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Day 01: Kathmandu - Lhasa (by air)
In the morning transfer to airport to connect flight from
Kathmandu to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gongor airport at Lhasa,
transfer to the hotel in Lhasa. From Kathmandu to Lhasa it
would be a scenic flight across the Himalayas. The rest of the
day is at leisure to acclaim yourselves to this high altitude
of Lhasa.
Day 02: Lhasa
In the morning after having breakfast proceed for a
sightseeing tour of Lhasa city. In Lhasa you will visit Potala
Palace. Potala Palace is the dominant landmark of Lhasa which
is situated at a height of 117 meters above the sea level. The
construction of this palace was started on the red hill in
1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. An immense building, 13 stories
high with walls 3 meters thick contains over 1000 rooms,
10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. It was both the residence
of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former head of
state. The Potala Palace is full of elaborate art work and
frescos that tell many stories. In the afternoon you will
drive to visit the Jokhang temple. Jokhang temple was built in
the 7th century A D and houses the most prized Buddhist relic,
a 1300 year old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of
the temple is topped with golden roofs which is found only in
Tibet. After visiting the temple you will have a walk in the
Barkhor Bazaar. It is a lively and colourful market where you
can bargain over such treasures like ornate long bladed
knives, prayer wheels and exquisite jewellery. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 03: Lhasa
In the morning after having breakfast you will visit the
Drepung monastery. This monastery is situated in the west
suburbs of Lhasa city. It was formerly the largest and richest
monastery in the world with about 10000 monks. Of particular
interest is the medieval monk's kitchen with its great
cauldrons of steaming barley 'stamp' sitting on top of huge
earthen stoves and tented by saffron robed monks wielding
massive ladles. From the roof of the monastery one can enjoy
the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley. Then you will visit
the Sera monastery. Sera is more like a small town on the
outskirts of Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main
teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa
Universities - once housing more than 5500 monks. Here you can
see the young novices learning scriptures in the Debating
Garden. In the evening you will visit the Norbulingka Summer
palace. On the banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and
flower filled pard known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park.
Covering a total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was
originally laid out in the year 1750. Norbulingka is also the
site of the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8th to 14th).
The small palace of the 13th Dalai Lama is an odd mix of
traditional Tibetan architecture and modern paraphernalia.
Day 04: Lhasa - Gyantse (3950 m)
Today you will drive from Lhasa to Gyantse via Kampa La pass
(4794 m) and Yamdrok Tso (4482 m) also known as Turquoise Lake
(600 square km.), one of the three largest lakes in Tibet.
Enroute we cross Karo La pass (5010 m) and two other smaller
passes before reaching Gyantse Town. Gyangtse was earlier the
Tibet's third most important city, lying in the Nyangchu
valley and along the main routes from India and Nepal to Lhasa.
In former times it was a fort as well as the centre of Tibet's
wool trade and a gateway to the outside world. You will have
an overnight stay at the hotel in Gyantse.
Day 05: Gyantse - Shigatse (3900 m)
In the morning after having breakfast visit the Phalkor
monastery and Kumbum Stupa designed by Newari architects from
Nepal. The Phalkor monastery has a special influence over
Buddhism owing to its unity of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Bhutan
sects. After visiting the monastery drive to Shigatse.
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. Upon arrival
transfer to the hotel.
Day 06: Shigatse - New Tingri (4342 m)
In the morning after having breakfast visit Tashilhunpo
Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas. This monastery
houses the Maitreya Buddha statue which weighs 275 kgs and is
made of gold and 26 metres in height. After visiting the
monastery drive to New Tingri. On the way cross two passes
which are Tsuo La (4500 m) and Lhakpa La (5220 m). You will
have an overnight stay in the hotel in New Tingri.
Day 07: New Tingri - Zhangmu (2300 m)
Today you will drive from New Tingri to Zhangmu. After leaving
New Tingri there are great views of Mount Everest (Chomulangma)
and Mount Shisapangma. Enroute you will pass Nyalam (3500 m),
an important old trading post and also cross Lalung La (5050
m). This is a very scenic drive as the road cuts through the
Himalaya and the dramatic changes in the vegetation and the
landscape in such a short distance are truly amazing. You will
have an overnight stay in hotel in Zhangmu.
Day 08: Zhangmu - Kathmandu (1390 m)
In the morning after having breakfast you will drive to
Kathmandu. After immigration and custom formalities, drive to
Friendship Bridge, the border of Nepal and China. Then you
will cross the bridge on foot to Kodari and drive to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival transfer to the airport for the flight to onwards
journey.
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