Tibet Overland and Remote Trekking
14 Nights / 15 Days

Trip Grade: Moderate
Best Season: Cultural tours are best done from April to November while trekking in Tibet is best June to October.

Highlights of Tour:
The most beautiful and interesting way to enter Tibet is overland where clients start one of the most spectacular overland journeys on the 920km stretch of road, known as the Friendship highway between Kathmandu and Lhasa and fly back from there. The trip allows a number of detours to the highlights of the Tsang Province and Lhasa City. The trip offers a spectacular insight into the life and culture of the friendly Tibetan people, from the ancient monasteries with chanting monks, to the tranquil shores of the Turquoise Lake (Yamdrok Tso), to the Kumbum (literally 100,00 images), the most stunning architectural wonder of Tibet & to the city of wonders, the Lhasa. This trip concludes with the breathtaking Trans-Himalayan flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

This trip starts early morning at 05:30 am from Kathmandu, Nepal. The distance from Kathmandu to the Friendship bridge, Kodari (Nepal-Tibet Border) is 116km and takes a 5 hour drive. After completing immigration formalities on the Nepal side, we continue drive or walk to Zhamgmu Immigration, which is 09km away. At Zhangmu, our representative from Tibet will meet you and transfers you to the hotel. He will then take care of your entire tour arrangements till your departure from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Trip Preparation Advice:
We advise clients to spend at least two days in Kathmandu to acclimatize before the trip departure to Tibet. This will make the journey much more comfortable. We highly recommend the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage site tours or a one to two days trek in the valley rim.

Itinerary: Tibet Overland and Remote Trekking 15 Days:

Day 1 Kathmandu - Zhangmu
Departing at 0530am from Kathmandu, approximately 5 hours drive along the Arniko Highway, will take us to Kodari (China-Nepal Border). We cross the Friendship bridge at the border & drive to Zhangmu by jeep (or truck) where after completion of immigration formalities, we will enter to the Chinese Autonomous Region & start the first night in the Tibetan plateau. We will be staying at the hotel/guesthouse nearby Zhangmu. Meals: B.

Day 2 Zhangmu - Xegar
From Zhangmu, we drive to Lhatse, following the Bhote Koshi River valley with the plenty of waterfalls on our eyes. This route is the most adventurous route among the others as it offers the panoramic views of the high mountains including the highest peak Everest (8848m) with Langtang (7367m), Xixapangma (8012m), Makalu (8464m) Lhotse (8516m), Cho Oyu (8153m). We get chance to pass by the high passes like Nyalam Pass (3750 m), Tong-La (5120m) La Lung-la (5124m) & Gyatso-la (5220 m). We continue our drive passing Tingri (4390 m) & stay at Xegar (also known as New Tingri). Overnight at Xegar. Meals: B.

Day 3 Xegar - Xigatse
From Xegar, we continue our drive to Xigatse, Tibet's second-largest city, lying near the union of the Nyang Chu and the Tsang Po, on the main route between Gyantse and West Tibet. It is the place of famous Tashilumpo Monastery. Overnight at Xigatse. Meals: B

Day 4 Xigatse - Gyantse
In Xigatse, we visit Tashilumpo Monastery, one of the four great Gelug monasteries renowned as the seat of the Panchen Lama until his death in 1989. After visiting Tashilunpo Monastery in the morning including the Bazaar of Xigatse, We drive to the capital of the small kingdom in 15th century. Gyantse. Visit Gyantse Kumbum (the highest Chorten in Tibet) & Pelkor Chode Monastery founded in 1418. Overnight at Gyantse. Meals: B.

Day 5 Gyantse - Lhasa
Drive to Lhasa, crossing the Karo-la Pass (5045m), we pass by the Yamdrok Tso, the turquoise lake & one of the four holy lakes in Tibet.
Then after passing the Kamba-la Pass (4794m), we find ourselves close to the Lhasa Valley. After crossing the Brahmaputra River, we reach Lhasa, our final destination. Lhasa lies in the Kyichu river valley at 3,595m and is dominated by the magnificent Potala Palace towering above, built in the 17th century by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. Overnight at Lhasa.
Meals: B.

