Overland to Tibet
From the lowlands of Nepal to the high Tibetan plateau, a journey overland to Tibet is in keeping with Tibet's pilgrimage culture. Inside the Chapels and monasteries, seemingly vast quantities of wall paintings and statues fascinate not only as artistic expressions but also as living religious objects. Here traditions integral to the life of the people are still preserved. Complimented by clear mountain air and magnificent views, embark on a voyage of knowledge and discovery.
ITINERARY:
Day 01 - Kathmandu Arrival Kathmandu. Check into hotel
Day 02 - Kathmandu Spend day sightseeing the Kathmandu valley.
Day 03 - Zhangmu Take an early morning 5 hr drive out of Kathmandu to Kodari on the Nepal - Tibet border. Drive to Zhangmu across the border into Tibet.
Day 04 - Shegar Leave Zhangmu and ascend onto the Tibetan plateau. A dramatic ascent up a steep gorge past waterfalls & evergreen canyons brings you to the village of Nyalam. Drive over the Lalungla pass at 5124 m with amazing views of Shishapangma and other Himalayan giants. Continue to Shegar and its fortress ruins. Spend the night in a local hotel.
Day 05 - Shigatse Depart Shegar Dzong for Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. Enroute make a brief stop at the fortress-like Sakya monastery, its ruins and renovated chapels. Continue onto Shigatse.
Day 06 -Shigatse/Gyantse AM Shigatse, capital of Tsang is the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Visit the sprawling Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. A 3 km pilgrim walk along the ridge is a rewarding feature with sweeping views of the city and the ruins of Shigatse Dzong. Also visit a Tibetan carpet factory.
PM Drive to Gyantse, staging point of the old caravan trade route to India and Bhutan
Day 07 - Gyantse/Lhasa AM visit Palkhor Choide, the great temple of Gyantse and the unique Kumbum Stupa. Retaining a deeply Tibetan character Gyantse is timeless and gives you a glimpse of an irretrievably lost era.
PM Drive to Lhasa past scenic Yamdrok Tso Lake, over the Karo La and Khamba La passes complimented with amazing vistas.
Day 08 - Lhasa AM Your first day in Lhasa the “holy city” begins with a visit to the most monumental of structures, the Potala perched on ‘Marpori’ or red mountain. Former residence of the Dalai Lama and his large entourage, this was the seat of the Tibetan government and where all ceremonies of state were held. From the top of the Potala, views of the city are quite remarkable.
PM Visit Drepung, Tibet's largest monastery located 8kms west of the city. Renowned as a great centre of learning and in its heyday housed a staggering 10,000 monks making it the largest monastic institution in the world.
Day 09 - Lhasa AM Visit the Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest shrine and focus of devotion by multitudes of pilgrims. This is the spiritual centre of Tibet and the heart of Lhasa. Visit the Barkhor market bustling with shops, stalls, street vendors and numerous pilgrims.
PM Located on the outskirts of the city spend a pleasant afternoon visiting Norbulingka or “jewel park” and its gardens, numerous trees, palaces and ponds.
Day 10 Departure AM Transfer to Gongkar airport for flight to Kathmandu.
Day 11 Depart Ktm/or extension
N.B. Trips to Tibet operate between the months of April thru October only
Rates
Kathmandu - Lhasa
2-5 Persons
6 or more
Air Fare
Budget
$995
$995
Pls
call
Hotels In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
First Class
Tourists
Lhasa
Lhasa Hotel
Hotel Shambala or similar
Tsedang
Hotel Tsedang
Hotel Friendship
Gyangtse
Hotel Gyangtse
same
Shigatse
Hotel Shigatse
Hotel Gongjorling
Zhangmu
Hotel Zhangmu
same
Cost includes Accommodation in Tibet with breakfast, all transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide, Tibet (Chinese) normal visa.
Cost does not include Three nights hotel accommodation while in Kathmandu, expense of a private nature i.e. laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, visa fees, airport taxes, Tibet (china) urgent visa fee US$ 35, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities. A surcharge of US$87 per person to use Toyota land cruisers 4WD from Lhasa to Nepal border based on maximum 4 persons per land cruiser in case of bad road condition.
Special Intructions: All Tibet tours depart Kathmandu on Saturday s or Tuesdays. Passengers must arrive in Kathmandu at least 2 days before departure in order to process your Tibet permit. At the end of the tour allow for an additional day in Kathmandu.
Additional 3 Night Accomodation in Kathmandu
First Class Hotel
Shangrila Hotel or similar
$220 /person
Twin room
Standard Hotel
Tibet Guest House or similar
$95 /person
Twin room
Optional Tours Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person
Bhutan
4 nights/5 days
$1360
Glimpses of the Himalayas ( Darjeeling/Sikkim )
4 nights/5 days
$995
Chitwan Jungle Safari
3 nights/4 days
$385
Mountain Flight ( closeup views of the Himalayas )
$135
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months:
June-July-August & December 1- January 15.
