A high altitude tour that explores the main historical and cultural sights of Tibet . Tour grade: high altitude touring. Situated in the rain shadow of the Himalaya , is a vast expanse of open landscape, big skies and magnificent light and color. This is the Tibetan Plateau with an average altitude of 4000m. Travel in Tibet is not easy. The roads are often bumpy, dusty and journeys can be long and uncomfortable. Outside of Lhasa , hotels are basic with a limited choice of food. However, a journey in Tibet is an adventure, a special experience of a unique culture where religion and Buddhist faith are inseparable from everyday life. This faith is expressed in many ways, from the spinning of prayer wheels to the circumambulation of Mt Kailas. The restoration of temples and monasteries are a tribute to the resilience of the Tibetan people who welcome visitors to their country.

This tour provides an overview of the main religious and cultural sights on the Plateau with time to explore the fascinating city of Lhasa . Our August departure co-incides with the spectacular Shoton or Yoghurt Festival in Lhasa . We fly to Lhasa and transfer to Samye next to the mighty Yarlong Tsangpo River . We cross the river and drive through a vast expanse of sand dunes to Samye , Tibet 's first monastery founded in 779. The next day we recross the river to explore the ancient castle of Yambu Lakhang situated high on a spur that offers commanding views of the Yarlong Tsangpo Valley . We move on to Gyantse, via the incredibly beautiful turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso; then Shigatse and the imposing Tashilumpo Monastery:; finally back to Lhasa , the ‘ Forbidden City ' of Tibet .

Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02 : Kathmandu : - Today we will visit one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Bodnath and meet with a teacher for a lesson and blessing before flying to Tibet . In the afternoon we will drive to the ancient city of Patan and visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp. A highlight of any tour is the visit to the ‘ Golden Temple ' where gilded statues and shrines are enclosed within a courtyard ringed by prayer wheels and butter lamps. There will be plenty of time to wander through the bazaars of Thamel and explore this fascinating city. During this time our Visas for Tibet will be processed.

Day 03 : Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa : - This spectacular 1 hr flight crosses the Himalaya and passes close to Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga . The views are simply amazing. At the airport we will be met by our guide and take the 11/2 hour drive into Lhasa . In the evening we will take dinner and witness some Tibetan Opera from the foremost opera group in Lhasa . This group of professional musicians and dancers perform in many of the villages around Lhasa and also at the main Shoton festival. The sketch of a nomad's life complete with yaks is a highlight of a stunning performance.

Day 04 : Guided sightseeing of Lhasa : - Today we will visit the Norbulingka summer palace of the Dalai Lama and the Jokhang Temple A highlight of a visit to Lhasa has got to be the circumambulation of the Jokhang Temple . This is the spiritual heart of the city and we will join the pilgrims in the Barkhor square which later in the day is turned into the main commercial district of old Lhasa. Here you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, carpets, prayer flags, hats and even gold teeth! In the early evening Barkhor Square takes on the atmosphere of a medieval carnival with entertainment provided by musicians and wild Khampa nomads from western Tibet. Where possible we will also visit the Ani Sankhung nunnery that is a very moving experience in a visit to Lhasa

Day 05 : Guided sightseeing of Lhasa : - We will visit the Potala Palace , a vast white and ochre fortress that used to be the residence of H.H the Dalai Lama and the seat of Tibetan Government. Inside there are numerous passageways and dark caverns that contain icons of Tibetan Buddhist religion. Sera Monastery is a large complex of teaching colleges that in its heyday housed 5000 monks. Today several hundred monks attend the college and we may be lucky enough to witness a debating session held in the monastery gardens. In the evening there will be the opportunity to sample Lhasa nightlife in a Tibetan bar that is a unique mix of traditional folklore, modern Tibet music and working mans club.

Day 06 : Tsurphu Monastery 4480m: - It takes around 2 hours to drive the 70km to Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. There is an excellent summary of the Karmapa connection with the West in the Lonely Planet guidebook to Tibet that we provide as part of a complimentary information pack.

Day 07 : Lhasa sightseeing: - At Drepung Monastery we will see the large teaching chapels that contain many statues of Tibetan deities and some enormous Thanka paintings that hang from the ceiling. One of the special sights is a visit to the kitchens where in the dimly lit interior giant cauldrons of Tibetan butter tea are stirred with enormous ladles. Below Drepung is Nechung Monastery that until 1959 was the seat of the State Oracle. The chapels contain frightening images of demons and wrathful deities that reflect the association of Nechung with exorcism and other pre-Buddhist rites.

