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

 Pictures: See Select Tibet Pics/Vids in  Google Album> > 

Background:

I have been in contact with Kaushik Shil (Our 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, 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 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-EBC 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 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 together in some earlier group travels, to parts of Tibet. Together they had planned this 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. Woeser Phel, the owner of a Tibet Travel Agency in Lhasa, also contributed to that planning with suggestions of Route and Sights to see and later he organized & managed the execution of this trip.

Trip Summary:

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 day's ride.  There was no buffer rest days planned; still it got executed with precision! In fact, an extra unplanned visit to Namtso Lake was made 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-exit at Zhangmu. We had an 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 the Monasteries and Sights we visited on the way. Our ever-smiling driver, Soham, was also throughout with us for 15 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  Kaushik Shil (Our Group Leader) and Mr. Woeser Phel of "Road to Tibet" Agency. The hotels booked by him for our 16 night-stays were excellent and top class! We had a 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, on FB:  Woeser Phel on Facebook
Website of "Road to Tibet" :  Tibetan travel service
Trip Adiviser Link: ROAD TO TIBET (2025)