Overview: This unforgettable adventure is a seven night/eight day independent tour for the spirited traveler. While we do not include a formal group leader, an experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking guide accompanies our group throughout their journey. During May and June we travel overland to Lhasa and fly back to Kathmandu. From July through November we fly to Lhasa and ride back to Kathmandu. These are our seasonal tour orientations but they can also be reversed depending on local conditions and flight availability. Important Note: You must be in Kathmandu, Nepal, a minimum of four business days before you plan to enter Tibet so your Chinese visa with the Tibet endorsement can be obtained.
High altitude and difficult roads make this a trip for the adventurous and fit explorer. There will be satisfactory and comfortable accommodation throughout your journey. Bear in mind that food standards in Tibet can vary widely. Your package includes lodging with breakfast only (as indicated in bold at the end of each days description). Other meals are independently arranged by the participants. Ground transportation is by reliable mini bus, with the continuous services of a local English-speaking guide. Our adventure highlights include visits to the Potala and Jorkhang in Lhasa, travel to Shigatse and Gyantse and traversing the breathtaking Lalung Pass at an altitude of 17,102 feet.
What an experience!
Leadership: This trip will be accompanied by our Engligh-speaking, experienced, local Tibetan guide.
Tibet Adventure Day-To-Day Itinerary Detail:
Saturday: Pick up from your Kathmandu hotel at 7:30 a.m. and transfer to Kathmandu airport for a 10:00 a.m. flight by Air China to Lhasa, Tibet. This flight (1 hr. 15 minutes). is spectacular! Flying over the Himalayan Range with excellent views of the mountains, including Mt. Everest, the highest peak on earth. You arrive at the Gonggar Airport (10,050 feet) in the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley. The 56-mile drive into Lhasa (11,830 feet) takes about two hours. Check in at your hotel and take a complete rest to aid acclimatization. (Breakfast)
Sunday: At 10:00 a.m. we visit the Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. The majestic 13-story, 1,000-room Potala is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet. We take a lunch break. from 1:00-2:45 p.m. We then drive 20 minutes to Sera Monastery, situated on a mountain slope north of Lhasa city at 12,150 feet. This monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is one of the three great monasteries of Tibet, the other two being Drepung and Ganden. Time permitting, we will also visit Norbulingka, the summer palaces of the Dalai Lamas. We arrive at our hotel at 6 p. m. (Breakfast)
Monday: At 10:00 a.m. we drive 20 about 20 minutes to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet. It also belongs to the Gelugpa sect and has plenty of historical relics (Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts). We take a lunch break. from 1:00-3:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. we visit the Seventh century Jorkhang Temple with architectural features from the Tang Dynasty and from Indian and Nepali Buddhist Temples. It houses many historical relics of Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songsten Gompo, Princess Wencheng from China and Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal.
Later, it's time to explore the Barkhor market, which, in the early 1950s, was an exciting year-round trade fair crowded with merchants from all over central Asia. We arrive at our hotel at 6 p. m. (Breakfast)
Tuesday: After breakfast at 9:30 a.m., we drive eight hours to Gyantse (13,000 feet) via Kampa La Pass (15,725 feet) and Yamdrok Tso, also known as the Turquoise Lake. It is one of the three largest lakes in Tibet. After crossing Karo La Pass (16,500 feet) and two other smaller passes, we arrive in Gyantse. Overnight at a Gyantse Hotel. (Breakfast)
Wednesday: Starting our day at 9:00 a.m., we visit Phalkhor monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, designed by Newari architects from Nepal. The Phalkhor has a special influence over Buddhism in Tibet, owing to its unity of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Bhutan sects. The Kumbum is truly incredible. Kumbum literally means "temple of a thousand images." At 11:00 a.m. we drive two hours to Shigatse (12,800 feet) By 2:00 p.m. we visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas. This is the monastery founded by Gedum Drup, who was later recognized as the first Dalai Lama. The main statue of this monastery is the Maitreya Buddha made from 600 pounds of gold and measuring eight feet in height. Overnight at Hotel. (Breakfast)
Thursday: Today at 10:00 a.m. we drive about 7 hours to Shegar/New Tingri (14,241 feet). Along the way, we cross two passes: Tsuo La (14,760 feet) and Lhakpa La (17,121 feet). We will visit one of the Tibetan villages en route. Overnight in Hotel Chomulangma, Shegar/New Tingri. (Breakfast)
Friday: Today we start a high altitude road journey. We steer toward lower ground throughout the day to arrive near the Nepal border with Tibet. Starting about 10:00 a.m. we begin our drive to Nyalam (11,500 feet) and on to Zhangmu (4757 feet). Along the way, we'll be crossing two passes: Lalung La (16,564 feet) and Nylam La (12,500 feet) — our road trip will last about 7 hours. Nyalam used to be an important trading post and once belonged to Nepal. Overnight we'll stay in a comfortable hotel in Zhangmu. (Breakfast)
Saturday: We are at the border of Tibet and Nepal. Soon after breakfast we bid a fond goodbye to our Tibetan staff as we make our way on foot to cross the border into Nepal. After immigration formalities we walk or drive downhill and across the bridge to Kodari, on the Nepal side of the border. Here we are welcomed by our Nepal staff and we load the vehicles for the day's journey. We hope to arrive in Kodari at 10:00 a.m., Nepal time. After immigration formalities it's a scenic five hour drive as we pass many waterfalls, valleys and lush fields on the way to Kathmandu. Our arrival back in Kathmandu signals the end of this wonderful journey. You can overnight at your own hotel or we can arrange your accommodations, additional tours and any services if you can extend your visit.
