Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Shegar,

Mt. Everest Base Camp, Kathmandu Overland
 

Day 1 : Hong Kong - Chengdu 成都

Depart Hong Kong for Chengdu. Overnight in Chendgu

Day 2 : Chengdu 成都 - Lhasa  拉薩

Early morning transfer to the Chengdu airport for your departure flight to Lhasa.Upon arrival at Lhasa Gongkar airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa.

Day 3 : Lhasa 拉薩 (B)

We will visit the Potala Palace (布達拉宮) , fort of 13-storeys which dominates the whole city.It was originally built in the 640's, during the reign of King Songtsan Gampo and covers an area of 41 hectares. The 13-storeys main building, 115,703 metres in height, consists of the White and Red Palaces with 1,000 rooms, such as bedrooms, scripture rooms, stupas, and rooms for the monks. It was virtually a self-contained world. It is the headquarters of the Dalai Lamas, and has been the home of each of the successive Dalai Lamas. It is a treasure house of traditional Tibetan culture. It is a relic under the state protection, and has been put on the List of the World Cultural Heriage.

We will then visit the Jokhang Temple (大昭寺) in the heart of the old Tibetan part of the town. It was built in the mid-seventh Century. The Jokhang is the spiritual centre of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims.

It is at Barkhor Street (八角街市集) that most people fall in love with Lhasa. The Barkhor is found in the heart of Lhasa circling the Jokhang Temple. It means "a pilgrim's inner circuit", and is the earliest street of old Lhasa city. This is one part of Lhasa that has resisted any invasion of the modern world. The whole circuit is lined with stalls selling everything a Tibetan or visiting tourist could possibly need.
Hotel stay: In Lhasa (hotel at your choice)

 Day 4 : Lhasa 拉薩 (B)

 
Today, we will visit the Dreprung Monastery where is about 8km west of Lhasa. Dreprung Monastery was once the world largest monastery with a population about 10,000 monks. Dreprung was founded in 1416 and in 1530 and the 2nd Dalai Lama established the palace that was home to the Dalai Lamas until the 5th built the Potala. Today, there are around 500 monks in residence and 40% of the monastery has been destroyed.

We will then visit the Sera Monastery where is around 5km north of central Lhasa. It was along with Dreprung one of Lhasa's 2 great Gelugpa monasteries. It had once huge monastic population of around 5,000 monks and 5 colleges of instruction. It has now been reduced to several hundred nowadays. It was built in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa Sect. It covers an area of 114,964 square meters, the structure is imposing, picturesque in disorder, and splendid in green and gold. It is a typical of Tibetan architecture.

Norbulingka , or "Jewelled Garden" which was the summer palace of the successive Dalai Lamas. It was founded by the 7th Dalai Lama Kelsang Gyatso. From the mid 18th century, each successive Dalai Lama moved to the park during the summer season, and carried out all their religious and political affairs from there. It has now opened as a public park, and is frequently used as a place for picnicing, relaxing and for entertainment. We will visit the summer Palaces of the 7th, 13th and the present 14th Dalai Lamas.
Hotel stay: In Lhasa (hotel at your choice)

 Day 5 : Lhasa  拉薩- Yamdrok Lake 羊卓雍湖- Gyantse 江孜 (270km/5.5 hours) (B)

We will go and travel towards the Yamdrok-tso lake 羊卓雍湖(4,488 meters) and go through Kamba-la Pass (4,794 meters) and Karola (5,010 meters). The lake lies several hundred meters below the road and is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise.  For Tibetans it is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet.  The Chinese though have a more pragmatic interest in the lake as the potential site of a hydroelectricity generating station.
260 km from Lhasa, we will reach Gyantse 江孜(3,950 meters), one of the least Chinese-influenced towns in Tibet and worth a visit for this reason alone. The principal attractions are the magnificent structure that is now unique in the Buddhist world the Gyantse Kumbum.  The stupa rises over four symmetrical floors and is surmounted by a gold dome that rises like a crown over four sets of eyes.
Overnight in 2 stars hotel

Day 6 : Gyantse江孜 - Shigatse 日喀則 (90km) (B)

