Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Nyalam (3,750 m), which is 123 kilometers. The vehicle leaves Kathmandu early morning for Kodari Highway that leads to the Tibetan Border offering beautiful views of the village and small towns. The views of Langtang, Gauri Shanker, Melungtse and Khumbu Himal in a clear weather will be additional attraction of this drive. After completing the custom and immigration formalities, you stay overnight at hotel in Nyalam.
Day 02 :
Drive from Nyalam to Xegar (4,350 m) which is 214 Kilometers. From Nyalamuthe, the road follows the deep valley of Bhote Koshi River decorated with Waterfalls. After two and half hours drive Nyalam Pass (3,800 m) offers enchanting view of Jugal Himal. The starting point for the trek to Mt. Xixapangma can be seen. The drive continues via Lalung La (5,082 m) offering views of Langtang (7,245 m), Xixapangma (8,516 m), Dorje Lakpa (6,980 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,201 m), Cho-Oyu (8,201 m) and Gauri Shanker (7,134 m.) Relaxing overnight stay at Xegar will give a chance to share the ecstasy of your experiences, and get prepared for the next day’s drive. You stay overnight at a hotel in Xegar.
Day 03 :
Drive from Xegar to Shigatse (3,900m.) which is 244 Kilometers. Lhatse is 3 hours away from Xegar and on the way the road reaches an altitude of 5220 m. at Jia Tsuo La (Lhakpa La). At Lhatse there is facility for having tea and snacks. Depending upon the condition of the road, Sakya Monastery, which is 26 Kilometers off the main road, can be visited. Sakya Monastery is the oldest and most important Bon Po Monastery in Tibet. Now you reach Shigatse, the place of famous Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. Enjoy the sight of the huge Thanka Wall that is clearly visible on the northern side of the road. You stay overnight at a hotel in Xigatse.
Day 04 :
Drive from Shigatse to Gyantse (3,950 m) which is 90 kilometers. After visiting Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the local market place at Shigatse in the morning drive to Gyantse. This drive lasts for about 2 hours. Gyantse is a small bustling town situated on the northern bank of Nyang Chu River and it is 264 Kilometers southwest of Lhasa, the final destination. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. A visit of Kumbum Chorten built around 1400 AD is also worth experiencing. During the British rule in India Gyantse became the main centre of trade with India. You stay overnight at hotel in Gyantse.
Day 05 :
Drive from Gyantse to Lhasa (3650 m) which is 264 kilometers. You stay overnight at hotel in Lhasa. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses two high passes, Karo La (5,010 m) and Kamba La (4,794 m) and it is a drive for about 08 hours. Karo La climbs between two lofty mountains Khang Sa (7,223 m) and Ralung (6236 m.) The drive following the bank of Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) takes about 01 hour. After crossing Kamba La, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses the famous Brahmaputra River. After reaching Lhasa, check in to your hotel. The accompanied guide will reconfirm your onward flight ticket.
Day 06-07 :
Sightseeing in and around Lhasa. These two days you will visit Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace, Jorkhang and surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung and Sera Monasteries.
One of the highlights is the visit to the symbol of Tibet: The Potala Palace. Set high on Red Hill, it was the winter home of the Dalai Lama until 1959. The most sacred temple in Lhasa is the Lokhang, where people come from all over Tibet to visit and pray in this spiritual heart of the country. It was used as a military kitchen during the Cultural Revolution but has now been beautifully restored, with many priceless thangkas and statues adorning the chapels, and magnificent gilded roofs.
Another great treasure is the Norbulingka - The old summer palace of the Dalai Lama.
Now you visit Jorkhang temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Surrounding the Jorkhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Around the Barkhor there are numerous stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts: Brightly colored boots, fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewellery, rosaries, prayer flags and charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets, and all manner of ordinary household ware.
Next you visit the Sera monastery. It was built in 1419, and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild roses.” Today, 200 lamas still live there. On the other hand, Drepung Monastery is the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks.
Both nights at hotel in Lhasa.
Day 08 :
Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950 m.) Today is a full-day, picturesque drive, crossing over a colorful Yamdrok Lake and Kambala Pass at 4,794 m and Karola Pass at 5,010 m. In Gyantse, you spend time visiting the Pelke Chode Monastery and the famous 35 m high Kumbum stupa. Packed with exquisite Tibetan sculptures and paintings, it is a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet.You stay overnight at a hotel in Gyantse.
Day 09 :
Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900 m.) While Gyantse just fades away from your sight, Shigatse becomes clearer, because it's just a one and half hour drive (98 kilometers.)
Xigatse is situated near the junction of the Ngang and Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) rivers, with many traditional low ceiling, flat roofed, mud brick Tibetan houses, but quite a lot of ugly modern Chinese buildings as well. It is home of the Tashilunpo monastery, traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, and one of the great centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Shigatse also has an interesting bazaar, where various traditional items can often be found at more or less reasonable prices. Shigatse has always been an important trade and administration center and also has political and religious significance, once being the seat of the Panchen Lama. The town is essentially divided into two parts: The old Tibetan style area in the city, and the concrete, modern Chinese part of the town. The older streets and alleys here are very pleasant to wander, and there are a few sights of interest to warrant a stay of a day or two.
Here you go to Tashilunpo Monastery and the free Tibetan market. Tashilhunpo (Heap of Glory) Monastery is seat of the Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, it is the head monastery of Yellow Hat sect (Gelukgonpa). Today, it is one of Tibet's most active monasteries. You stay overnight at a hotel in Shigatse.
Day 10 :
Drive from Shigatse to Xegar (4,350m) which takes approximately 8 hours. You stay overnight at a hotel in Xegar.
Day 11 :
Drive from Xegar to Zhangmu (2,300 m.) You drive to Zhangmu crossing Lalung la Pass (5050m) and Nyalamu Pass (3800 m.) This drive offers fantastic view of high mountains including Mt. Everest (8848 m.) You stay overnight at a hotel in Zhangmu.
Day 12 :
Drive from Zhangmu to Kathmandu. Drive downhill to Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for your journey to Kathmandu.
END OF TIBET SPECIAL TOUR
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