On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, after clearing the visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Head towards departure exit, where our staff receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed join on the lobby with other members for Lhasa-Tibet Tour briefing, provided by our guide, leader. On briefing full information of the tour in Lhasa, hotels as well of local cultures with do’s and don’ts. Evening a lovely dinner introduction to Nepali foods with exciting cultural programs.
Morning after breakfast, our city / cultural guide takes you on a tour visiting world heritage sites around Kathmandu city. Includes Old Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard, residence of Living Goddess the Kumari; and to Swayambhunath Stupa with more 2,600 years of history. Then head towards holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath a huge Buddhist Stupa. After an exciting and interesting tour back to hotel, preparation for Lhasa Tour.
Non-essential clothing and items not required for Tibet, can be stored in the Hotel or with Everest Adventure Tour.
As time for flight normally around late morning, transfer to Kathmandu International Airport. A sweeping scenic flight in China Air or similar on a bigger aircraft facing panorama of Himalayan peaks. Includes views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu, as the flight heads beyond Nepal and across Tibet. Then lands at Gongar International Airport of Tibet, after going through visa and passport check at the immigration. Then head outside the airport terminal, where our Tibetan guide and driver will receives you with traditional welcome.
A short drive heading through few tunnels to reach the fabled city of Lhasa, and check into a nice hotels. Located, eastern side of Lhasa city, around the oldest section of Lhasa near the main busy area of Barkhor Square. Having time for stroll around and observe the colorful market of Barkhor and Tibetans from all across the country.
These two days will be engrossed with sightseeing tour of famous sites of Lhasa. Our native Tibetan guide receives you in the morning, for short drive around the city and beyond. For exciting visit of Drepung, a large monastery complex. In early days a university and religious places for all monks and high priest. As well the residence of previous Dalai Lama’s before Potala Palace was built. The tour leads to monastery interior and facing grand views of Lhasa country side and farms.
Afternoon drive to Shera monastery located north of Lhasa, an interesting place to observe the young monks on debates. The discussion of religious, cultures and modernization with various topics to increase and gain knowledge.
The next morning visit the grand magnificent Potala Palace stands majestically above Lhasa city on top of a red hill. The Potala Palace, a fortress was built as winter residence of previous head of states the Dalai Lama’s. From 1649 to 1959 AD, at present a museum a World Heritage Site since 1994, the palace with 1,000 rooms. It is divided into two sections the Red washed as official, and white painted parts of the palace as non-officials.
Visitors are allowed to visit only 10-12 official rooms and main prayer halls and receptions, steeped with shrines. As well living quarters of Dalai Lama’s, the last head of state the present 14th Dalai Lama is in exile. Living with mass flow of Tibetan in cooler hills of Dharmasala, Himachal Pradesh in India.
Rest of the day after an interesting tour of Potala Palace, enjoy walking around the busy Barkhor Square. Enjoy tour of Jokhang Temple, amidst the bazaar of Barkhor areas, where one can observe the activities and local cultures.
Morning after breakfast a scenic journey driving outskirt of Lhasa city and reaching near Gongor airport, but the route diverts on leaving the great Brahmaputra River or Yarlung Tsangpo heading towards the zig-zag winding uphill road to Khamba-la at 4,800 meters offering tremendous scenery of Tibetan landscapes with distant snow-capped mountains and of Yamdrok Tsho below the pass, after enjoying the views drive heads downhill towards beautiful turquoise lake of Yamdrok Tsho following the lake for a while reaching at Nagarktse town for lunch, afternoon drive leads over another scenic high pass at Karo-la 5,010 meters with views of stunning Nzongkhangsa peak at 6,245 meters with its large ice falls and glacier just near by the road, from here after another 2-3 hours of good drive brings to Gyantse.
After a pleasant journey of few hours reaching at Tibet’s 2nd biggest city at Shigatse for overnight stop
Morning our Tibetan guide will take you for a visit to the famous Tashilumpo monastery complex with golden grilled roofs, a palace and throne of Panchen Lama (Jewel of knowledge) second head after Dalai Lama, at present residing 11th Panchen Lama, the tour leads into many chambers and halls visit the hall with tallest bronze statue of future Buddha (Matriya) at 21 meters height, with gold and silver memorial tombs of late Panchen lama’s.
From Shigatse city to Lhasa for last overnight in Tibet, the morning drive on different and shortest route to Lhasa. Reaching in the mid-afternoon for lunch and overnight stop, rest of the day enjoy to explore around Barkhor market square.
Morning as time schedule for flight to Kathmandu, the guide will accompany you to the airport. Then bid farewell to Tibetan guide, drivers and then enter the air-terminal for sweeping flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu airport transfer to your hotels, rest of the day at leisure for individual activities.
Final day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as time for your international flight for homeward bound or next port of call. Transfer to Kathmandu, Nepal international airport, bidding farewell to the staff, after a marvelous and enjoyable adventure on Best of Tibet Tour.
