Day 01 Arrive Kathamndu
Transfer to hotel, completing Tibet visa application and trip briefing will be given at hotel lobby. It will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with your other group members at dinnertime, before heading out to Tibet.
Day 02 Tour around Kathamndu valley
Your sight seeing tour has been arranged, taking in the key attraction places of Kathamndu valley. Visit start from Swyambunath, Ancient Durbar square, Pashupatinath and Boudhnath. Also Kathamndu has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive local markets, novelty and handicraft shops, fantastic centers of cultural and spiritual significances – has more world Heritage sites than any other city in the world.
Day 03 Fly > Lhasa
This trip start with an incredible mountain flight over the Himalayas takes about one hour 10 minutes to “Gonkhar Airport” and then transfers to capital city of Lhasa (about hour drive) from airport. Check into hotel and remaining of the time will be free or go to the around Barkhor Market.
Day 04 Tour around Lhasa
After breakfast, (local time around 9 O’clock), transfer to Drepung monastery, visit will takes 3 – 3 ½ hours, it is a short drive out of Lhasa, (about 8 km), Drepung monastery was founded in the 15th century and the 2nd Dalai Lama who was established the Ganden Palace that was to be his residence until the 17th century when he moved to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. After the tour of Drepung monastery, you will be transfer to one of the local Tibetan restaurant for Lunch and then later in the after noon transfer to Sera monastery, the one of the six biggest monastery of Tibet. The Sera monastery once housed a huge monastic population of around 5000 monks. However since the Cultural Revolution the number of resident monks has fallen to a few hundred. Sera also were built in 15th century just couple of year later than the Drepung monastery and include a several important teaching colleges (Including the famous debating courtyard) and the main assembly hall with its important thangkas and impressive statues. Transfer back to city and leave you alone around the Barkhor market place.
Day 05 Tour around Lhasa
As previous day, after breakfast you will be transfer to Potala Palace.
Visit one of the highlights of Tibet tour the Potala. It is divided into two main complexes-the outer white building that housed the administration, and the Red Fort, where chapels, Tombs and the living quarters of the Dalai Lama are located. Founded in 1645 during the reign of the great 5th Dalai Lama, the white palace was completed in 1648, twelve years after the great 5th Dalai’s death. To avoid possible problems, the head monks related to the masses that the great 5th Dalai was in deep meditation until after the red palace was completed. Visit might last 3-4 hour. After complete of the Potala visit, you will be transfer to one of the restaurant in town for lunch. Afternoon visit is Tibet’s most sacred Temple the Jokhang. The old city of Lhasa was built around the Jokhang, established in the 7th century when Buddhism was first introduced into Tibet, said to be temple has been considerably enlarged, particularly during the reign of the great 5th Dalai Lama. The main entrance to the Jokhang is always full of activity, with pilgrims prostrating themselves as they conduct their prayers before starting on their ritual circuit (KORA) around the temple. This kora area, together with the Barkhor-the marketplace outside the temple and is a gathering place for Tibetans, who may traveled for many months to reach this sacred site of Lhasa. After complete of visit Jokhang, again you will be leave alone here or you want back to hotel is up to you.
Day 06 Transfer> Ganden, visit and transfer back to Lhasa
Ganden was designates as the paradise of Tushita haven and the home of Jampa, the
Future Buddha. The monastery is one of the six biggest gelugpa establishments in Tibet, was constructed on a ledge of name of the Gokpo Ri. Tsong Khapa (1357-1419) was meditated first in order to determine the site of the main monastery of the gelukpa sect. The foundation of the Ganden Monastery is dated back to 1409, and the Tsokchen, the main chapel of the ganden was enlarged in 1417. It is one of the Tantric centers of Tibet. Also effectively country was controlling from here, before Dalai Lama shifted his Resident and administrative to Drepung Monastery near the Lhasa.
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Day 07 Transfer > Gyantse 7 – 8 hours
Leaving Lhasa we drive donw the Kyichu valley to the Yalung Tsampo (the Bramaputra River) before ascending to the Khamba La pass 4900m. The views are fabulous – in the foreground in the vast freshwater the Yamdro Tso or known as Turquoise Lake, while to the south the snow-capped mountains merge with the main Himalayan range. We drive along side the lake before we crossing the Karo La 5000m to reach Gyantse.
Day 08 Transfer > Shigatse 2 hours
After breakfast you will be transfer and visit the remarkable octagonal Chorte (Kumbum) built in 1444 on a series of four levels each of which contains separate chapels. After you complete the monastery and Chorten visit, walking back through the old village and stop for lunch in one of restaurant in town. Later in the day we drive to Gyantse and overnight. Gyantse is a still remarkable small town that has escaped much of the Chinese influence evident compare to other major Tibetan towns. The ancient fort, locating on the ridge top that was besieged by British forces in 1904 during the famous Younghusband Expedition, dominates it.