Shigatse 日喀則(3,900 meters) is the second largest town in Tibet and has long been an important trading town and administrative centre. Shigatse has been the seat of the Panchen Lama who is traditionally based in Tashilhunpo Monastery 紮什倫布寺. The Monastery is the foremost attraction and one of the six great Gelugpa institutions. It was founded in 1447 by Genden Drup who was retroactively named the 1st Dalai Lama and who is enshrined in Tashilhunpo.  The Monastery is one of the few in Tibet that weathered the Cultural Revolution relatively unscathed.  It is a real pleasure to explore. We will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery today.
Overnight : Manasarovar Hotel (3 stars)

 Day 7 : Shigatse 日喀則- Sakya Monastery - Shegar (B)

This is a long day of travel covering 279km and many high passes which separate Shigatse from Shegar. It takes about 8 to 9 hours with all stops for lunch and photos taking before reaching Shegar. We will also cross a pass known as Gya Tso La (4,500 meters).
We first travel to Sakya Monastery (roughly 4 hours drive) and visit the Monastery.  The Sakya Monastery was founded in 1073 by Kon Konchog Gyelpo, a member of the influential Kon family.  
After the visit, we will drive on to Shegar. From Sakya to Shegar, the road runs west through more dusty and desolate scenery.  Shegar is also called New Tingri, is another town that lies in the shadow of the White Crystal Castle, the great fortress of Shegar Dzong, the former residence of the local governor.  We will arrive Shegar by late evening .
Overnight : Shegar Hotel (the best available hotel in New Tingri)

Day 8 : Shegar - Rongbuk Monastery - Mt. Everest Base Camp - Shegar (B)

Today, we will drive up to Rongbuk Monastery 絨布寺, which is claimed as the highest monastery in Tibet, and in the world, at 4,980 meters. The journey will take about 4 hours with stops for lunch and photos taking.  We will cross a pass known as Gya Wu La (5,150 meters) where offers beautiful views of Mt. Everest Range.  The Tibetan approach to Mt. Everest (8,848 meters) provides far better vistas of the world's highest peak than those on the Nepal side.
We will then go to the Everest Base Camp 珠峰大本營, which is of 9km away.  You could either travel for another 20 minutes by vehicle to Mt. Everest Base Camp or go for a short 2 hours trek.  The base camp is a dry, barren place, but it offers great views of the world's highest peak.

Day 9 : Shegar - Zhangmu (B)

After breakfast, we drive 1 hour to a small village called Tingri where you could get the view of Mt. Everest and Chowoyo peaks. After a short break, we drive for 5 hours to Zhangmu. En-route from Shegar to Zhangmu , we will cross the last pass known as "Nyalam Thong La" (5,050 meters) which offers the last beautiful view of the Himalaya range and Mt. Shisha Pangma (8,012m) which is the highest peak in Tibet.
Zhangmu is the border town of Tibet.  Most evidence of Tibet is gone, replaced by Nepali wooden houses and Chinese cement buildings.

Day 10 : Zhangmu-(8km)-Kodari-(114km)-Kathmandu 加德滿都(B)

After breakfast, we will depart Zhangmu and leave for Kathmandu 加德滿都. Our guide and driver will bring you down to the real border line which is "The Friendship Bridge" . There are no less than 8km of steep no man's land between the Chinese checkpoint at Zhangmu and Nepali immigration just north of Kodari. You will be met by our guide from Nepal side and be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu.
Overnight : In Kathmandu  (hotel at your choice)

Day 10 : Kathmandu 加德滿都 (B)

A full day tour of Kathmandu valley  to visit Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Ovenright : In Kathmandu (hotel at your choice)

Day 11 : Kathmandu 加德滿都 - Hong Kong (B)

Transfer to Kathmandu airport for departure.

Meal code : B = Breakfast

Remarks: Tibet is one of the most remarkable places to visit in Asia. It offers fabulous monastery sights, taxing high-altitude treks, stunning views of the world's highest mountains and fabled pilgrimage routes. The stunning scenery, friendly hospitality and experience of the their religion are the ingredients for a unique and rewarding adventure. However, with the sometimes-frustrating nature of the country, you will need to exercise patience and approach things with a sense of humor. If you expect everything to run as planned, if you want a predictable and consistent quality in your accommodation and transport - DO NOT travel to Tibet! If you love adventure and want a completely unique travel experience, we guarantee your journey will be a rewarding and memorable experience.

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IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

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By email at : Travel Consultant or by phone : +852 2526 0336