Day 01: Kathmandu/Lhasa
Transfer to Tribhuvan International airport to connect flight CA 408 for Lhasa. This 1.15 hrs flight is very spectacular (weather permitting!), flying over the Himalayan Ranges with excellent views of the mountains including Mt. Everest (8848m), the highest peak on the earth. Upon arrival at the Gonggar airport Meet & assistance by the Tibetan Guide and drive about 1 and ½ hours to Lhasa (3650m). Check-in at your hotel. Complete rest to acclimatize. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Lhasa (3650 m
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing Tour of:
Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street & Drepung Monastery.
Jokhang Temple is in the heart of old Lhasa, most sacred temples in Tibet – established in 7th cantuary by king Songtsen Gampo, the King who brought Buddhism to Tibet.
Barkhor Temple and Barkhor Bazaar is the market place where everything is available, good for people watching. Tibetans spin prayer wheels and shop as they circumambulate. Good for shopping everything from trinkets to tantaric ritual objects.
Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 on the outskirt of Lhasa ,at one time the largest of the Gelukpa Monastery ( 7000monks ) was a major center of religious power . The second and third and the fourth Dalai Lama lived and were entombed here
Day 03: Lhasa
Sightseeing of Potala Palace & Sera Monastery
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Potala Palace (now as a museum ,but still visited by Tibetan pilgrims as a holy site)
Sera Monastery was founded 1419 on the outskirts of Lhasa – principle buildings are intact – Home of the Gelukpa Order – yellow hat sect – Dalaia lama Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 LHASA – GYANTSE (3950m)
Drive about 8 hours to Gyantse via Kampa La pass 4794m and Yamdrok Tso 4482m, also known as the Turquoise lake. One of the three largest lakes in Tibet. Cross Karo La pass 5040m & two other smaller passes before Gyantse town. Overnight in Gyantse Hotel.
Day 05 GYANTSE – SHIGATSE (3900m)
Visit Phalkor monastery designed by Newari architects from Nepal. The former has a special influence over Buddhism owing to its unity of Gelugpa, Sakyapa & Bhuton sect. Drive about 2 hours to Shigatse 3900m the second largest city in Tibet. Visit Tashilunpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas. This monastery houses the Maitreya Bhuddha statue weighing 275 Kgs made of gold and 26 meters in height. Overnight in Shigatse Hotel or Manasarovar.
Day 06 SHIGATSE – SHEGAR DZONG (4350m)
Drive to Shegar Dzong and visit Shegar Dzong Monastery . Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07: SHEGAR – RONGBUK (5050m) – EBC (5350m)
Drive via Pangla pass (5200 M) to Rongbuk about 1 ½ to 2 hours drive. Visit EBC (Everest Base Camp) and back to Rongbuk.
Overnight at hotel in Rongbuk.
Day 08 RONBUK – ZHANGMU (2300m)
Drive about 8 hours to Zhangmu. Overnight at Hotel in Zhangmu.
Day 09 ZHANGMU – KATHMANDU (1390m)
After immigration, drive gets you to Friendship Bridge, the border of Nepal and China. This ride maybe in trucks or a 45 mins walk, depending on road conditions and weather. Cross the bridge on foot to Kodari and after immigration & custom formalities a scenic 5 hours drive to Kathmandu.
