Kathmandu & Central Tibet Tour – 11 days
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu airport
You will be met by our representative and transfer to hotel. After refreshment in hotel, short briefing about the programs. Overnight at Nirvana garden hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1315m)
Today we explore the Kathmandu valley. SWOYAMBBHUNATH: Climb the many steps to Swayambhunath (the monkey temple) with its commanding views of Kathmandu, its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. PASHUPATINATH: It’s a sacred temple complex on the banks of the holy Bagmati river. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and yellow sit serenely meditating - when they are not posing for photos for rupees. BOUDHANATH: The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. In the midst of traditional gompas, and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, Boudhanath attracts Sherpas, Tibetans and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the stupa.
Day 03: Fly Kathmandu – Lhasa
We drive to the airport to catch a flight to Lhasa. We go to Lhasa by Air China. This is the flight of one hour and it gives you an opportunity to have an aerial view of the Mt. Everest and other Himalayas. We arrive at Gonggar Airport. After completing immigration and custom formalities, we drive to Lhasa which is a 93km drive from the Airport. It is situated in the altitude of 3670m. Upon arrival at Lhasa , we check in the hotel that resides in the heart of the city. Over night stay at Hotel.
Day 04: Lhasa Sight seeing: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Market.
Morning visit Potala palace, the seat of the both religion and politics in Tibet. It was built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songster Gampo and later renovated by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Afternoon visit Jokhang temple and Barkhor market. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 05: Lhasa Sightseeing: Drepung Monasastery and Sera Monastery
Morning visit Drepung monastery, which is the largest monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Lhasa, it was built in 1416 by Jamyang Choejie, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. After visiting Drepung drive to Sera Monastery. Sera monastery 5 kilometer north of Lhasa City, it was built in 1419 by Jamchen Choejie, a disciple of Tsongkapa, and the founder of the Gelugpa sect. Sera is one of the three major monasteries of yellow sect in Tibet..Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06: Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Leaving Lhasa and a long drive of 261km, taking about 5/6 hours including break for lunch at one of the villages’ en-route. We will drive over two spectacular high passes – the Kampa La at 4750m and Karo La at 5010m, over, and along the beautiful deep blue green Lake called Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake. The landscape of the Tibetan Plateau is truly unusual and spectacular. We will arrive in Gyantse an old Tibetan Town against a backdrop of magnificent 14th-15th century fortress and temples. Here we will visit Kumbum Stupa. Kumbum Stupa is an architectural masterpiece built in the style of 108-sided Mandela. It is the most revered stupa in Tibet and houses 112 chapels of which only 23 are open to the public. O/N Hotel (BB).
Day 07: Drive to Shigatse visit Tashilhunpu Monastery & Local Market
After breakfast 2 hours, 60km straight drive to Shigatse the second largest town in Tibet. Shigatse the capital of Tsang Province is 395km west of Lhasa via Gyantse. Shigatse was one of the first towns to be visited by westerners due to close distance with the Indian border. Here, Tashilhunpu Monastery is the place to visit. His Holiness the Panchen Lama (great scholar), the second highest spiritual figure in Tibet after His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The Fifth Dalai Lama built this artistic Palace. There are about 39 amazing chapels inside the Palace including the huge Maitreya Chapel coated with gold, its workmanship certainly impresses everyone, Tushita Chapel containing one thousand small statues of Tsongkhapa founder of Geluk order. Victory Chapel, which is concerted into a school for study and in side the chapel there is a huge gold image of Tsokapa and his two disciples and also the Tomb of the Tenth Panchen Lama just to name a few. In the afternoon, we will visit the local markets for shopping and local sightseeing. O/N Hotel (BB)
Day 08 :Drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km.
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar.
Day 9: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shug La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter.
Day 10 : Zhangmu to Kathmandu.
A few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi river brings you to the Immigration Control in Kodari. Here, you will part with your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to Kathmandu. After driving 5 hours for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu
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Day 11: Departure
After breakfast we'll head towards airport for final departure or continue your onwards trips. Tour ends with THANK YOU
In the aforementioned tours,
It is also possible to take 1 hr mountain flight to Everest
No. of pax
Standard Hotel (BB)
Budget Hotel & Basic Guest House (BB)
01 pax
US$ 2750 per person
US$ 2500 per person
• Tibet Visa Fee (US$ 195 for US National & US$ 100 for Other National)
• Airfare KATHMANDU – LHASA (US$ 480 onward)*Note: All fares are subject to change and subject to availability
Hotel during you stay in Kathmandu :
Nirvana garden Hotel :
http://nirvanagarden.com/new/ SERVICES INCLUDED:
Nepal part:
• All Airport transfers
• Accommodation as per the itinerary in single room with breakfast( deluxe room)
• 1 full day S/S with guide
Tibet Part
• Accommodation as per the itinerary on BB basis (Bed and Breakfast)
• English speaking Tibetan Guide
• Transportation as per the itinerary by Jeep or Van
• Entry fee of mention places
• Tibet Travel permit
• Border Transfer Kodari – Kathmandu
• Service of porter while crossing Friendship Bridge
• Portable Oxygen Cylinder in Vehicle
SERVICES EXCLUDED:
Nepal part:
• Lunch & dinner during your stay at hotel
• S/S entrance fees in Kathmandu
Tibet Part
• Travel Insurance
• Lunch and Dinner in hotel OR restaurant
• Nepal re-entry visa fee
• Liquor beverages (hard and soft drinks)
• Expenses of personal nature, phone calls, laundry etc
• Gratuity to staff
• Services of Porter and other vehicles in between in case of landslides and other natural calamities beyond our control and expenses incurred during rescue services
• Services not mentioned herein
