Kathmandu / Day 01
Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. This day is reserved for sightseeing in the city of Kathmandu. 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. The Pashupatinath temple area is full with hundreds of ancient lingam, shrines, icons and statues of different Hindu God and Goddesses. The main temple of Pashupatinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the master or God of all Living beings (Pashu = all living beings, pati = master and nath = God). The main temple is believed to be more then 2000 years old. 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. There is no written proof that who and when did construct the Stupa. According to a legend it is said that the Boudhanath Stupa was built by a poor lady with the help of her four sons around in fifth century AD. Patan is one of the major cities of Nepal which is located in the south western part of Kathmandu valley with its approximately one million people. Patan is well famous for its Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines, traditional art and crafts, old palace and of course Newari Cultural. Overnight at the hotel.
Kathmandu – Gonggar Lhasa / Day 03
Needless to express how scenic the flight to Lhasa Gongar airport is. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gongar airport, you will be welcomed by our Tibetan crew guide and driver. Relax on this day and acclimatize.
Lhasa / Day 04 - 05
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day's program. 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 in 1956, 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. After the day's tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel. 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. After the day's tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well-earned rest.
Ganden / Day 06
The very first Gelug Pa ( yellow hat tradition of Buddhism ) monastery to be founded in Tibet by the great founder of Yellow hat tradition, the source of the great traditions of Dalai Lamas, Penchen Lamas and various other highly respected Buddhist personages lies here. Its history dates back to the 15th century. After lunch we do a short trek around the monastery, the kora, holy circuit.
Base of Shug Ga la Pass / Day 07
A beautiful fresh morning up in the mountains, we have our warm breakfast at the camp and take things easy as it is a relaxing day with some ascent. We walk trough the Shug Ga valley passing probably some local Tibetan nomads and their camps to the base of Shuga la. It’s an easy day.
The Shug Ga La – The Junction Lake / Day 08
This is the day we tackle the highest pass on the trek - The Shug Ga La pass. We start with steep ascent, but take it easy and do it slowly as we have plenty of time Descend from the pass and find that the scenery is quite different from here. We continue trek cross a small river and head to our camp next to a tiny high altitude lake at the entrance of Chi Tu valley which we are going to explore the next day.
Chitu La Pass – Nying Go Sumdo / Day 09
This day we trek through the Chi Tu valley, crossing the Chi Tu pass and crossing lakes at the pass. From here we have a beautiful deep descent where the scenery changes a lot. We have our camp at Nying Go Sumdo junction, a nice meadow camp site between two rivers.
Samye / Day 10
This day is about being in Tibetan farming villages. Arrive at Samye monastery where we have our camp in the meadow and picnic ground behind the it. After lunch we visit the monastery.
Gyantse – Shigatse / Day 11 - 12
An early morning ferry across the Yarlung Tsangpo is a fitting beginning to one of the most scenically spectacular drives in Tibet. Drive towards the Khampa la pass ( 4730metres ). At the pass we have a short break for stunning views of some major white peaks in the eastern regions of Himalaya to the south, and the young Norjing Gang Sang spiritual snow mountain range to the west across the turquoise colored waving waters of Yamdrok 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 and some fun with the local high altitude animals, yaks and their herders. 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 Shigatse through the rich agricultural Nying Chu valley of central Tibet.
Sakya – Shegar / Day 13
Tashilhunpo is 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. Sakya was 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.
Shegar – Everest Base Camp – Rombuk – Old Tingri / Day 14
Turn off the Friendship Highway for a stunning drive through Qomolangma National Park to reach the tiny Rhongphu Gompa at 5000m. From here you trek 7 km to the Everest Base Camp. If you want to skip the trek you can rent a horse-cart or you can drive by local vehicle. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but this is compensated by the magnificent views of the Everest. It is truly an awe-inspiring place, with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above. After visit Everest Base Camp (5200m) and return to Old Tingri for overnight stay.
Zhang Mu – Kathmandu / Day 15
Make sure you have some photos left for the panoramic views of the Himalayan range as you cross the Lalung La pass (5200m). Shisabangma, the highest peak in Tibet, Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyucan be seen. After completing border formalities drive to Kathmandu via Bhote Koshi valley and Dhulikhel.