Heart of Tibet
Delve into Tibetan culture and history, tour some of the most significant sites and be amazed by the unique art and design of Tibetan Buddhism.
We fly into Lhasa and get straight into some fascinating and extraordinary sightseeing in the cultural, spiritual and historic capital of Tibet. Dominated by the massive Potala Palace, once the Dalai Lama’s seat of government, we have two days to explore this great city; the Jokhang temple, the Barkor market, Norbulingka, Chakpori (Iron Hill), and the nearby beautiful monasteries of Sera and Drepung.
After two days we will feel wrenched away from this beautiful city but we are off to visit the central Tibetan city of Gyantse, which is one of the most authentic towns in Tibet and the Palkhor Monastery which contains the superb Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa and is a deeply spiritual place. Towering above the city, the Gyantse dzong (fort) stands sentinel over the town and offers excellent views. A long day drive to Tsethang and the Yarlung Valley transports us back to the cradle of Tibetan civilisation with all its myths and traditions before flying back to Kathmandu.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-18051-P) |
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All Hotels in Kathmandu + Tibet |
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All ground transportation in Nepal + Tibet |
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All necessary permit and tax |
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All airlines tickets and tax |
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All staff wages and insurance |
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All food during the trek period |
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And emergency hyperbaric Chamber bag |
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All airport pickup and drive |
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All sightseeing in Kathmandu valley |
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Price Excludes |
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Personal bar bill travel insurance/ international airfare laundry and tips
Personal Rescue if you need
Note above day to day itinerary. May be change depending on weather and flight. |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
14 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Day 1 - Arrival Kathmandu transfer to Hotel
Day 2 - Kathmandu - Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa on China Southwest and transfer to hotel.
Day 3 - Lhasa
Sightseeing of Lhasa as time permits:
Sera Monastery - established in 1419 Sera Monastery is not only famous for its remarkable relics but also the monks' debating practice which is open to tourists. However, please make sure you are not watching the enforced Comprehensive Propaganda Education which is designed to enhance 'patriotic education' - check with your operator for details.
Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazaar - The Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex, founded in the 7th century, it is the spiritual centre of Tibet. Although its buildings and decoration reflect the high quality of Tibetan art in the 7th century and again in the 15th-16th centuries it is the absolute devotion of the pilgrims in and around the temple that capture your attention. Around the Jokhang is the Barkhor market which is full of Tibetans from every corner of the country as well as an amazing assortment of goods from false teeth, to scriptures, to works of art and day-to-day merchandise.
Norbulingka - built in the 1740's during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama it was later renovated and enlarged and became the Dalai Lama's summer palace. Essentially a park with a number of palaces it is an ideal place to see Tibetan folk singing and see where Heinrich Harrer lived.
Chakpori (Iron Hill) - once the site of the Tibetan Medicine College it was bombed during the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Now only a few rebuilt stupas remain. It is a poignant reminder of the past.
Day 4 - Lhasa
Sightseeing of Lhasa, as time permits:
Potala Palace - the first structure on Marpo Ri hill was built in 637 by Emperor Songtsen Gampo, although the current building started to take shape in 1645 with successive Dalai Lamas adding sections, until now at 13 stories high it dominates the landscape. Not only the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama it was also the seat of government of Tibet with over 1,000 rooms and a monastic centre of learning. The oldest section is within the White Palace where there are two small chapels, the Phakpa Lhakhang and the Chogyal Drubphuk dating from the seventh century. There are also many other shrine rooms and the mortal remains of 13 previous Dalai Lamas, along with countless thankas, frescos, and works of art.
Drepung Monastery - once the largest and richest monastery in Tibet it was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. At its peak it had a registration of more than 10,000 thousand monks many of whom could get into the main prayer hall!
The Tibet Museum - houses many of the artefacts 'liberated' by the Chinese during their invasion of Tibet. Despite the appalling assertions it has some excellent pieces which one day might make it back to where they belong.
Day 5 -Lhasa - Gyantse
We leave early today to complete the fairly short drive to Gyantse past one of the sacred lakes of Tibet, Yamdrok Tsho. The lakes crystal clear waters always produce some amazing reflections of the surrounding mountains and it will be hard to avoid many photo stops. Gyantse is one of the most authentic towns in Tibet and home to the magnificent Palkhor Monastery. Within the monastic compound is the superb Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa and is a deeply spiritual place. Built in 1414 the Kumbum is 5 storied pagoda containing 108 images of Buddha and 77 chapels, all finely decorated. Towering above the city, the Gyantse dzong (fort) stands sentinel over the town and offers excellent views for those feeling energetic.
Day 6 - Gyantse - Tsethang (Samye)
Tsethang is Tibet's third largest city and legend has it that the nearby Yarlung Valley is the cradle of the Tibetan civilisation. According to tradition, the first king descended from heaven and lived in the Yumbu Lagang, an eerie mediaeval castle reputed to be the oldest building in Tibet. The surrounding fertile valley is a beautiful back-drop to this fascinating region and if we have time we will try to get to Samye, Tibet's first monastery across the river.
Day 7 - Tsethang - Kathmandu
For the next two days we climb up and into the Land of Lo proper, crossing the Baga La (pass) to get there. The arid landscapes of the high Himalaya surround us, providing a surreal, mystical backdrop to the Chortens, Mani walls, yaks and mountain goats that we pass. Our camps in poplar groves, surrounded by fields of millet and barley provide an ideal opportunity to relax and sample the local butter tea and chang (home brew).
Day 8 - Kathmandu all day sightseeing Boudhanath, Soyambunath and Pashupatinath
Day 9 - Kathmandu sightseeing Baktapur and Patan
Day 10 - Final departure from the Hotel |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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5 night's hotel, 20 nights camping |
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Holidays
Extras |
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