Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (3660 m). You have options to arrive Lhasa, you can join the trip in Kathmandu and fly to Lhasa or arrive Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian or any Chinese Cities. You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Lhasa. Foremost, your tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts you to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Barkhor Markets can be quite a change from other visits as you roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Lhasa. Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to Potala Palace and Dreptung Monastery. This 17th century Potala Palace offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans’ respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery.
Day 4: Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization. You get an entire day free for acclimatization. After proper rest, you can either indulge in sightseeing, shop or do whatever you fancy. You also get an option of undertaking an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Center, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this will incur extra costs.
Day 5: Drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km. Following Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La at 4794 meter with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa standing proud at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. If you glance at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.
Day 6: Sightseeing & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90km. Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an altitude of 3900 meter, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. Tashilhupo Monastery being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse.
Day 7: Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km. Today you will transverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar.
Day 8: Drive to Rongbuk (5000m) 68km. Away from Shegar, you will drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the drive you can bask in the splendor of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. A guest house is available for overnight accommodation.
Day 9: Explore Everest base camp & drive to Tingri (4390m) 65km. This morning you have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp, 5150m. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. No tour vehicles, apart from expeditions, are allowed beyond Rongbuk so you can walk the 9kms or take a horse cart that will cost $3-5 per person. After lunch, you return to the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri where you will stay overnight at the Snow Leopard Lodge.
Day 10: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km. You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shung La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter.
Day 11: Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km. Few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi River brings you closer to Immigration Control in Kodari where you will say good bye to your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet Nepalese escort to drive to Kathmandu. After 5 hours of driving for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Hotel accommodation in Lhasa & best available en route with breakfast
- Transportation by 4WD land cruiser (Toyota 4500, the best available in Tibet)
- Sightseeing tours with English speaking local Tibetan guide
- All entry fees
- Tibet travel permit/visa
- Airport transfers & supply of bottled oxygen in car
Price Excludes:
- Lunch & dinner (Approx 6-10 USD per meal)
- Any airfare (can book, quoted separately above)
- Hotels other then in Tibet (can book)
- Airport tax
- Personal clothing & equipments
- Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due any reason your insurance
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Tibet
Nepal
Cultural Journey
Church Tours
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