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19 Day itinerary
Kathmandu - Lhasa -
Drigung Til Monastery
Tidrum Nunnery- Reting Monastery - Lake Namtso -
Gyangtse - Shigatse - Kathmandu
Tour starts: 3rd September 2011
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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
travel there is by no means always comfortable, with all its rewards, it
is well within the grasp of today’s adventurous traveller. |
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This fascinating journey takes
in all the most important sites in Tibet as well as going
off the beaten track for a glimpse into a magical Tibet of
bygone days. After an unforgettable mountain flight across
the Roof of the World we have ample time to explore the
sights of Lhasa before setting off in search of the remote
hot springs and hidden monasteries that lie in the beautiful
countryside to the north of the capital. We then spend time
amidst nomads and pilgrims on the shores of the vast
and magical Lake Namtso. After more time to explore Lhasa we
set off on one of the most incredible overland journeys in
the world travelling south through the heart of the mighty
Himalayas. With time to explore the important towns of
Gyantse and Shigaste en route we then travel, in the shadow
of Mount Everest, over majestic mountain passes back to the
bustle of Kathmandu. |
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OUTLINE
ITINERARY
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| Day 1 - Kathmandu |
Tour begins in Kathmandu. (Hotel) |
| Day 2 - Kathmandu |
Organised city sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley.
(Hotel) |
| Day 3 - Kathmandu |
Free day in Kathmandu for exploration. (Hotel) |
| Day 4 - Lhasa |
Fly to Gongkar Airport. Drive to
Lhasa. (Hotel) |
| Day 5 - Lhasa |
Full tour of Lhasa including the Jokhang temple,
Potala Palace and Sera Monastery. (Hotel) |
| Day 6 - Lhasa |
Morning visit to Drepung Monastery. Free afternoon.
(Hotel) |
| Day 7 - Drigung Til |
Drive to Drigung Til Monastery. En route visit
stunningly located Ganden Monastery, headquarters of the Gelukpa
('Yellow Hat') sect. (Guesthouse) |
| Day 8 - Tidrum |
Explore Drigung, respected site for 'sky burials',
then drive or optional trek to Tidrum Nunnery. Enjoy a medicinal hot
spring bath at Tidrum! (Camp or guesthouse) |
| Day 9 - Tidrum |
Full day to explore the delightful surroundings of
Tidrum Nunnery to relax at camp or undertake a choice of easy or more
difficult hikes. Visit remote Dranang monastery. (Camp or guesthouse) |
| Day 10 - Reting |
Following the 'laughing' Kyi River we drive to the
historically important monastery of Reting, set in hills of fragrant
juniper. (Camp or guesthouse) |
| Day 11 - Lake Namtso |
We continue our drive via the town of Damxung to
Tashi Do Monastery on the shores of the breathtakingly beautiful Namtso
Lake. Experience at first hand the delights and rigours of nomad life.
(Tent encampment) |
| Day 12 - Lhasa |
After more time to explore Namtso Lake we drive back
via Yangbaijain to Tibet's capital. (Hotel) |
| Day 13 - Lhasa |
A full day in Lhasa to explore the
town or make an excursion to the nearby Drak Yerpa Cave Hermitage, one
of the holiest retreats in Tibet . (Hotel) |
| Day 14 - Shigatse |
Leave Lhasa for Shigatse via the Khamba La pass,
skirting the turquoise waters of Scorpion Lake. en route visit the
impressive Gyangtse Kumbum monastery and view the ancient Gyangtse fort.
(Hotel) |
| Day 15 - Xegar |
Morning visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, traditional seat
of the Panchen Lama. Continue to Shelkar. (Hotel) |
| Day 16 - Nyalam |
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. (Hotel or guesthouse) |
| Day 17 - Kathmandu |
Drive down via Dram (Zhangmu), across the border and
on to Kathmandu. (Hotel) |
| Day 18 - Kathmandu |
Free Day (Kathmandu) |
| Day 19 - ends |
Caravan concludes... |
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TRIP
DETAILS
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Land only dates |
Starts
Kathmandu 3rd September 2011 - ends Kathmandu 21st September 2011
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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. At Drigung we stay in
the monastery guesthouse. At Tidrum and Lake Namtso we will camp although the option to stay
in a guesthouse is available. At Lake Namtso we
will stay in a 'tent hotel'. All breakfasts in Nepal and all
meals in Tibet (except in Lhasa) are included.
No single surcharge. Single supplement
available at GBP285 (price to be confirmed). |
| 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 occasionally 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 available on arrival in Nepal.
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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 |
GBP1995.00
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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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