Day 09 Visit Tashilhunpo and transfer > Shegar
Famous Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama’s, knows Shigatse. The 1st Dalai Lama founded the monastery in 1447. Since the time of 5th Dalai Lama in 1642 the Panchen title was adapted, became and established as the chief spiritual and temporal adviser of the huge western portion of Tibet known as Ű Tsang, and at times was even considered a rival, to the Dalai Lama. During the Cultural Revolution much of the Tashilhumpo and the nearby fort were destroyed, and what we see today is a huge complex in various stages of rebuilding. Particular interest are the huge temple to the Maitreya (The future Buddha); the tomb of the 10th Panchen Lama (who died in 1989), which is said to be encased with over 300kg of gold; the palace of Panchen Lama; and the tomb of the 5th to 9th Panchen Lamas. The latter, recently reconstructed, contains the remains of the former Panchen Lamas that were retrieved after their separate tombs were the demolished by Chinese troops in 1966. Also of interest is the main Assembly Hall. Adjacent to many of the important chapels, which are in everyday useLater in the day we drive to Shegar and overnight.
Day 10 Transfer> Kharta Valley 7hours (Today is first day of meeting with our Nepal staffs)
Few kilometers after from Shegar our route divert from the main friendship highway and drive south towards the Everest region. From the top of Pang La (5150 meters we gain best views of Everest and the lie of the surrounding country. From the pass we descend to the village of Phadhruchi where the route divides- the route to west heading to the Rongbuk valley- the one to the east leading to the (Phung chu) Arun vallaye and the village of Kharta- the administrative headquarters of the region. We camp at the nearby village of Yuba.
Day 11 Trek>Dhampu 4 hours (3650m)
You will be waken up with a hot cup of tea, between tea and breakfast time you should packed your gears and give to YAKPA. You just put into your daypack for day necessaries e.g. Gore-Tax, Water bottle, Creams, Camera & films and Bars. From Yuba we follow the jeep road along the banks of the Kharta River. At the end of the jeep road we cross a substantial bridge and follow a well-defined trail that gradually winds above a series of small-scattered settlements set amid barley fields. About three kilometers above the bridge the trail splits. The lower trail continues up valley eventually diverting to the Langma La, while we follow the upper trail that ascends steeply in places towards the valley leading to the Shao La Pass. There are good views back down the valley towards our last night camp and the Kharta district and the snow-capped mountains to the east. In particular we can appreciate the forested hillside to the south of Kharta village that marks the upper limit of the monsoon. En route to camp we may pass villagers laden with planks of wood that have been carried from the Kama valley. Campsite is nice and grassy meadow known as Dhampu 4300m – the first of many magnificent alpine camps.
Day 12 Trek > Shao La base, 3-4 hours 4700m
The first few kilometers on this stage is hard going across a large boulder filed. The trail ascends a series of ‘glacial steps’ before reaching a series of glacial lakes at the head of the valley located at the base of the Shao La.
Day 13 Trek > Joksam 5 hours 4000m
Is good to start bit early to ascend the Shao La Pass 4970m and gain the first views of Everest 8848 meters, Makalu 8475 meters and Lhotse 8501 meters. From the pass there is a steady descent to yak pastures before a steeper descent to the valley floor and the trail on down to the Kama valley. The rocky trail makes this stage quite demanding on the knees as it winds down through birch groves and dwarf rhododendrons to the camp at Joksam. This is an idyllic camp, situated amid pine fir forests just above the Kama valley. This change of vegetation reflects the monsoon influence and summer rains that surge up the nearby Arun valley throughout the summer months.
Day 14 Trek > Alpine camp 5 hours 4800m
From the valley floor there is a steep 400 meters ascent through the conifer forest to a ridgeline high above the Kama valley. Here we gain magnificent views south towards the Arun Gorge and Nepal. Trail then crosses Alpine ridges that support the summer camps of Yak herders’ from Kharta village. We also pass series of beautiful lakes before ascending a ridge and gaining our first uninterrupted views of the Kangshung Face of Mt. Everest. We should camp in one of the idyllic meadows.
Day 15 Trek> Pathang 3 hours 4550 meters
Descend to the Pathang camp, a beautiful meadow camp beneath the impressive peak of Chomo Longmo (7790metres). Options are available to ascend to the sacred lake immediately above the camp. The trailheads up the hillside to the north and it takes 40 minutes to reach the lake. At the far end of the scared lake is Sacred Cave carved out of the hillside, which is said to be one of the many places where the sage Padmasambhava meditated during his journeys through Tibet. Within the cave are a number of simple shelters and prayer rooms where the occasional pilgrim makes offerings.
