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Overview of Tibet Overland Tour Lhasa to Kathmandu

 

 

1B

Nepal is the most happening incentive travel destination in the world with an exhilarating blend of unique ethnicity proudly preserved. Amusing, enchanting adventure, and remarkable natural beauty will be much to worth to see and experience. The great culture, people, tradition, and ancient traditional hospitality are an added bonus, of course. This tour blends the beauty of Nepal with the mysticism of Tibet and the simplicity of the Tibetans living high on the Tibetan plateau.

Tibet Overland

 

Itinerary

 

 

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel. 

Day 2: Full day guided sightseeing inside Kathmandu to the major sites:-

Swayambhunath: One of world’s most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and the holiest of Buddhist Chaityas and dates back more than 2000 years. Situated on a hillock Swayambhunath, literally “the Self-Created or Existent”, is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda temple contributed by and time by the succession of kings and noblemen. The main structure of is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides on the base of the spire are the “All Seeing Eyes” of Lord Buddha.  The main features of Swayambhunath in brief are “The Five Buddhas.”

 

Bouddhanth: This colossal and ancient Stupa, one of Nepal’s most unique monument and said to be the world biggest, attracts Nepalese pilgrimage of Tibetan stock from as far as Dolpo and Mugu as well as Tibet, Ladhak in India and Bhutan. Baudhanath Stupa with all seeing eyes of primordial Adi Buddha on all the four sides of the stupa is said to hold the remains of Kasyapa - the Buddha of the previous time.The Stupa 100 meters in diameter,  built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels by the Lichchivi King Mana Deva in the fifth century rises to 36 meters above the base including the spire, “all seeing eyes” and the pinnacle represent the stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana. There are many myths about the origins of the stupa.

 

Guheshwari: The short drive from Bouddha will take you this place said that when Sati, the consort of Siva, immolated herself due to her father’s insult, Siva stricken with grief, wandered the skies with her corpse as pieces of her body fell to earth thus creating 51 sacred sites. Her private parts fell here thus the name “Guheshwari”.

 

Pashupatinath: Just a small walk takes you the temple of lord Siva-Pasupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb Newari architecture situated near the banks of sacred Bagmati River. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the “Hindus Only”, however visitors can clearly see the temple from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. Pashupati, literally, “Lord of the Animals” is the patron deity of Nepal and believed to have been unearthed by an obscure herdsman while one of his cattle was showering the earth with milk. Across the sacred river, above the array of decorated monuments is the “Slasmantak or Mrigasthali Ban (forest)” where legends have it that Lord Siva dwelled in a form of an antelope to evade the hordes of demigod

 

Tibet Part
Day 3: Fly to Lhasa and get transferred to Tsetang.

A China Southwest Airline flight which departs Kathmandu in the mid - morning will wing you over the Himalayas in what must be one of the most spectacular flights to Gongar airport, 90km from Lhasa. You will be met here by your guide and then proceed to Tsetang where you will have rooms reserved for you at the Tsetang Hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

 

Day 4: Tsedang Sightseeing.

Your, encounter with Tibet will begin with a visit to the palace of Yambulakhang which was built by the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo in the second century BC. Local folklore has it that the king was descended from heaven. Later, we will visit the Tradruk Temple.

 

Day 5: Drive to Gyantse

Today, we will begin our overland journey across the Tibetan plains to Gyangtse via Yamdrok , or "Turquoise Lake". Overnight at Gyangtse Hotel

 

Day 6: Drive to Shigatse

We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to 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.

 

Day 7: Sightseing and return to Lhasa

After breakfast, you will visit Tashilunpo monastery. This is the official seat of the Panchen Lama, second in importance to only the Dalai Lama. The monastery itself was built in1447 by Gendun Drup and once housed upward of 3400 monks. Of particular interest in the monastery is the nine-foot statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. In the afternoon you will drive back to Lhasa.

 

Day 8: Sightseeing in Lhasa.

After breakfast, you will visit the Potala Palace. The palace of the Dalai Lama a treasure of Tibetan culture was, till 1965, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet and quite possibly, the singularly most important building in all Tibet. It was built in the seventh century by Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and later renovated by the fifth Dalai Lama in the seventeenth century to its present specifications. Your next stop will be Norbulingkha, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which was built, in the eighteenth century.
 

Day 9: Sightseeing in Lhasa

Today you will visit the Drepung monastery. This is the largest monastery in the world and once housed 10,000 monks and nuns. It was built in 1419 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. Your next stop will be the Jokhang Temple. This is the holiest shrine in Tibet and houses a golden statue of the Buddha, which was brought to Tibet by the Chinese princess "Wen Chen". You then stop off at Barkhor Bazaar outside the Jokhang monastery. This is a bustling flea market and is, generally, the place to buy souvenirs.

