Day
to Day Itinerary |
| Day
- 01 |
KTM-LHASA
Arrive in Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Meet and transfer to hotel
in Lhasa. |
| Day
- 02/03 |
LHASA
SIGHTSEEING
We will have two full days in Lhasa to make excursions to the
following places: The Jokhang - The Jokhang
is the principal and holiest Buddhist temple in Lhasa, as well
as all of Tibet. It is the focus of devotion of hundreds of
Tibetans from near and far who circle it to gain spiritual merit.
The Jokhang was first constructed in the 7th century and has
a large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha or Jowo Rinpoche.
Norbulingka - The Norbulingka, a
richly decorated complex located in a beautiful garden setting,
is the traditional summer palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Drepung
and Nechung Monastery - Drepung is the biggest monastic
university of Tibet housing 7-8000 monks prior to the Cultural
Revolution. Adjoining to Drepung Monastery is the Nechung Monastery,
residence of Tibet's state oracle.
Potala
Palace - Potala is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama
and is believed to contain 1,000 rooms. Potala was rated as
one of the wonders of the world in the early 14th century. We
will also visit the Barkor bazaar in Lhasa, a colorful congregating
place for Tibetan merchants. |
| Day
- 04 |
GANDEN-HEPU - (5.5
HRS)
Early morning drive to Ganden, one of the 3 monastic universities
of Tibet. Our trek begins from Ganden. The trail gradually ascends
for 1.5 hrs before reaching a saddle marked by a cairn with
views of Kyichu valley to Lhasa. Traversing the west side of
the ridge from the saddle, the trail reaches a spur surmounted
by a cairn, a spring and then the village of Hepu in 2 hrs.
1 hr from Hepu reach Ani Pangong, a small nunnery. The trail
climbs steadily for 1 hour through marshy meadows to Yama Do. |
| Day
- 05 |
YAMA DO- TSOTUP CHU
VALLEY (4-5 HRS)
In 2 hrs past Yama Do we ascend Shug-la pass (5250 m). It takes
atleast 1.5 hrs from the basin negotiating boulders and lumpy
ground along the final steep climb to the pass. The route continues
over the Shug-la pass following the cairned trail descending
gradually and reaching the valley in 1.5 hrs from the pass.
Cross the Tsotup Chu. Nomad herders with their herd of yaks,
goat and sheep can be found here. |
| Day
- 06 |
TSOTUP CHU-HERDERS'S
CAMP (5 HRS)
From the Tsotup Chu valley, follow a small tributary entering
from the south-west. The route follows steeply upwards for 30
mins until you reach a large basin. The terrain is not particularly
difficult to reach Chitu-la pass (5100 m) which is marked by
several cairns. A short steep descent will bring you into a
basin with three small lakes. The trail at many points is not
clearly marked and goes past several seasonal camping sites
before it reaches the valley floor. |
| Day
- 07 |
HERDER'S CAMP-YAMALUNG
(5-6 HRS)
The trail is now wide and easy to follow and goes through forest
of shrubs and rhododendrons for 3 hrs. The trail winds through
a series of meadows before reaching Gen Do, a place with a ruined
stone structure. The forest thins rapidly and we reach the first
permanent village of Chantan (4020 m) after leaving Hebu.. In
30-40 mins we arrive at the turn off at Yamalung Valley. Yamalung
Hermitage is another 1 hour steep climb from the valley floor. |
| Day
- 08 |
YAMLUNG-SAMYE (4 HRS)
From Yamalung Valley it 3.5 - 4 hrs to Samye. We go past the
villages of Nyango, Wango and Pisha. From Pisha the entire lower
valley of Samye and the golden spires of Samye Monastery can
be seen. En route there are several nice meadows for camping. |
| Day
- 09 |
Visit Samye Monastery, the
first monastic institute built by King Trisong Detsen under
the spiritual guidance of Padma Sambawa in early 8th century,
and Yumbulakhang, the first castle built for Tibet's first recorded
king Nyatri Tsenpo. O/N Snowpigeon Hotel. |
| Day
- 10 |
TSEDANG-GYANGTSE (3990
M), 350 KMS
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa
la pass 5050 m and Karo la (5045 m)passes. Visit Kubum stupa
and Pelkor Chode Monastery. |
| Day
- 11 |
GYANGTSE-SHALU-SHIGATSE
(3860 M), 90 KMS
Drive to Shigatse. En route visit Shalu Monastery.Visit Tashilhunpo
Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist
religious hierachy and Shigatse Market. |
| Day
- 12 |
SHIGATSE-SAKYA-SHEGAR/DINGRI
(4350 M)
Drive to Shegar across Tsoula pass (4500 M) and Gyatso la pass
(5220 M). En route visit Sakya Monastery. |
| Day
- 13 |
NYALAM
After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Nylam. Nylam
Guest House. |
| Day - 14 |
NYLAM-ZHANGMU-KATHMANDU
Drive to Zhangmu and on to Kathmandu. En route visit Milarepa
Cave. We descend from the high arid Tibetan plateau into the
lush greenery of Nepal. |
| |
|
