Tibet one of those extraordinary destination where indeed adventure lurks around every corner! Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Transhimalayan drive, through mountain,passes, promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. It culminates on an arid plateau - a varitable treasure trove of architectural masterpie ces - the Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest in the country The Jhokhang - a spiritual center, and the awesome palaces of the Dalai Lama - Norbulinga ( the summer palace ) and the Potala ( the traditional seat ).
To travel for days on this remote plateau with the chance encounters of nomads herding their sheep or yaks is to be transformed into another way of life. We begin the tour by traveling to Kathmandu and departing by road to the Nepal/Tibet border town of Zhangmu where we collect our Transport. The day to day program is outlined as follows:
Itinerary :
DAY 01: KATHMANDU / NYALAM (3600M) - 154kms.
Departure at 5:30 hr. from Country Holidays (P) Ltd, Thamel after an approx. 6 hours drive we reach KODARI (China / Nepal Border). Further half hr. drive by truck will bring us to Zhangmu, where after completion of Immigration formalities all check drive to Nyalam. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 02: NYALAM / LHATSE (3950m) -370kms.
From Zhangmu or Nyalam, the road follows the BHOTE KOSHI river in the deep valley with plenty of Waterfalls. After 1.5 hrs drive bring us to NYLAM PASS (3800m) with the JUGAL HIMALA in view. A continued drive via LALUNGLA (5050m) will bring us in view of MT. LANGTANG (7245m), MT. XIXAPANGMA (8013m), & MT. DORJE LAKPA (6980m), MT. MAKALU ( 8464m), MT. EVEREST (8848m), MT. LHOTSE (8516m) & MT. CHOOYU (8201m). Overnight in hotel.
DAY 03: LHATSE / XIGATSE (3900m) - (150+60) = 210kms.
Lhatze is 3 hrs qwqy over a 5220m pass near the petrol station, there is a small restaurant where tea / snakes are available. Depending upon the road conditions, SAKYA MONASTERY which is 26km. Off from the main road will be visited. SAKYA is one of the oldest and most important monastery. Reach XIGATSE, the place of the famous TASHILUMPO MONASTERY the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989 with its huge Thanka Wall cleary visible on north side of the road. Overnight hotel.
DAY 04: XIGATSE / GYANTSE (3950m) - 90km.
After visiting TASHILUNPO MONASTERY in the morning including the Bazaar of XIGATSE, drive to GYANTSE which is 2 hrs. Gyantse is small bustling town steeped in history. It lies 264 km Southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of NYANG CHU river. In the 15 Th. Century is served as the Capital of a small Kingdom. Visit KUMBUM CHORTEN & PHKLKOR MONASTERY which was built around 1400 AD It later became the main center for trade with British / India. Overnight hotel.
DAY 05: GYANTSE / LHASA (3650M) - 260km.
8 hrs drive takes you to Lhasa crossing the KAROLAPASS (5010m) and KAMBALA PASS (4794m). The KAROLA climbs between two lofty mountains, NOZING KHANGSA (7223m) and RALUNG (6236m) While driving you will ssee the YAMDROK TSO (Truquoise Lake) which takes approx. 1hr to cross around. After passing KAMBALA, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. You will also cross the Brahmaputra Rover. Reaching Lhasa and check in hotel. The accompanied guide will reconfirm your onward airline ticket. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 06: LHASA TOUR
You will have a full day tour in Lhasa. The highlight today is the Magnificent Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama; the place where the former great Dalai Lama's stupas are being kept; once the seat of the Tibetan government. With a history of over 1,300 years, the Potala Palace is the treasure of Tibetan religion and culture, storing plenty of figures of the Buddha, murals, sutras etc. After visiting Potala Palace, you will visit one of the three largest monasteries of Gelugpa, the Sera Monastery, and Dalai Lama's summer palace of, the treasure Park of Tibet, the Norbulingka. After the day's sightseeing, you will be offered an insight into the daily life of the Tibetan people, you may also be served tea in their home. (B+L)
DAY 07: LHASA TOUR
In the morning, you will visit the No. 1 Monastery of Gelugpa, Drepung Monastery, which is the richest monastery ever in Tibet, and is still active today. Then you will be guided to visit the spiritual center of Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, where you might meet many pilgrims, who even prostrate by full length to the threshold of the temple. You will visit the sacred pilgrim path, the oldest street in Lhasa, the Barkhor Street, which is the place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble. In the afternoon, you can pay a visit to the Tibetan Traditional Hospital, where you will see how the Tibetan doctors treat patients in their traditional ways, and in its library, you will find massive medical sutras and medical thangkas. The Lhasa Carpet Factory is also a place you should not miss. The carpets there are all hand-made on old-styled vertical looms in traditional processes. (B+L)
DAY 08: LHASA / KATHMANDU
Transfer to airport 2 hrs drive - Representative will assist you. Departure of flight for KATHMANDU would be approx 10:00 hr. CHINA STANDARD TIME and arriving KATHMANDU AT 9: AM NEPAL STANDARD TIME. Flight Lhasa / Kathmandu takes 1 hour ten minutes. During the flight you will see the following: YARLUNG TSANGPO RIVER, LAKE YAMDROK, MT. KANCHANJUNGA (8586m), MT. MAKALU (8463m) and MT. EVEREST (8848m). (If weather permitting).
Cost Includes :
01. Twin sharing different standard accommodation as per different category package with breakfast.
02. All necessary transportation by 4 WD Toyota Landcruiser.
03. Sightseeing tour as per the Program, an English speaking Guide and monastery entrance fees.
04. China/ Tibet visa fees, Tibet permit and necessary domestic and international flight as per itinerary.
05. Special Trekking permit for Simikot parts with liaison officer fees.
06. Accommodation in two men dome tent & all meals cooked by our own exp. cook during the treks
07. All camping and cooking equipments for treks.
Cost Excludes:
01. All expenses of personal Nature.
02. Nepal re-entry visa fee and airport Departure Tax
03. Charge for photography, air ticket reconfirmation fee and Insurance etc.
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