Day 08 : Ganden Monastery 4500m: - Ganden was founded by Tshongkapa and is the main seat of the Gelugpa sect. Today it is undergoing restoration and reconstruction after the almost total devastation during the Cultural Revolution. The drive is incredibly beautiful as the road follows the Kyi Chu River before climbing up an impressive series of hairpin bends. At Ganden we will walk around the kora, which takes 2 - 3 hrs. The views of the valley and surrounding mountains are magnificent and improve with every step.

Day 09 : Shigatse, 3900m: - It is a 250km drive to Shigatse on quite good paved roads through a broad river valley. Fields of mustard and pink buckwheat add vibrant color to the dry landscape. We follow the Brahmaputra River to Shigatse, the second largest town in Tibet and an important trading and administrative centre. In the afternoon we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama.

Day 10 : Gyangtse 3950m: - It takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach Gyangtse along a dusty unpaved road. Hilltop forts guard a barren landscape dotted with large carvings of ' Om mani padme um', the ever present mantra of Tibet . At Gyangtse we have time to visit the Gyangtse Kumbum. This giant stupa raises over four symmetrical floors, and a clockwise route spirals up through them passing through eight chapels. Each chapel has a vast collection of wall murals depicting various Tibetan deities. It is quite dark inside and a small torch makes it easier to view the statues and magnificent cloth thankas.

Day 11 : Tsedang. 3550m: - Today is a spectacular drive that after 31/2 hours crosses the Karo La at 5010m before following the turquoise waters of the sacred lake of Yamdrok Tso . We climb again to the Kamba La reached in another 3-4 hrs, at 4794m, from where there is a spectacular view of Yamdrok Tso behind us. The road descends in a series of switchbacks to eventually join the Yarlung Tsangpo visible way below. At this point the road becomes paved again and we follow this for 3-4 hrs to Tsedang. This is a long yet spectacular day and can take over 10 hrs depending upon the condition of the road.

Day 12 : Tsedang: - It takes about 11/2 hours to reach the crossing point to Samye, the oldest monastery in Tibet . Our flat-bottomed boat takes about 11/2 hours to cross the Yarlung Tsangpo River yet on the return with the current behind us it takes only half an hour! On the opposite bank we board a truck that for the 20min drive across the sand dunes to Samye. We have ample time to explore the monastery and the many chapels. A torch is useful to see the incredible wall murals painted around the central chapel. Irrigation channels have brought life to this desert region. Crops of green barley are interspersed with plots of yellow and white mustard. Samye was founded in 779 by Trisong Detsen who invited Padmasambhava, to Tibet . Legend states that Padmasambhava magically forced the Tibetan demons to haul stone and wood from the rivers and forests each night so that men could build the monastery by day. In 791 King Trisong Detsen proclaimed Buddhism as the official religion of Tibet . After lunch we will recross the river and move on to explore the Yarlung Valley , approx 45mins from Tsedang and visit the fortress like structure of Yambu Lakhang. The tapering tower stands alone on a rocky outcrop with fantastic views over the Yarlung Valley .

Day 13 : Kathmandu : - An early morning departure is required to reach the airport for the flight to Kathmandu

Day 14 : Free day in Kathmandu to shop and browse where there is the option of visiting a Himalayan Healing Center to experience a Tai massage in its truest form.
Day 15 : Transfer to the airport for departure.

Cost:
4-8 Person Euro 1376.00
9-12 Person Euro 1032.00

Cost Includes

1. Hotel with full board in Kathmandu 4 Star Hotel.
2. Airports pick up and drop services.
3. One half day sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu.
4. Pick up and drop services
5. Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa and Kodari to Kathmandu
6. Transport by 4W Japanese Land Cruiser.
7. Supporting Truck for Luggage.
8. Nepali Team Leader and Supporting Team.
9. English speaking Tibetan guide.
10. Chinese visa fee of Nepali and Client.
11. Sleeping mat, Jacket and Sleeping Bag while on Shoton Tour (returnable after trip).
12. Guesthouses and camping charges in Tibet .
13. All camping and cooking equipment.
14. All entrance and conservation fee of Tibet

Cost excludes

1. Airfares from Home - Kathmandu - Home.
2. All beverages, Photography charges and Telephone calls.
3. Insurance of clients.
4. Riding Yak/Horse for Shoton festival (direct payable to Yak/horse harder)
5. Extra cost in the event of landslide for hiring additional transportation Euro 241.00 per person.
6. Kodari land tax Euro 138 per pax (direct payable at Kodari)
7. Services other than specified.