8 Days Drive In Fly Out Central Tibet Tour - Detailed Itinerary

 

Arrival in Kathmandu where you will be met and transferred to Hotel, just walking distance to any styles of good restaurants and shops. Our Representative will give you short briefing on hotel facilities and safety. Tonight we only have a short introduction to the area, just what you need to know before the main briefing tomorrow. O/N Hotel in Kathmandu.

 

Trip briefing, day at leisure

 

We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving for 123 km (approx 5hrs) through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to Kodari on the Nepal - Tibet border. After completing the border formalities at both the Nepalese and Chinese immigration posts we drive up 8 km (approx ½ hrs) a series of incredibly steep switchbacks to Zhangmu on the Tibetan side of the border. A short drive of only 30km (approx 1 hrs) from the border takes us to Nyalam, on a steep winding road which passes through a mossy gully with cascading waterfalls. O/N Guest House in Nyalam.

 

After breakfast about 4 – 5 hrs of driving we lead us to the city called Shegar. Our fist stop of the second day will be at Lalung La Pass situated at the altitude of 5200m. It is possible to view Shisabangma Peak which is the highest peak in Tibet. En-route, we will be able to view Everest and Cho Oyu from further driving to Lo Tingri. Then drive to the last destination of the day in New Tingri or Shegar. O/N Hotel in Shegar.

 

About 4 hours of driving will lead us to the second largest and one of the historical cities Shigatse. We visit Tashilumpo Monastery, palace of the second highest spiritual master of Tibet Panchen Lama. O/N Hotel in Shigatse.

 

After visiting Tashilumpo Monastery in the morning including the Bazaar of Shigatse. Drive to Gyantse, which is 2 hrs. Gyantse is small busting town steeped in history. It lies 264km southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of Nyang chu river. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. Here in Gyantse you visit Khumbum Chorten which was built around 1400 AD. It later became the main center for trade with British India. We then visit Pelkhor Chode. O/N Hotel in Gyantse.

 

Approx. 5 hrs drives takes you to Lhasa crossing the Karo La Pass (5100m/16728ft) climbs between two lofty mountains, Nozing Khang Sa (7223m/23691ft) and Ralung (6236m/20454ft). While driving you will see the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) you drive along the Turquoise Lake and later Kyicho River flowing through inner part Lhasa.  Now, the great Potala Palace of Dalai Lama will be visible. O/N Hotel in Lhasa.

 

This morning we visit the Potala Palace, winter palace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, It is a 13th storied complex monument rising to a height of above 117m which houses 10,000 shrines and over 200,000 images and about 1000 rooms. In the afternoon we will take a tour of Jokhang Temple. Jokhang a seventh-century geomantic temple at the heart of Lhasa is the most sacred temple of all Tibet. It is considered to be a Power Place in all Tibet. Queen Bhrikuti a Nepalese princess married to King Songtsen Gampo founded Jokhang Temple and in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti the main gate of the temple faces west towards Nepal.  The most impressive structure of the Jokhang Temple is the many chapels surrounding the temple. Later you can walk and shop in the popular Bakhor Square (Bazaar) where Tibetan handicraft items, Buddhist artifacts, carpets, paintings etc. are all in sale for your delight. O/N Hotel in Lhasa.

 

This morning we will drive 5km away from Lhasa to Sera Monastery founded in 1419. It sits in the prettiest and most charming atmosphere at the base of Mount Purbuchok. Sera Monastery used to be an important center for learning where 5,000 to 6,000 monks resided. The most intriguing feature here is the nine-meter image of the Monastery; here one can also witness the practicing debate among the monks, who pitch their knowledge against each other. In the afternoon we will drive 8km northwest of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery. It was the residence of the Third, Fourth and the Fifth Dalai Lamas. This winter Palace was the resident of hundreds of monks from all the major Geluk monasteries for staffing individual Chapels. The 20,000 sq m complex has survived unscathed even during the Cultural Revolution. O/N Hotel in Lhasa.

 

In the morning after breakfast, you'll be transfer to railway station by our representative. All food own arrangement. End of our services or Beijing portion arrangement.