Itinerary

Day 1

KATHMANDU (1300) - ZHANGMU (2,500M)/NYALAM (3700M):123 KM/156 KM

Early morning scenic drive to KODARI (Nepal - Tibet border) through the beautiful Nepalese countryside and after necessary border formalities both at Nepalese, an hour adventurous uphill drive to Chinese immigration, check-in to hotel or continue drive to NYALAM. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2

ZHANGMU/NYALAM - TINGRI (4300M)/LHATSE (4,350M):225 KM/244 KM

Day drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world crossing over LALUNGLA (5,050 M), from where, weather permitting,breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including MT CHO OYU (8201 M) & MT XISHAPAGMA (8012M) but dwarfed by the vastness of the
Tibetan Plateau. From TINGRI, one can ENJOY the magnificence of MT. EVEREST (8,848 M). Overnight at hotel.

Day 3

TINGRI/LHATSE - XIGATSE (3,900M): 244 KM

Continue scenic drive crossing over GYATCHU LA (5,220M), the highest pass en route to LHASA via LHATSE from where a road to MT KAILASH bifurcates to the west. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4

XIGATSE - GYANTSE (3,950M): 90 KM

Morning sightseeing to the PANCHEN LAMA'S TASHILHUMPO MONASTERY. Drive to GYANTSE and visit to the KUMBUM STUPA & PHALKOR MONASTERY. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5

GYANTSE - LHASA (3,650M): 261 KM

Full day picturesque drive crossing over KAROLA (5,010M), KAMBALA (4,794M),colourful YAMDROK LAKE and the Tibetan lifeline river BRAHMA PUTRA (YARLUNG TSANGPO) - Overnight at hotel.

Day 6

Today will be spent visiting several of Lhasa's many monasteries in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within it's white-washed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. After lunch we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets which is the central market of Lhasa.

Day 7

This morning we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century. A visit to the Drepung Monastery this afternoon will complete a truly awe- inspiring day. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the world. with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution

Day 8

Transfer to airport for final departure

Extra Information

Extras -

Highlights:
* Inspiring landscapes, superb mountain views, rich Buddhist history & culture & Tibetan Nomads.
* 3 nights in Lhasa, staying near the city's main attractions - the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple
* Adventurous drive by best 4WD land cruiser across the 'roof of the world' with English speaking best local Tibetan guide.
* Hotels / lodges with Tibetan character wherever possible.
* Complete hassle free Chinese (Tibet) travel documentation.
* Spectacular flight to Lhasa passing right over Mount Everest and many of the highest peaks in the world (if you join the trip in Kathmandu)

Gaint Budhha Near Lhasa
With an average altitude in excess of 3500m, Tibet can truly be described as the roof of the world. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan range which separates it from its neighbours India, Nepal and Bhutan, much of the country is high-altitude desert. With its spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, Tibet is a remarkable place to visit.

On this trip, we will travel in a 4WD Land cruiser , following the Friendship Highway through some of the most amazing landscape on Earth and staying in the best traditional hotels Tibet has to offer. We'll pass small Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. Equally as fascinating is the wealth of cultural interest and we will have plenty of opportunity to explore this side of Tibet, both in Lhasa and the other towns we pass through on our journey from Kathmandu.

We spend 3 nights in Lhasa, staying right in the centre of the city. This will allow easy access to the city's main attractions - the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.

Inspiring landscapes and mountain views combined with its rich Buddhist history and culture, make visiting Tibet a truly unforgettable experience.