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.
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 (3400m.). 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.
Day 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 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 Street 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 manners of ordinary household ware.
Next you visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419, 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. In contrast, Drepung Monastery is the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks.
You stay overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
Day 04 :
Full day excursion to Namtso Lake, so called the “Sky Lake”, same day drive back to Lhasa and visit Yangpacheng Hot Spring en route. Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 05 :
Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse (3,950 m) via Yamdrok Lake. You stay overnight at hotel in Gyantse. 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.
Day 06 :
In Gyantse you spend time visiting the Pelke Chode Monastery and the 35 m high famous Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse, packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings. It is truely a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. After lunch you drive to Shigatse. Stay overnight in Shigatse.
Day 07 :
In morning, you visit Tashilunbo Monastery whereas in the evening you drive to Xegar and visit Sakya Monastery en route.
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, but quite a lot of 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. Built in 1447, it is the head monastery of Yellow Hat sect (Gelukgonpa). It is today one of Tibet's most active monasteries.
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.
In evening you drive to Xegar and visit Sakya Monastery en route. Sakya Monastery is the oldest and most important Bon Po Monastery.
Stay overnight in Xegar.
Day 08 :
Drive from Xegar to Dza Rongbuk Monastery, excursion from Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp I by local carriage, and return. Stay overnight in Rongbuk.
Day 09 :
Excursion around Rongbuk and Everest region, same day drive directly to Nyalam. Stay overnight in Nyalam.
Day 10 :
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.go2trek.com
http://www.firstetrek.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Simikot - Kailash - Nyalam tour (22 days)
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02 :
City tour including Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03 :
Flight Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Overnight at hotel in Nepalgunj.
Day 04 :
Morning flight Nepalgunj to Simikot. trek to Dharapuri. Camping at Dharaputi.
Day 05 :
Trek to Kermi. Camping at Kermi.
Day 06 :
Trek to Yalbang Gompa. Camping at Yalbang Gompa.
Day 07 :
Trek to Tumkot. Camping at Tumkot.
Day 08 :
Trek to Thado Dhunga. Camping at Thado Dhunga.
Day 09 :
Trek over Nara La Pass (4450 meters.) and trek down to Hilsa (Nepal – Tibet border). Camping at Hilsa.
Day 10 :
Half an hour trek to Sher, then drive to Purang. Overnight at Guesthouse in Purang.
Day 11 :
Drive to Manasarovar Lake. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 12 :
Rest day at Manasarovar Lake. Visit Chiu Gompa in the morning. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 13 :
Drive to Darchen. Camping at Darchen.
Day 14 :
Trek to Derapuk. Camping at Derapuk.
Day 15 :
Trek over Dolma La Pass (5600 meters.) and trek down to Zudulpuk. camp. Camping at Zudulpuk.
Day 16 :
Trek to Darchen. Camping at Darchen.
Day 17 :
Drive to Paryang. Camping at Paryang.
Day 18 :
Drive to Saga. Camping at Saga.
Day 19 :
Drive to Nyalam. Overnight at Guesthouse in Nyalam.
Day 20 :
Drive to Friendship Bridge, then to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 21 :
Sightseeing tour at Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar squares. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 22 :
Drive to Airport for your onward journey.
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
Day 01 :
Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). Transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02 :
City tour including Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03 :
Flight Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Overnight at hotel in Nepalgunj.
Day 04 :
Morning flight Nepalgunj to Simikot. trek to Dharapuri. Camping at Dharaputi.
Day 05 :
Trek to Kermi. Camping at Kermi.
Day 06 :
Trek to Yalbang Gompa. Camping at Yalbang Gompa.
Day 07 :
Trek to Tumkot. Camping at Tumkot.
Day 08 :
Trek to Thado Dhunga. Camping at Thado Dhunga.
Day 09 :
Trek over Nara La Pass (4450 meters.) and trek down to Hilsa (Nepal – Tibet border). Camping at Hilsa.
Day 10 :
Half an hour trek to Sher, then drive to Purang. Overnight at Guesthouse in Purang.
Day 11 :
Drive to Manasarovar Lake. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 12 :
Rest day at Manasarovar Lake. Visit Chiu Gompa in the morning. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 13 :
Drive to Darchen. Camping at Darchen.
Day 14 :
Trek to Derapuk. Camping at Derapuk.
Day 15 :
Trek over Dolma La Pass (5600 meters.) and trek down to Zudulpuk. camp. Camping at Zudulpuk.
Day 16 :
Trek to Darchen. Camping at Darchen.
Day 17 :
Drive to Paryang. Camping at Paryang.
Day 18 :
Drive to Saga. Camping at Saga.
Day 19 :
Drive to Nyalam. Overnight at Guesthouse in Nyalam.
Day 20 :
Drive to Friendship Bridge, then to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 21 :
Sightseeing tour at Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar squares. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 22 :
Drive to Airport for your onward journey.
