Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly greeted by a staff / representative from Ang Rita Trek & Expedition as you come out at the airport after the immigration formalities. You will be transferred to a hotel. We will collect your passports to apply for Chinese visa and a briefing of the tour program will be arranged at a convenient time.
Day 02: Cultural Tour and Trip preparation (Obtaining Chinese visa)
After breakfast we will take you for a guided cultural tour and visit some of the historical and cultural sites which most of them are illustrated on the world heritage sites. You will visit historic Kathmandu Durbar Square clustered with old royal palaces and distinctive pagoda roofed temples, stone sculpture and old monuments. Swayambhunath, the Buddhist stupa believed to be 2500 years old towering on the top of a hill commanding sweeping view of Kathmandu valley, the most profound expression of Buddhist symbolism in Nepal and possibly in the world. Afternoon will be used for Trip preparation.
Day 03: Kathmandu – Lhasa flight (3670m.)
We transfer you to Tribhuwan International Airport for the flight to Lhasa. Fly over panoramic Himalayan ranges from Kathmandu to the holy city of Lhasa. The flight takes about 55 minutes to reach the Gonggar Airport. Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport, transfer 100 km. to the city. Check in the hotel and a complete rest for acclimatization.
Day 04: Visit Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery and Bharkhor Market.
You commence cultural sightseeing tour in Lhasa. You visit Potala Palace (Winter Palace of the Dalai Lama, now more a museum than a palace). Scared Potala Palace is perched upon the Ri Marpo (Red Hill) 130meters above Lhasa valley. Potala Palace itself rises 170 meters further making it the highest monumental in Tibet.
You proceed to Drepung Monastery, The largest monastery in Tibet as well as in the world and once harbored 10000 monks though as a rule it was to house 7700 monks. It was founded in 1416 and was the principal seat of the Gelugpa school with high standard of academic study until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala.
Next you visit Bharkhor Market which has a history of over 1,000 years old and surrounds the Jokhang Temple. It was originally used by Tibetan Buddhists to walk clockwise to pay their tribute and show the devotion. Now as days it has been also used as one of the most bustling sections in Lhasa for selling from the local living necessities to varieties of handicrafts. It has been the place for the tourists to scroll around as the place has historical, cultural, religious and commercial importance.
Day 05: Visit Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Norbulinka Palace.
You visit Sera Monastery, The second biggest monastery in Tibet built in 1419, famous for its horse-necked Hayagriva. Sera housed more than 5,000 monks in 1959. Although badly damaged following the invasion of Tibet and the Cultural Revolution, it is still standing and has been largely repaired. It was the center of Tibet unrest in 2008. Next you visit Jokhang Temple, The most sacred and oldest temple in Tibet, built particularly for the enshrinement of the Sakyamuni image. Located at Bharkhor square, it is more commonly known today as the Jokhang, which means the 'House of the Buddha. You continue tour to Norbulinka Palace, summer palace of Dalai Lama located three kilometers west of the Potala Palace.
Day 06: Lhasha Drive to Gyantse ( 261 km. approx. 8 hrs.)
You drive to Gyangtse, 3950 m. a pastoral town between Lhasa and Shigatse. Drive 261km (Appx. 8 hrs) to Gyangtse, crossing over Karola Pass (5010m), Khambala Pass (4794m), colourful Yamdrok Lake and the Tibetan lifeline river Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra).
Day 07: Visit Palkhur Choid Monastery and drive to Shigatse (3900m.)
You visit Palkhur Choide Monastery, the only monastery which contains different Tibetan Buddhism sects in Tibet. Next you visit Kumbum Stupa, one of the most magnificent buildings in Tibet of six stories high with 108 doors leading to its inner chambers. You drive to Shigatse, the second largest town in Tibet and the seat of power of Panchen Lama.
Day 08: Visit Tashilhumpo Monstery and Drive to Rongbuk (4980m.)
You visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded by the First Dalai Lama and the former residence of Panchen Lama, famous for its giant statue of Buddha Maitreya which is 26m tall. The massive Thangka wall at Tashilunpo can be clearly seen from most points in Shigaste. The wall is used for displaying enormous Thangkas - religious painted banners. You visit the local market (a small but fascinating market located at the foot of the old Shigatse Fortress). You drive to Rongbuk past Tibetan towns, Lhaste and Tingri.
Day 09: Excursion of Everest Base Camp – Drive to Tingri (4300m.)
We drive to Everest base camp (5150m) and enjoy the great views of Everest north face. This will be a great opportunity to experience Everest so close which may require at least 12 days trekking from Lukla in Nepal. We explore around Rongbuk glacier and return to Rongbuk. We drive to Tingri.
Day 10: Drive to Zhangmu – Kathmandu.
You drive to Zhangmu with typical view of Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world crossing over a pass from where we can view breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m) and Mt. Shishapangma (8012m), We arrive at Chinese border, complete immigration formalities on both sides and drive to Kathmandu. You check-in at hotel and a farewell dinner will be arranged in the evening.
Day 11: Airport Transfer
We transfer you to airport for your onward journey.
