» TEST OF TIBET

Such mysterious places are rare to be found in the world, but Tibet is an exception. With an average elevation of 14,000 feet, Tibet is literally the highest nation on earth. Nearly half the world’s population lives downstream from Tibet with five of Asia's great rivers including the Indus, Mekong and Brahmaputra having their headwaters in the “Roof of the World”. Combine snow-capped Himalayan Peaks touching cobalt blue skies, and majestic turquoise colored lakes with the spiritual energy of country that embraced Buddhism in the 8th century AD. Since then, a paramount objective of Tibetan culture has been the cultivation of a good heart and a calm, clear mind. Embrace life in the same way Tibetans view Mount Everest, “From the other side”.

This is also non-trekking trip start 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, you take a spectacular drive across the vast arid Tibetan plateau to the lush valleys of Nepal. Along the way you explore fascinating monasteries and towns and see Everest’s north face (if weather permit us). 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. This trip is a great add-on to our Nepal adventures. 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 other monasteries (Palkhor, in Gyantse and Tashilhunpo in Shegatse), and crosses numerous high-altitude passes, including the 17200 ft Jia Tso La. You can join a group trip, or form your own. As long as there are 4 or more participants, we can run this trip also as a private trip in 4WD Land Cruisers for about USD 200 more per person.

Day 01: KTM Arrival 1330 meters. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel, day free to relax and get over your jet lag. DB

Day 02: KATHMANDU 1330 meters. Today is a day free in Kathmandu to explore the temples, monasteries and markets. There will be a late afternoon briefing on final trip details. Kathmandu, BLD

Day 03: Tsetang 3540 meters. This morning’s departure to Kathmandu airport is at 7:30 A. M. You will be assisted and escorted to the airport by our staff. Departure time for Lhasa GONGAR is 10:00 A. M. (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 8501 m. Everest 8848 m. and Makalu 8463 m. are visible. Looking back as the plane leaves Kathmandu it may be possible to also see Manaslu 8125m.And Annapurna I 8091 m. turning north the plane crosses between Kanchenjunga 8586 m. and Makalu. From the left side of the plane the east face of Everest and Makalu are visible and also 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 8000m peaks. The flight duration will be about 1h10minutes. ARRIVAL AT THE GONGAR AIRPORT3650 meters. Completion of airport formalities and transfer to TSETANG HOTEL It is a two-hour drive the TSETANG 95km. and we should arrive at the hotel about 3.30 P. M. local time (there is a 2 hour & 15 minute time change - — later than Nepal). Rooms are assigned, and then your guide will outline Tibet program once again. After check into “Hotel Tsetang” we proceed our visiting the ancient 5th century’s palace (Yumbulakang) from where the Yarlung Dynasty was controlling the Valley, or over the Tibet. Back in to hotel, BLD

Day 04: Lhasa 3650 meters. Early morning after breakfast we leave from Tsetang, 45 minutes drive will brings to Tsangpo River the crossing point and get onto ferry Boat and cross the Tsangpo (Bramaputra) to cross the river1 hour 45 minutes in spring and 1 hour in autumn, and then another ½ hour bus ride Samey Monastery (Tibet’s first Monastery) was build of Mandala’s shape in 8th Century. After Cultural Revolution it was Re-built in 1989. After visiting the Samey, reverse trip and cross the Tsangpo. Meet the vehicle and another 2 ½ hours drive, Lhasa and consigned the hotel room for next 3 days and free. If you are not so tire Rickshaws are available outsit the hotel to take you to the Barkhor Plaza, an excellent place to walk around. You can get a rickshaw at the Plaza for your return trip to hotel, BLD

Days 05 & 06 LHASA 3650 meters. The next three days are based at the Himalaya Hotel or Similar. 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 km 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 Tibetan 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 07:  Excursion trip to Ganden monastery: Early 15th century’s monastery main seat of Gelukpa, founded by Tsong Khapa. Tsong Khapa is founder of the Gelukpa sect, Yellow Hat. Ganden monastery lies about 45 km east of Lhasa along the road that follows the South bank of the Kyi Chu River to Medro Gongkhar. Before the holocaust, over 2,000 Monks lived there. Now only 300 monks live here. Evening come back to same hotel. B/L/D

Day 08: Lhasa - Gyantse 3950 meters, 261 km. The drive to Gyantse takes a full day and includes crossing two passes: Kamba La 4794 m. and Karo La 5010 m. When you look down from Kamba La Pass, you can see the breathtaking view of Yamdruk Tso (The 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 7223 m. recognizable by it’s large hanging glacier on the right and Ralung Mountain 6236 m. 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 Young husband defeated an army of 5,000 Tibetans with superior gun power. Gyantse is 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 (dumpling), Chang (millet beer) and Thukpa (noodles). Highlights include the KUMBUM TEMPLE (founded in 1440), and the PELKOR 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 09: GYANTSE-SHIGATSE (3900 meters, 60 km/ a pleasant 2 hour drive.) 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. BLD

Day 10: 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. 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 11: SHEGAR-ZHANGMU 2300 meters 244 km. the drive from the Shegar Check Post along the Tingri plateau to Lalung La pass 5050m. Also known as tong la takes about four hours. If the sky is clear, you will be treated to views of a range of mountains stretching along the southern horizon, including: Langtang 7245m. Shisapangma 8013m. And Dorje Lakpa 6980m. in the west and Makalu 8463m. Everest 8848m. Lhotse 8516m. Cho Oyu 8201m. And Gauri Shankar 7134m. in the east. After another two and a half hour drive you will enter Nyalam where you can visit Milarepa’s cave. Milarepa was a Tibetan Buddhist mystic, poet and saint who composed and sang songs expressing his insights into the truths of Buddhism. Nepalese artisans have restored the small Pelgye Ling Monastery there. After emerging from the Tibetan Plateau the road follows the deep valley of the Bhote Kosi — the route is lined with numerous waterfalls spilling down the enormous valley walls. The descent from Nyalam to Zhangmu is an extraordinary plunge into lush greenery fed by the monsoon and rushing rivers. Zhangmu is the boarder town between Nepal and Tibet and is an active trading center for Chinese, Tibetan and Nepalese goods. BLD

Day 12: ZHANGMU TO KATHMANDU 1330 meters 117 km. Cross the border and enter Nepal at Kodari, and continue by private transport, along the twisting road, which wends its way through the foothills of the Himalayas. The drive from Friendship Bridge (Nepal - Tibet border) to Kathmandu is approximately 4-5 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. Night in hotel. BLD