Obviously, you will find many similarities when comparing itineraries. Keep in mind though, that these itineraries are merely examples. We are happy to design a custom tour just for you to fit your traveling needs and desires!
Tibet in particular has many restrictions for foreign travelers. In most cases, the maximum amount of time you can stay is one or two weeks, but there are options to stay longer if you are interested.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information! We love sharing information and are eager to share this wonderful part of the world with you! :-)
Mailing Address:
First Environmental Trekking (P.) Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O.Box : 8056
Tel : + 977-1-4417343
+ 977-1- 4424346
Mobile: +977-9851038817
+977-9851022303
Fax : + 977-1-4423855
E-mail : firstentrek@wlink.com.np
http://www.go2trek.com
http://www.firstetrek.com
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tibet tour (Drive in-Fly out)
Tibet tour 2
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Zhangmu (2,300 m), approximately 123 Kilometers. The vehicle leaves Kathmandu and paves its way through Kodari Highway leading to the Tibetan Border. It offers beautiful views of the villages 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, drive uphill to Zhangmu Immigration Post. You leave your vehicles here and start a short walk of about one hour 30 minutes uphill with porters to Zhangmu Immigrations, known to Nepalese as Khasa, which hangs on a cliff face. The main features are its boom town architecture, having a temporary look, and the monastery roofs that are sheathed in corrugated iron sheets. It is situated at a height of 2,500 m. Overnight at hotel in Zhangmu.
Day 02 :
Drive from Zhangmu to Xegar (4,350 m) which is 244 Kilometers. Today you drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape, crossing over Nyalamu Pass (3,800 m) and Lalung-La (Pass) at 5,050m, with views of beautiful Himalayan Ranges panorama including the 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.]
Zhangmu is another town that lies in the shadow of what was once a great fortress, although even in ruins it is majestic. Seeming to grow out of the craggy brown rock, its sinuous 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. Xegar, also called "new tingri," is surrounded by mountains. You stay overnight at hotel in Xegar.
Day 03 :
Drive from Xegar to Shigatse (3,900 m), which is 244 Kilometers. Shigatse 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 Shigatse there is facility for having tea/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. You reach Xigatse, the place of famous Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. You can enjoy the sight of the huge Thanka Wall, which is clearly visible on the northern side of the road. You stay overnight at hotel in Shigatse.
Day 04 :
Drive from Shigatse to Gyangtse (3,950 m), which is about 90 kilometers. After visiting the Tashi Lumpo Monastery and the local market place at Shigatse, you drive to Gyangtse. This drive lasts for about 2 hours. Gyangtse 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 a worth experiencing. During the British rule in India, Gyangtse became the main center of trade with India. You stay overnight at a hotel in Gyangtse.
Day 05 :
Drive from Gyangtse to Lhasa (3650 m) which is 264 Kilometers. You stay overnight at hotel. On the way to Lhasa the road crosses two high passes, Karo La (5,010m.) and Kamba La (4,794 m) and it is a drive for about 8 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. You stay overnight at a hotel in Lhasa.
Day 06-07 :
Sightseeing in and around Lhasa. These two days you will visit Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace, Jorkhang and the 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 thankas 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 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 and fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewelry, rosaries, prayer flags, charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary household ware.
Next you visit the Sera monastery. It was created 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 still, 200 lamas live there. On the other hand, Drepung Monastery is the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks
You stay overnight at a hotel in Lhasa.
Day 08 :
Fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu takes one hour and during your flight, you can see Yarlung Tsangpo River, Yamdrok Tso [Lake], Mount Kanchanjungha (8,586 m), Mount Makalu (8,463 m) and Mount Everest (8,848 m.) However, the visibility depends on the weather condition. Your Tibet Tour ends upon your arrival to Kathmandu Airport.
Mailing Address:
First Environmental Trekking (P.) Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O.Box : 8056
Tel : + 977-1-4417343
+ 977-1- 4424346
Mobile: +977-9851038817
+977-9851022303
Fax : + 977-1-4423855
E-mail : firstentrek@wlink.com.np
http://www.firstetrek.com
Tibet tour (Fly in-Drive out)
Tibet tour 1
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Fly from Kathmandu to the Gonggar airport of Lhasa (90 kilometers from the main city.) This afternoon remains free for acclimatization. You stay overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
Early morning you are transferred to the airport to board the plane for the flight over the Himalaya to Lhasa. If the weather is clear there are wonderful views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks en route. On arrival at Gonggar airport (which is 90 kilometers from Lhasa), you meet your vehicle and drive east along the broad Yarlung Tsangpo valley to Tsedang (3400 m.) After checking in to your hotel, you drive south to see the reputed oldest building in Tibet, the Yumbu Lakhang, a beautiful castle-like dwelling and monastery, dramatically perched on a spur looking out over the fertile valley below. If time permits you may be able to visit a small monastery close to Tsedang, or an interesting carpet factory where you can see the whole process of carpet making.
Days 02-03 :
On these days you will visit Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace, Jorkhang, surrounding of Barkhor Street, 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 thankas 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 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 jewelry, rosaries, prayer flags, charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary household ware.
Next you visit the Sera monastery. It was created 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 still, 200 lamas live there. On the other hand, Drepung Monastery is the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks
You stay overnight at a hotel in Lhasa both nights.
Day 04 :
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 35 m high famous Kumbum Stupa inGyantse packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings, a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. You stay overnight at hotel in Gyantse.
Day 05 :
Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (3,900 m.) With Gyantse just fades away from your sight, Shigatse becomes clearer because it's just a one and half hour drive (98 km.)
Shigatse is situated near the junction of the Ngang and Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) rivers, with many traditional low-ceiling, flat-roofed, mud-brick Tibetan houses, and quite a lot of modern Chinese buildings as well. It is home of the Tashilunpo Monastery, the 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 staying a day or two.
Here you go to Tashilunpo Monastery and Tibetan market. Tashilhunpo (Heap of Glory) Monastery is seat of the Panchen Lamas. Built in 1447, it is the head monastery of the Yellow Hat sect (Gelukgonpa.) Today, it is one of Tibet's most active monasteries.
You stay overnight at hotel in Shigatse.
Day 06 :
Drive from Shigatse to Xegar (4,350 m), which takes approximately 8 hours. You stay overnight at a hotel in Xegar.
Day 07 :
Drive from Xegar to Zhangmu.
You drive to Zhangmu crossing Lalung la Pass (5050 m) 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 08 :
Drive from Zhangmu to Kathmandu. Drive downhill to Friendship Bridge where transportation awaits for your journey to Kathmandu. Tour ends upon arrival to Kathmandu.
Mailing Address:
First Environmental Trekking (P.) Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O.Box : 8056
Tel : + 977-1-4417343
+ 977-1- 4424346
Mobile: +977-9851038817
+977-9851022303
Fax : + 977-1-4423855
E-mail : firstentrek@wlink.com.np
http://www.firstetrek.com
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