Tibet has remained hidden from the external world for a long time. Also known as the Forbidden City, the little place offers several opportunities to travel enthusiasts. The land of monasteries and palaces, Tibet promises panoramic views of high mountains including the great Mount Everest (at 8848m it is the highest mountain in the world), Langtang, Xixapangma, Makalu, Lhotse and Cho Oyu.

Tibet holds a special mysterious appeal to tourists. Especially designed jeep tours take tourists to Lhasa the main city of Tibet. The Lhasa to Kathmandu jeep tour includes visiting the Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Barkhor market, Jokhang Temple, Gyantse, Tashilhump Monastery, and the beautiful lake of Yamdrok Tso. Built in the 17th century, the Potala Palace contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, chapels and several state rooms. Perched atop the Marpo Ri hill, the palace is an architectural marvel. It is believed that the foundation of the palace had been laid in the 6th century itself but, it was not until the 17th century that the palace was fully constructed.

The 11 day trip starts off with a trip to the famous world heritage sites in Kathmandu. After obtaining visas from the Chinese authority, tourists are flown off to Gongar. Lhasa is a 2 hour journey from Gongar. Once in Lhasa travelers are advised to take rest and get acclimatized to the high altitude conditions. Day 4 begins with a sightseeing tour of Lhasa.

The sightseeing tour in Lhasa includes visiting the Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and Barkor. The Sera monastery is the home of hundreds of monks. In Tibetan language sera means wild rose. The monastery was named so in reference to the hill behind it that would be covered with wild roses during the blooming season. The great Dalai Lama spends his summer in the sacred Norbulingka. The Jokhang temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Tibet. What’s a trip without a little shopping? After a visit to the most sacred shrines in Lhasa, tourists are taken to the Barkor, a famous marketplace in Tibet.

Next, tourists are driven to Gyantse. In the remaining days tourists get to visit other Tibetan cities –Shigatse, Shegar and Zhangmu.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
You are welcomed by hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 02: Obtain Chinese Visa and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 03: Fly to Gongar airport and drive to Lhasa (3660m)
Early morning transfer to the international airport for the hour-long flight to Gongar. This stunning flight, on a China Southwest Airlines, takes us right across the main Himalayan range and provides us with magnificent mountain views. After landing at Gongar Airport and meeting your Tibetan guide, it is a further 2-hour drive by Land cruiser to Lhasa. It's advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 04: Sightseeing Tour in Lhasa
We spend today 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 its 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 that is the central market of Lhasa. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 05: Second day sightseeing tour in Lhasa
In the morning, we visit Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa it’s a spectacular building, containing 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. After lunch, we visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century and 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. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 06: Drive Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m) - 261 K.M. 7 hrs
The day begins with our overland journey towards Rongbuk valley. We follow the Friendship Highway by jeep, we cross the Khamba La at elevation of 4794meters from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa 7252meters. As we continue our journey to westwards over another high pass the Karo La 5045meters, we can view the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. After few hours, we arrive to Gyantse passing the beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 07: Drive to Shigatse (3900m) - 90 K.M. 2 hrs
This morning we visit the Gyantse Dzong. This fort dates back to the fourteenth century and offers some of the most amazing views of Gyantse and surrounding valleys. Before leaving we also visit the famed Gyantse Kumbum. This magnificent tiered structure is the largest stupa in all of Tibet. If the exquisite gold dome is not enough, this stupa is packed with Tibetan sculptures and paintings.
Thereby, we continue the trip to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. It is only about a 90 km drive taking us to Shigatse which is a laid back city that provides excellent opportunity for both relaxation and exploration. Thereafter, exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 08 Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km.
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. Overnight at guesthouse. B.B

Day 09: Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) - 245 K.M 5 hrs
Crossing two high passes, Lalung La at altitude of 5124meters and the Shung La 5200meters. On the way, we are rewarded by the magnificent landscapes of the surrounding peaks including Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Then our journey heads towards the arid Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. As we leave Tibet, it appears an incredibly lush and green. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu (1337m) 123 K.M 5 hrs
Leaving Zhangmu behind, we join the Friendship Bridge passing the Bhote Koshi River and mark the Chinese - Nepalese border. After that short drive, we say good-bye to our Tibetan guide. Then we drive and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari, there we have our Nepalese staff, completing the re-entry formalities we'll drive towards Kathmandu, which take 5 hours. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 11: Transfer to airport for home departure. B. “Farewell!”

Note:B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car / van / bus
2. Three night’s accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
3. Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle inclusive of all entrance fees
4. Kathmandu-Gongar international airfare
5. Tibet entry travel permit and Chinese visa
6. All monasteries entry fees
7. Accommodation during Tibet tour on twin sharing basis inclusive of breakfast
8. Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine for all Tibetan staff
9. Japanese land cruisers 4WD, 4500 model (four people in one jeep)
10. Tibet Tourism Board (TTB) approved Tibetan guide
11. Tibet border to Kathmandu (Friendship Bridge) pick up by tourist bus or jeep
12. All government taxes and official expense

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu & whist in Tibet
2. Travel insurance
3. International airfare (except Kathmandu-Gongar airport Tibet)
4. Nepal entry & re entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
5. All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
6. Personal shopping and laundry
7. Personal equipments
8. Tips for guide and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)