The deadly earthquake which hit Nepal on 25 April 2015 closed the Sino-Nepal friendship bridge and Zhangmu border; since then all overland journeys from Lhasa to Kathmandu have been cancelled.
On August 28, China agreed to recognise the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border crossings as an international checkpoint, which will once again allow tourists to cross between Tibet and Nepal.
Comments Robin Ball, Director of Asia specialist tour operator Bamboo Travel: “We have been waiting for this news for over two years. The region around the frontier at Kerung is a spectacular part of Tibet which until now very few people visited.
“The route from Everest Base Camp to the border crossing will skirt past Lake Paiku, then through an avenue of snow-capped mountains and verdant pine forests. Once in Nepal the scenery and vegetation changes dramatically as the road plunges down towards the lush Kathmandu Valley.
“Until now, having reached Everest Base Camp by road from Lhasa, travellers had to make the return two-day journey back, before flying on to Kathmandu, thus depriving them of one of the world’s most spectacular overland journeys.
Bamboo Travel offers a number of options to Tibet including the 18-day The Spirit of Tibet.
The comprehensive itinerary moves at a relaxed pace, covering the most significant monasteries around Lhasa and the provincial towns of Gyantse and Shigatse.
It also ventures to wilderness areas to explore Lake Namtso, the hot springs of Tidrum, hermit caves & remote nunneries.
Finally, head slowly west to the high Himalayas, with an overnight stay at Everest Base Camp for unforgettable views of the world’s highest peak, before descending from the plateau to the lush tropical Kathmandu Valley in Nepal – across the recently re-opened border.
Discover more about Nepal by reading our Essential Travel Guide to Nepal Holidays for the Over 40s.
The holiday costs from £4495 per person (two sharing) based on May departures. This includes flights, all road transfers on a private basis, 16 nights’ B&B (plus one dinner) and a private English-speaking guide.
Bamboo Travel: +44 (0) 20 7720 9285, www.bambootravel.co.uk.
