ITINERARY:
May
29-30 Travel to Bangkok
Travel to Bangkok from the United States. Upon arrival met by local
guide and transfer to the hotel. Accomodations: Rama Gardens Hotel.
No meals.
May
31: Bangkok-Chengdu
(Flight Details- Thai Air # 618 Bangkok-Chengdu 10:40
AM - 2:35 PM )
Morning group transfer to airport. Catch your flight to Chengdu, China.
Upon arrival you will be met by a representative and will transfer to
your hotel in town. The remainder of the day is free to explore a bit
on your own and do any necessary preparation for your Tibet portion
of your trip. Group dinner. Accommodations: Tibet Hotel Breakfast, Dinner
June
1: Chengdu-Lhasa (Driving Time 2 Hours)
(Flight Details- Air China # 4401 7:30 AM - 9:20 AM
)
Transfer to airport. In the morning you will fly from Chengdu to Lhasa.
You will arrive at the Gangkar Airport outside of Lhasa and drive 60
miles into town. This evening you will be staying at the Kichu Hotel
located in the Tibetan section of town. For the next three days you
will explore Lhasa, the cultural and religious center of Tibet. Lhasa
lies in the Kyichu River Valley at 11, 830 feet, and is dominated by
the magnificent Potala Palace built in the 17th century by the Great
Fifth Dalai Lama. Its proportions and treasures will amaze you. The
Palace with over 1,000 rooms contains the quarters of the Dalai Lama,
hundreds of chapels, funeral chortens and many Tibetan treasures. In
the afternoon explore the square and areas near the hotel. Accommodations:
Kichu Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
June
2: Lhasa
Today you again venture into Lhasa active streets to visit the Potala
Palace. This architectural wonder - a spectacular edifice whose gold
roofs soar high above the town and rise more than 1,000 feet above the
valley floor - can be seen from in all directions for miles around.
The present Potala was built mainly in the Fifth Dalai Lama’s
reign between 1645 - 1693. Until recently it remained the center of
political and religious power for the Dalai Lamas. With over one thousand
rooms, it contained the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas while they
lived, and their magnificent golden tombs when they died. Tutors and
other high lamas had apartments. A huge printing house and a seminary
was run by the elite order of monks in order to train the government
officials. Hundreds of elaborately decorated chapels and shrines, halls
and corridors contain thousands of gilded statues - Tibet's pantheon
of Buddhas, Boddisattvas, saints and demons. Today the Potala is a state
museum with 35 caretaker-monks, but to many thousands of Tibetan pilgrims
it remains a beloved shrine. We then visit the Jokhang. The Jokhang,
the spiritual centre of Tibet, is a most holy place and has been a focal
point for millions of Tibetan pilgrims. The oldest part of the building
dates back from the 7th century AD. Legend says that Songtsen Gampo,
who built the temple, threw his ring into the air, promising to build
a temple wherever it landed. The ring fell into a lake and struck a
rock whereupon a white stupa miraculously appeared - an auspicious sign.
Even today a pool exists under the Jokhang's main courtyard.In the afternoon
we visit Sera monastery. Sera meaning ‘Merciful Hail’ and
lies on the northern edge of Lhasa. Its name denotes its rivalry with
the Drepung since hail destroys rice. Founded in 1419 by one of Tsongkhapa's
eight disciples, it became famous for its tantric teachings. The warrior
monks of Sera, the ‘Dob-Dobs’, were admired as athletes
but also feared. A central lane and fairly simple layout make Sera easy
to explore. This afternoon we will complete the Sera Kora. An interesting
1 ½ hour walk around the monastery complex. Accommodations: Kichu
Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
June
3: Lhasa Day Hike Phabongkha
Today we will do out first warm up hike to get acclimatized to the elevation.
This is one of Lhasa more famous pilgrimage routes. Your hike begins
at the village of Nyangre where you will walk to Phanbongka Temple.
