Trip summary statistics
9days
Kingdoms of the Clouds
Beijing, Lhasa, Kathmandu
Visit Lhasa’s Drepung and Sera Monasteries, historic hubs of Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Explore Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and stroll Bhakor Street’s sacred pilgrim path.
Fly over the Himalayas and catch a glimpse of majestic Mount Everest.
Discover Nepal’s spiritual icons, from sacred temples to towering, tranquil stupas.
Relish a journey of comfort, with bespoke stays handpicked for you by a Destination Expert.
* Please note: USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.
A travel experience like no other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
BeijingThe Adventure Begins
- Airport Meet & Greet
- Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
BeijingCross an Item off the Bucket List
- Great Wall Mutianyu & Summer Palace (with Lunch, 8 hrs) - Private Tour
- Peking Duck Dinner at Dadong Restaurant (2-3 hrs) - Vehicle/Driver
Beijing to LhasaEn Route
- Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Beijing - Lhasa [(4.5 hrs)] - Economy
- Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Afternoon Acclimatization
LhasaCultural Immersion
- Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery (with Lunch) - Private Tour
LhasaSights and Insights
- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Bhakor Street with Lunch - Private
Lhasa to KathmanduOnward and Upward
- Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lhasa - Kathmandu [(1.5hrs)] - Economy
- VIP Arrival Meet & Assist
- Airport - SUV/Driver/Assistant
KathmanduHigh in the Sky
- Mount Everest Flight (1 hr) - Vehicle/Driver/Guide/Flight
- Half Day City Tour - SUV/Guide
- Dinner with an Everest Sherpa (2 hrs)
KathmanduA Journey Back in Time
- Exploring Pashupatinath and Boudhanath (7 hrs) - Private Tour
- 1/2 Day Nagarkot Sunset or Sunrise - SUV/Driver/Guide
KathmanduUntil Next Time…
- Airport - SUV/Driver/Assistant
- VIP Departure
BEIJING
The Adventure Begins
To ensure a seamless experience, your guide will be waiting for you outside the secure customs area with a sign with your name on it. The guide will assist you in meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel with an English-speaking guide.
Where you’ll be staying
Classic Room
BEIJING
Cross an Item off the Bucket List
Spend the day exploring two of Beijing’s most visually captivating sites with your private guide and driver. Start the day with a visit to the Summer Palace, which dates to the 12th century, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast imperial encampment of temples, ornate pavilions, and halls set in a park around Kunming Lake. Occupying an area of 294 hectares, three-quarters of which is water, the compound features a sprawling archetypal Chinese garden that is ranked amongst the most noted gardens in the world and a truly picturesque setting to explore. The Long Corridor is a must-see – this covered walkway is decorated with more than 14,000 lavish paintings.
Then drive out of the city to take in the awe-inspiring Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, located 45 miles northeast of the city. By far China’s most iconic architectural wonder, it captivates the imagination of generations of travelers intrigued by this feat of engineering. This well-preserved section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles and holds a prominent place in Chinese military history. Construction began during the 6th century Northern Qi Dynasty, and it was restored in the early years of the Ming Dynasty (spanning from the 14th to 17th century).
An abundance of natural springs in the area give this section of the Great Wall a lush verdant ecosystem, and the rolling forested hills make for an impressive panoramic photo regardless of the time of year. Take a cable car to the top of the hillside to explore the 26-foot-high granite walls. The 22 watchtowers stretch along the top of the mountain ridge as far as the eye can see, an impressive military barrier against invading forces from the north. Today’s lunch will be had at a local restaurant near the Great Wall. If you are interested and traffic permits, it is possible to stop for a quick photo at the 2008 Olympic sites of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube along the drive.
Today’s tour involves a fair amount of walking at a leisurely pace. Comfortable walking shoes and adequate protection from the sun are highly recommended.
Peking duck is an iconic dish that originated Peking duck is an iconic dish that originated in Beijing, and has been prepared since the imperial era. Enjoy a memorable dinner of this classic dish at Dadong Restaurant, a popular choice with locals and travelers alike as a fine example of this succulent dish. It is also possible to sample some non-duck dishes during your meal.
Where you’ll be staying
Classic Room
BEIJING TO LHASA
En Route
Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel with an English-speaking guide.
Board a flight from Beijing to Lhasa. Flight time is approximately 4.5 hours.
Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.
