This is one of the most cultured and wilderness tours on the Tibetan Plateau, which starts once we follow Friendship Highway through some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. We pass small Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. Equally as fascinating is the wealth of cultural interest and we will have plenty of opportunity to explore this side of Tibet, both in Lhasa and the other towns we pass through on our journey to Kathmandu.
We spend 3 nights in Lhasa, staying right in the centre of the old city. This will allow us plenty of time for acclimatization and easy access to the city's main attractions - the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Leaving Lhasa in our 4 wheel drive, we'll travel through this amazing country, staying in the best traditional hotels Tibet has to offer. Exploring In the towns of Gyantse and Shigatse we visit further monasteries and fully immerse ourselves in the Buddhist culture.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport (1345meters)
There you will be met by our Airport Representative and transferred to hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley
Your sightseeing trip will start at 9 AM in the morning after breakfast. We provide a private vehicle and professional tour guide. Places we visit are Pasupatinath temple, Buddhanath, Monkey temple, Bhaktpur durbar square and Kathmandu durbar square. The afternoon includes a final briefing and preparations for the trek. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660 meters)
Early morning transfer to the international airport for the hour-long flight to Lhasa. This stunning flight, on a China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757, takes us right across the main Himalayan range and provides us with magnificent mountain views. After landing at Gongar Airport and meeting our Tibetan guide, it is a further 2-hour drive by Land cruiser to Lhasa. It's advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Lhasa
We spend today visiting several of Lhasa's many monasteries in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, one of the best-preserved monasteries in Tibet, within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. After lunch we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets that is the central market of Lhasa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Second day of sightseeing in Lhasa
In the morning, we visit Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa it’s a spectacular building, containing private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a Palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present Palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, we visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century and was once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Drive Lhasa to Gyantse (3950meters) - 261 km
The day begins with our overland journey towards Rongbuk valley. We follow the Friendship Highway by jeep, we cross the Khamba La at elevation of 4794meters from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa 7252meters. As we continue our journey to westwards over another high pass the Karo La 5045meters, we can view the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. After few hours, we arrive to Gyantse passing the beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Drive to Shigatse (3900meter) - 90 km
This morning we visit the Gyantse Dzong. This fort dates back to the fourteenth century and offers some of the most amazing views of Gyantse and surrounding valleys. Before leaving we also visit the famed Gyantse Kumbum. This magnificent tiered structure is the largest stupa in all of Tibet. If the exquisite gold dome is not enough, this stupa is packed with Tibetan sculptures and paintings.
Thereby, we continue the trip to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. It is only about a 90 km drive taking us to Shigatse which is a laid back city that provides excellent opportunity for both relaxation and exploration. Thereafter, exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Drive to Shegar (New Tingri) (4050meters) - 244 km
The views of this desert plateau provide wondrous entertainment as we travel along the Friendship Highway. This stretch is the most spectacular landscape in Tibet. After passing through the small town of Lhatse we will cross Gyatmso La elevation of 5220meters, the highest pass on our journey. The land quickly descends to plains after Gyatmso La. While traveling through the plains we will see many nomadic herders, quiet countryside, and secluded monasteries. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Drive to Ronguk (5000meters) - 68 km
As we leave Shigatse, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La 5150 meters towards the main Himalayan range that give magnificent view stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley, we can watch the charming view of Everest than ever. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Hike to Everest Base Camp and back to Rongbuk (5000meters) and drive back to Tingri (4390meters) - 65 km
A highlight of the journey for everyone today as you have the opportunity to explore Everest Base camp. The views of Everest are so close making the mountain seem even more impressive than before. It is a truly breath taking experience to stare up at the sheer North face of this highest mountain in the world, with Mount Everest towering above you in a looming yet magical way.
After Lunch we get back on Friendship highway and continue our marvelous journey. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Drive to Zhangmu (2300meters) - 181 km
After we leave Tingri, crossing two high passes, Lalung La at altitude of 5124meters and the Shung La 5200meters. On the way, we are rewarded by the magnificent landscapes of the surrounding peaks including Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Then our journey heads towards the arid Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. As we leave Tibet, it appears an incredibly lush and green. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Drive to Kathmandu (1345 meters)
Leaving Zhangmu behind, we join the Friendship Bridge passing the Bhote Koshi River and mark the Chinese - Nepalese border. After that short drive, we say good-bye to our Tibetan guide. Then we drive and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari, there we have our Nepalese staff, completing the re-entry formalities we'll drive towards Kathmandu, which may take 5 hours, it depends on road & weather conditions. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Leisure day in Kathmandu
Leisure day in Kathmandu, If you are interested in continuing onto Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure, Kathmandu Shopping Tour or Scenic Everest Flight.
Day 14: Transfer for your final flight departure
The trip ends, our Airport Representative will drop you to the Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Note: The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. The trip can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements.
Price Includes:
- Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car / van / bus
- Standard accommodation in four/five star hotel in Kathmandu breakfast included. (4 nights)
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car / van / bus.
- Basic hotel accommodation during the tour breakfast included. (Mostly twin sharing room)
- A government licensed English speaking Tibetan Guide during the tour
- The required number of tour staff during the tour
- Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine for all staff
- Japanese Land cruisers (4WD, 4500 model) and Support truck during the Tibet Tour
- All ground transportation by four wheel drive (Land cruiser or A/C Bus)
- Flight cost from Lhasa to Kathmandu
- Tibet entry permission, Chinese visa, monasteries entry fees etc
- Down Jacket, duffel/kit bag and sleeping bag by Ace the Himalaya (which needs to be returned after the tour)
- Surface transfer from and to Kathmandu
- All our government taxes
- Official expense
Price Excludes:
- Lunch and dinner (allow US$12 to 20 per person per day).
- Your travel insurance (compulsory).
- International airfare to and from Nepal and airport departure tax.
- Nepal entry visa fee (US$ 30 per person) you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu for 60 days from date of issue. You will require 2 passport size photos.
- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry.
- Personal trekking Equipment.
- Internet, telephone call, tips for guides, driver and helpers
- Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees.
- And any others expenses which are not mentioned on cost includes section.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price can be also customized. Prices remain valid till December 2008.
Group and Travel Agent discount available as per request.
Please Note: US$80 per person per night if you need extra accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Tibet
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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