The route ascends 45 minutes from here to the Tashi Choling Monastery
where you can look down on a local sky burial site. Continuing another
45 minutes you will reach the cave hermitage of Takten. From here you
may either drop down to the Chubsang Nunnery to meet your car and driver
or you can continue 2 more hours to Sera on foot following a ridgeline
with spectacular views before dropping down to Sera. It's hard to believe
how remote this walk feels so close to down town Lhasa. It's a great
opportunity to explore smaller temples and sites and encounter Tibetans
along the way. Accommodations: Kichu Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
June
4: Trip to Ganden Monastery
Today you will take a day trip to Ganden. Ganden Monastery is the first
Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet. Established in 1409 Ganden sits high on
the mountain side and is one of Tibet's largest religious sites. Today
we will follow the both the upper kora along its ridge and then visit
the monastery and continue on the lower kora route. In the afternoon
return to Lhasa. Accommodations: Kichu Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
June
5: Lhasa Day Hike Mt. Gyephelri
Today we will wake in the early morning hours to climb Mt Gyephelri,
17,200 feet. Rising above the Drepung Monastery Gyephelri is one of
the highest and most sacred of Lhasa's peaks. We begin our hike on the
monastery circuit. Our route enters the foothills around a network of
16th century temples. The views of Lhasa from this route are outstanding.
We follow ancient paths up the mountain passing rarely visited monk
hermitages and enjoy staggering views of the Kychu Valley below. Reaching
open meadows we stop for lunch before making a final (optional) push
for the summit. Following a trail that for hundreds of years has been
used by pilgrims our way is lined by cairns and prayer flags. The summit
offers unmatched views of Lhasa below. A four hour descent brings us
back to Drepung. Travel back to the hotel. Accommodations: Yak Hotel
or Kichu Hotel B,L,D
June 6: Lhasa- Gyantse (7 Hour Drive)
Skirting the Yamdrok Tso (Lake) you will drive to Gyantse. Upon reaching
the lake we will stop to take a short walk (swimming in the lake is
forbidden due to its holiness). To reach Gyantse we cross over the Karo
Labeneath the summit of 7000 meter Mt. Nojin Kangstan. Gyantse lies
on a broad fertile expanse of the Nyang Chu Valley, at the head of the
main trade route to Sikkim. Historically it was an important hub of
commerce and is still prosperous today. Its winding lanes and Tibetan
style houses dominated by the Gyantse Dzong paint the picture of a typical
Tibetan town. The unusual Kumbum Chorten at the Palkhor Chode is architecturally
unique in the world of Buddhism, representing a symbolic three-dimensional
path to Buddha's enlightenment. Gyantse Hotel B,L,D
June
7: Gyantse-Shigatse (1 1/2 Hour Drive)
From Gyantse we take a spectacular drive to Shigatse. Our route with
views of the mountains and scattered villages is a great taste of rural
Tibet life. Tibet's second largest city, Shigatse lies near the confluence
of the Nyang Chu and Tsang Po Rivers. Here you will visit the elaborate
temple and monastery complex at Tashilhunpo. Seat of the Pechen Lama,
Tashihunpo is Tibet's largest and most vibrant monastery. The city's
bazaar has more than 300 hundred stalls selling local products as well
as colorful and elaborate handicrafts, antiques and porcelains. The
market is the perfect place to further explore after our walk around
the Tashilhumpo Kora. Accommodations: Wutse Hotel B,L,D
June
8: Shigatse-Sakya (4 Hour Drive)
In the morning we will climb above Shigatse to the city’s ancient
fortress and Nyizer Ri the highest ridge above town where there are
spectacular views of the high plains and Shigatse. Returning for lunch
we will travel to Sakya Monastery. The monastery stands in two parts
on either side of the Dongchu River. This monastery is the center of
the Sakyapa sect (White Earth Order). The northern part of the monastery
was built in the year 1079 and its southern part was founded in 1268
by a famous abbot of the Sakya, named Pagma. Pagma once ruled the whole
of Tibet under the supervision of the Yuan dynasty. Overnight Sayka.