Take the afternoon to rest at your hotel to allow your body to acclimatize. Try to minimize physical activity to avoid the effects of altitude sickness.
Where you’ll be staying
Deluxe
LHASA
Cultural Immersion
Enjoy a full day private guided tour of Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. The Drepung Monastery is the most important monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice, so it was given the name 'Drepung' which in Tibetan means “collecting rice”. The Sera Monastery at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City and was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built, so it was named Sera which means "wild rose" in Tibetan. Lunch is included.
Where you’ll be staying
Deluxe
LHASA
Sights and Insights
Enjoy a full day tour of Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Bhakor Street. Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, Potala Palace was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, and became the seat of Dalai Lamas and political center of Tibet. Jokhang Temple is located in central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. Bhakor is the oldest road in Lhasa that pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into the night. The circular road is also a marketplace for printed scriptures, cloth prayer flags, and religious items. Lunch is included.
Where you’ll be staying
Deluxe
LHASA TO KATHMANDU
Onward and Upward
Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking guide.
Board a flight with direct service from Lhasa to Kathmandu, Nepal. Approximate flight time is 1.5 hours.
For your added comfort, an English-speaking airport representative will be waiting for you at your airplane's aerobridge holding a sign with your name on it. After you are accompanied through the airport and assisted through airline and/or customs-related processes, a porter will help your party with suitcase collection (up to three pieces per guest). The representative will then help you meet up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
Meet your English Speaking Assistant for a transfer between the city center and the airport with a private driver and vehicle.
Where you’ll be staying
Club Room
KATHMANDU
High in the Sky
See the world's tallest summits on an exhilarating scenic flight from Kathmandu taking you to the vicinity of Mount Everest. This is an hour-long flight filled with breathtaking views of the unspeakable beauty of the mighty Himalayas. During the flight you will get an opportunity to admire the globes’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8848 meters), Gauri Shankar (7134 meters) Nuptse (7855 meters), Lhotse (8516 meters), Amadablam (6812 meters), Chamlang (7319 meters), Makalu (8463 meters) and Cho Oyu (8201 meters), to name a few. You will also get a glimpse of the Roof of the World - the Tibetan Plateau.
IMPORTANT: For safety, the flight does not fly at a very close distance to Mount Everest. The flight flies away from 5 nautical miles. This is carried out for all operating airlines and helicopters. The clarity of Mount Everest depends on the visibility at the time of flying.
This city tour begins at one of the most unique protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Durbar Square is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu's old city, and is a complex of palaces, temples, shrines, statues and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient kings of Nepal. The square is a lavish assortment of the old and the new - elaborately carved architectural features and curving roofs provide shelter for cows, beggars and weary tourists; Brahman priests and painted Sadhus perform rituals and pose for photos, while souvenir sellers and rickshaw drivers compete for attention among the crowds. Stone lions guard the gates to the Old Royal Palace that contains a number of courtyards and several museums. Set into the palace wall is a 17th-century stone inscription written in 15 languages; it is believed that milk will flow from the spout below if anyone deciphers the entire inscription. On the other side of the square, the Kasthamandap temple is an open pavilion topped by a pyramidal tower, said to be created from the wood of a single tree. It is purportedly the valley's oldest building, and the city of Kathmandu derives its name from this ancient temple.
Enjoy an exclusive dinner with a renowned Sherpa in a local restaurant. Mr. Nawang Wangchhu is a renowned climbing guide, with a record of 5 Everest summits. He has successfully climbed many major mountains in Nepal and is highly respected for his professional expertise in mountaineering. Over dinner, learn about the lifestyle of Sherpas in Nepal and discover first-hand information and stories about the difficulties they’ve had to face while conquering the Himalayas.
(Sherpa is subject to change)
Where you’ll be staying
Club Room
KATHMANDU
A Journey Back in Time
Embark on a private full day exploration of Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, where ancient temples and sacred sites bring Nepal’s rich history and spirituality to life. With your private driver and guide head to Bhaktapur, a city renowned for its exquisite art, vibrant culture, and deep-rooted traditions. Just 8 miles from Kathmandu, this "City of Culture" is home to the stunning Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring architectural marvels such as the 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, Big Bell, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, and Shiva Temple. Continue to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the "God of All Animals." Situated along the Bagmati River, this revered temple is known for its striking golden tiered roof and silver doors. A center of spiritual devotion, it remains one of the holiest destinations in the world. Further east, visit Boudhanath Stupa, an iconic Buddhist landmark, its one of the world’s largest and oldest stupas. Adorned with prayer wheels and the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, it stands as a symbol of peace and enlightenment. Conclude this enriching cultural and spiritual experience with a comfortable return to your accommodation.
