An overland trip from Lhasa to Katmandu with a excursion to the Mt. Everest Base Camp.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa A spectacular flight above the Tibetan Plateau brings us to Lhasa, which at an elevation of more than 11,860 feet, is one of the world’s highest cities. As the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, this vibrant and fascinating city has been the center of Tibet’s political, religious, economic and cultural activities ever since the Fifth Dalai Lama moved the capital here in 1642. A city of contrasts, Lhasa offers the visitor an up-close look at some of Tibet’s richest cultural wonders¬—in the midst of modern Chinese influences. Our local Tibetan guide will meet you in Gonggar airport as the our service begins. During our drive from the airport into town, our guide will educate us about the area and offer some insights into Tibet’s long and recently tragic history.
Since we have just made a sudden ascent from the lowlands to an altitude of over 3,700 meters (12,139 ft), the afternoon is left free for acclimatization. If energy permits, we can stroll onto Barkhor Street, the kora (the pilgrimage route) around the Jokhang Temple. Poking your head into local Tibetan markets, your eyes feast on strangely clad clansmen from Tibet's outlying regions as you peruse the wares of the many antique and thangka shops.
Tibetan style boutique hotel.
(B, L, D)
Day 2: Lhasa This morning’s destination is the famous Potala Palace, an immense structure stacked atop Marpo Ri (Red Hill) high above the Lhasa Valley. Built on the site of a destroyed 7th-century palace, the Potala has housed each of the successive Dalai Lamas and served as the headquarters of the Tibetan government since its construction in 1645. The palace was the winter residence of the 14th Dalai Lama until he was exiled to India in 1959.
The massive complex is comprised of the secular White Palace and the sacred Red Palace along with their ancillary buildings including dormitories for the large staff of each Dalai Lama, schools, chapels, a printing house, and tombs. It contains more than 10,000 shrines, 200,000 images, and 1,000 rooms. The palace was shelled during the 1959 uprising against the Chinese, but suffered only minor damage.
After lunch, we visit the nearby Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Each day, pilgrims from all across Tibet journey to this holiest of temples, some even prostrating themselves with each step throughout their trek until they reach the doorsill. Upon arrival, the pilgrims display their piety by reciting sacred mantras, kindling the continuously lit chömay (butter lamps) honoring deities with white scarves and spinning prayer wheels. With a history that stretches back more than 1,300 years, Jokhang was built by King Songsten Gampo to house two Buddha images belonging to his two wives—Princess Wen Cheng (daughter of Emperor Taizong of Tang China) and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. It is said that Princess Wencheng chose the site of Jokhang Temple—Lake Wothong, because she believed that the lake is a witch’s heart. She insisted that a temple must be built on top of it to purge its evil. The lake was filled in, but according to some people, a deep pool still exists beneath the temple. Aside from the palace’s intriguing past, pilgrims are drawn to the palace because it houses the statue of Jowo Sakyamuni (depicting the historical Buddha at age 12), which is believed to be one of the most precious objects in Tibetan Buddhism.
Stepping out of the temple, we head to the Tibetan hospital where a Tibet Medication expert awaits us. Here, he educates us on Tibetan Medicinal history, theory, and practices.
Tibetan style boutique hotel.
(B, L, D)
Day 3: Lhasa In the morning, we shuttle the short distance to the ancient and seldom-visited Pabongka Monastery. Local legend claims that the surrounding land was home to two divine tortoises, a male and a female—which now exist as two granite boulders at this site. Carved into a rock at the entrance to the temple, one sees the mantra Om mani padme hum. Roughly translated, the phrase exclaims, “Hail to the jewel in the lotus”, referring to the Buddhist belief that all people inherently possess the qualities necessary to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Embarking on our walk, we follow a trail up to the Tashi Chöling hermitage for fantastic views of the Lhasa Valley. We continue up the ridge and along the flanks of Phurbu Chok to the Sera Tse hermitage and then to the Dode Valley.
Afterwards, we explore the Sera Monastery. One of the three main Gelupka monasteries in Lhasa, Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. Depending on how we are feeling, we can take a short, easy walk to a nearby nunnery, taking in wonderful views of the entire city of Lhasa in the process. Inside the monastery, we will stroll among the vast temples and college complexes, mingling freely with monks going about their daily duties. We will then visit the printing center, where sutra texts are still printed by hand on traditional Tibetan long paper. Here, we have a chance to print our own as well.
Afterwards, we proceed to the animated debate courtyard. At the debate courtyard Tibetan monks energetically challenge each other’s view and interpretation of the scripture, honing their understanding of Tibetan Buddhism and debating skills at the same time. When the monk’s point is made, he claps his hand loudly in front of his opponent to signal this opponent to respond. The lively debate provides an excellent contrast to the introspective side of Lhasa more commonly seen by visitors. Back to town, we visit a local Tibetan’s home where we have a chance to converse with the family members gaining a more personal and grounded understanding of their daily life.
Tibetan style boutique hotel.
