|
Tibet Tours (CLICK
here for the MAP of TIBET)
Tibet streches across the Qinzang plateau
for 1.2m square kms, at some 4000 metres above sea level. Here, on the
roof of the world, you can discover scenes of outstanding natural beauty
- ranging from open pastures to dense tropical forests and the giant
snow-capped Himalaya in the south with Mount Qomolanma (Tibetan name for
Everest) towering above the world's highest peaks.
Here too you can find cultural traditions which stretch back thousands
of years - to a time even before the arrival of Bhuddism. Today the
Tibetan, Monban and Lhoban peoples continue to practice ethnic and
religious traditions which can be traced back to the ancient world. For
centuries, Tibet was effectively closed to the outside world. Its
inaccessibilty reinforced the mystery and romance attached to stories
about this ancient world. Today, we are able to offer a wide range of
tours inside Tibet. The itineries for all of the tours in this section
illustrate what can be organised but we pride ourselves on being able to
arrange tours tailor-made to your particular interests. Please ask us
for further details.
Mountaineering
Tibet possesses attractions for mountaineers, unfound anywhere else.
The 2000 km stretch along Southern Tibet follows the Northern slopes of
the Himalayas. It has five peaks over 8000 meters above sea level and
more than 70 peaks between 7000 & 8000 meters. There are also 3000 peaks
above 6000 meters. The most challenging region stretches from Mount
Qomolangma to Mount Shishabangma and is the most popular with
professional mountaineers from around the world.
Health Care
Because of the high altitudes, thin air, cold and arid atmosphere of
Tibet, it is not uncommon for travellers to experience high altitude
sickness of one degree or another. Symptoms include headaches, insomnia,
depression and nervousness. To cure mild cases of high altitude
sickness, you need to have enough rest, drink lots of water (at least 3
litres per day) avoid straining or exhausting yourself, move slowly and
breath deeply. For anyone who is seriously sick, tours must be stopped
immediately. The patient should lie down in bed and if possible should
inhale oxygen (hotels can always provide oxygen bags and cylinders).
Inhaling oxygen is a convenient and effective way of curing altitude
sickness.
Cultural Tours
Visitors travelling to Tibet in the hope of experiencing its ancient
cultural and religious traditions will not be disappointed. Tibetan
culture is infused with Bhuddism and earlier religious beliefs which
give the peoples there a gentle and endearing quality which are bound to
enchant visitors from outside. The destinations of Lhasa, Gyantse,
Shigatse and Tsedang in particular offer spell-binding insights into the
world and outlook of the ancients.
Religious Tours
Throughout Tibet, you will find many monastries, temples and shrines
- worldy reminders of the spiritual devotion of the Tibetan people
across the last millennium. You cannot travel far without seeing
colourful Sutra Streamers (flags with prayers written on them for the
wind to carry to other worlds) and other offerings. Everywhere you will
find monks in dark red gowns praying on each step of their journey. In
some places, you may also feel the air charged with religious mystery.
Climate and Seasons
Because of its high altitude and climate, Tibet is somewhat cold and
the difference between temperatures in the day and night are
considerable. Even in winter, the long hours of sunshine make the
climate quite tolerable. Its annual rainfall is little with the monsoon
occurring between July and September. In spring, autumn and winter it is
drier.
Spring (March- May): Cold dry and windy, A jacket and woolen sweaters
are necessary.
Summer (June- August): Cold but hot at noon, pants or skirts are fine.
Autumn (Sept- Nov): Cold, dry jackets and sweaters are advised.
Winter (Dec- Feb): Cold and very dry. Warm pullover, down jacket, woolen
sweaters, scarves and gloves are necessary.
Trekking Tours
Hiking and trekking programmes can be designed along country
footpaths, traditional vendor's trails and pilgrimage routs to select
destinations with full camping and kitchen equipment provided and
carried by yaks or in some cases by porters. Overnighting in tents with
meals cooked and served by our trained Sherpa trekking staff and guided
by English speaking Tibetan guide, trekking in Tibet will definitely
give you an in-depth view of the Tibet, its inhabitants and their life
style.