Nagarkot is 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu, on the northeast edge of the Valley at an altitude of 2,175m. It is best to view the mountains in the early morning because it is more likely to be clear. Among all the places for mountain viewing in the Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot is usually considered to be the best. On a clear day one can see Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) from Nagarkot.The fresh and chilly breeze makes the visitors feel good in the resort town of Nagarkot. Nagarkot, historically, used to serve as the summer retreat for the royal family and many other aristocrats from Kathmandu.
Where you’ll be staying
Club Room
KATHMANDU
Until Next Time…
Meet your English Speaking Assistant for a transfer between the city center and the airport with a private driver and vehicle.
As you depart, an English-speaking airport representative will be waiting for you at the curbside in your vehicle's drop-off area. After a porter helps your party with suitcases (up to three pieces per guest), you are assisted through check-in and other airport related processes, and transported on a VIP cart to a departure lounge for your comfort, prior to boarding your flight.
BEIJING
Regent Hotel
Cocooned amidst the labyrinthine alleyways or ‘hutongs’ once meticulously planned by the Emperors of China, the Regent Beijing Hotel near Forbidden City has become a landmark in the region which formed the centerpiece of the Middle Kingdom. Deep in the core of the historic quarter and a short distance from must-see cultural markers such as Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, the sensuous beat of traditional Chinese hospitality combines with a cutting-edge design to create an oasis of tranquility and a modern icon in a luxurious home away from home. Meticulously-designed in classic style yet reflecting contemporary convenience, the hotel’s rooms and suites offer the best in 21st century hotel luxury without sacrificing traditional Chinese elegance. This unique property features a business facility, a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, a 25-metre indoor pool and a Wellness Spa which effortlessly exceeds current luxury hotel standards. This Forbidden City hotel is famed for treating its guests with courtesy and respect.
LHASA
Shangri-La Lhasa
Situated in the heart of Lhasa, Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa is close to the Tibet Museum, Norbulingka, and Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a 40-minute drive from Lhasa Gongar Airport and a 10-minute drive from the world’s highest railway station. Guests can enjoy stunning views of Potala Palace or the breathtaking mountains and relax among traditional Tibetan architecture and interior design in each guest room. Dining options at this Lhasa hotel include a coffee shop/cafÉ and a bar/lounge. Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa has a full-service spa, an indoor pool, and a health club.
KATHMANDU
Kathmandu Marriott Hotel
Located in the heart of Kathmandu, Kathmandu Marriott Hotel offers contemporary sophistication and comfort just a short walk from Durbar Marg and the Narayanhiti Palace Museum. The hotel’s modern design is complemented by warm Nepali hospitality, creating a refined urban retreat. Spacious rooms and suites feature sleek interiors and modern amenities, with select accommodations offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks. Culinary experiences range from regional delicacies to international favorites served at the on-site restaurants, while the bar provides a relaxed setting to enjoy cocktails overlooking the scenic waterfall terrace. Unwind after a day of exploration with a soothing treatment at the spa and salon or a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool. Blending metropolitan style with tranquil comfort, Kathmandu Marriott Hotel offers an ideal sanctuary for discovering the vibrant culture and charm of Nepal’s capital.
Made to Order
- Choose from a range of places to stay, from impeccable five-star hotels to equally outstanding boutique ones.
- Tailor your trip to include a wide variety of activities, from the must-see's to the lesser-known, local experiences, and even the exclusive ones you may not know about.
- With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can explore on your terms.
- Whether you're celebrating one of life's big moments or looking to fulfill a personal journey, we always work with you to ensure we're creating a trip-of-a-lifetime.
What's included
- A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
- 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
- Regional flights between stops in your itinerary (unless otherwise indicated)
- All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
- A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver - your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
- Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
- A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
- Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
- One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What's not included
- Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you'd like to receive pricing from our Air Team
- Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you've booked your tour
- Visas (unless noted)
- Tips for services and experiences
- Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
- Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
- Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
- Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Protect your travel
- We recommend travel protection. Between missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or medical emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected.
- No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a travel protection plan before you travel. Still unsure? Consider these frequently asked questions.








