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Heart
of Tibet |
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Full Itinerary
| Day |
Route |
Duration |
Highest Point/m |
Grade |
| 1 |
Arrival Kathmandu transfer to Hotel |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
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| 2 |
Kathmandu - Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
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Fly to Lhasa on China Southwest and transfer to
hotel. |
| 3 |
Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
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Sightseeing of Lhasa as time permits:
Sera Monastery - established in 1419 Sera Monastery is not
only famous for its remarkable relics but also the monks'
debating practice which is open to tourists. However, please
make sure you are not watching the enforced Comprehensive
Propaganda Education which is designed to enhance 'patriotic
education' - check with your operator for details.
Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar - The Jokhang Temple Monastery
is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex, founded in the
7th century, it is the spiritual centre of Tibet. Although
its buildings and decoration reflect the high quality of Tibetan
art in the 7th century and again in the 15th-16th centuries
it is the absolute devotion of the pilgrims in and around
the temple that capture your attention. Around the Jokhang
is the Barkhor market which is full of Tibetans from every
corner of the country as well as an amazing assortment of
goods from false teeth, to scriptures, to works of art and
day-to-day merchandise.
Norbulingka - built in the 1740's during the reign of the
7th Dalai Lama it was later renovated and enlarged and became
the Dalai Lama's summer palace. Essentially a park with a
number of palaces it is an ideal place to see Tibetan folk
singing and see where Heinrich Harrer lived.
Chakpori (Iron Hill) - once the site of the Tibetan Medicine
College it was bombed during the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
Now only a few rebuilt stupas remain. It is a poignant reminder
of the past.
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| 4 |
Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
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Sightseeing of Lhasa, as time permits:
Potala Palace - the first structure on Marpo Ri hill was
built in 637 by Emperor Songtsen Gampo, although the current
building started to take shape in 1645 with successive
Dalai Lamas adding sections, until now at 13 stories high
it dominates the landscape. Not only the former winter
residence of the Dalai Lama it was also the seat of government
of Tibet with over 1,000 rooms and a monastic centre of
learning. The oldest section is within the White Palace
where there are two small chapels, the Phakpa Lhakhang
and the Chogyal Drubphuk dating from the seventh century.
There are also many other shrine rooms and the mortal
remains of 13 previous Dalai Lamas, along with countless
thankas, frescos, and works of art. |
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Drepung Monastery - once the largest and richest monastery
in Tibet it was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa
and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. At its peak it
had a registration of more than 10,000 thousand monks many
of whom could get into the main prayer hall!
The Tibet Museum - houses many of the artefacts 'liberated'
by the Chinese during their invasion of Tibet. Despite the
appalling assertions it has some excellent pieces which one
day might make it back to where they belong.
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| 5 |
Lhasa - Gyantse |
all day |
3950 |
Easy |
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We leave early today to complete
the fairly short drive to Gyantse past one of the sacred lakes
of Tibet, Yamdrok Tsho. The lakes crystal clear waters always
produce some amazing reflections of the surrounding mountains
and it will be hard to avoid many photo stops. Gyantse is
one of the most authentic towns in Tibet and home to the magnificent
Palkhor Monastery. Within the monastic compound is the superb
Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa and is a deeply spiritual place.
Built in 1414 the Kumbum is 5 storied pagoda containing 108
images of Buddha and 77 chapels, all finely decorated. Towering
above the city, the Gyantse dzong (fort) stands sentinel over
the town and offers excellent views for those feeling energetic.
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| 6 |
Gyantse - Tsethang (Samye) |
all day |
3510 |
Easy |
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Tsethang is Tibet's third largest
city and legend has it that the nearby Yarlung Valley is the
cradle of the Tibetan civilisation. According to tradition,
the first king descended from heaven and lived in the Yumbu
Lagang, an eerie mediaeval castle reputed to be the oldest building
in Tibet. The surrounding fertile valley is a beautiful back-drop
to this fascinating region and if we have time we will try to
get to Samye, Tibet's first monastery across the river. |
| 7 |
Tsethang - Kathmandu |
all day |
1300 |
Easy |
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For the next two days we climb up
and into the Land of Lo proper, crossing the Baga La (pass)
to get there. The arid landscapes of the high Himalaya surround
us, providing a surreal, mystical backdrop to the Chortens,
Mani walls, yaks and mountain goats that we pass. Our camps
in poplar groves, surrounded by fields of millet and barley
provide an ideal opportunity to relax and sample the local butter
tea and chang (home brew). |
| 8 |
Kathmandu all day sightseeing
Boudhanath, Soyambunath and Pashupatinath |
| 9 |
Kathmandu sightseeing Baktapur
and Patan |
| 10 |
Final departure from the Hotel |
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NOW
Email: info@pematrek.com,
pema_te@yahoo.com
Website: www. pematrek.com
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