A shortened version of our classic overland route between two very exotic Asian cities, Kathmandu, Nepal and Lhasa, Tibet, this adventure is perfect for those with limited time. Explore the mountains, villages and culture of this remote and exotic destination via 4x4 Land Cruisers. From the vast and barren beauty of the Tibetan Plateau to majestic views of the mighty Himalayan mountain range to the lush hills of Nepal, you are treated to spectacular views, are given special insight into Tibetan and Buddhist culture, and are introduced to the land that is Shangri-La.

Day 1:
ARRIVE KATHMANDU (4,200 feet)

Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you will be met by one of our representatives. You will be transferred in a private vehicle to one of the best know hotels for climbers and trekkers located in the heart of the exotic and energetic neighborhood of Thamel. Alternatively you can take a cab to the assigned hotel where our representative will meet you. After you settle in our representative will ask you to fill out a China/Tibet visa application form and submit your passport and two passport photos (you must bring these with you to Nepal) so he can take care of all the formalities the next day. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the gardens of the hotel or take a walk through the vibrant streets of Thamel.


Day 2:
KATHMANDU (4,200 feet)

Today is a leisure day in Kathmandu to relax or explore the temples, monasteries and markets of this fascinating city. There are many interesting attractions within walking distance including the old Royal Palaces in Durbar Square, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath. This is a great day to pick up supplies for your trip to Tibet, such as inexpensive, yet quality warm weather clothing and snacks. There will be a late afternoon briefing to go over any final trip details, and you will be given your passport with Tibet permit and your air ticket for Lhasa. Tomorrow we begin our Tibet overland trip.


Day 3:
LHASA (11,975 feet)

Today our Tibet overland trip begins. At 7:30 AM we head out to the Kathmandu airport. You will be assisted and escorted to the airport by our local staff. Departure time for Lhasa is 10:00 A. M. (or possibly earlier depending on circumstances, you will be informed of any changes).

FLIGHT TO LHASA: Probably the most spectacular flight in the world! Leaving Kathmandu the plane skirts the Himalayan range where Cho Oyo (8,153 m), Lhotse (8,501 m), Everest (8,848 m) and Makalu (8,463 m) are visible. Looking back as the plane leaves Kathmandu it may be possible to also see Manaslu (8,125 m) and Annapurna I (8,091 m). Turning North the plane typically crosses between Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) and Makalu. From the left side of the plane the east face of Everest and Makalu are visible and from the right Chomo Lhari in Bhutan (7,315 m). The flight is a spectacular chance to see eight of the world's fourteen 8,000 m peaks. The flight duration is about one hour.

ARRIVAL AT THE GONGAR AIRPORT LHASA (11,975 feet) After completion of airport formalities you will be met by our friendly English speaking Tibetan guides. It is a two hour drive and we should arrive at the hotel about 4:00 PM local time (there is a 2 hour & 15 minute time change - later than Nepal). After you are settled in, the Lhasa program will be outlined by your guide.

This evening you are free to relax and explore. Visit the Barkhor Plaza, an excellent place to walk around, and have dinner.


Days 4 & 5:
LHASA (11,975 feet)

The next two days are based in Lhasa. Arranged sightseeing will include visits to the spectacular Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and the surrounding Barkhor market, Drepung and Sera monastery, and Norbulinka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace.

POTALA PALACE (now a museum, but still visited by Tibetan pilgrims as a holy site). Former winter residence of the Dalai Lama and named after Mt. Potala in India, one of the holy mountains of the Hindu God Lord Shiva. The Potala is a place of spiritual pilgrimage and an amazing tribute to Tibetan architectural skills. Built by the fifth Dalai Lama in 1645, the Potala was from then on the winter residence of all Dalai Lamas. Today it is still occupied by monks.

BARKHOR PLAZA (in front of Jokhang Temple) This is Lhasa's inner pilgrim circuit, shaped roughly like an octagon, and runs around the Jokhang Temple. The market place has everything a Tibetan pilgrim would need and is a good place for people watching. Tibetan pilgrims spin prayer wheels and prostrate themselves as they circumnavigate the Temple. The surrounding area is a good place for shopping, including everything from trinkets to Tibetan carpets and paintings to very very inexpensive Western brand name winter clothing and hand made Tibetan sweaters.

JOKHANG TEMPLE - in the heart of old Lhasa it is the most sacred temple in Tibet. It was established in 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, the King who brought Buddhism to Tibet. One can see the statue of Buddha (Jowo Shakyamuni) brought by the Chinese wife of the King as part of her wedding dowry. King Songtsen Gampo also had a Nepalese wife who was the force behind the use of Nepalese craftsmen in designing the Jokhang.

NORBULINKA - The summer palace of the Dalai Lamas was started by the Seventh Dalai Lama in 1755. This large complex of small palaces and chapels within a walled garden and is about 2.5 miles west of the Potala.

SERA MONASTERY - founded in 1419, it is located on the outskirts of Lhasa. Home of the Gelukpa Order (the Dalai Lama's sect). Sera was at one time famous for its fighting monks, who spent years perfecting the martial arts. Here, as at Drepung, many monks renounced their vows to take up arms during the uprising of 1959.