Accommodations: Best Available Local Inn B,L,D
June
9: Sakya -Rongbuk Monastery-EVEREST BASE CAMP (16,150 feet)
(6-7 Hour Drive )
Today we will follow a roadway opened in the 1960s for a Chinese attempt
to climb Everest by the North Face. Climbing over the Pang-La Pass (17,150
feet) you will (weather permitting) be able to see Makalu, Cho Oyu ,
and this north face of Everest. Descending into the valley you will
wind your way through interesting and forever changing landscapes to
Rongbuk Monastery (16,150ft). The monastery was badly damaged during
the Cultural Revolution, but today is active again and houses a small
community of Tibetan monks and nuns. In the afternoon you will have
a chance to tour the monastery and the surrounding area. The view this
evening of Everest’s North face looming over two miles above Rongbuk
is staggering. This evening you will stay in a small guest house where
there will be views of Everest out each room’s window. Accommodations:
Best Available Local Inn B,L,D
June 10: Exploration Day at Everest Base Camp
Today you will take a demanding day hike along the rugged Rongbuk Glacier.
Our hike will retrace the steps of mountaineers attempting Everest's
North Face, including Gregory Mallory who attempted to summit Everest
in 1924. It may be possible depending on the group to climb to Camp
1 situated at 18,500 ft. For those not feeling up to the hike you may
further explore the valley and the Rongbuk Monastery. Accommodations:
Best Available Local Inn B,L,D
June
11: Exploration Day at Everest Base Camp
A second day to further explore the Everest Region with walks near base
camp. Accommodations: Best Available Local Inn B,L,D
June 12: Exploration Day at Everest Base Camp-Tashi
Dzong (2 Hour Drive)
Morning to further explore before continuing to Tashi Dzong. Today we
have several options. We could continue to do some walking near base
camp, follow a trail toward the Doya La. Our driving route by road descends
between the river and a prominent rock outcrop capped by Tretong Dzong.
The valley then opens up into a fertile plain before reaching Tashi
Dzong. Accommodations: Best Available Local Inn B,L,D
June
13: Tashi Dzong - Shigatse (8 Hours)
After breakfast we will travel through gorgeous mountain terrain to
reach the Friendship Highway and our accommodations in Shigatse. Today’s
route will be different than the one we tool to reach base camp. Arriving
in the afternoon we will check into a local inn and have the remainder
of the day free to do a hike or relax. Accommodations: Wutse Hotel B,L,D
June
14-15: Shigastse-Tsethang (3-4 Hour Drive Each Day)
From Shigatse you will continue to Tsethang over the next two days following
the Yarlung Tsangpo River - fields of barley and wheat and orchards
of apple and pear are interspersed with stretches of arid rocky mountains
and sculpted sand dunes. En route on the 17th you will visit Sayme,
the first monastery to be built in Tibet. After looking around, climb
to Hepori. A residence palace for Tibetan kings during the Royal Dynasty
period once crowned this ridge which now has simple small temple. This
hike takes 2 hours (return) along a ridge with commanding views of the
surrounding valleys. After the walk and lunch, continue to Tsethang.
Accommodations: Local Inns 2 B,L,D
June
16: Tsethang
In Tsethang in the Yarlung Valley, you will explore Tibet's early history.
It is believed that within the cave near the Gonpo Ri a monkey and a
demoness mated to create the forebears of the Tibetan race. To the south
lies Trandruk, Yarlung's paramount monastery, and Yumbu Lagang, the
first castle in Tibet. The Chongye Valley where the first rulers of
Tibet were entombed is further south. Today will be spent exploring
these sites in this dramatic high valley before your departure. Accommodations:
Local Inns B,L,D
June
17: Tibet -Chengdu (1.5 Hour Drive)
(Flight Details- Air China # 4402 10:20 AM -12:10 PM
Lhasa-Chengdu
Thai # 619 3:40 PM-5:50 PM Chengdu-Bangkok)
From Tsethang in the morning you will drive to the airport and catch
your flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival in Chengdu, transfer directly to
your flight to Bangkok. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Accommodations: Rama Garden Hotel Breakfast
June
18: Bangkok-United States
Morning transfer to airport for flight to the United States. Breakfast
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