Tibet, the very name evokes feeling of awe and mystery. A land of ancient Buddhist culture, awesome landscapes, artistic monasteries, exotic cities, hidden valleys and centuries-old caravan trails, Tibet offers a totally different experience. Known as the Roof of the World, it is the destination for the ultimate thrill-seeker.
And Katmandu is the natural gateway to this amazing land. Once the center of the ancient trade route connecting India and Tibet, Kathmandu is perfectly positioned for its modern role as the hub of adventure tourism in the Himalayas.
Fine transport connections exists between Katmandu and Lhasa, the capital of Tibetan Autonomous region of China. You can go overland on a scenic highway that retraces the old caravan trail to take a spectacular flight over the Himalayas. The one hour flight to Lhasa is an adventure in itself. Taking off from Kathmandu, the plane files alongside the eastern Himalaya as far as Mt. Everest and then turns north with gigantic snow peaks filling up the left-hand side windows. Soon, the mountains drop away and you are gliding across the barren Tibetan plateau to touch down at Gonggar Airport, 85 km from Lhasa.
LHASA
Regardless of how much pre-departure reading you may have done, Lhasa will overwhelm with its extraordinary sights. And it’s not only the altitude (3,650 m) that will take your breath away. The magnificent Potala Palace, former seat of the Dalai Lama, presides over the city. Built in 1645 at the top of a hill, the palace contains 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 religious statues.
The old city revolves around the Jhokang Temple and the quaint Bakor market that surrounds it. The Jhokang built in the seventh century, is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Tibet and houses the Jowo Sakyamuni brought to Tibet from Nepal. Its mural paintings, finely worked golden roofs and other artworks are something to see. At a little distance from the old city core, Lhasa is also a modern capital of concrete high-rises, fancy department stores and wide boulevards.
Norbulingka, which means "the jeweled garden", consists of 360,000 sq m of wooded greenery and three palaces once used by the Dalai Lama as a summer retreat. The Drepung Monastery lies about 10 km from the city. Built in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa, it is the largest in Tibet. Its numerous Buddhist statues, ancient scriptures, scroll paintings and other cultural relics will keep you fascinated. The Sera Monastery, about 5 km north of Lhasa, is another important center of Buddhist learning. Built in 1419, its most remarkable image is a nine-meter figure of Maitreya.
SHIGATSE
An excellent excursion from Lhasa is a circuit that takes in the towns of Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsetang. Fine highway and stunning scenery on the way make this a superb trip. It also offers a comprehensive experience of Tibet in a neat itinerary.
Shigatse (altitude 3,900 m) lies some 274 km to the west of Lhasa and is Tibet’s second largest city. The highway runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river passing through narrow gorges and broad river valleys. Farmers plowing their fields with yaks, sheep grazing on the vast plains, awe-some sand dunes and rocky hills in the distance are the scenic rewards of this journey.
The Tashilunpo Monastery, built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, is Shigatse’s most important culture and religious site. The main chapel here contains a huge 16-meter high statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. Other buildings contain images of Sakyamuni (the present Buddha), white and green Taras and embalmed bodies of past Panchen Lamas.
GYANTSE
Shigatse to Gyantse (altitude 3,800 m) is 94 km of gravel but good road. Gyantse’s symbol is the Kumbum Stupa which is 32 m high and contains 77 rooms and 100,000 images of Lord Buddha. Of the 112 chapels here, 23 are open to the public. A prince of Gyantse had it built in the style of a 108-sided mandala by craftsmen from the Kathmandu Valley in 1427. It is the finest example of 15th century Newar art extant in the world. Pelko Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort (built a top massive rock) are other major sights of here.
The road from Gyantse to Lhasa ( 260 km) takes you over three mountain passes: Simala (4380 m), Karola (5045 m) and Ghampala (4794 m). The road skirts the Yamdrok Tso Lake before twisting up the Ghampala pass from the top of which there’s a magnificent view of the lake on one side and the Yarlung Tsangpo river on the other. The scenery and the adventure of traveling on the old caravan route makes this excursion an unforgettable trip.
TSETANG
Tsetang (195 km from Lhasa) is known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The ancient town offers a number of side trips that illustrate Tibet’s early history. The Valley of the Kings (ancient capital of the Yarlung Kings who established the Tibetan nation), the Yumbu Lagang Palace (built for the first Yarlung King), and the Tandruk Monastery (one of the three Royal Buddhist temples) are some of the major sights.
GETTING THERE
Travel Net International, specialize in arranging tours to Tibet. We will organize all your visa, transportation, sight-seeing and accommodation arrangements. As per the rule of Chinese Embassy, visa application for Tibet have to be made through registered travel agencies in Nepal and visas are given only to organized groups. A Visa for China does not entitle you to travel in Tibet. GENERAL INFORMATIONAltitude sickness: is the effect of the thin air at great heights. Travelers to Tibet may suffer some discomfort like breathlessness and headaches before becoming acclimatized. Many hotels keep bottled oxygen for emergencies.
Accommodation: There tourist standard hotels with modern facilities as well as no-frills basic accommodation.
Season: The popular time of the year to visit Tibet is May through October. Light weight clothes are recommended during this season. Warm clothing is required from November to April.
Flight Operation: China South West Airlines operates it’s flight from May to November only.
Itenerary
ITIN 01: (3 NIGHTS/4 DAYS LHASA TOUR)
Day 01: Fly to Lhasa and transfer to the Hotel (100km)P.M acclimatization
Day 02: A.M. Visit Jokhang temple and Bakhor street
P.M. visit Sera Monastery
Day 03: A.M. visit Potala palace
P.M. visit Drepung Monastery
Day 04: Transfer to the airport and fly out (100km)
ITIN 02: (4 NIGHT/ 5 DAYS LHASA TOUR)
Day 01: Fly to Lhasa and transfer to the Hotel (100km).
P.M. acclimatization.
Day 02: A.M Visit Jokhang temple and Bakhor street.
P.M Visit Sera Monastery.
Day 03: A.M Visit Potala Palace.
P.M Visit Drepung Monastery.
Day 04: Free day for shopping.
Day 05: Transfer to the airport and fly out (100km).
ITIN 03: (7 Nights /8 Days Lhasa) (7 Nights /8 Days Tsetang-Gyantse –Xigatse-Lhasa tour) with 2 Nights in Tsetang; 1 Night Gyantse;
1 NIGHT XIGATSE & 3 NIGHTS IN LHASA.
Day 01: Fly to Gongar airport and transfer to Testing (120km)
P.M. Acclimatization
Day 02: A.M Visit Yongbulakhong palace and Changdu Monastery
P.M. Visit Tibet kings tombs
Day 03: Drive from Tsetang to Gyantse and have picnic lunch at Yamdok lake and
overnight in Gyantse (340km)
Day 04: A.M. Visit Gyantse Kumbum and Pelkor Chode Monastery
P.M. Drive to Shigatse (100km) and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
Day 05: Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa
Day 06: A.M. Visit Potala palace
P.M.Visit Sera Monastery
Day 07: A.M. Visit Jokhang temple and Barkor street
P.M. Visit Drepung Monastery
Day 08: Transfer to the airport and fly out (100km)