The popular treks include: Ganden to Samy, Nakchu to Thangla, Lake
Namtso, Mount Qomolangma (Everest) base camp, Mount Shishabangma (Xixabangma)
base camp, the Holy Mountain of Kailash, the sacred Lake Mansarover and
Lake Ngari.
Folklore Tours
The folklores of Tibet are an excellent example of 'living memory' -
an oral tradition in which ideas are passed down from the ancestors a
thousand or more years ago. Festival celebrations, marriage ceremonies,
funerals and other rites of passage bear witness to a culture still
relatively untouched by global culture. Farming, leisure, the arts and
other ways of life are also driven by the ancient traditions. An
in-depth study of Tibetan folklore offers an enlightening and indelible
impression of the Tibetan people.
VISIT LHASA 5 days / 4 nights
Day 01 Tuesday, transfer to the airport for the flight from
Kathmandu to Lhasa on China Southwest Airlines. This one-hour tarns
Himalayan Flight will give you an opportunity to have an aerial view
of Mt. Everest and other Himalayan Peaks (weather permitting).
Arrival at Gonggar airport around 13.30 hrs. local time. After
clearing immigration and customs it will be a two-hour drive to
cover the 93 km. to Lhasa which is situated at an altitude of 3650
meters (13,000ft). Upon arrival we check in at the Snowland hotel,
right in the heart of the old city.
Day 02 Wednesday, we start our sightseeing with a visit to one of
Tibet's most important and biggest monastery, Drepung. Beautifully
placed on a mountain slope 12 km. outside Lhasa. After returning to
the city for lunch we will go to the Norbulinka, the former summer
palace of the Dalai Lama. Surrounded by a lush green garden, it's a
favorite place for Tibetan people to celebrate their festivals.
Day 03 Thursday, in the morning visit the Potala Palace, one of the
wonders in the world and one of the marvels of Tibet. This huge
structure is the former home of the Dalai Lama and a sight you will
definitely not forget. In the afternoon we visit the Jokhang Temple,
the most sacred and oldest temple in Tibet. The walk around it is
called the Barkhor and a must for all pilgrims, it is also a famous
bazaar for Tibetan handicrafts and antiques.
Day 04 Friday, the morning is free to relax or to explore the small
alleys in the old Tibetan part of Lhasa. In the afternoon we will
visit Sera monastery, 5 km. outside Lhasa, where we can watch the
monks debating. They do this in a very special way by making all
kinds of gestures with their hands and arms.
Day 05 Saturday, already the end of our tour and we have to get up
very early for our transfer to Gonggar airport to catch the flight
back to Katmandu. We arrive around nine o `clock in the morning
because of the 2 hrs and 15 minutes time difference with Tibet. Of
course we enjoy the spectacular views again while we fly over the
Himalayan range
TIBET OVERLAND TOUR 8 days / 7 nights
Day 01 KATHMANDU - NYALAM, we start our tour with an early morning
drive to Kodari, the Nepali border post. Weather permitting there
will be fine views of Langtang, Gauri Shanker, Melungtse and Khumbu
Himal ranges. Depending on the road situation we walk or drive up to
Zhang Mu where we clear Chinese immigration. After the formalities
we continue our journey through a beautiful gorge to Nyalam crossing
the Himalayan range. Altitude 3800 m., hotel *
Day 02 NYALAM - LHATSE, our first stop on the Tibetan plateau will
be on the 5200 m. high Lalung la pass from where we have a
breathtaking view of the Himalayan range and Shisabangma, the
highest peak in Tibet. While having lunch in Lao Tingri, the peaks
of Mt. Everest (Qomolongma in Tibetan) and Cho Oyu can be seen. This
day our journey is long but the spectacular Tibetan plateau will
make you forget time.
Altitude 4000 m., hotel *
Day 03 LHATSE - SHIGATSE, a four hour drive brings us to Tibet's
second largest city, Shigatse. Here we visit Tashilumpo monastery,
the seat of the Panchen Lama, hence one of the most important
monasteries in Tibet.Altitude 3800 m.