Day 6-7 Lhasa
Day 6 and 7, you will be occupied with sightseeing and excursions of the Potala Palace (A great museum with its proportions and priceless treasures) Jokhang Temple (the holiest of Tibetan shrines, houses two images of the Buddha brought as dowry by Songtsen Gampo's Nepali and Chinese queens) along the bustling street of Barkhor Market. In Lhasa, you will also visit Norbu Lingka (the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas), Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Overnight at Lhasa. Meals: B

Day 8 Lhasa to Ganden Monastery
An hour's drive out of Lhasa will take us to Gandan Monastery (3,800 m/12,467 ft), which was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupka (Yellow Hat) sect. We will spend the rest of the morning visiting the monastery. After lunch, we will drive for an hour to the trailhead, located by the Gyama Chu. We will then start our 4-day trek, and walk for 3 hours before setting up camp at Hebo village. Meals: BLD.

Day 9 Hiking Ganden Monastery to Drogpa
We will walk for 6 hours until we arrive at Drogpa, the last camping site before we reach the Shuga La pass. The scenery of Drogpa is magnificent, a large meadow surrounded by snow-peak mountains.
Meals: BLD.

Day 10 Hiking Drogpa to Chitu La
We will hike for 4-5 hours until we arrive at Chitu La pass (4,940 m/16,207 ft), which is located in a vast, flat plain which makes an excellent camping ground. Meals: BLD.

Day 11 Hiking Chitu La to Nyango Village via Yemalung Today's trek will take 4 to 5 hours. Our first stop, Yemalung, is a major pilgrimage site for the followers of the Pa sect. This is the very site where Guru Rimpoche, the founder of the sect, hid important religious texts known as the terma text in 13th century. Meals: BLD.

Day 12 Nyango Village to Samye Monastery via Wango and Dragmar
The trek to Samye Monastery, our final destination, will take a total of 3 hours.
Walking through a forest and a small village, the trail becomes increasingly barren as we approach the monastery. Meals: BLD.

Day 13 Samye Monastery
Samye Monastery is believed to be Tibet's first monastery, built between 775 and 779. The original building is no longer intact due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters, but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity. Its main building is a three-story tower with an interior influenced by Tibetan, Han and Indian styles. We will drive to Tsedang/Lhasa in the early evening. Meals: B.

Day 14 Begin return to Kathmandu.
Early breakfast transfer to Lhasa Airport for a flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival, meet Kathmandu representative and transfer to hotel.
Remaining time at leisure.
Overnight Kathmandu. Meals: B.

Day 15 Depart from Kathmandu.
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for international flight. Meals: B.

Flights between Kathmandu and Lhasa are on Tuesdays & Saturdays
Minimum 2 persons and Maximum 12 persons

Tibet Overland and Remote Trekking 15 Days:
Tour Cost Per Person In US Dollars: Valid till October 2008

Meal Rates: Lunch & dinner would be approximately USD 15 per meal

Lhasa to Kathmandu one-way airfare US$295 per person.
Airfares are current subject to change.

Tibet Tour Cost Includes:
Thirteen nights accommodations at quality hotels on twin sharing between Zhangmu and Lhasa (hotels as stated above and tents while trekking),
One night hotel in Kathmandu before or after Tibet trip,
All necessary permits for the tour and trek,
Local English speaking Tibetan tour guide
Private transfers by tourist bus from Kathmandu to Border at Kodari, (Using tourist bus for airport, Lhasa city tour and Ganden while we use land-cruisers for the overland trip outside Lhasa,
All hotels with daily breakfast in the hotel as per booking,
All entrance fees for the sights as per itinerary,
Sleeping tents and mats,
All cooking/Dining utentils including tables and chairs,
All food during trekking and camping ( starting from lunch on day 8th lunch till lunch on day 13th ),
Cook and helper,
Porters ( Men & Yaks ), Clients just carry their day back-pack during the trek.

Tibet Tour Cost Excludes:
Airfares from Lhasa to Kathmandu and airport departure tax,
China visa fee US$45 per person and additional US$14 per person for US Passport holders and express visa processing fee US$35 per person,
Nepal visa fee Single entry US$50 per person for 30 days and Multiple entry US$80 for 60 days,
Meals such as lunch and dinner while on the overland tour, beverages (hard and soft drinks),
all expenses of personal nature, Charge for photography, travel insurance, Emergency evacuation charges.

Hotes Used For This Tour:
Zhangmu: Zhangmu Hotel (Best Hotel In Zhangmu)
Shekar: Shekar Hotel (Best Hotel In Shekar)
Shigatse: Shigatse Hotel (Best Hotel In Shigatse)
Gyantse: Gyantse Hotel (Best Hotel In Gyantse)
Lhasa: Hotel Dhood Gu

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.
4-12 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,
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 more details.