Day 1| Kathmandu

Highlights [top]

• From Lhassa to Katmandu, discover the Tibetan high plateau and cross the Himalayan range to reach Nepal.
• Fly over the Everest for one of nicest mountain flight.
• Sightseeing of Lhassa and main sites of central Tibet, Potala, Jokhang, big monasteries.

Description [top]

This itinerary dive us nto Tibetan tradition through discovering main cultural sites of central Tibet.

Lhassa deep us immediately into Tibetan and Buddhist land with its many sites dedicated to spiritual thinking: the Potala palace and its impressive statues and tankhas collection, the great monastic universities of Sera and Drepung where monks still practice philosophical debates, Jokhang temple set in heart of old town…

Heading to everest, we start to cross the high Tibetan plateau at more than 4000 meters high. The villages of Gyantse, Shalu, Shigatse, Sakya are along the way as many cultural stages. The Everest, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma tower the surroundings.

Slowly the landscape shift and dry land vanishes. Coming back in Nepal on the road to Katmandu the difference between nepali villages, luxurious vegetation and rice and Tibetan high plateau is striking.

Tour Map [top]

Enlarge Map

Days detail [top]

Day 1 | Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal

Arrival in Katmandu and check in hotel.

Day 2 | Patan, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal

Katmandu: Visit of Patan, one of three old imperial city of the valley, mainly Buddhist town, famous for its bronze statue handcraft. Visit of Patan museum, one of nicest of Asia and have lunch there.

Then visit Pashupati, Hindu place of cremation dedicated to Shiva where pilgrims come to bath in holy river Bagmati. End of afternoon, you can visit the great stupa of Bodhnath and visit surrounding Tibetan monasteries. Back to your hotel in Katmandu.

Day 3 | Tsetang, Tsetang, Tibet, China

Flight to Gongkar (1 h). Arrival in Gongkar Airport (3 h of time difference). Way to Tsetang (4 hours).

Tsetang is in middle of the Yarlung valley, cradle of Tibetan civilization, before the King Songtsen Gampo (VIth century) settle his capital in Lhassa.
Transport: microbus
Accommodation: Hotel in Tsetang

Day 4 | Samye Yambulakang, Dranang, Tibet, China

Morning, excursion to Samye that we reach after crossing the Tsangpo ( Brahmaputra) Samye's monastery is nestling inside oasis surrounded by dunes and mountains. Samye was first monastery built in Tibet thanks to help of Indian yogi Padmasambhava who mastered the demons preventing building the temple (VIIIth century).

The monastery was erected according to map of a Mandala. When it was achieved, the King Trisong Detsen organized great discussion (792) to chose between indian and chines buddhism. After Indian victory, the whole country started to follow and still follow this faith.
Picnic at noon.

Afternoon of visit of castle of Yambulakang (15 Km from Tsetang) which sheltered the first Tibetan kings and dates from Vth century.

Day 5 | Mindroling Dolma Lakhang, Tsetang, Tibet, China

Tsetang - Lhassa (4 h).
Drive to Lhassa and visit monastery, seat of Nyingmapa (Elders) and village of Mindroling passing by.
Up to the Tsangpo, we will stop in Dolma Lakhang masterwork of Atisha (XIth century). Arrival in Lhassa end of afternoon. Diner and overnight in Lhassa.

Day 6 | Lhassa, Lhassa, Tibet, China

6) et 7) Visit of famous and more unknown sites of Lhassa: Potala, big monastic universities of Sera and Drepung, the Jolkhang surrounded by the Bharkor… Breakfast, diner and night in same hotel.

Day 7 | Lhassa, Lhassa, Tibet, China

Same as day above

Day 8 | Gyantse, Gyantse, Tibet, China

Route Lhassa to Gyantse (7 h).
Leaving the Tsangpo valley, we cross the Kampa La (4 900 m) and have view on Yamdrok Lake (Turquoise) and snow-capped peaks. We'll visit Gyantse and the great stupa of Kumbum of newari.
Transport: Microbus
Lunch on the way, diner and night at hotel Gyantse.

Day 9 | Shigatse, Shigatse, Tibet, China

Route to Shigatse (60 Km). Visit of famous monastery of Shalu.
Afternoon free to roam in market of Shigatse. Night and diner at hotel in Shigatse.

Day 10 | Shegar, Shegar, Tibet, China

Shigatse - Shegar.
Morning visit of Tashilumpo, seat of Panchen Lama with huge statue of Maitreya (23 m high).

Route for Shegar, visite of Sakya in mongol style (if road allows it), seat of Sakyapa who ruled Tibet in XVth century. Cross a 5000 m high pass. First sight on Everest.
Accommodation: Night at hotel in Shegar

Day 11 | Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal

Shegar/Kathmandu.
Route to Népal through one of highest road of world (5200 m) next to Everest, le Cho Oyu and Shishapangma then down to Nepal.

Then 5 hours of driving through rivers and nepali villages. Contrast with Tibetan high plateau. Evening Arrival in Katmandu.
Accommodation: Night at Shangri-la in Katmandu in B/B

Day 12 | Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal

Day for visiting Bhaktapur 15 Km from Katmandu, wonderful medieval city belonging to UNESCO world heritage
Accommodation: Night in Katmandu.

Day 13 | Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal

Free time in Katmandu and then international flight.

Trip notes [top]

Period [top]

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec

Included [top]

• All transport and transfers in private vehicle in Tibet
• Accommodation in B/B in Tibet.
• Visits and fee for sightseeing and sites
• All excursions as in programme 
• Tibetan English-speaking guide in Tibet
• Special permit for Tibet
• Visa Tibet
• 2 transfers from Hotel in Katmandu to airport for flying to and back from Tibet

Not included [top]

• International airfare and airport taxes.
• Drinks, tips…
• Visa for Nepal to issue directly in Katmandu airport (30$ or 25€ and identity photo to take with you).
• All Accommodation in Katmandu

Notes [top]

• Compulsory Supplement:Plane Katmandu/Gongkar: € 240/pax (increase possible)
• Single Supplement in Tibet: € 120 - We must be issued your visa for Tibet in Chinese embassy of Katmandu.
• Trip possible for two pax: € 1035/pax - one pax: € 1880/pax
• Ask us our special prices for large group.
• Here is flight schedule Katmandu/Lhassa for 2008:
  
  • From 1st July to 25th October daily flight.
  • From 26th October to end of year: flight Tuesday and Saturday

Equipment [top]

• To add