» TIBET LAND CRUISER SAFARI

This non-trekking trip starts with an incredible mountain flight over the Himalayas from Kathmandu to Lhasa. After time to acclimatize and explore the Potala Palace and other sights of Lhasa. On your return to Kathmandu you divert to the region of ‘Mount Everest’, which is simply called Sagarmatha, the “Mother universe” by the Nepalese. Shortly after leaving Shegar, we head south over the Pang La 5150m, towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever.
This is the classic overland route between two very exotic Asian cities. From the vast and barren beauty of the Tibetan Plateau to the lush hills of Nepal, you are treated to special insight into Tibetan and Buddhist culture. Three days are spent around Lhasa exploring the ancient monasteries and palaces in the area: Potala, Drepung, Sera, Jokhang and the Summer Palace. The overland journey includes visits to a number of monasteries (Palkhor, Tashilhunpo, Sakya and Shalu), and crosses numerous high-altitude passes, including the 17200-foot Jia Tso La. You can join a group trip, or form your own group. As long as there are two or more participants, we can run this as a private trip in 4WD Land Cruisers for about Euro200 more per person. Shortly after leaving Shegar, we head south over the Pang La 5150m, towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever.

Day 1: Arrival Kathmandu 1330 meters
Arrive at the Kathmandu airport and you will be met by our representative from your flight and transferred in a private vehicle to your hotel. If you are arriving on your own, our representative will meet you at hotel. You will be asked to fill out a China/Tibet visa application form and submit your passport and two passport photos so we can take care of all formalities the next day. Relax or take a walk into the city and get acclimatized. DB

Day 2: KATHMANDU 1330 meters
Today is a free day in Kathmandu to relax or explore the temples, monasteries and markets of this fascinating city. There are many interesting attractions within walking distance including the old Royal Palaces in Durbar Square, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath. This is a great day to pick up supplies for your trip to Tibet like extra clothing and snacks. There will be a late afternoon briefing on final trip details, and you will be given your passport with Tibet permit and your air ticket for Lhasa. BLD

Day 3: Lhasa 3650 meters, this morning’s departure to Kathmandu airport is at 7:30am. You will be assisted and escorted to the airport by our local staff. Departure time for Lhasa from hotel is 6:00am. (Or possibly earlier depending on circumstances, you will be informed of any changes) FLIGHT TO LHASA: Probably the most spectacular flight in the world! Leaving Kathmandu the plane skirts the Himalayan range where Cho Oyo 8153 m, Lhotse 8501m, Everest 8848m and Makalu 8463m, are visible. Looking back as the plane leaves Kathmandu it may be possible to also see Manaslu 8125m, and Annapurna first 8091m,. Turning north the plane crosses between Kanchenjunga 8586m and Makalu. From the left side of the plane the east face of Everest and Makalu are visible and from the right the whole Kanchenjunga massive and Chomo Lhari in Bhutan 7315m. The flight is a spectacular experience to see eight of the world’s fourteen 8,000 m peaks. The flight duration will be about one hour. ARRIVAL AT THE GONGAR AIRPORT LHASA 3650 meters, completion of airport formalities and transfer to Lhasa. It’ll be two hour drive and should arrive at the hotel about 4pm local time (there is a 2 hour & 15 minute time change – later than Nepal). Rooms are assigned, and your guide will outline the Lhasa program. This evening you are free to relax and explore. Visit the Barkhor Plaza, an excellent place to walk around, and have dinner at hotel. BL D

