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A journey from Lhasa
across the
Himalayas to Kathmandu
visiting Tsetang,
Gyantse,
Shigaste,
the monastery of Sakya
and Everest Base
Camp. |
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detailed dossier - detailed
dossier by post - outline
itinerary - dates
and prices -
maps |
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For
many centuries Tibet remained for westerners a mysterious
and forbidden land cut off from the rest of the world by the mighty
Himalayas in the south and the Kunlun Mountains to the north. Only a handful of brave and resourceful travellers
ever managed to breach the country’s snowy mountain fastness and reach
its fabled capital Lhasa. Those that did returned with stories of an exotic
and intriguing land of monastic cities and mountain
passes, where nomads grazed huge herds of yaks, hermit monks spent years
in meditation and pilgrims prostrated themselves over vast distances to
achieve their religious goals. In recent years there have been many changes to the Tibetan
world but its staggeringly rich, and easily misunderstood, culture
remains resilient and continues to fire the imagination of the Western
mind. Moreover Tibet is no longer the inaccessible land that it once
was, and although by no means always comfortable, travel to the Roof of
the World, with all its rewards, is well within the grasp of today’s
adventurous traveller. |
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Himalayan Caravan begins its journey by exploring Nepal’s bustling
capital, Kathmandu. From here one of the most beautiful mountain flights
in the world takes us past Everest, across the width of the Himalayas
and into Tibet. We spend our first night at a relatively low altitude in
Tsetang, one of Tibet’s former capitals and visit the Tolkienesque
temple of Yumbu Lhakhang. For much of the way following the mighty Yarlung Tsangpo
River we carry on to Lhasa and at one point cross the river to visit
Samye Monastery, considered in the Tibetan world to be the centre of the
universe. The holy city of
Lhasa is Tibet’s intriguing, historic capital and we have three full
days in which to explore all the city’s major sights including the
Potala Palace, Drepung and Sera Monasteries and also the Jokhang Temple,
Vatican of Tibetan Buddhism. |
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| Using
high quality Landcruisers, capable of dealing with the rugged terrain
ahead, we travel south via the Khamba La pass, with its stunning views
of Scorpion Lake, to Gyangtse. Here, in this largely unspoilt Tibetan
town, we visit the medieval Pelkhor Chode Temple complex with its huge
Kumbum stupa, and also see Gyangtse fort, scene of an assault by the
British Younghusband expedition in 1904. We carry on via Shalu to
Tibet’s second city, Shigatse and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery,
formerly home of the Panchen Lama. As we continue to Everest Base Camp
we will, depending on road conditions, visit the important and unusual
monastery at Sakya, before crossing over the Pang La pass to spend a
spartan night near Rongbuk Monastery. Here in the footsteps of Mallory and
Irving (and Tintin!) we are likely to be rewarded with unforgettable
views of Everest’s northern face. Carrying on over highland passes and
through some of the most stunning mountain vistas in the world we
eventually cross the Himalayas and begin our descent down through
cultivated foothills and back to the Kathmandu valley.
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| Day 1. |
Tour begins in
Kathmandu. (Kathmandu) |
| Day 2. |
Sightseeing
in the Kathmandu Valley. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
3. |
Free
day in Kathmandu for sightseeing. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
4. |
Fly
to Gongkar (Lhasa) Airport. Drive to Tsetang via Yumbhu Lhakang, the
oldest building in Tibet. (Tsetang) |
| Day
5. |
Drive to
Lhasa.
En route visit Tibet’s first ever monastery, Samye, reached by a ferry
crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo River. (Lhasa) |
| Day
6. |
Full
tour of Lhasa including the Jokhang temple, Potala Palace and Sera Monastery. (Lhasa) |
| Day
7. |
Morning
visit to Drepung Monastery. Free afternoon. (Lhasa) |
| Day
8.
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Free
day. Optional daytrip to Ganden Monastery, also possible to visit Tsurphu.
(Lhasa) |
| Day
9. |
Leave
Lhasa for Gyantse via the Khamba La pass and the turquoise waters of
Scorpion Lake. (Gyantse) |
| Day
10. |
Sightseeing
in and around Gyantse. (Gyantse) |
| Day
11. |
Drive
to Shigatse via Shalu. Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. (Shigatse) |
| Day
12. |
To
Shelkar. En route, depending on road conditions, we will make an excursion
to Sakya Monastery. (Shelkar) |
| Day
13. |
Drive
over the Pang La to Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp. (Rongbuk) |
| Day
14. |
Continue
on past Tingri and over the Lalung Pass with dramatic views of
Shishapangma and the rest of the Himalayan massif. Drop down via
Milarepa’s cave to Nyalam. (Nyalam) |
| Day
15. |
Drive
down via Dram (Zhangmu), across the border and on to Kathmandu. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
16. |
Free
Day (Kathmandu) |
| Day
17. |
Tour
ends. |
| Dates |
Starts
Kathmandu 5th Sept. - ends Kathmandu 21st Sept. 2009 land only (ex UK 4th Sept.)
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| Accommodation &
Meals |
In
Kathmandu we stay in a well appointed four star hotel. In Lhasa we stay in
a very central three star hotel. Elsewhere we stay in the best available
accommodation. In Rongbuk accommodation is basic and a sleeping bag is
recommended. All breakfasts in Nepal and all
meals in Tibet (except in Lhasa) are included.
No single surcharge. Single supplement
available at GBP215. |
| Mode of travel |
Please
note that while in Tibet this tour will be using good quality 4WD Toyota
4500 Landcruisers, important for dealing with the rough road conditions
between Lhasa and Kathmandu. For sightseeing days while in Lhasa we may
occasionally use a minibus. |
| Staff
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Escorted
by Tibet
veteran and Chief Caravaneer Phil Colley assisted
by Tibetan guide in Tibet, local guide in Kathmandu and drivers
throughout.
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| Group size |
Minimum
6
–
Maximum 12.
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| Flights &
Insurance |
For
information on flights, visas and insurance please contact The Oriental
Caravan. Chinese visas are arranged by us on on arrival in Nepal; Nepalese
visas are avaialble on arrival.
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| Price Includes... |
All transportation as per itinerary; all
accommodation (on a twin share basis); full services of Tour Leader, local
guides and drivers; sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary;
all meals in Tibet apart from meals in
Lhasa; breakfasts in Kathmandu; airport and border transfers.
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| Price |
GBP1885.00*
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* Please note that, unless instructed
otherwise, we will be donating an optional 1% of the
proceeds of this tour to
the Mitrata-Nepal Foundation for Children (www.mitrata.org).
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