Tibet 2005

around 24 May - 13 June, 2005

PROPOSED ITINERARY:

Day 1-2 Travel to Bangkok
Travel to Bangkok from the United States. Overnight in the Asia Airport Hotel. The Asia Airport Hotel is less than 2 miles from the airport and includes a free shuttle to/from the airport to the hotel. Accommodations: Asia Airport Hotel

Day 3 Bangkok-Chengdu
In the morning 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. Accommodations: Tibet Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Chengdu-Lhasa (Driving Time 2 Hours)
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 Yak or 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: Yak Hotel or Kichu Hotel. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 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 and 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 were 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 means ‘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 1½ hour walk around the monastery complex. Accommodations: Yak Hotel or Kichu Hotel. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Trip to Ganden Monastery - Tirdrum Nunnery (4 Hour Drive)
Today you will take an overnight trip to Tirdrum Nunnery via Ganden Monastery. 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. After an a couple hour walk through this impressive monument you will continue to Tirdrum Nunnery. The small nunnery is next to a hotsprings. Although close to Lhasa this region has a timeless quality that make is feel much further away. The nunnery has a great location in a narrow gorge at the confluence of two streams. Accommodations: Local Guest House B,L,D

Day 7 Tirdrum Nunnery-Drigung Til Monastery-Lhasa (4 Hour Drive)
Morning to explore by foot this unique area and to visit the close by Drigung Til Monastery. First established in 1250 the monastery is on high steep ridge overlooking the Drigung Valley. You may either reach the monastery by foot (3 hours) or by jeep. In the afternoon continue back to Lhasa. Accommodations: Yak Hotel or Kichu Hotel B,L,D

Day 8 Lhasa
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 prayerflags. The summit offers unmatch 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

Day 9 Lhasa- Gyantse (7 Hour Drive)
Skirting the Yamdrok Tso (Lake) you will drive to Gyantse. Upon reeaching 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

Day 10 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 handi-crafts, 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

Day 11 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

Day 12 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

Day 13-14 Exploration 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

Day 15 Exploration Day at Everest Base Camp-Tashi Dzong (2 Hour Drive)
Morning of further exploration 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 or do a walk from the village of Pasum to Tashi Dzong following the trail next to the road. 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

Day 16 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

Day 17-18 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

Day 19 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 rules 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

Day 20 Tibet -Chengdu (1.5 Hour Drive)
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 in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. Accommodations: Asia Airport Hotel Breakfast

Day 21 Bangkok-United States