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» Himalayan Destination  »  TIBET

Tibet, a land veiled in secrecy for centuries, the roof of the world with its mystery, grandeur, and overwhelming nights is now open to visitors. Probably the best way to visit Tibet now either to view the wondrous places of cultural and religious interest or to trek in the Tibetan high plateau is by taking one of our package tours starting from Kathmandu. With easy access by air or by breathtakingly beautiful overland trip,

Tibet is ready to take in visitors from the start of its tourist season in April, until just before its extreme winter in November. We present you a whole range of packages to suit every taste and budget to help you make your trip both affordable and memorable.

Places of Interest
Gyantse, Perched 3,800 meters (12,465 ft.) high, Gyantse is Tibet's third most important city and was formerly used as a fort. It is also the center of Tibets wool trade and the gateway to the outside world. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, Lhasa boasts of sights and sounds of an ancient city lost in time. Potala Palace the seat of the Dalai Lama is 385 ft. high with some 1000 shrines and 200,000 statues. Norbulinkha used to be the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, part of which now is a museum. Jokhang Temple built more than 1300 years ago, is the most revered temple in Tibet. The innermost shrine contain the oldest, most precious object in Tibet, the Jowo, the little Buddha that Buddha Princess Weng Chen brought 1300 years ago. Barkhor Street is a lively market place and cultural center that attracts pilgrims, merchants and tourists. Drepung Monastery founded in 1416 was once the largest and the richest monastery in Tibet. Sera Monastery is the second largest of the three monasteries in Tibet. It was founded in 1419 by the disciple of Zongkaba, founder of the yellow sect of Buddhism. Ganden Monastery, the third largest monastery in Lhasa, is perched high on the mountaintop with splendid views of Lhasa valley.

Tsetang, 220 kms. South of Lhasa at an elevation of 3600 meter (12,000 ft.) Tsetang is located in the Yarlung valley. Samye Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet was built in the eighth century by Padmasambhava, the great disciple of Buddha himself.

Shigatse is the second largest town in Tibet. Its main attraction is the Tashilhumpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. As one of the great centers of Buddhism, Shigatse often rivalled Lhasa, and is one of Tibet's richest farming areas. The monastery was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama and its highlight is the Maitreya Hall housing a 27 meter (86 ft.) tall gold plated bronze image of the Maitreya, (future Buddha) on a lotus seat.

Xegar is a check-post on the Lhasa route, nearby is the Sakya Monastery, the oldest and most important Bon Po monasteries in Tibet.

Zhangmu or Khasa in Nepalese language is a small trading post near the Friendship Bridge on the Tibet-Nepal border, 85 km. from Kathmandu City.



Other Tour Ideas

Silk Road to Pakistan
(19 nights/ 20 days)
8 days overland trip into Tibet, then onwards by road to Tuotuohe, Golmud and Dunhuang. Then by train to Turfan,Urumqi. flight to Kashgar, then drive to Tashikurgan and then into Pakistan.

This trip is one of the most adventurous and spectacular trips one can ever get anywhere. It takes us over the Himalayan passes to Tibet, and into the cultural grandeur of Lhasa and other towns of Tibet. We then take a road journey to meet the Silk Road at Dunhuang, a town surrounded by sand dunes and renowned for its Mogao grottoes - 492 caves cut into a massive cliff during the 3rd century. Then we enter Turpan, one of the hottest oasis depressions in China and once an important stop in the Silk Road. The focal bazaar is bustling with exotica. We then reach Urumqi, capital of Xinxiang and the inland city in the world. From here we fly to Kashgar, the western convergence of the North and South Silk Roads. We then drive to Tashikurgan stopping enroute by the shores of beautiful Lake Karakul. After which we cross the awesome Khunjerab Pass (4733 m.) and enter the Hunza Valley of Pakistan.

Mt. Kailash/ Lake Mansarover A, B, C

Itinerary A-13 nights/ 14 days

Itinerary B-21 nights/ 22 days

Itinerary C-23 nights/ 24 days

Mount Kailash in West Tibet is the most sacred mountain in the country and is a place for pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus. Four great rivers are 'born' here, the Bramhaputra, the Ganges, the Indus and the Sutlez. The Tibetans call the mountain Gang Rinpoche or "Jewel of Snow". The trek takes us along the pilgrim's route that leads around the mountain. The trek will take three days with the Drolna La (5670 m.) as the highest pass crossing. Additionally, we'll visit Manasarovar Lake, the highest freshwater lake in the world (4558 m . ) . Numerous myths surround this lake which is of great importance to both Buddhists and Hindus. Not far from Kailash are the relics of the two ancient towns Toling and Tsaparang, once capitals of the kingdom of Guge. Little is known of their history but owing to the isolated location of the region, many old frescoes have been spared. A two-day stay in this area is part of our journey provided permission to visit Toling and Tsaparang can be obtained.

China Extension Programs
We propose that you take the opportunity of your Tibet trip to take an extension tour to the Middle Kingdom. You can plan to fly home from Beijing or Hong Kong.

Lhasa-Chengdu by air, Chengdu 2 nights, Chengdu-Xian by air, Xian 2 nights, XianBeijing ay air, Beijing 3 nights.

Lhasa-Chengdu by air, Chengdu 2 nights, Chengdu-Guangzbou by air, Guangzkou 2 nights, Guangzbou-Hong Kong by train.

Lhasa-Chengdu by air, Chengdu I night, Chengdu-Beijing by air, Beijing 2 nights, Beijing-Xian by air, Xian 2 nights, Xian-Luoyang by train, Luoyang 2 nights, Luoyang-Nanjing by train, Nanjing 2 nights, Nanjing-Shanghai by train, Shanghai 2 nights, Shanghai-Hangzbou by train, Hangzbou 2 nights, Hangzkou-Hong Kong by air.

 
 
 









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