Travel to Tibet

TIBET is one of the world's most extraordinary destination and there is adventure indeed lurking around almost each and every corner. We present here short itineraries that start with the world 's most scenic flight over the mighty Himalayas from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The capital lies high in the arid wilderness of the Tibetan mountains, it's name the "Roof of the World" is no idle statement. The valley bottoms of Tibet are higher than the highest mountains elsewhere . It's snow covered plateaux are the highest in the world , and apart from the Everest , which Tibetans see from 'the other side', many mountains are over 15000 feet.

Adventure on the road , is never short , on the Trans-Himalayan drive of over 970 kilometers and four mountain passes, promising a panorama of culture & scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere.

All these climates on, an arid plateau a religious treasure trove of Buddhist Monastries as - the Drepung, Once the largest; the Jokhang - a spiritual center & the awesome palaces of Norbulingka (the summer palace of the Dalai Lama ) or the Potala Palace ( the traditional seat of Dalai Lama ) envelope us. Ancient Barkhor Bazaar still barters the bric - a - brac in this region that's not so much a little strange as utterly surreal.

The unforgettable Himalayan drive, which starts in the lush green valley of Kathmandu at a mere 1200 m, crosses passes of over 1540 m, as it winds its way to the harsh , stark plateau of Tibet. This stunning 970 km drive to Lhasa, crammed with some of the world's highest peaks , against clear azure skies , traverses over extremely harsh terrain - an 'endurance rally', with the most rewarding sights quite unsurpassable anywhere in the world. 5000 m mountain passes unveil in Yamdrik Tso, a glinting turquoise - cut & polished, set in a nugget of gold amongst rugged brown hills is one of the most breathtaking drives in the world.

Lhasa:
11,850 ft above sea level was and still is the religious, cultural and economic centre of Tibet. Places of interest include the Potala, the 13 storey - 1000 rooms palace of the Dalai Lama; the monasteries of Drepung & Sera; Norbulingka, the Jokhang, the holiest shrine in Tibet. The circular Barkhor Street with innumerable shops & wayside pedlars intermingle with devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhand Shrine

Xigaze:
Most famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery - the seat of the Panchen Lama, is 12,600 ft. above sea level. Places of interest include the relics of Sakyamuni, the Hall of Maitreya and mind-boggling collection of Thankas, etc. built in 1447 by the Ist Dalai Lama. There is also bustling "free" market at the foot of the ruins of the Xigaze Fortress and one can buy local handicrafts embedded with coral and torquoise, Chinese porcelain and yak butter etc.

Gyantse:
This small agricultural town is at 13,050 ft above sea level and is famous for its wool carpets and the Palkhor Choide Chorten. At the Lamasery is the unique structure built in 1414 of five storeys representing the five steps to enlightenment, topped by the thirteen rings which symbolise the stages of achieving . There are 108 halls inside, 'Buddhahood' each with frescoes and Buddhist Shrines.

Zhangmu:
This town is 7,000 ft above sea level and is known by its Tibetan name, Khasa and is a major trading town enroute Tibet from Nepal. The hills around Zhangmu are heavily wooded with innumerable waterfalls in the summer and frozen 'icicles' during the winter.

Xeger:
13,800 ft.above sea level, this is a new Chinese commune built 7kms off the highway at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong. With population of 3000, it is the centre of a large and remote country and also the base for the expeditions to Mt.Everest and other peaks.

Season : April to mid-November [ Light/Warm Clothing ]

Clothing :
Casual wear & comfortable walking shoes are the rule for Tibet, be sure to bring warm clothing as night and early mornings can be quite chilly to downright cold in winter months. Bring all the films, medicine, cosmetic, personal toilet items etc. that you may need from home; as these are diffcult , if not impossible, to obtain in Tibet. A small first-aid kit is also a good idea.

Immunisations :
No vaccinations are currently required for entry into Nepal, China or Tibet. How ever, for your own protection we suggest : Gamma Globulin, Tetanus, Typhoid and Malaria Propholaxysis (if you are travelling elsewhere in China or to lowland areas in Nepal such as the Chitwan National Park)

Altitude & Health Tips:
Travelling in Tibet is an adventure involving high altitude and could be strenuous. While most visitors have only minor effects from altitude, we advise specially the guest with known heart or lung or blood diseases to consult their doctors befor travelling. Mild headache, fever , loss of appetite or stomach disorder can take place in a process of acclimatisation. Our advice for better acclimatisation- drink 4 Ltr. of water minimum a day, do not exhaust yourself so much, breath deep & take rest more than usual.

Documentation & Visa :
You must be in possession of a valid passport. We will obtain your visa for Tibet , and the following information when making your reservation:
- Full Name(as it appears in the passport)
- Passport Number
- Date Of Issue
- Place Of Issue
- Date Of Expiry
- Nationality
- Date Of Birth
- Occupation
- Two Passport Size Photographs

IMPORTANT NOTE :
Additionally, you must allow a minimum of 02 weeks in advance with a firm booking payment and we arrange Tibet / China Visa. However, 5 full working days are required with a condition that you should be available in Kathmandu, otherwise urgent charge will have to be borne by you. In order to operate this private Tour, minimum 5 Pax are required to obtain a group Visa from Kathmandu & this Tour will be on Group joining basis i.e all the Sight-seeings, visits etc. will be as a group in a Coach / Vehicle and no individual Car/Vehicle will be provided.

Tibet Travel Package

Mystical Tibet Tour - (03 Nights/ 04 Days)

Tour Programme : Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu

Day 01 Kathmandu-Lhasa

On arrival in Lhasa, you will be met & transferred by our local English speaking representative to the hotel. On the way, you can enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Yarlong Tsangpo River (the longest river in Tibet). The rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatize you to high latitude as Kathmandu is at the height of 1200m while Lhasa is at 3650m.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 02 Sera Monastery; Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street

The first day of sightseeing starts from
Sera Monastery, located around 5km north of central Lhasa. As one of the 'Three Great Monastery' of the Yellow Hat Sect, Sere Monastery is located at the foot of Tatipu Hill. The monastery was originally constructed in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe who was sent to meet Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on behalf of Tsong Khapa and was entitled Dharma King of Great Mercy. Emperor Yongle also awarded him many sutras, statues of Buddha, frocks, silk as well as gold and silver by which Sakya Yeshe was able to build the Sera Monastery.
In the afternoon, visit the
Jokhang Temple the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then visit
Barkhor, a flourishing street around jokhang Temple. Along the street are stores and groceries selling light industry products and handicrafts made by locals or Nepali makers. It is also the main route for prayer wheels rotating.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 03 Potala Palace; Norbulingka

Morning visit to Lhasa's cardinal landmark-

Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Your first sight of the Potala will be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.
Norbulingka, meaning Jewel Park was the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas. Originally built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in the 18th century, it now covers an area of some 360,000 square meters (about 89 acres) after successive expansions by the Eighth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Dalai Lamas. Potrangs, pavilions, gardens, zoo, lakes and woodland make Norbulingka the perfect place for visitor to relax.
Later visit
Drepung, about 8km west of central Lhasa, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the flat roof of hillside, you can have a very good view of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 04 Lhasa-Kathmandu (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, you are transferred to the airport to board the return flight to Kathmandu.