Classic Tibet tour

Today you tour Kathmandu with your guide, taking in the city's temples and historic sites.

You fly into Tibet today, where your guide will meet you for the drive to the town of Tsetang. The journey from the airport gives you a feel for how beautiful Tibet can be as you pass through mountain valleys.

Your guide will accompany you to Samye Monastery, Tibet's oldest, today before a visit to remote Yumbulagang Palace.

You drive to Gyantse today along the scenic Southern Friendship Highway. You'll reach a 5,000m pass which affords stunning views of the surrounding lakes. On arrival you'll visit Gyantse Monastery with your guide before wandering the traditional lanes of Gyantse's old town. An example of traditional Tibetan life and village architecture.

You drive west along the Friendship Highway today, with the Himalaya to your left, to the remote village of Tingri. This is your base from which to visit Everest.

You have a long day today as you drive south across a combination of tarmac road and gravel track, with the Himalaya and Everest in front of you. Once at Rongbuk Monastery you will be able to walk up to the viewing point for a breathtaking vista of Everest itself.

Today you drive to Shigatse, where you will visit Tashilunpo Monastery on arrival.

You take the Northern Friendship Highway to Lhasa today, following the mighty Brahmaputra River for much of the journey, as well as the China-Lhasa-Shigatse railway, which is a magnificent feat of engineering.

This morning your guide will take you to visit the sacred Jokhang Temple before continuing on to the monasteries of Drepung and Nechung. You will also visit the Dalai Lama's former Summer Palace.

This morning your guide will take you to visit the stunning Potala Palace. Afterwards you drive out to Ganden Monastery, set on a mountain side and offering spectacular views. Here you can follow the pilgrims as they walk the Kora up the hills behind the monastery.

You fly back to Kathmandu today for a final overnight stay in Nepal's capital city.

You will be transferred to the airport for your international flight(s) home.