Tibet Encounter Tour (Drive in fly out 8 day/ 7 night trip)
Day 01: Kathmandu / Zhang-Mu (2300m)An early start for an approx. 6 hrs. drive to Kodari, friendship bridge (Nepal/China Border). On clear mornings there are great views of Mt. Langtang, Mt. Gaurishankar, Mt. Melungtse and Khumbu Himal. After completion of customs and immigration check in Overnight Hotel.
Day 02: Zhang-Mu / Xegar (4350m) From Zhangmu the road follows the deep Bhote Koshi river valley with lots of waterfalls. After two and half hr. reach Nyalam (3750m), view Jugal Himal. Continuing via Lalung La (5050m.) splendid views of Mt. Langtang (7245 m), Mt. Xixapangma (8013 m), Mt. Dorje Lakpa (6980 m), Mt. Makalu (8464 m), Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt.Lotse (8501 m), Mt.Cho-Oyu (8200 m). Overnight Hotel.
Day 03: Xegar / Xigatse (3900m) Drive over a high pass at (5220m) then descend along a small river. Depending upon the road conditions, SHAKYA Monastery which is 26 km. up from the main road will be visited. It is one of the oldest and most important Bonpo Monasteries. Reach XIGATSE, site of the famous TASHILUNGPU MONASTERY, the seat of the Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. Its huge Thanka wall is clearly visible from the North side of the road. Overnight Hotel.X
Day 04: Xigatse / Gyantse (3950m)After visiting Tashilungpu Monastery in the morning, drive to Gyantse 2 hrs. away. Gyantse is a small bustling town steeped in history. It lies 264 kms. Southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of Nyang Chu river. In the 15th century it served as the capital of a small kingdom. Visit Kumbum Chorten, Palkor Chode Monastery, Gyantse Dzong. Built around 1400 A.D., later it became the main centre for trade with British India. Overnight Hotel.
Day 05: Gyantse / Lhasa (3650m)An eight hour. drive brings us to Lhasa crossing the Karo-La (5010m) and Kamba-La (4794m) on the way. The Karo-La climbs between two awesome mountains, Nozing Khang Sa (7223m) and Ralung (6236m). We pass the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) on route. After passing Kamba-La, the Lhasa valley can be seen to the north.We cross the Brahmaputra River before reaching Lhasa.Check in for Overnight Hotel.
Days 06 & 07: In LhasaGuided sightseeing of Lhasa including the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Overnight Hotel.
Day 08: Lhasa / Kathmandu after breakfast, transfer to airport (2 hrs. drive). Departure for Kathmandu at approx.10 a.m. (China standard time) for one of the most dramatic flights in the World, traveling the huge backbone of the Himalayas arriving Kathmandu at 9 a.m. (Nepal standard time)
Pre Departure Information for Tibet
Included in the Land cost
Transport by motor coach coach / Land Rover /automobile as required, and accommodation with daily breakfast using Holiday Inn/Tibet Hotel while at Lhasa. Tibet for the rest of the journey. We use the best available hotels and guesthouses, but these offer more basic accommodation and fewer amenities. Sightseeing Tours, Services of English speaking Local Tibetan /Chinese Guides, entrance fees to monasteries and other points of interest, Tibet permits, Kathmandu-Lhasa airfare as per itinerary and visa charges are also included.
Not included in the land cost
Insurance, airport departure taxes, Nepalese Visa, Passport fees, immunizations, hard and soft drinks, Photographic charges in various monasteries, gratuities and items of any personal nature that have not been specifically included above.
Surcharge
A surcharge of US$ 50.00 on Tibet visas is applicable for British, Canadian, and Belgian, and Cameroon, Brazilian, Irish, French and Dutch nationals.
Visas and documentation
You must be in possession of a valid passport. We obtain your visa for Tibet, and will require the following information when making your reservation: full name, date of expiry, place of issue, nationality, date of birth, sex and occupation. Two passport size photographs are also required. Additionally you must allow three full working days in Kathmandu for the visa to be fiscally stamped in your passport. A 30 day's visa for Nepal can be obtained from all Nepalese Embassies abroad or upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport in US$ 25.00.