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
Saga Dawa Festival Tour (24 days)
"Saga Dawa is an important Tibetan Buddhist festival, held each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, to celebrate Sakyamuni 's enlightenment." That's what every guidebook will tell you. But actually having been there at that moment, it is more like being part of a magic event - something that gets a total grip on all of your senses. So what's going on? Each year, they replace the Tarboche flagpole, a huge pole that stands round of Kailash. People from all over Tibet gather here that day to attach their prayer flags they brought from home, to pray, and to help erect the flagpole. The flagpole should stand perfectly upright, or else things are not good for Tibet. A Lama leads the whole ceremony from the nearby monastery. It's his job to make it work right the first time.
Day of Saga Dawa: People circulate the flagpole that is down on the ground now. They pray and throw 'wind horses' (little pieces of colored paper with Buddhist scriptures on them) into the air. They help to remove last year's prayer flags and attach new ones. As a visitor you are almost forced to follow them as they go around and around, time after time. Along the sides, on the slope of the nearby hills, a lot of people are sitting to watch the spectacle, and there are musicians who play all the time on their horns and symbols.
The flagpole is first erected halfway, using A-structures and ropes. The Lama continually gives instructions on how to do it, when to stop, and when to go on. Everyone can help pulling the ropes, that's the 'non-organized' part of it, but there are always plenty of people doing this spontaneously. When they cannot go further using the A-structures, they pause for about half an hour. The Lama sits on the side, and all the time people come to sit in front of them, to talk to him, to give him some gift (mostly some drink!), to ask him for good fortune. They do not line-up, however. As soon as someone is gone, someone else comes walking out of the crowds - it all seems like it is not organized, but in fact it's a very special kind of organization!
Then comes the final part, the last step that has to result in the perfect upright position of the flagpole. A steel cable is attached to two trucks, engines are warmed up, and then, on the sign of the Lama, and they go backward, pulling the flagpole. To be able to control the movement, on both sides of the flagpole people pull ropes too, to prevent it doesn't incline to one or the other direction. Once the trucks start moving, it all goes very fast, the flagpole is moving, the A-structures that were supporting it, fall down, and only seconds later it is all over. And then big magic occurs, the flagpole stands upright, and at that very moment, thousands of wind horses fly into the sky... like an explosion of prayers going to the heavens. You can really feel a sudden great sense of happiness surrounding you.
The next moment, people start incubating the flagpole again, this time to assure themselves the job is well done, and that all is well. We join them in some kind of almost euphoria. Some hours later the place is empty again, except for the tents further away belonging to the people that will spend the night here, maybe to return the next day, or to do the Kailash parikrama.
The Saga Dawa festival has been held here for the last thousand years. Being part of it just once is such a powerful experience.
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Arrive in Kathmandu and check in to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 02 :
Sightseeing tour at Pashupati, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Zhangmu. Overnight at guesthouse in Zhangmu.
Day 04 :
Drive Zhangmu to Nyalam. Overnight at guesthouse in Nyalam.
Day 05 :
Rest and day hiking Nyalam. Overnight at guesthouse in Nyalam.
Day 06 :
Drive from Nyalam To Tingri. Overnight at guesthouse in Tingri.
Day 07 :
Drive from Tingri to Rongbuk. Camping in Rongbuk.
Day 08 :
Day excursion to Everest Base Camp and back to Tingri. Overnight at guesthouse in Tingri.
Day 09 :
Drive from Tingri to Paigutso Lake. Camping at Paigutso Lake.
Day 10 :
Drive from Paigutso Lake to Saga. Camping at Saga.
Day 11 :
Drive from Saga to Paryang. Camping at Paryang.
Day 12 :
Drive from Paryang to Manasarovar Lake. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 13 :
Drive from Manasarovar Lake to Tarboche (or Darchen.) Camping at Tarboche (or Darchen.)
Day 14 :
Attend to the Saga Dawa at Tarboche. Camping at Tarboche (or Darchen.)
Day 15 :
Start to the Kora. Camping at Dira Puk
Day 16 :
Continue Parikarma over Drom La Pass. Camping in Zutul Puk.
Day 17 :
End Parikarma to Darchen. Camping at Darchen
Day 18 :
Darchen - Manasarovar Lake. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 19 :
Drive from Manasarovar to Paryang. Guest House/Camping in Paryang.
Day 20 :
Drive from Paryang to Saga. Guest house/Camping in Saga.
Day 21 :
Drive from Saga to Nyalam. Guest house/Camping in Nyalam.
Day 22 :
Drive from Nyalam to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 23 :
Free time to explore Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 24 :
Final Departure.
What does our package tour price include?
• Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley as per above program.
• Land Transfer by Jeep in Tibet Part.
• Supporter Truck.
• Chinese visa, and Tibet travel permit.
• English speaking guide during the tour.
• Twin sharing accommodation as per tour program.
• Camping gears for Kailash tour like two men tent/dining tent/kitchen tent/toilet tent & all kitchen gears.
• Full board meal during the camping section.
• Yak and Yak men for Mt. Kailash cora, Nepali guide, cook, helpers.
What isn’t included in our package tour price?
• Cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu and Tibet (besides camping section), Nepal visa, Nepal Re-entry visa, Travel insurance, tips for guide, porters, driver, and yak men.