Day 4 & 5 Around LHASA 3650 meters
The next two days are based in Lhasa. Arranged sightseeing will include visits to the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung and Sera monastery, and Norbulinka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace. The POTALA PALACE (now a museum, but still visited by Tibetan pilgrims as a holy site). Former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and named after Mt. Potala in India, one of the holy mountains of the Hindu God Lord Shiva. The Potala is a place of spiritual pilgrimage and a mammoth tribute to Tibetan architectural skills. Built by the fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, the Potala was from then on the winter residence of all Dalai Lamas and is still occupied today by monks. The BARKHOR PLAZA (in front of Jokhang Temple) this is Lhasa’s inner pilgrim circuit, shaped roughly like an octagon, which runs around the Jokhang. The market place has everything a Tibetan pilgrim would need and is a good place for people watching. Tibetan pilgrims spin prayer wheels and prostrate themselves they circumnavigate the Temple. Good for shopping - — everything from trinkets to Tibetan carpets and paintings. JOKHANG TEMPLE - in the heart of old Lhasa, and the most sacred temple in Tibet — established in 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, the King who brought Buddhism to Tibet. One can see the statue of Buddha (Jowo Shakyamuni) brought by the Chinese wife of the King as part of her wedding dowry. King Songtsen Gampo also had a Nepalese wife who was the force behind the use of Nepalese craftsmen in designing the Jokhang. NORBULINKA - the Seventh Dalai Lama started the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas in 1755. This large complex of small palaces and chapels within a walled garden and is about four kms west of the Potala. SERA MONASTERY - founded in 1419, located on the outskirts of Lhasa - principle buildings are intact — Home of the Gelukpa Order - yellow hat sect — the Dalai Lama’s sect. Sera were at one time famous for its fighting monks, who spent years perfecting the martial arts. Here, as at Drepung, many monks renounced their vows to take up arms during the uprising of 1959. DREPUNG MONASTERY - founded in 1416, on the outskirts of Lhasa — at one time the largest of the Gelukpa Monasteries (10,000 monks) — was a major center of religious power. The Ganden Potrang (ganden palace) was built by the second Dalai Lama and was used as a residence for the Third, Fourth and Fifty Dalai Lama. The remains of the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama is here. Just below Drepung lies the Nechung Monastery, which was once the seat of the Oracle of Tibet. TIBETAN MEDICINE CLINIC - A tour of this establishment is highly recommended. An English speaking Tibetan medical doctor will give you short history of Tibetan medicine, an interesting tour of the clinic, and show you a small Tibetan museum complete with medical Thangkas. Hopefully there will be a chance for this visit. Try to arrange this visit through your Chinese guide.
NOTE: The Potala, Jokhang, Sera and Drepung have set hours. However, the tour schedule is set up to ensure that you get in to all these places. BLD

Day 6: Lhasa - Gyantse 950 meters, 261 km
The drive to Gyantse takes a full day and includes crossing two passes: Kamba La 4794 meters and Karo La 5010 meters when you look down from Kamba La Pass, you can see the breathtaking view of Yamdruk Tso (Turquoise Lake) — shaped like a scorpion — so large you cannot see its full extent during the hour or so you are driving along its banks. The Karo La Pass is between two mountains: Nozin Khangsa (223 meters, recognizable by its large hanging glacier on the right and Ralung Mountain 6236 meters, GYANTSE - It is a small town on the northern bank of the Nyang Chu River. During the 15th century it was the capital of a small kingdom. Towering over Gyantse on a steep hill are the ruins of an old and famous fort. It was here in 1904, that the British expedition led by Younghusband defeated an army of 5000 Tibetans with superior gun power. Gyantse is still very Tibetan in feel and style — it has not suffered from modern expansion. There are many shops and simple restaurants where you can easily get Tibetan food such as Momos (Meat dumpling), Chang (millet beer) and Thukpa (noodles). Highlights include the KUMBUM TEMPLE (founded in 1440), and the PELKHOR CHODE (central monastic building - started in 1418). This is possibly the most beautiful temple in Tibet. It was constructed in the 15th century by Newar artisans and is the best-preserved example of Newari art to survive in Tibet. It has 112 Chapels. Remember to circumambulate clockwise. Many of the original statues remain intact. BLD