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Gyantse via Yamdrok Tso Today we drive to Gyantse, once Tibet’s third largest town, known for its charming architecture and picturesque rural landscape. Gyantse is a town frozen in time, allowing travelers a peak into Tibet’s colorful past. Its premier attractions are the Kumbum Stupa, and its Palkhor Choede Monastery. En route to Gyantse, we stop for a picnic lunch at the shores of Yamdrok Tso Lake (4408 m). Here we enjoy the vista of its pincer-shaped expanse of turquoise water, with the mysterious Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m) on the peninsula beyond, and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) in the distance.
Local Tibetan folklore says that Yamdrok Tso Lake is actually a fairy that descended upon the grasslands of Tibet. As a significant sacred lake, many Tibetans believe that the lake’s colors carry deep spiritual meaning. Thus pilgrims would visit the lake prior to making important decisions. We walk around the lake admiring the stunning views before continuing our drive across the narrow Karo La pass and descending to Gyantse.
Local 3-star hotel.
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Gyantse to Shigatse The relaxed town of Gyantse offers the splendid sight of Kumbum Stupa, situated at its Northern edge. Housed within the compound of the once mighty Palkhor Choede Monastery, Kumbun consists of 8 levels and a total of 75 chapels adorned with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. After wandering through the monastery and taking in these works of art, we embark on a 2-hour drive to Shigatse.
Shigatse (3900m/12,793ft) is Tibet’s second largest city, and home to the Penchan Lama. In 1447, the first Dalai Lama constructed the Tashilunpo Monastery here, whereby Shigatse became the political, economical, and cultural center of this secluded region. Tashilunpo Monastery is the official seat of the Penchan Lama, and at its peak housed more than 4,000 monks in its blazing red, white, and black Tibetan constructed walls. The highlights of this monastery include a five-story temple housing a fantastic 26 m high copper and gold statue of the Maitreya Buddha, and a tomb of the 4th Penchan Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. Stop and listen to the prayers in the Grand Hall of Tashilunpo Monastery, where one can see lamas rushing around pouring yak butter tea into endless rows of cups.
Local 3-star hotel.
(B, L, D)
Day 6: Shegar After breakfast we drive 240 km to Shegar, also called “new Tingri”, passing through numerous peaks and valleys with Gyatsola Pass (5,220 m) being the most notable. The journey takes approximately 6 hours. En route to Shegar are several tiny Tibetan villages of little importance but to serve as a reminder of the remoteness of the region. Stops for photo opportunities and bathroom breaks will be made accordingly. Upon reaching Shegar there is a small monastery, home to about 35 monks, which we can explore.
Simple guesthouse
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Shegar to Dza Rongbuk Monastery In the morning, we make the 2-hour trip to Dza Rongbuk Monastery. The journey involves driving over Pang La (5120m) where we are treated to breathtaking views of several 8,000+ m peaks in Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mt. Everest. The journey is mostly through a dirt road, passing through several picturesque villages along the way. Rongbuk Monastery, the highest in the world at 4,980 m, sits among spectacular scenery with Chomolungma (the Tibetan name for Everest) towering above in the background. Upon arrival, we check into a guesthouse or monastery accommodation. After a quick refresher, we can explore the monastery, or opt to make the 8 km hike to the Everest base camp (5,200 m).
Simple guesthouse.
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Excursion to Mt. Everest In case of bad weather yesterday, in the morning we make an excursion to the Everest base camp. Upon returning, we drive along a dirt road that joins the Friendship Highway at Tingri. Tingri, located in the side of a hill, is a small Tibetan town with simple accommodations. Here, we get our last glimpse of the magnificent vistas of Chomolungma.
Simple guesthouse
(B, L, D)
Day 9: Zhangmu Setting off from Tingri, we take a car for transport to the Tibet/Nepalese border town of Zhangmu. The drive takes approximately 7 hours, signaling the end of our Tibetan adventures and the beginning of the equally impressive Nepalese landscape. Zhangmu, also known as Kasa, has become a major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. Everyday, hundreds of Nepalese cross the border to do business in this thriving small town, with everything from locally produced handicrafts and traditional Nepalese cuisine available. We overnight here, our sights on crossing the border tomorrow morning.
Simple guesthouse.
(B, L, D)
Day 10: Border of Katmandu In the morning we begin the short drive to the Nepalese border. Here we see you off, having arranged for your transfer to the Katmandu Hotel of your choice.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
What’s included:
- All hotel accommodation on twin-sharing basis as indicated in the itinerary
- All land transfer mentioned in the itinerary
- Service of local English speaking guide
- Admission charges to all places and activities mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals as indicated as B (Breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner), highlighting the local cuisine
- Drinking water and snacks on coach
The current price quotation is based on the present exchange rate of RMB ¥7.11 to US $1.00. In the event of change of exchange rate of 2% or more, we reserve the right to adjust this quotation in a fair and reasonable manner.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Hiking & Trekking
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