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The breath taking trans Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa & the overland route from Lhasa to Nepal border offers truly spectacular views of the Himalayas, high mountain passes, ancient monasteries, fortresses, people & culture from a bygone era.
Though this trip is scheduled as a fly in / drive out program, it can also be done in reverse, depending on practical necessity. |
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Day 1: Kathmandu-Lhasa, 3650 m, 90 kms
Transfer to airport to connect SZ 408 KTM-LXA flight. Upon arrival you will be met by our Tibet representative & transfer to Hotel.
Day 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 monastery, founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelugpa 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.
Day 4: Lhasa - Gyantse, 3990 m, 350 kms
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyantse across Kampa La <La in Tibetan means pass>, 5050 m & Karo La, 5045 m. Visit Kubum stupa & Pelkor Chode Monastery.
Day 5: Gyantse – 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 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierarchy & Shigatse Market.
Day 6: Shigatse – Sakya - Tingri, 4350 m
Drive to Tingri across Tso La pass, 4500 m & Gyatso La pass, 5220 m. En route visit Sakya monastery.
Day 7: Xegar-Zhangmu, 2300 m
Drive to Zhangmu. En route visit Milarepa caves
Day 8: Kathmandu
Walk across Friendship Bridge & transfer to Kathmandu . |