Day 7: Gyantse – Shigatse 3900 meters, 60 km
SHIGATSE - Shigatse is the capital of the province of Tsang and is the second largest city in Tibet. The hotel in Shigatse has adequate food and there are also a number of Chinese restaurants nearby where you can eat food that’s comparable in quality but much less expensive. TASHILUMPO MONASTERY - Founded in 1447, it is the historical seat of the Panchen Lama (the traditional teacher of the Dalai Lama). Among the many interesting sights is the 26-meter high statue of the future Buddha that is gilded with gold and decorated with valuable jewels. The main monastery is the largest and contains prayer halls, printing blocks, and statues of many deities. It is not uncommon to see monks and lamas studying and debating nearby. Afterwards it is pleasant to walk around the old part of town & visit the market where a variety of goods are available. This is also a good place to replenish you snack supply if it is running low. Avoid browsing if not shopping. BLD

Day 8: SHIGATSE-SHEGAR 4350 meters, 244 km today we cross our high point the LHAKPA LA 5220 meters, this panoramic high pass has many prayer flags fluttering in the strong winds strung above traditional Mani stones placed there by local Tibetans to supplicate the spirits and assure safe travel. En route from Shigatse we turn off the main road to visit Sakya Monastery. The visit there takes about 3 hours depending on the road conditions (which are not very good in the July–August season when there is usually more rain). SAKYA MONASTERY - founded in 1073 by a sect of Tibetan Buddhism supported by the Mongolians. This sect does not rely on the recognition of incarnate lamas as spiritual leaders. Rather it is based on a hierarchy of hereditary - from father to son. There is also a celibate order that is subordinate to the hereditary system. It is one of the oldest and most important Bon Po monasteries in the region. At one time it housed over 500 monks. Today, little remains of the northern monastery, but there is still lots to see in southern monastery complex. After visiting Sakya, you will continue on towards Shegar.
SHEGAR - Shegar was once the provincial capital of the Tingri area and is now a regional administrative center. This is the highest overnight spot on the trip and sleeping could be difficult due to the high altitude. Be sure to drink lots of fluids and try to eat even if you do not feel very hungry. BLD

Day 9: Shegar - Rongbuk 5000 meters, 68 km shortly after leaving Shegar, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La 5150m towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever. BLD

Day 10: Rongbuk - Tingri 4390 meters, 65 km this morning we have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp 5200m. 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 us. After lunch, we return to the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri where we will stay overnight. BLD

Day 11: Tingri - Zhangmu 2300 meters, 181 km Leaving Tingri, we cross another two high passes, the Lalung La 5124m and the Shung La 5200m. Once more we are rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. BLD

Day 12 Zhanmu - Kathmandu 1330 meters, 117 km
Next morning about 10 A.M. after Chinese costumes formalities you leave for Nepal. Tibetan guide will transfer us to down hill to the friendship bridge Tibet/Nepal border. If the road condition is washed out (not an uncommon occurrence) we will be in for some short walking, but your guide will arrange for baggage porters. Arriving at the FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE (Nepal - Tibet border) you will cross back into Nepal. Remember to turn your watches back 2 hrs 15 min. Our representative at the bridge will meet you. Porters provided by us will load bags onto a Nepalese Vehicle, and you will then proceed to Nepal Customs and the Immigration inspection. If there is a landslide blocking the road, porters will be provided to carry your bags to the check post. Re-enter Nepal: You should either have already arranged a double entry Nepal visa ($55 US for 60 days double entries available upon arrival at Kathmandu airport), or you will have to get another visa at the border post. It is quite simple, but make sure you have the $30 US and a passport sized photo of yourself, or you may have some difficulty with procedures. The drive from Friendship Bridge to Kathmandu is approximately 4½ hrs under normal conditions, the first hour through a deep and verdant river valley… and you should arrive back in Kathmandu around 4 P.M. over night in hotel. DB

Day 13: Kathmandu (Free, Shopping) BLD

Day 14: Transfer to the airport by private vehicle for your onward flight.

Rates are in Euro per person basis:
COST:- 2 - 5 pax        6 - 9 pax          10 - 14 pax      15 & above
 2,103                 1,614            1,465               1,353

Half board/S: US$ 189 / Full board/S: 378

Service including:
1. all transfer as per the itinerary.
2. All necessary permits, one Tibetan English-speaking guide through the entire trip with all sightseeing as per the itinerary, all monastery entrance fees.
3. Hotel accommodations on full board Basis.
4. Kathmandu on B/B Basis.