and caves on Tashi Island. View continuous Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, boundless Northern Tibet Grassland and fluttering prayer flags. Optional hot spring bathing in Yangbajing at own expense. Return to Lhasa in the evening.

Cross 4990m Gambala Mountain, overlook radar station and visit Yamdrok Lake, world’s highest freshwater lake known as Heavenly Jade Lake. Crystal clear water matches distant snow peaks, featured Tibetan villages and livestock, bringing pleasant journey experience. Head to Shigatse along Yarlung Tsangpo River valley.

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, residence of Panchen Lamas and one of six major Gelug monasteries. Appreciate grand ancient buildings, incense and worshipping scenes. View 26m-high giant indoor Qamba Buddha and the stupa of the 10th Panchen Lama. Cross 5200m Gyachala Mountain and drive 245km to reach Tingri in the afternoon.

Go through border inspection, visit Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest temple. Proceed to Everest Base Camp, overlook 8848m Mount Everest. Admire well-preserved Rongbuk Glacier and rare Everest banner cloud. Enjoy stunning sunset glow over the peak and bright starry night.

Watch magnificent sunrise over Everest. Traverse magnificent Himalayas, cross 5200m Gyagula Mountain and arrive at border town Zhangmu at 2400m altitude, experiencing dramatic changes of landform and vegetation.

Enter Nepal after border check. Visit Swayambhunath, UNESCO World Heritage Site widely known as Monkey Temple, a perfect place to witness harmonious coexistence of local religions.

Visit Pashupatinath Temple, observe Hindu ascetics and traditional cremation rituals by Bagmati River. Tour Boudhanath Stupa, largest Tibetan Buddhist sacred site in South Asia. Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Living Goddess Temple, Kasthamandap and Taleju Temple. Free shopping and leisure at Thamel Street in the evening.

4-hour drive back to Zhangmu plus over 2 hours border clearance. Zhangmu is a mountain town with zigzag streets.

Detour via Dazhuka and arrive at Shigatse, core city of rear Tibet.

Return to Lhasa along Yarlung Tsangpo River canyon, enjoy valley scenery and free activity after arrival.

Send off at airport or railway station. Conclude the in-depth tour of holy Tibet and snowland Nepal.