Winter Special Tour – 16 Days

This tour has been designed to give you a full insight into the culture of Tibet and its amazing landscapes. The most incredible sights of Tibet are included in this well-organized program which allows you to not only cross rapidly the Tibetan plateau but to immerge yourself completely in the mystery of this Asian High Land.

We have included a special departure date in February 2011 to discover and experience the Tibetan New Year while in Lhasa.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: Nepal 4 – Tibet 11 Days
Grade: Gentle plus
Starts in: Kathmandu – Lhasa
Ends in: Lhasa – Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel/Guest House
Maximum altitude: 3900m.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kathmandu & Lhasa's main attractions - Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple & Patan durbar square with 12 day excursion to all the legacies of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Namtso Lake, Tsedang, Yarlung, Samye and Drak Yerpa Caves..
• English speaking Local Tibetan Guide
• Comfortable transportation/hotels with Tibetan character wherever possible
• complete hassle free Chinese (Tibetan) travel documentation

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfers to Hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5 Hrs.
Day 03: Fly to Lhasa (3660m.) & drive to Tsedang (3550m.) - 183km.
Day 04: In Tsedang - Yarlung Valley & Samye Monastery
Day 05: Tsedang - Lhasa via Mindroling - 200km.
Day 06: Lhasa Sightseeing.
Day 07: Lhasa Sightseeing.
Day 08: Day excursion to Namtso Lake
Day 09: Day tour to Ganden and Tsurpu
Day 10: Gyantse (3950m.) 261 km
Day 11: Drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m.) 90 km.
Day 12: Drive Shigatse – Lhasa (280 km.)
Day 13: Day excursion to Drak Yerpa Caves
Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
Day 15: Kathmandu Free.
Day 16: Last minute, transfer to airport then onward journey.

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES: April 10, 2011
Tibet Tour Cost: USD    Per Person.

Tour Cost Includes:

• All land transportation by Car, Land Cruiser, Van, Hiace & mini Bus (Airport/Hotel/Airport & expedition pick up & drop).
• 4 Night’s Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu at bed and breakfast basis as per programs.
• One full day sightseeing in Kathmandu with professional English speaking tour guide with temples entry fees.
• Guided sightseeing tours in Lhasa with Monastery entrance fees.
• Best available standard Hotel accommodation in Lhasa & best available en-route on twin sharing with breakfast.
• Transportation by Land Cruiser (Toyota 4500, best in Tibet) with support truck while on Tibet.
• English speaking Chinese or Tibetan guide while on tour & trekking.
• Tibet visa, permit and all applicable taxes and entrance fees.
• Airport transfers & supply of bottled oxygen in Car.
• Air Ticket: Kathmandu/Gonggar airport (Lhasa)/Kathmandu.
• PAC bag (Portable Altitude Chamber) & first aid medical Kit.
• All official taxes and service charge.

Tour Cost Doesn’t Include:

• Hotel accommodation after 4 nights stays in Kathmandu.
• Personal transportation except above programs.
• Major meals lunch and dinner during your stay in Nepal & Hotel in Tibet.
• Personal clothing, tour equipments as well as sleeping bags. (required)
• Personal Nature expenses (Extra expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances such as sickness, accidents, road blockage, and other occurrences beyond our control.)
• Drinks except tea and coffee.
• Airfare: To & from your country.
• Nepal entry, re-entry visa fees & international airport departure taxes. (It is suggested you apply for a multiple entry visa for Nepal initially saving you the Nepal re-entry fee).
• Personal travel insurance. (Liability for insurance against sickness, accidents, loss of baggage, loss of life etc.)
• Tips for the guide & trekking crews.

Note:

1. We need a name list of each member 60 days before the trip confirmation for flight reservation.
2. Clear passport photocopy and a passport size photo of each member which should reach us 30 days before client's arrival in Kathmandu at info@culturaltreks.com ((jpeg or gif reduced to max. 25Kb per photo).
3. If you wish to join tours or trekking in Kathmandu you have to arrive as per the given programs and if you wish join in Lhasa can also possible.
4. If you are traveling in Nepal before going to Tibet, then you must apply for your Chinese visa in Kathmandu. We can get it within 2 days with your original passport.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu airport, meet our staff & transfers to Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing: Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath temple and Patan durbar square with professional English speaking tour guide. 4/5 Hrs.

