Lhasa Culture Explorer
4 Nights / 5 Days

Fixed Departure every Tuesday and return on Saturday
Tibet Departures April-November

Lhasa Highlights:

Lhasa culture tour via Kathmandu is one of the best trip choices if you wish to travel at comfort of ease and have limited time. A scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is purely an awesome experience with spectacular views of the mighty Himalayan range. This journey takes you to Lhasa, the majestic Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lamas; Drepung Monastery, the biggest monastic school of Lhasa, accommodating 7,700 monks in its heyday; Jokhang Temple, the holiest shrine of Tibet situated in the heart of Lhasa; Norbu-Linka, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery, and the Tibetan Medical Center, where ancient Tibetan medical practice is still pursued. Then, we visit the Barkhor Market filled with attractive traditional souvenirs where nomadic traders, pilgrims and visitors alike get together.

Cultural tours are best done from April to November while trekking in Tibet is best June to October.

Itinerary: Lhasa Culture Explorer 4 Nights / 5 Days:

Day 1 Kathmandu to Lhasa flight.
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Kathmandu Airport for flight to Lhasa.
On arrival, meet Lhasa guide and transfer to hotel.
Orientation and afternoon rest at hotel for acclimatization.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 Lhasa Excursion
Breakfast at hotel and visit Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulinka.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 Lhasa Excursion
Breakfast at hotel and depart to tour Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Monastery, and Barkhor Market.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 Tour and Shopping at leisure
Breakfast at hotel, and visit the Tibetan Medical Institute.
Afternoon, at leisure to explore Lhasa on your own.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 Depart from Lhasa
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for a flight to Kathmandu or Chengdu for onward journey to China. End of Lhasa tour service.

Lhasa Culture Explorer 4 Nights / 5 Days
Tour Cost Per Person In US Dollars: Valid till October 2008

Meal Rates: Lunch & dinner would be approximately USD15 per meal

Kathmandu - Lhasa roundtrip airfare US$590 per person.
Airfare is current and subject to change.

Tour Cost Includes:
Four nights accommodation on twin sharing with daily breakfast,
Sightseeing tours as per the program,
Entrance fees to monuments as per the program,
English speaking local guide service,
Private ground transfers,
Tibet travel permit.


Tour Cost Excludes:
Kathmandu-Lhasa roundtrip airfare US$590 per person, departure tax in Kathmandu US$17 and departure tax in Lhasa US$11,
Beverages not mentioned in the program, meals such lunch and dinner,
all expenses of personal nature,
China visa fee at present is US$45 per person and additional US$14 per person for US Passport holders not including express visa processing fee US$35,
Nepal visa fee Single entry US$50 per person for 30 days and Multiple entry US$80 for 60 days,
charge for photography, travel Insurance, emergency evacuation charges, visa fee, urgent visa fee and airfares.

Chinese Visa:
Chinese Visa: The Chinese Embassy changes the rules for visa time to time. Normal visa fee at present is US$45 per person and additional US$14 per person for US Passport holders. If the visa is to take on the same day an additional fee of US$35 will be applicable. You are required to make the group visas for any tour to Tibet.

Optional: Kathmandu Stopover Hotel and Tour Cost.
2-12 people US$644 per person

Kathmandu Stopover Cost Includes:
Five nights accommodations in quality 3 star boutique hotel and resort in Kathmandu and Nagarkot on twin sharing and breakfast (3 nights before and 2 nights after tour),
Three full day tour program as mentioned in the itinerary,
all ground transportation including on arrivals and departures,
tour guide service throughout the tour,
entrance fees to monuments visited,
meals as stated in the program. Please ask for details.
Remark: Three days in Kathmandu prior to Tibet tour is suggested for better acclimatization.