82 An Epic high-alt drive from Kunming to Kathmandu via ShangriLa, Lhasa & N-EBC

 Pictures: See all Tibet Pics in Google Photos Albums  > > 

Background:

I have been in contact with Kaushik Shil  (the group leader for this Tibet Road Trip) for many years (since 2010) on the "India Mike" platform exchanging notes on his many trips abroad and in particular the awesome pictures he was taking with his DSLR camera during those trips abroad. He and I were quite different and even opposite types of travelers and photographers! While he specialized in taking pictures with great patience and technical planning on his Driving Tours;.I on the other hand was a Trekker taking pictures casually and, on the fly, just to tell a picture-story of the trails that I treaded in the Himalayas.

Despite this difference in our approach (in mode of travel and picture-taking), we each held the Other's approach in respect. I had even met Kaushik a couple of times in Kolkata (when I visited that city) to exchange notes on our respective trips and passions! 

In the Summer of 2020, when Kaushik was planning another Road Trip through Tibet, including Everest North-BC and a High-Altitude Train ride into Lhasa, I quickly accepted his offer to join that. However, the Covid Pandemic breakout in February-March  2020  put paid to that trip. Since then several occasions arose when the trip could have been revived; but China had stopped giving Visa to tourists from India. 

It was only after August-2025 did the China Tourist Visa situation ease out and when Kaushik revived his old Tibet Road Trip plan, I quickly accepted it even though I was now many years older and perhaps nearing the very end of my travelling times! 

Kaushik and a few other members of this group have travelled to China and Tibet before . . . and some of them were even together in earlier group travels to parts of Tibet. Kaushik and few others in our group had planned the Route and to a great extent the Sights & Scenes they wanted to see on the trip. They had spent months planning the details of this  trip. Mr. Woeser Phel, owner of a Tibet Travel Agency in Lhasa also contributed to that planning with suggestions of Route and Sights to see.

Trip Summary:

Thus, the Trip finally happened from 24-Oct to 8th Nov 2025. I am happy to say I made it without any mishap and with a relatively young group of fellow travelers. Enjoyed this much as my first ever trip to China and Tibet. 

It was an awesome trip in the company of 9 Bengalis'  . .  A replay of the boisterous fun hostel dorm days in IIT-Kgp (1965-70). It was tightly packed schedule with daily long drives and  many sights and stops planned during the days ride.  There was no buffer rest days planned still it got executed with precision. In fact, an extra unplanned  visit to NamTso Lake was planned for some members; skipping 1 day of local sightseeing in Lhasa.  

We had the same 15-seater comfortable Hyundai AC Van from Kunming to the Border-drop at Zhangmu. We had our English-speaking Guide, Jhamyang , though-out the trip and he was very helpful in interacting with the local shopkeepers and eataries and telling us about teh Monasteries and Sights we visited on the way. Our ever-smiling driver, Soham, was also throughout with us for 16 days, driving our Van with great care on the beautiful and smooth roads of China and Tibet. 

Our entire Trip was wonderfully planned, booked and managed by Mr Woeser Phel of "Road to Tibet" agency. The hotels booked by him for  our 16 nights  stays were excellent and top class! We had very comfortable stay each night and recovered well  to take on the next days' long drive!  

Tibet Agent's Contact:
Mr. Woeser Phel, in Lhasa, Mobile: XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Website of "Road to Tibet" :  Tibetan travel service
Trip Adiviser Link: ROAD TO TIBET (2025)