Again, please keep in mind that we can cater to your specific needs and plan the trip accordingly. If you wish to visit some, but not all of the places listed, let us know and we can make a shorter trip that will make you completely satisfied!
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
Day of Saga Dawa: People circulate the flagpole that is down on the ground now. They pray and throw 'wind horses' (little pieces of colored paper with Buddhist scriptures on them) into the air. They help to remove last year's prayer flags and attach new ones. As a visitor you are almost forced to follow them as they go around and around, time after time. Along the sides, on the slope of the nearby hills, a lot of people are sitting to watch the spectacle, and there are musicians who play all the time on their horns and symbols.
The flagpole is first erected halfway, using A-structures and ropes. The Lama continually gives instructions on how to do it, when to stop, and when to go on. Everyone can help pulling the ropes, that's the 'non-organized' part of it, but there are always plenty of people doing this spontaneously. When they cannot go further using the A-structures, they pause for about half an hour. The Lama sits on the side, and all the time people come to sit in front of them, to talk to him, to give him some gift (mostly some drink!), to ask him for good fortune. They do not line-up, however. As soon as someone is gone, someone else comes walking out of the crowds - it all seems like it is not organized, but in fact it's a very special kind of organization!
Then comes the final part, the last step that has to result in the perfect upright position of the flagpole. A steel cable is attached to two trucks, engines are warmed up, and then, on the sign of the Lama, and they go backward, pulling the flagpole. To be able to control the movement, on both sides of the flagpole people pull ropes too, to prevent it doesn't incline to one or the other direction. Once the trucks start moving, it all goes very fast, the flagpole is moving, the A-structures that were supporting it, fall down, and only seconds later it is all over. And then big magic occurs, the flagpole stands upright, and at that very moment, thousands of wind horses fly into the sky... like an explosion of prayers going to the heavens. You can really feel a sudden great sense of happiness surrounding you.
The next moment, people start incubating the flagpole again, this time to assure themselves the job is well done, and that all is well. We join them in some kind of almost euphoria. Some hours later the place is empty again, except for the tents further away belonging to the people that will spend the night here, maybe to return the next day, or to do the Kailash parikrama.
The Saga Dawa festival has been held here for the last thousand years. Being part of it just once is such a powerful experience.
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Arrive in Kathmandu and check in to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 02 :
Sightseeing tour at Pashupati, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Zhangmu. Overnight at guesthouse in Zhangmu.
Day 04 :
Drive Zhangmu to Nyalam. Overnight at guesthouse in Nyalam.
Day 05 :
Rest and day hiking Nyalam. Overnight at guesthouse in Nyalam.
Day 06 :
Drive from Nyalam To Tingri. Overnight at guesthouse in Tingri.
Day 07 :
Drive from Tingri to Rongbuk. Camping in Rongbuk.
Day 08 :
Day excursion to Everest Base Camp and back to Tingri. Overnight at guesthouse in Tingri.
Day 09 :
Drive from Tingri to Paigutso Lake. Camping at Paigutso Lake.
Day 10 :
Drive from Paigutso Lake to Saga. Camping at Saga.
Day 11 :
Drive from Saga to Paryang. Camping at Paryang.
Day 12 :
Drive from Paryang to Manasarovar Lake. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 13 :
Drive from Manasarovar Lake to Tarboche (or Darchen.) Camping at Tarboche (or Darchen.)
Day 14 :
Attend to the Saga Dawa at Tarboche. Camping at Tarboche (or Darchen.)
Day 15 :
Start to the Kora. Camping at Dira Puk
Day 16 :
Continue Parikarma over Drom La Pass. Camping in Zutul Puk.
Day 17 :
End Parikarma to Darchen. Camping at Darchen
Day 18 :
Darchen - Manasarovar Lake. Camping at Manasarovar Lake.
Day 19 :
Drive from Manasarovar to Paryang. Guest House/Camping in Paryang.
Day 20 :
Drive from Paryang to Saga. Guest house/Camping in Saga.
Day 21 :
Drive from Saga to Nyalam. Guest house/Camping in Nyalam.
Day 22 :
Drive from Nyalam to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 23 :
Free time to explore Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 24 :
Final Departure.
What does our package tour price include?
• Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley as per above program.
• Land Transfer by Jeep in Tibet Part.
• Supporter Truck.
• Chinese visa, and Tibet travel permit.
• English speaking guide during the tour.
• Twin sharing accommodation as per tour program.
• Camping gears for Kailash tour like two men tent/dining tent/kitchen tent/toilet tent & all kitchen gears.
• Full board meal during the camping section.
• Yak and Yak men for Mt. Kailash cora, Nepali guide, cook, helpers.
What isn’t included in our package tour price?
• Cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu and Tibet (besides camping section), Nepal visa, Nepal Re-entry visa, Travel insurance, tips for guide, porters, driver, and yak men.
Again, please keep in mind that we can cater to your specific needs and plan the trip accordingly. If you wish to visit some, but not all of the places listed, let us know and we can make a shorter trip that will make you completely satisfied!
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
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