Important Note: This itinerary is meant only as a guide to what our days will be like. Changes will almost surely occur as you travel. These will be based on local conditions, acclimatization, health and fitness levels, etc. Note that you must be in Nepal no later than Thursday evening so that your Chinese Visa with the Tibet endorsement can be obtained on Friday. We can book you into the hotel of your choice in Kathmandu; however, please note that we must know where you will be staying in order to fill out necessary documentation before the trip.
Travel Dates: Depart Kathmandu any Saturday from May to November.
Travel Details: Tibet tourism is controlled by the Chinese government and is completely subject to the authority of local tourism authorities. Changes in their regulations, may cause cancellations or rerouting. We will pass through Kathmandu, Nepal and the main road between the Tibet border and Kathmandu. With a positive and flexible attitude, you will enjoy the challenge of this trip creating many fond memories and great pictures. It's the experience of a lifetime! You are welcome to customize your trip for extra days at any point in the itinerary where we can arrange additional nights at any of our hotels or guest houses. The cost is approximately $35-40 per night (single) or $25 per night (sharing a twin room) with comfortable deluxe rooms with attached bathrooms, telephones, room service, laundry service, a free safety deposit box and ample luggage storage. There are convenient, inexpensive internet cafes within a leisurely two minute walk from our hotel. We can also arrange airport transfers and local sightseeing tours at a low cost.
Important Note: You must be in Kathmandu, Nepal, a minimum of four business days before you plan to enter Tibet so your Chinese visa with the Tibet endorsement can be obtained.
Expenses: Additional travel-related expenses include: your flight to the trip starting point of Kathmandu, Visas ($40 for Nepal, $150 for Tibet) plus your in-trip flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. This internal flight will be booked separately through our agents in Nepal. We also recommend that you purchase travel insurance (at an approximate cost of $340) which includes coverage for trip cancelation and emergency evacuation. Many other levels of trip insurance start at $50. Please see our Policy section for complete information on our trip cancellations policies. Payment for additional services may be required at the time the service is received. All prices mentioned in this document are in U. S. Dollars ($USD). Please refer to the booking information section of our application form for more information.
The Tibet Special Adventure • Administrative Details: | |
(+) Land Cost (land cost as itinerary has described): |
$1550USD each, double occupancy |
(+) In-Trip Airfare Estimate (one way): |
+ $ 400USD |
(=) Total Program Cost (for the above itinerary): |
= $1950USD |
Trip Deposit (submit with application): | $250USD |
Single Supplement (optional single accommodation): |
$400 (optional) |
Maximum Group Size: |
Two or more, as you wish |
Other Cost & Need Considerations: |
Passport, Nepal & China Visas (China Visa requires Tibet Endorsement), Physicians Visit, Emergency Medical & Evacuation Insurance, International travel to/from Kathmandu, Round–Trip Kathmandu Airport Transfer, Meals Beyond Above Itinerary, Beverages, Spending/Personal Money. |
Trip Activity–Level: |
Mild: Accommodations are in a comfortable guest houses. Tibet is located at high–altitudes. Activities are usually mild and can include short day hikes and some long days driving. |
Registration Deadline: |
Four weeks before date. ($100USD late fee thereafter) |
The Tibet Special Adventure Printable Itinerary: |
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Trip Application: |
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Need More Information? Email Us, we're nice: |
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