Day 16 Trek> Hoppo 4 hours 4800 meters
From Pathang the trail heads across the meadow before ascending across a loose screed slope that can cause difficulties for the laden yaks. The climb up and across the screed slopes is tiring and it is good to get back onto the more established shepherd trails. Rounding the hillside the Kangshung Face of Everest comes again into view, while across the valley the impressive glaciers at Chomo Longmo can also be appreciated. Our camp at Hoppo is situated amid yak pastures.
Day 17 Excursion to Kangshung Base Camp & return to Pathang, very long journey at least 10 hours.
The trek to Kangshung Base Camp (5050 meters) can be completed in a couple of hours. The trail gradually ascends the grassy ridges to the snout of the Kangshung Glacier. As we view the huge face it is not difficult to understand why it has only is attempted by a handful of expeditions. From our vantage point, the impressive North East Ridge of Everest is also seen.
Return to Pathang for overnight.
Day 18 Trek > Langma La base 5 hours 4800 meters
The trial from Pathang heads backs down the valley before diverting north towards the Langma La. It leads gradually across the yak pastures and en route we gain views of the summit of Makalu. Camp will be at Shurimo is located at the base of the pass nearby lake.
Day 19 Trek> Cross Langma La >camp 6- 7 hours 5330 meters
The climb to the Langma La takes two hours. From camp we climb a well-graded trail with further views of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. From the pass there is a steep descend to the valley floor. As the valley opens out we pass yak herders’ camps from Kharta and the nearby villages.
Day 20 Trek>Yuba 4 hours 3650 meters
This is the last day of Trekking. From camp we head down to the confluence of the Kharta Valley and gain views of the Kangchenjunga massif rearing above the ridges beyond Kharta on the Nepal-Sikkim Border. Than the trail leads past the substantial village of Lunrubling as we complete our circuit back down to Yuba, first campsite of our circuit.
Day 21 Trek > Drive >Rongbuk Monastery 8 – 10 hours 4700 meters???
From Yuba we drive back to the village of Phadhruchi before continuing onto the Rongbuk Valley. Rongbuk Monastery is situated 15 kilometes below the Base Camp and was reconstructed after the excesses of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960’s. From Rongbuk we gain unrivalled views of the north face of Everest.
Day 22 Excursion to Base Camp 4700 meters.
Check with guide. You may drive for short distance to the Everest Base Camp from where the interwar British Expeditions attempted their assaults on Everest. Return to Rongbuk overnight.
Day 23 Drive >Zhangmu 9 hours 2050 meters
An early start is necessary to complete the drive back to the friendship highway and the Chinese/Nepal border at Zangmu. After re-joining the highway, we drive across the rolling plains of the Tibetan Plateau to reach the Lalong La 5042 meters. From here we head down the spectacular Sun Kosi Gorge to the border town at Zhangmu, where we spend the night.
Please note the facilities at hotel here are basic.
Day 24 Drive > Kathmandu 5- 6 hours 1330 meters
After completing Chinese immigration and customs formalities we transfer down the eight-kilometre stretch that leads to the Friendship Bridge and Nepal. You will require a re-entry visa at this border, so please have your documents ready. After clearing Nepal’s customs and immigration then meet our Nepalese transport and drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 25 Trip concludes
PLEASE NOTE: It is essential that participants are aware that we may be affected by changes in air schedules and weather conditions, some thing, which is not unusual in Nepal and Tibet.
CLIMATE
The Everest region in southern Tibet is subject to the influence of the SE monsoon. Bearing this in mind we have timed our departures in mid May – June (pre-monsoon) and Mid September - October (post-monsoon). On both departures you can experience daytime temperatures that rise to 20º C during the day while nighttime temperatures, especially at higher altitudes, can fall to -5º C ensuring to bring good quality sleeping bags and down jackets. |
Tibet with the opportunity of experiencing the rich cultural history of Shigatse, Gyantse and Lhasa. You will explore the renowned capital of Tibet (Lhasa) with time at the fabled Potala Palace before Traveling to the ancient towns of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar with their famous monasteries and forts amid the vast Tibetan Plateau. In search of route of Everest in 1921, As Mallory described the Kangshung Face as ‘emphatically not for us’. Now it is easy to see why the British explorers were so attracted to the Kama Valley. Sacred lakes, conifer and rhododendron forests, and rolling yak pastures are set beneath the backdrop of Lhotse, Makalu and the huge Kangshung Face of Everest. A remarkable sight and appreciated by only a handful of trekking groups each season. End of your trek, from Kharta you will be transfer to the Rongbuk Valley to view the Sheer North Face of Everest a fitting highlight before we head back to the Tibet and Nepal friendship highway and an exhilarating descent back to the Kathmandu Valley.
