| Day |
Route |
Duration |
Highest Point/m |
Grade |
|
1 |
NOTE: This tour can be run in reverse
and sightseeing itineraries are flexible.
Arrival Kathmandu transfer to Hotel |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Meet with our representative at the
airport. Drive to hotel. |
| 2 |
Kathmandu - Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
| |
Fly to Lhasa on China Southwest and transfer to
hotel. |
| 3 |
Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
| |
Sightseeing of Lhasa as time permits:
Sera Monastery - established in 1419 Sera Monastery is not
only famous for it's 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.
|
| 4 |
Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
| |
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.
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!
|
| 5 |
Lhasa |
All day |
3612 |
Easy |
| |
Sightseeing of Lhasa, as time permits:
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.
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.
|
| 6 |
Lhasa - Gyantse |
All day |
3950 |
Easy |
| |
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.
|
| 7 |
Gyantse – Shigatse |
All day |
3900 |
Easy |
| |
An even shorter drive today brings
us to Shigatse and the Tashilhumpo monastery, the seat of the
Panchen Lama who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha
of Endless Enlightenment. The monastery complex was started
in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama and includes some important
relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, an impressive 26m high statue of
Maitreya Buddha, and an incredible collection of thankas, frescoes
and statues. If the weather is clear we can climb up to the
dramatic Shigatse Dzong (fort) ruins that offer great views
over the city, alternatively we can visit the lively market
where you can buy local handicrafts decorated with coral and
turquoise. |
| 8 |
Shigatse – Shegar |
All day |
4050 |
Easy |
| |
Today is a long drive to the village
of Shegar (New Tingri). We follow the Friendship Highway through
sparsely cultivated valleys which form a patchwork upon a kaleidoscope
of coloured hills. As the day wears on and the arid rolling
hills fringed by snow-capped mountains approach we cross two
high alpine passes adorned with prayer flags. These photo opportunities
provide respite from the rough dusty road. |
| 9 |
Shegar - Rongbuk |
All day |
5000 |
Easy |
| |
First we pass through a check
point and then turn off the Highway onto a very rough track.
Amazingly we can drive all the way to Everest Base Camp! Our
destination is the Rongbuk (Dza Rongphu) monastery which is
thought to be the inspiration for James Hilton's Lost Horizon.
There were once seven monasteries and nunneries nestled beneath
the immense wall of rock that is Everest's north face - the
size of which is stupendous! We will be staying nearby the
monastery tonight so that we can catch sunset and sunrise
views. This is such awesome spot! |
| 10 |
Rongbuk - Tingri |
All day |
4390 |
Easy |
| |
After sunrise views we have
a little time to explore around Rongbuk monastery which was
almost totally destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. There
is now a small community of monks and nuns who reside here
and slowly the monastery complex is growing again. Then it
is back into the jeep for the long and dusty drive to Tingri
and our last night in Tibet! |
| 11 |
Tingri -Nyala |
All day |
2300 |
Easy |
| |
Today we spend most of the
morning approaching and crossing the China/Nepal border before
driving on to Kathmandu where we can relax and reminisce on
our fantastic Tibetan odyssey. |
| 12 |
Nyala- Zhangmu |
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| 13 |
Zhangmu- Kathmandu |
|
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| |
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| 14 |
Kathmandu free day shopping |
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| 15 |
Departure from Thamel |
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