Day 03: Fly to Lhasa 3660m. and drive to Tsedang 3550m.-183 km.
You will be met at Gongkar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. A 2-hour drive from Lhasa passing through barley and wheat fields brings you to the third largest city in Tibet, Tsedang. En route Tsedang you stop at Nyethang , a temple built in 10th century by Atisa, an Indian Buddhist. The temple contains interesting artifacts and hold significant importance in Tibetan Buddhism

Day 04: In Tsedang –Yarlung Valley and
Today you visit Yarlung Valley .According to ancient Tibetan history, Tibetan civilization originated from Yarlung valley. Over there you can spot massive burial mounds of Tibetan Kings. Today’s sights also include Tandruk monastery, a 7th century monastery, which holds a fantastic carved wooden altar, interesting relics and murals. Yambulakang, the castle perched dramatically on a pinnacle above the valley, is the oldest known dwelling in Tibet, reputedly the home of the Yarlung Kings. The view from the castle is awesome.

The tour continues to the west of Tsedang, along the Tsangpo river on a boat to Samye Monastery. Samye Monastery, founded in 779 AD, is in a green valley among barren mountains surrounded by a village. Samye Monastery is one of the most imposing sights of Tibet. Built between 763 and 75 AD and modeled on the University of Otantapuri in India, it was planned as a representation of the universe.

Day 05:
Traveling from Tsedang to Lhasa you stop at Mindroling, a 10th century monastery, rebuilt in 1676 and highly reputed for its contribution towards astronomy, astrology, medicine and calligraphy. The murals on the wall have special significance and show the typical Tantric arts. Another distinctive feature of Mindroling monastery is the fact that the monks who reside there can have wives and children.

Day 06: Lhasa Sightseeing
Today you will be taken for a sightseeing tour to Lhasa. On your awe-inspiring visit to Sera monastery, you are introduced to the important aspects of Buddhism. After lunch, you pay a visit to Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang temple provides yet another exciting and educative tour. Wandering around Barkhor market is another major highlight of the day.

Day 07: Lhasa Sightseeing
In the morning, after breakfast, you will set off to view the majestic Potala Palace, which towers above the city of Lhasa. You get to see an overwhelming array of intricate Tibetan murals, temples, stupas, and the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. After lunch, you will be taken on a visit to beautifully landscaped Drepung monastery. At the monastery you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses.

Day 08:
Today you will be taken on an excursion to one of the most beautiful places in Tibet, the Namtso Lake.  In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is one among the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso lake is at an altitude of 4720 m. It covers a vast area of about 757 square miles. The crystal-clear water of this lake and the scenic beauty of its surrounding are sure to leave you spellbound.

Day 09: Day tour to Ganden and Tsurpu
Today you will be taken to two very famous monasteries, Ganden and Tsurpu. Ganden monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupka (Yellow Hat) sect.  This monastery is the first Gelug monastery in Tibet. It lays 57 km east of Lhasa .Besides its typical Tibetan style, it is three times as large as Potala Palace. The Tsurpu monastery situated at an altitude of 4300m has a history of 800years. Located high in the tributary of the Tolung Valley, the huge temples and chanting halls of Tsurphu monastery has been rebuilt from the rubble of the Cultural Revolution.

Day 10: Gyantse (3950m) 261 km.
After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the town of Gyantse. In Gyantse you will visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century. From there you can enjoy the spectacular views of Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed Stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. En route you will be escorted to visit Shalu Monastery founded in 11th century and noted for its 14th century murals which fuse Chinese, Mongol and Nepalese style.

Day 11: Drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m) 90 km.
After exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an average altitude of 3900 m, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. Tashilhunpo monastery being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of Shigatse.

Day 12: Drive Shigatse to Lhasa (280km.)
After hearty breakfast at hotel you will be guided to explore the local market and the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. After detailed visit of Shigatse you will drive via shorter road to Lhasa.

Day 13: Day excursion to Drak Yerpa caves
The Drak Yerpa caves are about an hour’s drive to the northeast of Lhasa. Songtsen Gampo meditated here, as did Padma Sambhava and several of his disciples. The site is strongly associated with Jowo Atisha and the early Kadampa masters.

Day 14: Depart Lhasa
You will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home/or Kathmandu then transfer to Hotel.

Day 15: Kathmandu Free.

Day 16: Last minute, transfer to airport then onward journey.

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