Lhasa Cultural Tour - 05 Days

Famous as the Roof of the World, TIBET has fascinated humanity for centuries. This land beyond the mighty Himalayas, on the highest plateau of the world, was inaccessible to the outside world and has always been a challenge to all mortal beings as a unique destination: Tibet is a land of spectacular skylines, majestic mountain peaks, breath taking canyons, serene high-land lakes, rolling pastures and farmlands & pristine Forests. It also is a land of ancient Buddhist culture, artistic monasteries and centuries-old caravan trails. Its snow-covered mountains and windswept plateau are the highest in the world. The world's highest mountain - Mount Everest, rises in southern Tibet. Ka-erh in western Tibet, with an elevation of more than 15,000 feet (4,570 meters) above sea level, is believed to be the highest town in the world. The valley bottoms in Tibet are higher than the mountains of most countries. Tibet has an area of about 471,700 square miles (1,221,600 square kilometers), an average elevation of 16,000 feet (4,880 meters) and a population of 2.3 million. This "land of awesome mysteries", forbidden not only by man but also by nature, is appealing to all explorers, scholars, pilgrims and adventurers searching for the "REAL SHANGRI-LA".

There will be 3 flights in week usually from May to September i.e. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and possible to have a 2 days to weeks trip based on two way flight. The program below is just a model one and possible as per your interest, time and budget.

Day by Day Itinerary: 

Day 01: Depart from Katmandu by air to Lhasa . Arrival at Gonggar Airport . Time at leisure. Overnight Lhasa .
Day 02: A full day sightseeing. Visit the Potala Palace ; The residence of Dalai Lama; the Jokhang Lhakhang and stroll around the market area. O/n Lhasa
Day 03: Visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet . This 14th. Century monastery once housed more than 10,000 monks. Later on visit the Norbulingpa Park , the summer Palace of the Dalai Lama.
Day 04: Drive to the Sera Monastery, the second largest in Tibet . This yellow sect monastery was very important, politically, during the days of Dalai Lama. And afternoon visit to Buddhist Nunnery.
Day 05: Early morning drive to the airport for departure to Katmandu by flight.

Tour Cost: Ask for Quotation

Tibet Overland Tour - 08 Days

Tibet : For thousands of years, Tibet lay under the ancient Sea of Tethys . Eighty million years ago, India crashed into Asia, pushing up the Himalayas , lifting the ocean bottom above water, and creating this magical land. Mystical land, Shangri-La, Forbidden Country: Tibet has many names and inspires an air of mystical dreams. However, Tibet is real and a beautiful place to travel. It possesses a unique culture, firmly rooted in Tibetan religion, but with strong influence from the geography of the Himalayas, and the neighboring civilizations of India and China .

Geographically, Tibet can be divided into three major parts - north, south and east. The eastern part is forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the land. Virgin forests run the entire breadth and length of this part of Tibet . The northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak and sheep dwell here. This part occupies approximately half of Tibet . The southern and central part is agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet 's land area. All major Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa , Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsetang are located in this area and are considered the cultural center of Tibet .

Tibet Tour (8 days) provides an opportunity to explore Tibet , the roof the world. In different city of Tibet , you'll have chance to explore Buddhist Monasteries and Tibetan life. Lhasa is end destination of this trek. Tibet tour guide through dry land of Tibet , where you have can observe Tibetan Monks and their life. 8 Days Tibet Tour excellent for those who want explore Tibet in less time.

Day by Day Itinerary:

DAY 01: KATHMANDU/ZHANGMU/NYALAM (2,300M.) 127 KM.
Our bus departs at 6am, for the border at Tatopani. The reporting time for the journey is 5:45 a.m. at Samrat Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. Office or in front of immigration office, Thamel. Our 4/5 hour journey goes up to Tibet Nepal border through agricultural fields and passes through traditional villages, following the Bhotekoshi River . From the border ( Friendship Bridge ), after completing immigrations formalities we will drive up hill to Zhangmu imagination the border city of china. And drive to Nyalamu overnight at Guest House. DAY 02: ZHANGMU/NYALAM-LHATSE (4,350m.) 244KM.
Rising through the dry, plateau highlands. Offers stunning views of the world's highest mountain range, including: Langtang-7245, Xixapangma-8,013m., Dorje Lakpa-6,980m., and Gauri Shankar-7,134 m. Cho Oyu-8,021m., Everest 8,848m., Lhotse (8,516m.), Makalu-8,464m. We will cross Nyalam Pass (3,800m.) and Lalung-La (5,050m.) pass along the way, stopping to enjoy the views. Overnight at Guest House.
DAY 03: LHATSE-SIGATSE (3,900m.) 244 KM
Today is our longest driving day via Gyatsola Pass 5,220m. By crossing Lhatse from where the road to Mt. Kailash bifurcates. Overnight at Guest House.
DAY 04: XIGATSE-GYANTSE (3,950m.) 90 KM.
The morning is yours to relax and explore Tibet 's second largest city, Xigatse, including the world famous Tashilumpo Monastery. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Gyantse, a small, historical town along the banks of the Nyang Chu River and home to monastery of Buddha's 1,000 Images. Overnight at Guest House.
DAY 05: GYANTES-LHASA (3,650m.) 280 KM.
Many busy villages, yaks, mountains sheep, and lakes dot our route today, as we cross the famous Brahma-Putra River (Son of Brahma, the creator. Brahma is a Hindu God). Passing over Karo and Kamba passes, 5,010m. & 4,794m. Respectively, our final destination awaits-Lhasa. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 06 & 07: IN LHASA
Sightseeing and excursions of Potala Palace, Norbulinka, The Jokhang and surrounding Bakhor market, Drepung & Sera Monasteries Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 08: LHASA-KATHMANDU
Early morning, we will be heading to the Airport (Gongar-96Km.) Southwest of Lhasa. With boundless beauty speed below, this is perhaps the most beautiful flight in the world.

