Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa

This trip begins with the breathtaking Trans-Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. A China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757, takes us right across Everest and the main Himalayan range and provides us magnificent mountains views. Upon our arrival at Gongar airport our agent will meet us and we clear customs. Then we start the 2 hour drive by Land cruiser to Lhasa. O/N at hotel

Sightseeing in Lhasa

Today we'll visit various Buddhist monasteries including Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet, where several hundred monks live and study within it's whitewashed walls & golden roofs. After lunch, we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple, 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, the central market of Lhasa.

Sightseeing in 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.

After lunch, we'll visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century, & 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.

Leisure day in Lhasa

This day is leisure day for acclimatization in Lhasa. We're free to explore further, & we can revisit the favorite monasteries or simply sit in a café & observe the Barkhor and watch the pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang, stopping regularly to peruse the merchandise at the stalls lining the route.

Drive Lhasa - Gyantse (3,950m.) - 261 km

Today we begin our overland journey towards Rongbuk valley and Everest. We follow the Friendship Highway by jeep, crossing the Khamba La (4,794m) from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7,252m). As we continue our journey westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5,045m), we can view the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. After a further 2 hours, we arrive to Gyantse passing the beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages. O/N at hotel.

Drive Gyantse to- Shigatse (3,900m.) - 90 km

Before leaving Gyantse, we can visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum, which is a large gold-domed stupa, & its many small chapels house an impressive arry of Tibetan Buddhist murals. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Afterwards we continue the journey to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. After a short drive of only 90kms, we take our lunch before exploring the local market, and we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. O/N at hotel.

Drive Shigatse to Shegar (New Tingri) (4,050m.) - 244 km

Today we restart the journey following the Friendship Highway, through spectacular landscape of Tibet, crossing the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La (5,220m). Then we continue towards the plains passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar. O/N at hotel

Drive Shegar to- Rongbuk (5,000m)- 68 km

As we leave Shigatse, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La (5,150m) towards the main Himalayan range giving magnificent views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley, we can see the best view of Everest so far. O/N at Guesthouse

Walk to Everest Base Camp (5,400m) and then drive to Tingri (4,390m) - 65km

In the morning we hike up to Everest Base Camp (a 10km walk) and feel that we can almost touch the summit. After a rest we trek back to Rongbuk and lunch, before driving to Tingri. O/N at Guesthouse.

Drive Tingri to Zhangmu (2,300m.) - 181 km

Today we leave Tingri, crossing two high passes, the Lalung La (5124m) and the Shung La (5200m). On the way, we're rewarded by the magnificent scenery of the surrounding peaks including Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar. Then we continue the journey towards the arid Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. O/N at Guesthouse

Drive Zhangmu to Kodari to Kathmandu (1,350m.) - 123 km

Leaving Zhangmu, we continue down the amazing valley, before we cross the Friendship Bridge over the Bhote Koshi River marking 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, where we have our Nepalese staff, completing the re-entry formalities we'll drive towards Kathmandu, which may take 5 hours, but it depends on road & weather conditions. O/N at hotel

Kathmandu Departure Day

Today we say goodbye, unless you are embarking upon another adventure with us!

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