 

Day 10: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu, Remainder of the day at leisure

 

Day 11: Depart Kathmandu

 

End of services

 

Tibet Overland

 

Dates/Prices

 

Trekking dates are arranged to suit you with no set fixed departures.
We can accommodate you at any time of year.

 

Prices are quoted in USD and are subject to change until paid in full

 

Please email us for current prices

 

Services Included:

01. All ground transfers by private vehicle.

02. Five Star Annapurna Hotel in Kathmandu (including breakfast).

03. Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu (including all entrance fees).

04. Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet visa fee (note excludes supplement*)

05. Airfare: Kathmandu – Lhasa unless ending in or joining in Lhasa

06. Private tour arrangement for Tibet.

07. Transportation in Tibet by Toyota land cruiser

08. Three or Four Star Hotels in Tibet (including breakfast).

09. Guide and staff as necessary for the tour.

 

Services Excluded:

01.  International Flights

02.  Airport taxes.

03.  Expenses of personal nature such as bottled drinks, mineral water, laundry and etc.

04.  Rescue and evacuation - if needed.

05.  Personal medical and travel insurance.

06.  Tips and Gratitude.

07.  * Visa supplement since April 2009: $75.00 and $155 for US Nationals

 

Hotels (on both options) –

Kathmandu: Hotel de l’ Annapurna (5 star)

Lhasa: Dhud Gu / Gorkha / similar

Gyantse: Gyantse Hotel

Shigatse: Shigatse Hotel

Shegar: Quomolongma Hotel

Zhangmu: Zhangmu Hotel

 

- Hotels are subject to availability. Alternative arrangements will be made on similar standards on such cases.

 

Tourism in Tibet

Tibet is new to tourism and as such, you may often encounter things running a little differently to the way they do in the west. Time adherence can be slow and facilities e.g. some restaurants and public toilets seriously "wanting."  The Tibetan people are also non-confrontational, so when encountering slow service at a restaurant etc, complaining tends to yield a deaf ear.  Guides and drivers across the plateau are also very friendly and will stop to help anyone else they thing may have car troubles. The roads are also prone to wash ways causing delays or detours and often sections of a road will be closed without prior notice. As such, a good degree of patience is required when travelling to Tibet. We do however, endeavour to make your journey run as smoothly as possible despite these issues.

 

Tibet Overland

 

Photo's

   

 

Kathmandu

Sera Monastery

 

Jokhang Temple

Tibet Butter Lamps

Tibetan Village

Tashilunpo Monastery

   

 

Tibet Overland

 

 

Tibet Visa Requirement

 

When entering Tibet from Nepal, Chinese Visas cannot be used. As such, the visa for Tibet must be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. As visa's are only issued on Mondays, Wednesday's and Thursdays (except if they fall on a Chinese Holiday), tours need to be arranged to suit these visa issue dates, i.e. any one going on a tour departing for Tibet from Nepal, needs to arrive in Kathmandu at least three days before entering Tibet.

 

When you confirm your trip with us, we will organize your Travel Permit for Tibet, Visa Approval Documents and apply to the Chinese embassy to obtain your visa. We will thus require your full passport details, 3 weeks prior to your arrival at Kathmandu. The final documentation will be done on arrival in Nepal.

 

Please note that visa for Tibet obtained elsewhere has still got to be endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

 

Your current Passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of travel. The passport must also have more than two blank visa pages. We will require two full front passport photos taken against a clear background, in either colour or black and white. Photo's cannot be scanned and if digital, must be printed on gloss photo paper.

 

Tibet Overland

Tibet Tours

Everest Advanced Base Camp

-  22 Days, 21 Nights

Lhasa Kathmandu Tours

-  From 7 Days, 6 Nights

Tibet Overland and Everest

- 14 Days, 13 Nights

Tibet Overland Adventures 4 x 4 Tour

- 11 Days, 10 Nights

Kharta Valley trek

- 24 Days, 23 Nights

Mount Kailash via Simikot to Lhasa

- 26 Days, 27 Nights

Mount Kailash  from Zhangmu

- 18 Days, 17 Nights

Mountain Biking Lhasa to Kathmandu

-  22 Days, 21 Nights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tibet Overland Overview

Trip Duration

11 Days, 10 Nights

Destination

Tibet and Nepal

Activities

Overland 4 x 4

Travel times

April to October

Minimum Numbers

1

Accommodation

Hotels

 

 

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