DREPUNG MONASTERY - founded in 1416, it is located on the outskirts of Lhasa. At one time Drepung was the largest of the Gelukpa Monasteries (10,000 monks) and was a major center of religious power. The Ganden Potang (garden palace) was built by the second Dalai Lama and was used as a residence for the Third, Fourth and Fifth Dalai Lamas. The remains of the second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas are here. Just below Drepung lies the Nechung Monastery, which was once the seat of the Oracle of Tibet.

TIBETAN MEDICINE CLINIC - A tour of this establishment is highly recommended. An English speaking Tibetan medical doctor will give you a short history of Tibetan medicine, an interesting tour of the clinic, and show you a small Tibetan museum complete with medical Thangkas. If there is time, try to arrange this visit through your Tibetan guide.

NOTE: The Potala, Jokhang, Sera and Drepung have set hours and may limit the number of visitors per day. However, the tour schedule is set up to best ensure that you get in to all these places.


Day 6:
LHASA TO GYANTSE (12,956 feet) (163 miles)

The drive to Gyantse takes a full day and includes crossing two impressive passes: Kamba La (4,794 m / 15,729ft. ) and Karo La (5,010 m / 16,438 ft. ). When you look down from Kamba La Pass, you can see the breathtaking view of the scorpion shaped Yamdruk Lake (Turquoise Lake) which is so large that you cannot see its full extent during the hour or so you are driving along its banks. The Karo La Pass is between two mountains: Nozin Khangsa (7,223 m / 23,700 ft.) which is recognizable by its large hanging glacier on the right and Ralung Mountain (6,236 m / 20,460 ft.).

GYANTSE - a small town on the northern bank of the Nyang Chu River. During the 15th century it was the capital of a small kingdom. Towering over Gyantse on a steep hill are the ruins of an old and famous fort. Gyantse is very Tibetan in feel and style as it has not suffered from modern expansion. There are many shops and simple restaurants where you can easily get Tibetan food such as Momos (dumpling), Chang (millet beer) and Thukpa (noodles).

Highlights include the KUMBUM TEMPLE (founded in 1440) and the PELKOR CHODE (central monastic building - started in 1418). This is possibly the most beautiful temple in Tibet. It was constructed in the 15th century by Newar artisans and is the best preserved example of Newari art to survive in Tibet. It has 112 Chapels. Remember to circumambulate clockwise in all temples and chapels. Many of the original statues remain intact.


Day 7:
GYANTSE TO SHIGATSE (12,870 feet) (38 miles, a pleasant 2 hour drive.)

Today we head out to Shigatse, the capital of the province of Tsang and the second largest city in Tibet. Along the way we stop for sightseeing of Pelkhor Choede and Kumbum Stupa.


Day 8:
SHIGATSE TO XEGAR DZONG (14,272 feet) (163 miles)

Before leaving Shigatse, we stop to visit the Tashilumpo Monastery. In the afternoon we arrive in Xegar.

TASHILUMPO MONASTERY - Founded in 1447, it is the historical seat of the Panchen Lama (the traditional teacher of the Dalai Lama). Among the many interesting sights is the 26 meter high statue of the future Buddha which is gilded with gold and decorated with valuable jewels. The main monastery is the largest and contains prayer halls, printing blocks, and statues of many deities. It is not uncommon to see monks and lamas studying and debating nearby.

XEGAR DZONG: A newer city by Tibetan standards, it was built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong, 7km from the main road. With a population of 3000, it is the center of this large and remote area and a base from which expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched.


Day 9:
XEGAR DZONG TO ZHANGMU (7,544 feet) (73 miles)

Leaving Xegar Dzong, we cross two more high passes, the Lalung La 5124m and the Shung La 5200m, both with incredible views of the mighty Himalayan range. Once more we are rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar.


Day 10:
ZHANGMU TO KATHMANDU (4200 feet) (73 miles)

At 10:00 AM the next morning you leave for Nepal. If the road is good enough, your Tibet guide will arrange a vehicle down the hill to the border. If the road is washed out (not an uncommon occurrence), we will be in for some short walking, but your guide will arrange for baggage porters.

Arriving at the FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE (Nepal - Tibet border) you will cross back into Nepal. Remember to turn your watches back 2 hrs 15 min. You will be met by our agent at the bridge. Bags will be loaded onto a mini bus by porters provided by our agent, and you will then proceed to Nepal Customs and the Immigration inspection. If there is a landslide blocking the road, porters will be provided to carry your bags to the check post.

Re-enter Nepal: You should either have already arranged a double entry Nepal visa (about $55 US for 60 day double entry and available upon arrival at Kathmandu airport for citizens of most western countries. IMPORTANT: please confirm, well before departure, with your nearest Nepalese embassy or consulate for current Visa rules/requirements), or you will have to get another visa at the border post. It is quite simple, but make sure you have the $30 US and a passport sized photo of yourself, or you may have some difficulty with procedures.

The drive from the Friendship Bridge to Kathmandu is approximately 5 hrs under normal conditions. The first hour is through a deep and verdant river valley. You should arrive back in Kathmandu around 4 P.M. Tonight you will again stay at one of the best know hotels for climbers and trekkers alike.


Day 11:
TRIP ENDS

Transfer to the airport by private vehicle for your onward flight. OR stay in Nepal and join us for another one of our incredible Himalayan adventures, such as the Annapurna or Mt Everest region!