With an average altitude in excess of 3500m, Tibet can truly be described as the roof of the world. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan range which separates it from its neighbors India, Nepal and Bhutan, much of the country is high-altitude desert. With its spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, Tibet is a remarkable place to visit.

On this trip, we will travel in a Land Cruiser 4WD, following the Friendship Highway through some of the most amazing landscape on Earth and staying in the best traditional hotels Tibet has to offer. We'll pass small Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. Equally as fascinating is the wealth of cultural interest and we will have plenty of opportunity to explore this side of Tibet, both in Lhasa and the other towns we pass through on our journey from Kathmandu.

We spend 3 nights in Lhasa, staying right in the centre of the city. This will allow easy access to the city's main attractions - the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.

Inspiring landscapes and mountain views combined with its rich Buddhist history and culture, make visiting Tibet a truly unforgettable experience.

Itinerary

Day 01 Drive Kathmandu [1300m]-Zhangmu [2500m] 123km / Nyalam [3750m.]
Day 02 Drive Zhangmu [2500m]/Nyalam - Shegar [4050m] 244km
Day 03 Drive Shegar [4050m] - Shigatse [3900m] 244km
Day 04 Sightseeing & drive Shigatse [3900m] - Gyantse [3950m] 90km
Day 05 Sightseeing & drive Gyantse [3950m] - Lhasa [3650m] 261km
Day 06 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 07 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 08 Fly Lhasa [3650m] - Kathmandu [1300m]

DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 01: DRIVE KATHMANDU [1300m]–ZHANGMU [2500m] 123km / NYALAM [3750m]
We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving 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 check in to our hotel in Zhangmu or Nyalam on the Tibetan side of the border.

Day 02: DAY 02 DRIVE ZHANGMU [2500m]/NYALAM - SHEGAR [4050m] 244km
Today’s drive takes us from the lush, green lower hills into the dry, arid landscape of the Tibetan Plateau. We cross several high passes including the Lalung La [5050m] from which, [weather permitting], there is a breathtaking panorama of the Himalayan range including Mt Everest - a fitting backdrop to the vastness of the Tibetan Plateau. We stay overnight in the town of Shegar at the Hotel Quomolongma.

Day 03: DRIVE SHEGAR [4050m] - SHIGATSE [3900m] 244km
Continuing along the Friendship Highway, we pass by lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders. We then cross the highest pass of our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m] before descending once more to the barren splendor of the plains. Tonight, we stay in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet at either the Shigatse Hotel or Shandong Mansion.

Day 04: DRIVE SHIGATSE [3900m] - GYANTSE [3950m] 90km
This morning we have time to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, before setting off on the relatively short drive to Gyantse. Once in Gyantse, we can explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Our overnight accommodation is at Hotel Gyantse or similar type.

Day 05: DRIVE GYANTSE [3950m] - LHASA [3650m] 261km
A spectacular day’s drive today will take us over the Karo La [5045m] where we are treated to the awesome sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. Beyond the small, developing town of Nagartse, the road follows the bank of a beautiful turquoise lake, the Yamdrok-tso, for about 20 Km. We then cross the Khamba La [4794m.] and continue on to Lhasa, where we check in at the Dhood Gu / Dhood gu Hotel.

Day 06 - 07: IN LHASA
Today will be spent visiting several of Lhasa’s many monasteries in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within it’s whitewashed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. After lunch we’ll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets which is the central market of Lhasa.

This morning we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century. A visit to the Drepung Monastery this afternoon will complete a truly awe- inspiring day. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the world. With a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution.

Day 08: FLY LHASA [3650M] - KATHMANDU [1300m]
Sadly we leave Lhasa early in the morning for the 2 hour drive to Gonggar Airport and our flight back to Kathmandu or your onward destination. The China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757, takes us right across the main Himalayan range and the mountain views are spectacular.

Costs includes: Hotel Dhood Gu or similar on BB basis in Lhasa & best available en route with breakfast, transportation by 4WD land cruiser, flight either to or from Lhasa, guided sightseeing tours with all entry fees, travel permit, Tibet visa & airport transfers.

Cost does not include: Lunch & dinner, airport tax, hotels in Kathmandu, Urgent visa fee [US$ 25 shall be charged if the passport copy submitted in less then 1 month]

Fixed Departure Dates: FOR YEAR 2004 - 05-April, 22-April, 13-May, 03-June, 24-June, 15-July, 05-August, 26-August, 16-September, 07-October, 28-October.

* 05 April departure reversed itinerary.

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