Kathmandu / Day 1 - 3

Flying over the Himalayas is a sight of a lifetime. Savour it till you land in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

A day in Kathmandu orients you to the simple and spiritual living of the Nepalese. To get oriented, here are some things that will be in store for you.

Pashupatinath, UNESCO world cultural heritage site, one of the holiest shrines of all Hindus, is located eastern part of the Kathmandu valley on the bank of the Bagmati river with an area of approximately 2.5 square kilometers. Boudhanath stupa is one of the oldest and biggest Buddhist monuments of Nepal. The Boudhanath stupa, surrounded by many private colorful houses and Buddhist monasteries, is considered as Mecca for Tibetan Buddhists. Then there is Patan, known for its glorious temples and a major World Heritage Site.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

This day is also dedicated to a guide tour to more gems of the city.

The first is Swayambhunath Maha Chaitya, the most fascinating architectural jewel of the world and a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. It stands on a hilltop in the western part of the Kathmandu and has been around for 2000 years. The next is Bhaktapur, an ancient town of which is located in the east corner of Kathmandu valley. The entire town is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site and is the house of many ancient temples and palace.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu, Gonggar and Lhasa / Day 4

Fly to Lhasa in Tibet on this day. This is one of most stunning flying experiences. Overnight in Lhasa.

Lhasa / Day 5 - 8

Explore the Saga Dawa Festival. It is one of the most religious festivals in Buddhism. Since the Saga Dawa festival falls on the holiest month of the Tibetan calendar, it is believed that good deeds and prayers are multiplied thousand fold during this event. So, one can see everyone immersed in prayers and trying to appease the Gods.

During the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, many people cease from killing animals and give out alms to everyone who comes asking for it to obtain the vegetarian rule.

The second day here is also dedicated to the festival. You get some time to explore the area on your own and take plenty of photographs.

Another day of sightseeing in Lhasa. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings.

Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa.

This day is reserved for sightseeing in Lhasa. After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas.

Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses.

Lhasa and Gyangtse / Day 9

After breakfast drive we drive towards the Khampa la pass (4730metres), on way to Gyangtse. We have a short break for stunning views of some major white peaks in the eastern regions of Himalayas to the south and the young Norjing Gang Sang spiritual snow mountain range to the west. Across this is the turquise colored waters of Yamdrok lake, descending from the pass down close to the lake.

After lunch continue our scenic driving to the next pass Karo la (5050metres ) where we have our first high altitude adventure experience of Norjing Gang Sang glacier peak. We reach Gyangtse in 7 hours.

Gyangtse and Shigatse / Day 10

After breakfast, we visit the local historical and the cultural centers, the Palkhor Chode monastery including the Kumbum stupa ( the only survival with such distinctive structure and the thousands of art works ) and the local ancient Gyangtse fort. At noon we drive to Shigatsethrough the rich agricultural Nying Chu valley of central Tibet.

Shigatse, Sakya and Shegar / Day 11

After breakfast we visit Tashilhunpo, the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. Its numerous halls contain a 21.6-meter wooden statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and elaborate, jewel encrusted reliquary chorten.

Then it is time for Sakya, the seat of political power in central Tibet from the 10th to mid 14th century. The fortified monastery is still head of one of the most important schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the afternoon, we drive to Shegar.

Overnight in Shegar.

Shegar, Zhang Mu and Kathmandu / Day 12

Make sure you have some photos left for the panoramic views of the Himalayan range as you cross the Lalung La pass (5200m) from where we have a breathtaking view of Shisabangma, the highest peak in Tibet, Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu. Then we leave the Tibetan plateau, descending to Zhang Mu - on the China - Nepal border. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu / Day 13

Flight back.