Overview: This unforgettable adventure is a seven night/eight day independent tour for the spirited traveler. While we do not include a formal group leader, an experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking guide accompanies our group throughout their journey. During May and June we travel overland to Lhasa and fly back to Kathmandu. From July through November we fly to Lhasa and ride back to Kathmandu. These are our seasonal tour orientations but they can also be reversed depending on local conditions and flight availability.
High altitude and difficult roads make this a trip for the adventurous and fit explorer. There will be satisfactory and comfortable accommodation throughout your journey. Bear in mind that food standards in Tibet can vary widely. Your package includes lodging with breakfast only (as indicated in bold at the end of each days description).
Other meals are independently arranged by the participants. Ground transportation is by reliable mini bus, with the continuous services of a local English-speaking guide. Our adventure highlights include visits to the Potala and Jorkhang in Lhasa, travel to Shigatse and Gyantse and traversing the breathtaking Lalung Pass at an altitude of 17,102 feet. What an experience!
Leadership: This trip will be accompanied by our Engligh-speaking, experienced, local Tibetan guide.
Tour Itinerary
Saturday: Pick up from your Kathmandu hotel at 7:30 a.m. and transfer to Kathmandu airport for a 10:00 a.m. flight by Air China to Lhasa, Tibet. This flight (1 hr. 15 minutes). Is spectacular! Flying over the Himalayan Range with excellent views of the mountains, including Mt. Everest, the highest peak on earth. Current cost of this flight is $315.
You arrive at the Gonggar Airport (10,050 feet) in the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley. The 56-mile drive into Lhasa (11,830 feet) takes about two hours. Check in at Dhood Gu or similar hotel and take a complete rest to aid acclimatization. (Breakfast)
Sunday: At 10:00 a.m. we visit the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. The majestic 13-story, 1,000-room Potala is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet. We take a lunch break. from 1:00-2:45 p.m. We then drive 20 minutes to Sera Monastery, situated on a mountain slope north of Lhasa city at 12,150 feet.
This monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is one of the three great monasteries of Tibet, the other two being Drepung and Ganden. Time permitting, we will also visit Norbulingka, the summer palaces of the Dalai Lamas. We arrive at our hotel at 6 p. m. (Breakfast)
Monday: At 10:00 a.m. we drive 20 about 20 minutes to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet. It also belongs to the Gelugpa sect and has plenty of historical relics (Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts). We take a lunch break. from 1:00-3:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. we visit the Seventh century Jorkhang Temple with architectural features from the Tang Dynasty and from Indian and Nepali Buddhist Temples.
It houses many historical relics of Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songsten Gompo, Princess Wencheng from China and Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal. Later, it's time to explore the Barkhor market, which, in the early 1950s, was an exciting year-round trade fair crowded with merchants from all over central Asia. We arrive at our hotel at 6 p. m. (Breakfast)
Tuesday: After breakfast at 9:30 a.m., we drive eight hours to Gyantse (13,000 feet) via Kampa La Pass (15,725 feet) and Yamdrok Tso, also known as the Turquoise Lake. It is one of the three largest lakes in Tibet. After crossing Karo La Pass (16,500 feet) and two other smaller passes, we arrive in Gyantse. Overnight at a Gyantse Hotel. (Breakfast)
Wednesday: Starting our day at 9:00 a.m., we visit Phalkhor monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, designed by Newari architects from Nepal. The Phalkhor has a special influence over Buddhism in Tibet, owing to its unity of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Bhutan sects. The Kumbum is truly incredible. Kumbum literally means "temple of a thousand images." At 11:00 a.m. we drive two hours to Shigatse (12,800 feet) By 2:00 p.m. we visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas.
This is the monastery founded by Gedum Drup, who was later recognized as the first Dalai Lama. The main statue of this monastery is the Maitreya Buddha made from 600 pounds of gold and measuring eight feet in height. Overnight at Hotel. (Breakfast)
Thursday: Today at 10:00 a.m. we drive about 7 hours to Shegar/New Tingri (14,241 feet). Along the way, we cross two passes: Tsuo La (14,760 feet) and Lhakpa La (17,121 feet). We will visit one of the Tibetan villages en route. Overnight in Hotel Chomulangma, Shegar/New Tingri. (Breakfast)
Friday: Friday: At 10:00 a.m. we drive 7 hours to Nyalam (11,500 feet) and on to Zhangmu (4757 feet) crossing two passes: Lalung La (16,564 feet) and Nylam La (12,500 feet). Nyalam used to be an important trading post and belonged to Nepal. Overnight in Zhangmu Hotel, Zhangmu. (Breakfast)
Saturday: After immigration formalities walk or drive downhill and across the bridge to Kodari, the border of Nepal. We hope to arrive Kodari at 10:00 a.m., Nepal time. After immigration formalities enjoy a scenic five hour drive passing waterfalls, valleys and fields to Kathmandu. Our arrival in Kathmandu signals the end of this wonderful journey. Overnight at your own hotel.
Important Note: This itinerary is meant only as a guide to what our days will be like. Changes will almost surely occur as you travel. These will be based on local conditions, acclimatization, health and fitness levels, etc.
Note that you must be in Nepal no later than Thursday evening so that your Chinese Visa with the Tibet endorsement can be obtained on Friday. We can book you into the hotel of your choice in Kathmandu; however, please note that we must know where you will be staying in order to fill out necessary documentation before the trip.
Travel Dates: Depart Kathmandu any Saturday from May to November.
Expenses: Additional travel-related expenses include: your flight to the trip starting point of Kathmandu, Visas ($60 for Nepal, $50 for Tibet) plus $340 for your in-trip flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. This internal flight will be booked separately through our agents in Nepal. We also recommend that you purchase travel insurance (at an approximate cost of $340) which includes coverage for trip cancellation and emergency evacuation.
Many other levels of trip insurance start at $50. Please see our Policy section for complete information on our trip cancellations policies. Payment for additional services may be required at the time the service is received. All prices mentioned in this document are in U. S. Dollars ($USD). Please refer to the booking information section of our application form for more information.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Land Costs:
- $900 (minimum of two people)
- $200 Single Supplement
- $20 round trip airport transfer (per person)
- Hotel in Kathmandu from $35 per night
- Chinese Visa with Tibet Travel Endorsement: $130 for Americans and $45 for most other nationals
- Nepal Visa $45-80
- Airport tax Nepal (2 X $12) $24
Estimated Air Fare:
- $340 one way from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
- Please refer to the booking information section of our application form for more information.
Trip Deposit: $250USD
Trip Difficulty Rating: Mild
Maximum Group Size: Any
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Tibet
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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