| Tibetan enclaves - 8 or 14 days |
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Yunnan Province is unique in China for its combination of natural beauty, cultural diversity and its quaint old towns. Yunnan is also the ancient trading post & salt trading route.
We explore the enchanting & multi-ethnic towns of Kunming , Lijiang & continue our journey into Zhongdian or Gyalthang, a Tibetan enclave in Yunnan & the home of the Shangri-La legend - its spectacular mountain landscapes, Tibetan towns, ethnic minorities and traditional life. |
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From Zhongdian we fly to Lhasa , the Forbidden City & the ultimate pilgrim destination for Tibetan Buddhists all over.
After exploring the Forbidden City , we have the option to continue via overland to Nepal including excursion to Everest Base Camp or fly out to Kathmandu/Chengdu/Kunming |
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Day 1: Kunming
Meet at the airport, if time permits, visit the Flower and Bird Market.
Day 2: Lijiang
We drive to Lijiang and take time to explore the enchanting town and its rich Naxi minority culture including visits to Black Dragon Pool and the Museum of Naxi Culture , as well as time to walk the winding cobbled streets. Outside of Lijiang, we stroll through some classic Chinese villages and see the Yufeng Monastery.
Day 3: Tiger Leaping Gorge & Zhongdian
From Lijiang, we travel north by road into the mountains and visit the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge where the mighty Yangtze has carved one of the world’s deepest chasms. We continue on to Zhongdian, a town set high in the mountains on the remote Tibetan border and home to numerous ethnic minority people including a large Tibetan community.
Day 4: Zhongdian
In the morning visit the Sumsanling Monastery, which was built in 1679 by the Fifth Dalai lama. It is considered as the most important monastery of Gelukpa-sect in Yunnan province. In the afternoon visit local market & the old town of Gyalthang & Lake Napa Nature Reserve, a bird-watcher’s paradise & sanctuary for rare species such as the Black- neck crane.
Day 5: Fly Zhondian to Lhasa
Transfer to airport to connect flight to Lhasa . Upon arrival you will be met by our Tibet representative & transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for personal pursuits.
Day 6 & 7: 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 8: Fly to Kathmandu / Chengdu / Kunming or continue via overland to Nepal
Day 8: Lhasa – Gyantse, 3990 m, 350 kms
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa Ia pass 5050 m & Karo Ia (5045 m) passes. Visit Kubum stupa & Palkhor Chode monastery.
Day 9: Gyantse – Shalu – Shigatse, 3860 m, 90 kms
Drive to Shigatse. En route visit Shalu Monastery.Visit Tashilhunpo monastery, the seat of Link Exchange Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierarchy & Shigatse market.
Day 10: Shigatse – Sakya – Tingri, 4350 m
Drive to Tingri across Tsoula pass, 4500 m & Gyatso Ia pass, 5220 m. En route visit Sakya monastery.
Day 11: Shegar- Rongbuk, 5050 m
Drive via Pangla pass (5200 M) to Rongbuk monastery, world’s highest monastery situated at 5200 m.
Day 12: Everest Base Camp
We have the option to hike or drive to Everest Base Camp.
Day 13: Zhangmu
After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Zhangmu.
Day 14: Zhangmu - Kathmandu
Drive to Kathmandu . We descend from the high arid Tibetan plateau into the lush greenery of Nepal . |
| Tour code / Name |
Tour cost |
Tibetan enclaves
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2 - 4 pax |
US$ per person |
| 5 - 7 pax |
US$ per person |
| 8 - 11 pax |
US$ per person |
| 12 - 15 pax |
US$ per person |
| Single room supplement |
US$ per person |
| Extension cost |
US$ per person |
| Single room supplement |
US$ per person |
| Airfare extra |
Lhasa - Kathmandu
Lhasa - Chengdu
Lhasa - Beijing |
US$ 356 per person
US$ 254 per person
US$ per person |
| Note: All tour costs based on twin share basis. Individual (single) travel is also possible. Please contact us for details and costs. |
| Departures: private tour |
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Cost Includes |
- Tibet visa authorization
- Tibet permits
- Monument entrance fees as per itinerary
- Twin share accommodation
- Daily breakfasts
- Guided tours and transfers as per given itinerary
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Cost Excludes: |
- Tibet Visa fee
- Tibet airfares
- Airport taxes
- Insurance & emergency rescue charges
- All lunch & dinners
- Airfares
- Any other services not specified in the above costs includes list
- Rates are subject to change without prior notice
- Also during the monsoon season the Arniko Highway linking Nepal-Tibet border is often disrupted by landslides. In such an eventuality any additional porter or transport charges incurred as such, will be borne by clients’ themselves.
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| Our Hotels |
- In Lhasa using the Lhasa Hotel or similar
- In Tsedang using the Tsedang Hotel or similar
- In Shigatse using the Shigatse Hotel or similar
- In Gyantses using the Gyantse Hotel or similar
- Best available hotels in other areas enroute
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| ± Standard hotel and budget hotels packages are also available. Please email us at info@abcsikkim.com |
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