Tibet Extension
Activity Level: Moderate
Highlights:
– Visit of Potala Palace in Lhasa
– Excursion to Everest base Camp
Day 01: Kathmandu / Lhasa
Today in time transfer to airport for flight to Lhasa.
CA 408 Kathmandu/Lhasa 1215/1555
On arrival at Gongkar airport drive to Lhasa (3600 meters) 65 kms.
You will be met at Gongkar airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3660 meters). It takes around 1 hour to reach the old city.
Overnight stay
Day 02: Lhasa
After breakfast you will be briefed about the day’s program. Then your guide will take you on a tour to Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace & Barkhor Market.
Jokhang Temple: Jokhang a seventh-century geomantic temple at the heart of Lhasa is the most sacred temple of all Tibet. It is considered to be a Power Place in all Tibet. Queen Bhrikuti, a Nepalese princess married to King Songtsen Gampo founded Jokhang Temple and in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti the main gate of the temple faces west towards Nepal. The most impressive structure of the Jokhang Temple is the many chapels surrounding the temple.
Potala Palace: Also known as the “winter palace”. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. is a 13th storied complex monument rising to a height of above 117m which houses 10,000 shrines and over 200,000 images and about 1000 rooms.As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas.
Barkhor Market (Bazaar): The most popular Barkhor Market (Bazaar) is a square where Tibetan handicraft items, Buddhist artifacts, carpets, paintings etc. are all in sale for your delight.
Overnight stay
Day 03: Lhasa / Shigatse (3900 meters) via Gyantse (3950 meters)
Today morning drive to Shigatse. (365 kms – approx. 7 hours’ drive). Enroute drive over two spectacular high passes – the Kampa La at 4750 meters and Karo La at 5010 meters, over, and along the beautiful deep blue green Lake called Yamdrok Lake or Turquoise Lake. The landscape of the Tibetan Plateau is truly unusual and spectacular. Also take a break at Gyantse- an old Tibetan Town against a backdrop of magnificent 14th-15th century fortresses and temples. Here visit Pelkhor Chode Temple, which served the Geluk Sakya and Buluk orders. Also visit the Khumbum Stupa which is an architectural masterpiece built in the style of 108-sided Mandela. It is the most revered Stupa in Tibet and houses 112 chapels of which only 23 are open to the public.
After sightseeing of Gyantse, continue the drive to Shigatse.
On arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight stay.
Day 04: Shigatse / Old Tingri (4200 meters)
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving for approx. 300 kms / 5 hrs to reach Old Tingri. Past small town of Lhatse. You will be crossing Gyatso la pass (5220 meters) which is the highest pass of the tour. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible enroute to Old Tingri
Day 05: Old Tingri / Rongbuk (5100 meters) / Shigatse
Today drive from Old Tingri to Shigatse via Rongbuk. (440 kms / 7 hours drive).
You will drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150 meters. Along the drive you can bask in the splendour of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for approximately 85 km, you reach Rongbuk at 5100 meters. You can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. You have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5150 meters) which is approx. 15 km further. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for it. After an awesome experience drive back to Shigatse. Today will be your longest drive of the tour. Shigatse is the second largest town in Tibet. It is the capital of Tsang Province and was one of the first towns to be visited by westerners due to close distance with the Indian border. Here in Shigatse you will be visiting Tashilumphu Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. There are about 39 amazing chapels inside including the huge Maitreya Chapel coated with gold; its workmanship certainly impresses everyone. After detailed visit of Shigatse, we will visit the local markets for shopping and local sightseeing.
Overnight stay.
Day 06: Shigatse/ Lhasa
Today morning drive back to Lhasa via northern route along the river Brahmaputra enjoying scenic view of popular sky train route linked with Shigatse from Lhasa. On arrival check in at hotel
Day 07: Lhasa / Kathmandu
Today in time transfer to airport to board your return flight to Kathmandu
CA 407 Lhasa/Kathmandu 1155/1105 (local time)