Tibet Tour

This morning we depart Kathmandu by surface on a scenic drive to Kodari (Nepal-Tibet border), through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. We leave our vehicals here and start a short walk of about one hour 30 minutes uphill with porters to Shangmu Immigrations - known to Nepalese as Khasa, hangs on a cliff face, its boom town architecture having a temporary look; even the monastery roofs are sheathed in corrugated iron sheets and is situated at a height of 2,500 m. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Today we drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape, crossing over Nyalam Pass (3,800 m) and Lalung-La (Pass) at 5,050m, with views of beautiful Himalayan Ranges panorama including the Mt. Everest (8,848 m) to Zhangmu (244 Kms).

Also called "new tingri", is surrounded by mountains, Zhangmu is another town that lies in the shadow of a great fortress. Even in ruins it is majestic. Seeming to grow out of the craggy brown rock, its sinous wall bristles with watchtowers like stegosaurus spines. Isolated in 1855 by Nepalese in search of booty, the Gurkhas cut off the Dzong's water supply and settled in for a long siege. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

We continue on our drive to Lhatse (T-cross to Mt. Everest), and crossing over the Gyatsola Pass at 5,220 m, which is the highest enroute to Xigatse (240 Kms). Xigatse is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 354 Kms. west of Lhasa at an altitude of 3,810 m. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

This morning we will visit the Panchen Lama's Tashilhumpu Moanastery, and continue on our drive to gyantse (90 Kms) - is a pastoral town between Lhasa and xigatse. It is 264 Kms. southwest of Lhasa, and still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. As a crossroad on the principle trade route to India, it used to be renowned for the excellence of its carpets. The compound, encircled by on impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress perched atop a nearby mountain.
Later in the day visit the Kumbum Stupa and Phalkor Monastery. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

We continue on a full day picturesque drive crossing over Karola Pass at 5,010m, Kambala Pass at 4,794 m. and a colourful Yamdrok Lake, sometimes along the Tibetan lifeline river Brahmaputra also known as yarlung Tsangpo, to the capital town Lhasa (264 Kms).

Today we will visit the Jokhang Temple, situated in the heart of Old Lhasa, it houses Tibet's most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift bythe Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa.

Later in the day visit the Potala Palace, this legendary palace built atop a single hill is synonymous with Tibet by the first foremost king Songtsen Gompa. It was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. This 13 story 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of the former "church-state" of Tibet and was home to successive Dalai Lamas, who from the latter half of the 18th century used it as their Winter palace. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day free at leisure in Lhasa.

Early this morning you will be picked up from you respective hotel to be transferred in time to gangaar airport to connect your flight to Kathmandu.