NAMTSO LAKE & FORBIDDEN LHASA (SKTBT – 116) |
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15 days e xploration of Lhasa, with trek to Namtso Lake, & overland journey to Nepal border |
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| Namtso or the heavenly lake lies 190 km north-west of Lhasa at an elevation of 4718 m and is the second largest salt-water lake in Tibet. Surrounded by spectacular snow-covered mountains, it is a place of desolate beauty and the site of a holy hermitage that draws pilgrims from all over Tibet. |
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TREK ITINERARY |
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Day 1: LHASA Transfer to the airport and fly to the Gongar airport. Upon arrival you will be met by our Tibet representative and transferred to hotel. |
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DAYS 2-3: Lhasa 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. Sera and Drepung-Sera, founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelukpa order. Its many white buildings sit at the base of a rocky hill. Gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschens grace the roofs of many of the larger buildings. Drepung used to have 8,000 monks who were taught in the traditions of Vajrayana, Mahayana, and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism. Potala Palace-The 13-story Potala Palace is reputed to contain 1,000 rooms and hundreds upon hundreds of brilliant thangkas, frescoes, and images built in an era when religious art was created anonymously as a means of gaining merit for future lives. It’s one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings and completely covers the mountain it stands upon. |
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DAY 4: Begin trek We drive along the Tibet-Qinghai highway to Yangpachen (4324 m) and further on to Damshung,(4130 m) a windblown roadside town. Our trek begins from here. Today we will only have a short trek and goes up through a beautiful meadow. We will also visit a monastery en route. Camp. |
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DAY 5: Trek (7-8 hrs) Today we pass through glaciated valley and reach a herder’s camp where we camp for the night. |
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DAY 6: (6-7 hrs) We cross Kong La from where you have spectacular views of Namtso Lake and the Nyenchen Thangla ranges. Descend to a broad basin and hike along green meadows. |
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DAY 7: To Tashi Do and Namtso Lake (7-8 Hrs) We hike along green meadows and pass through several nomad camps and their herds of animals. We have lunch by the lake. We then follow the jeep trail all the way to Tashi Do hermitage. Camp. |
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DAY 8: Rest and exploration day at Tashi Do Rest day for self exploration of Tashi Do hermitage and the Lake. |
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DAY 9: Namtso - Lhasa We drive back to Lhasa via Yangpachen. 0/N Hotel. |
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DAY 10: Lhasa-Gyangtse (3990 m), 350 kms Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa Ia pass 5050 m and Karo Ia (5045 m)passes. Visit Kubum stupa and Pelkor Chode Monastery. |
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DAY 11: Gyangtse-Shalu-Shigatse (3860 m), 90 kms Drive to Shigatse. En route visit Shalu Monastery. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the second in the Buddhist religious hierachy and Shigatse Market. |
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DAY 12: Shigatse-Sakya-Shegar/Dingri(4350 m) Drive to Shegar across Tsoula pass (4500 M) and Gyatso Ia pass (5220 M). En route visit Sakya Monastery. |
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DAY 13: Shegar-Rongbuk(5050 m) Drive via Pangla pass (5200 M) to Rongbuk Monastery, world’s highest monastery situated at 5200 M. 0/N Rongbuk Guest House. |
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DAY 14: Rongbuk-Nylam After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Nylam. Nylam Guest House. |
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DAY 15: Nylam-Zhangmu-Kathmandu Drive to Zhangmu & on to Kathmandu. En route visit Milarepa Cave. We descend from the high arid Tibetan plateau into the lush greenery of Nepal. |
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Cost Includes: |
Cost Excludes: | ||
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