Tour Cost: Ask for Quotation

COST INCLUDES:

• Transfer from Tibet border by Jeep transport in a 4 wheel drive.
• Accommodation in Bed & breakfast double bed room with shearing basis.
• Sight seeing tours with English speaking guide.
• Monument entrance fees.
• Tibet visa, Travel Permit.
• Our Service Charge.

COST EXCLUDES:

• Nepal re-entry visa fee.
• Lunch & Dinner in Tibet .
• Bar Bills & Beverages.
• Photographic charges of some monasteries.
• Travel insurance, gratuities, Personal Expenses.
• Visa fee: - US $. 55.00
• Lhasa - Kathmandu Flight Fare US $. 273+96
• Kathmandu - Lhasa Flight Fare US$ 273+83
• Lhasa Air port Tax: US $. 12.00 Or, 90 Yuan.

Tibet Information

Where is Tibet?
Tibet is a rich and beautiful land with an average altitude over 4,000m (13,120ft) above sea level. Possessing more than fifty peaks above 7,000m (22,960ft), Tibet is home to eleven Himalayan mountains over 8,000m (26,240ft). China, India, Nepal , Sikkim, Bhutan , Burma and Kashmir border the Tibet.

Tibet: People and Culture: Over two million people inhabit this land of rich natural resources and ancient cultures. Spiritual traditions, temples and monasteries, lakes and rivers, and mighty snow clad peaks are just a few of the intoxicating wonders to be experienced by adventurous travelers destined to visit this place. Buddhism , with a history of some 1,300 years is shaped into a unique form of "Lamasm". Tibetan history, culture and religion are mixed together and infiltrate every aspect of social life. Tibetan religious arts have a distinctive style with adoption of Indian and Chinese Buddhist influence, thus forming a pearl of Oriental Buddhist art.

People living on the Tibetan plateau, such as Tibetans, Monpas, Lhopas and Moslems, have their own ways of living, marriage, burial and other ceremonies. Festivals in Tibet are in big variety. The Tibetan New Year, the largest festival, is followed by others such as the Wangkor Festival and horse races. For the dead, sky burials, water burials, cremations and stupa burials are practiced, but the sky burial is the most common.

Science and culture in Tibet include technology, medicine, grammar, logic, Buddhist philosophy, rhetoric, words and expressions, syntax, drama and astrology. Tibet is known as the Sea of Songs and Dances; folk songs and dances are diverse, especially during the "Shoton Festival" in August .

How to get there? This unique land is now easily accessible from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Schedule air services fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and back every Tuesday and Saturdays with additional flights on Thursdays from July. This flight last a little over one hour and gives you a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Our sponsors have different package tour programs to this fascinating land. They will will give you a reason to get up early. Please check out their Programs to find out how. A trip not be missed in this lifetime! The best season for Tibet tour is from the end March to end November each year. From end November to end March it gets too cold and flights do not operate during this period. Flights operate from first week April to end November every year.

Tibet Visa Information

The following general rules should be obtained by the Clients/Agency to apply special permit and visa to travel in Tibet.

1. Tibet is Autonomous region of China. So you will not get the special permit and Visa for Tibet directly In your country. You have to proceed for permit and Visa for Tibet through our Agency.
2. We must receive scan copy of your passport at least 15 days prior to arrival in gateway cities (Kathmandu or Chengdu or any other Chinese cities). Passport must be same and valid for more than 6 months.
3. Those entering Tibet via gateway city of Kathmandu , Nepal , must spend at least 2 nights to issue Tibet visa in one of the visa working days i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, client must plan to arrive Kathmandu accordingly if they have limited time. They will also require to bring 2 passport size photos. We shall send client "Chinese embassy visa form" well in advance to be fill up by each client which can either sent to us by email or can be collected upon arrival.
4. Except few trips, most of the trips can start from China mainland entering Tibet via gateway city of Chengdu either via train or by air. In this case Client must obtain Chinese visa in their home country and we will organize Tibet permit and handover it through our agent in one of the cities in China before entering Tibet Autonomous region.
5. Chinese visa will be valid for China mainland only, do not bring Chinese visa if you are entering via Tibet Autonomous region.
6. We supply detail information and briefing upon arrival.

Entry Procedure:

By Road

• Kodari Border near Zangmu from Kathmandu
• Through Golmud road to Amdo
• Purang from Simikot

By Air

• Kathmandu to Lhasa
• Hongkong-Chengdu-Lhasa