Tibet Paradise

Day 01 TUE/ SAT : Kathmandu (1300 m) to Lhasa Fly (3650 m)
Morning transfer to the airport for the hour long flight to Tibet. This spectacular flight, on a China Southwest Airline, takes us right across the main Himalayan range, and provides us with magnificent mountain views. After landing at Gonggar Airport and meeting our Tibetan guide, it is a further 2-hour drive by Landcruiser jeep to Lhasa.Lhasa, the holy city, also the historic capital of Tibet, is situated on the north bank of the Kyichu River. To the north lies an impenetrable 5200m range and other smaller hills lie within the Lhasa valley. In the afternoon we will go for the Sightseeing tour

Sera Monastery : Sera Monastery is one of the three largest monasteries of Gelugpa, sits at the foothills of Tatipu and the next two are Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery which both have longer histories. Sera, in Tibetan, means "Wild Rose Garden" since opulent wild rose woods once grew around it. It was founded in 1419, the site occupies nearly 12 hectares, comprising the Tsokchen (Great Hall), 3 tratsangs, and 30 khangstens. Sera Monastery is one of the best-preserved monasteries in Tibet. A few hundred monks now live here, while there were over 5,000 during its heyday. A pleasant outing is the one and a half-hour hike from the monastery to Sera Utse, a Tsong Khapa hermitage perched high on the Phurpa Chowk.

Jokhang Monastery : Built some 1300 years ago, Jokhang is probably Tibet's first religious institution. This temple is considered as one of the holiest shrines in Tibet. Pilgrims come from all over the world to pay homage to this temple. Located in the heart of Lhasa's colorful Tibetan quarter, Jokhang is the spiritual center of Tibet and also the heart of Lhasa. Multitudes of Tibetans circle it while going round and round the Barkhor, gaining spiritual merit in the process. The temple was constructed in celebration of the marriage of Tang princes Wen Cheng and King Songtsen Gampo. There is a golden statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni in the temple, which was brought here by the first wife of Songtsen Gampo.

Barkhor Bazaar : The center of the old Lhasa, Barkhor is a circular street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place to which a visit must be paid. Barkhor is the road which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries.

Day 02 WED / SUN : Sightseeing tour to Lhasa (3650 m)
The Potala Palace: The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the17th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. It is built on the red mountain in the center of the Lhasa valley at an altitude of 3700 m, the Potala Palace is the world-renowned symbol of Tibetan Buddhist culture. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings. It is the most complex monument ever built in Tibet, designed to serve diverse functions. It was where the Dalai Lama resided and where all ceremonies of state were held. It was also the seat of Tibet's government, and served as a fortress in tumultuous times. Potala Palace serves as a major destination for pilgrims. The 13-storey palace, which stands on the top of Mt. Putup at about 117m has over 1000 rooms, and contains riches, sacred images, and the sumptuous golden tombs of the Dalai Lamas and is a huge storehouse of Buddhist cultural art facts.

Drepung Monastery :  Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Drepung, which means rice heap in Tibetan, lies 8 kilometers west of Mt. Gambo Utse. The monastery covers a floor space of more than 200 thousand square meters. At its peak, it had a registration of more than 10,000 thousand monks. Many high and learned lamas had studied here.

Day 03 THUR/ MON : Drive to Gyantse (3950 m)
After breakfast we will start our overland journey towards Kathmandu. Travelling by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La [4794m] from which there is stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-Tso Lake to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa [7252m]. We continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La [5045m] where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Our overnight accommodation is at the Gyantse Hotel.

Day 04 FRI / TUE : Drive to Shigatse (3900 m)
Before leaving Gyantse we will go around to visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum this morning. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals.
We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. Our overnight accommodation will be at Shigatse Hotel.

Day 05 SAT/WED : Drive to Lhasa (3650 m)
08-hrs drive takes you to Lhasa crossing the Karo La Pass (5010m) and Kambala Pass (4794m). The Karo La climbs between two lofty mountains, Nozing Khang Sa (7223m) and Ralung (6236). While driving you will see the Yamdrok Tso (Turquoise Lake) which takes approx. 1 hour to cross around. After passing Kamba La, Lhasa valley is seen to the north. You will also cross the Brahmaputra River. Overnight in Lhasa Hotel.

Day 06 SUN/THU : Sightseeing tour to Lhasa (3650 m)
Ganden Monastery : The monastery lies 45 kilometers (28 miles) east of Lhasa. Lying at the mountainside, it looks magnificent and grand. Tsong Khapa, the founder of Gelugpa, established it in 1409. A story says that when Tsong Khapa and his disciples were selecting construction site a crow pecked his hat suddenly and dropped it on the mountainside. Then the monastery was constructed there in accordance with Buddha's wish. Ganden Monastery is the first Gelugpa monastery in Tibet.Main structures in the monastery consist of the Main Assembly Hall (Tshomchen) and tantric colleges. The hall has 108 pillars and occupies a floor space of 1,600 square meters, capable of holding 3,500 lamas. Maitreya and Tsong Khapa are enshrined and worshiped in the hall.

Norbu Lingka : Situated in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Norbulingka was built in the middle of the 18th century during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama and served as the Summer Palace of Dalai Lama where they handle political affairs, practiced religious activities and spent holidays. Traditionally the Dalai Lamas would leave the Potala Palace every spring and spend the summer in Norbulingka.The word Norbulingka has its own meaning, here Lingka in Tibetan means a beautiful place with trees and lawns, and Norbu means treasure. In addition to its beautiful environment, Norbulingka boasts many palaces, pavilions, various kinds of flowers as well as a lake and a zoo.

Day 07 MON / FRI : Lhasa (3650 m) to Kathmandu Fly (1300 m)
In the morning after breakfast, transfer to airport 02 hrs. Drive-Representative will assist you. Flight Lhasa/Kathmandu lasts for an hour. During the flight you will see the various beauties likeYarlung Tsangpo River, Lake Yamdrok, Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) and Mt. Makalu (8463m) and Mt.Everest (8848m). It too depends upon the weather.

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