Day 1 - Welcome to Lhasa, Tibet!Check in to the
Four Points Sheraton Hotel, ideally located just a 10-minute stroll from the historic Jokhang Temple and lively Barkhor Market. The rest of your day is at leisure to acclimate to the altitude. Meals D
Day 2 - Lhasa in-depthToday’s sightseeing begins at the magnificent Potala Palace #WHS#, described by British-born essayist Pico Iyer in this way:
“The very center of Tibet is Lhasa and the very center of Lhasa, for more than three centuries, has been the Potala Palace. An unfathomable building erected on a rock face 13 stories high, it has golden turrets on the roof that can bee seen 12 miles away, and it stretches for more than 1,000 feet along a ridge against the snowcaps. The Potala looks and feels like no other building on the planet.” Then visit the beautiful Jokhang Temple, a colorful 4-story structure topped with gold. Originally founded in the 7th century, this temple remains an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. Continue to the Sera Monastery, set on 28 acres at the base of Tatipu Hill just outside of town. Founded in the 15th century, this magnificent monastery complex is comprised of chapels, college buildings, dormitories and a main assembly hall. Many of these structures are splendidly decorated with frescoes, murals, statues and Buddhist scriptures written in gold. Meals B,L,D
Day 3 - Over the Kanbala Pass to ShigatseAfter breakfast at your hotel, you’ll hit the road this morning in a sturdy and comfortable vehicle – arranged exclusively for your Small Group, our driver and experienced Expedition Leader. Traveling through spectacular mountain scenery, you’ll ascend to 15,680 feet through the Kanbala Pass. From here, you’ll have great views over Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, one of Tibet’s three holy lakes and regarded as the female Guardian of Buddhism. Visit Palkhor Monastery, a fine example of Tibetan architecture from the 15th century. Unlike any other monastery in Tibet, Palkhor is home to three different sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Continue to the
Shigatse Hotel, an inviting hotel with modern comfort and Tibetan styling. Meals B,L,D
Day 4 - Across the “Roof of the World”This morning’s sightseeing begins at Tashihunpo Monastery. Founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, it’s the largest in the region and one of six large monasteries in Tibet. At Sakya Monastery, you’ can admire some of the finest Buddhist frescoes in Tibet. Continue your overland journey through the celebrated Gyatsola Pass at 17,000 feet. From here, Mt. Everest can be seen on a clear day. Drive to New Tingri and settle in to the
Dingri Qumulangma Hotel; though simple, it’s the finest in town. Meals B,L,D
Day 5 - Visit the Mt. Everest Base CampAn unforgettable day unfolds with an early morning visit to Rongbuk Monastery, set at an elevation of more than 16,000 feet against the awesome North Face of Everest. Built in 1899 by a local lama, this is the highest temple in the world. It’s a handsome 5-tier building with Buddhist monks and nuns residing together in the same monastery.
Continue by horse-drawn cart to the Mt. Everest Base Camp, where you’ll have time to explore, take plenty of photographs, and revel in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Return to your hotel in New Tingri for a peaceful overnight. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 - Overland to the border and ZhangmuAn unforgettable overland journey through remote high-mountain landscapes brings you to the bustling border town of Zhangmu, located just 6 miles from the Nepal border. Overnight at the
Zhangmu Hotel. Meals B,L,D
Day 7 - An unforgettable overland journey through remote high-mountain landscapes brings you to the bustlingAfter breakfast, rejoin your Tibetan Expedition Leader for the short but scenic drive to Kodari. Set on the Nepalese and Tibetan border, this atmospheric village traces its long and exotic history to the days of the Trans-Himalayan Caravan Route, the Nepalese equivalent of the better-known Silk Road. Merchants bound for Lhasa would stop here in Kodari before heading north through the Kuti Pass and onward across the Tibetan Plateau. Meet your experienced Nepalese mountain guide and travel along the Arniko Highway through the Kodari Pass and into a breathtaking landscape of mountains and river gorges. Arrive in Kathmandu for an enchanting 3-night stay at the
Hyatt Regency, a 5-star resort set on 37 landscaped acres with stunning views of the Himalayas. Meals B
Day 8 - In and around KathmanduToday’s Small Group sightseeing tour with your engaging Expedition Leader explores Durbar Square and Hamuman Dhoka, the ancient royal quarter of the city. See the Mahadev and Parvati Temples and then journey into the tranquil Nepalese countryside to Patan, a city that captivates with its art and architecture. Delight in the town’s colorful and lively bazaars and the carved wooden details of traditional Nepalese homes. Meals B
Day 9 - Discover BhadgaonEnjoy today’s expertly-guided excursion to ancient Bhadgaon, one of the three kingdoms of medieval Nepal. Then visit Bodhnath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, and admire the richly carved doors and gilded roof of Pashupatinath Hindu Temple, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Meals B
Day 10 - Farewell to KathmanduYour tour finishes this morning after breakfast. Meals B