Day 04 SHIGATSE - GYANTSE, after a stroll through the old city we
depart for the two and a half hour drive to Gyantse. While
approaching the small farming town we can clearly see the old fort
that was captured by Younghusband during his 1904 raid into Tibet.
Here the main attraction is the Kumbum monastery with it's
extraordinary architecture.Altitude 3900 m.
Day 05 GYANTSE - LHASA, this will be a long drive but on the way we
cross the Karo la with the beautiful glacier, we see Yamdrok tso
which is named the Turquoise lake and cross the Kamba la from where
we descend to the main road which brings us all the way to Lhasa.
Altitude 3650 m.
Day 06/07 SIGHTSEEING, during these two days in Lhasa we visit the
Potala palace, Drepung and Sera monasteries and of course the famous
Jokhang temple including the surrounding Barkhor.
Day 08 FLIGHT LHASA - KATHMANDU, we have to get up very early for
our transfer to Gonggar airport to catch the flight back to
Kathmandu. This flight is one of the most spectacular in the world
with aerial views of the Himalayan range including Mt. Everest.
TIBET EVEREST BASE CAMP 10 days / 9 nights
Day 01 FLIGHT KATHMANDU - LHASA, transfer to the airport for the
flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa on China Southwest Airlines. This one
hour trans Himalayan Flight will give you an opportunity to have an
aerial view of the Mt. Everest and other Himalayan Peaks (weather
permitting). Arrival at Gonggar airport around 13.30 hrs. local
time. After clearing immigration and customs it will be a two hour
drive to cover the 93 km. to Lhasa which is situated at a altitude
of 3650 meters (13,000ft). Upon arrival we check in at the Snowland
hotel, right in the heart of the old city.
Day 02/03/04 SIGHTSEEING, during these three days in Lhasa we visit
the Potala palace, Drepung and Sera monasteries, the Norbulinka and
of course the famous Jokhang temple including the surrounding
Barkhor.
Day 05 LHASA - GYANTSE, you begin your overland adventure with a
full day drive to Gyantse. Along the way you cross the Kamba la
(4794m) and the Karo la pass (5010m), both grant spectacular views.
After the Kamba la you come to Yamdrok tso, also known as the
Turquoise Lake. You'll want to have your camera ready. Altitude 3900
m.
Day 06 GYANTSE - SHIGATSE, this will be a busy day. In the morning
visit Gyantse stupa and monastery followed by a two hour drive to
Shigatse. Here see the giant Buddha in the famous Tashilumpo
monastery. The seat of the Panchen Lama. Altitude 3800 m.
Day 07 SHIGATSE -LHATSE, the journey today brings you over two high
passes with fine views. For lunch we stop in the small town of
Lhatse. Depending on how much time we spend during the morning in
Shigatse we might stay overnight in Lhatse. Altitude 4350 m. /
4000m.*
Day 08 LHATSE - ROMBUK, begins with the Tsho La (4500m) and ends
with the spectacular view of Mt. Everest from Rombuk monastery.
Relax tonight and stroll around the monastery. Altitude 5050m.,
hotel *
Day 09 ROMBUK - LAO TINGRI, get up early and start the 2-3 hour
leisurely walk (one way) to the base-camp (5200m) itself. You should
return early afternoon to head to Lao Tingri. Lao Tingri is a small
Tibetan town that offers the best view even from a toilet that
you're unable to experience from anywhere in the world. Altitude
4200 m., hotel *
Day 10 LAO TINGRI - ZHANG MU - KATHMANDU, make sure you have some
photos left for the panoramic view of the Himalayan range as you
cross the Lalung la pass (5050m). In the evening relax in Kathmandu.
Tours include: all land
transportation twin sharing accommodation with attached bathroom
places marked with a * have common bathroom sightseeing with local
English speaking guide entrance fees transfers to and from airport
all necessary permits flight ticket Tours exclude: airport tax at
Kathmandu Airport RS. 1000 personal expenses / insurance Nepal
re-entry visa China visa fee all meals
NOTE: Please e-mail us for
confidential quotation for this package
(CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US) |
