Tibet tour, Tibet Discovered

country:	China, Tibet
departures:	Private departures at any time. Group departures in 2008: 8 Apr, 13 May, 10 Jun, 15 Jul, 19 Aug, 16 Sep, 21 Oct
price:	From €1050 (20 days) excluding flights

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Tibet holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Discover the land on the 'Roof of the World'
Explore the holy city of Lhasa - a city of marvels where history and art, commerce and religion meld into an unforgettable experience.

Exquisite mountain lakes (Namtso and Yamdrok Tso), snow-capped peaks, mountain passes, glaciers, fields of rape and barley, colorful temples and imposing forts... The very best that Tibet has to offer.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1-2:	Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. On day 2 a full day tour introduces to some of the wonders of Kathmandu. OR Chengdu, the bustling capital of Sichuan Province is home to some of the best (and spiciest!) food in the world. It is also a city of temples, gardens and teahouses. An early morning visit to the Breeding and Research Center sees the magnificent Giant Pandas and Red Pandas at their most active. In the evening discover a little of Sichuan ’s rich cultural heritage at a tea-house performance of opera, acrobatics, puppetry and ‘changing faces’.
Day 3:	The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is spectacular. From Gongkar airport it is about 1½ hours’ drive to Lhasa , first along the Yarlung Tsangpo then into the Kyi Chu Valley .
Day 4-6:	With a relaxed pace to allow for the effects of altitude, explore this fantastic city on the roof of the world. The spiritual heart of Tibet is the Jokhang Temple and every morning is full of life as pilgrims bring offerings of butter and barley flour. The Potala Palace rises above the city and, more than any other sight, symbolizes the history and culture of Tibet . Nearby are the huge monastic universities of Drepung and Sera – still active institutions.
Day 7-8:	Tsurphu, founded in 1189, remains the seat of the Karma Kagyupa order. The current, 17th, Karmapa fled to India in 2000. Many Karma Kagyu followers are from eastern Tibet and it is a great place to watch impressively clothed and bejeweled Khampa pilgrims. The sacred lake, Nam-tso, is utterly stunning. Yak, sheep, goats and horses graze the rich surrounding grasslands, the snow covered Nyenchen Tanglha dominates the southern skyline and the whole area is temporary home to hundreds of migrating birds. The rocky Tashidor peninsula is the site of numerous hermit caves and a small monastery with a lovely, short kora.
Day 9:	Drive back to Lhasa with the afternoon free for further sightseeing or shopping.
Day 10-11:	From the Yarlung Valley Songtsen Gampo unified central Tibet in the 7th century. The fortress-palace of Yambulakhang is dramatically situated on a hill above the valley, its founding dating back to a time of myth and legend. Crossing the Yarlung Tsangpo by open barge is a fantastic experience, as it weaves between the many sandbanks; the colors of the river and mountains are incredible and there is usually a variety of bird life to be seen, as well as fellow pilgrims. Samye was Tibet ’s first monastic institution. Constructed in 769 in the shape of a mandala, it is also one of the most attractive as it combines Indian, Tibetan, Khotanese and Chinese artistic traditions.
Day 12-13:	A long, yet scenic day’s drive across the Khamba La and Kora La (passes), along the shores of Lake Yamdrok Tso to Gyantse. Once an important trading town, Gyantse retains a feel of ‘old’ Tibet . Visit Gyantse’s monastery – Pelkor Choede – and the justifiably famous Kumbum, within the same complex. There is also time to visit the dzong (fort) that towers above the town.
Day 14:	Make the short drive along the valley to Shigatse. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in importance to the Dalai Lama. Its numerous halls contain a 21.6-meter statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha and elaborate, jewel encrusted reliquary chorten.
Day 15:	Sakya was the seat of political power in central Tibet from the 10th to mid 14th centuries. The fortified monastery is still head of one of the most important schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Day 16:	Turn off the Friendship Highway for a stunning drive through Qomolangma National Park to reach the tiny Rhongphu Gompa at 5000m. The view from here is utterly spectacular!
Day 17:	Trek or take a horse cart the last 7kms to Everest Base Camp (5200m) before heading to Lao Tingri via a rough, yet scenic track crossing small rivers and passes.
Day 18:	Another high pass gives a last, spectacular view of the Himalaya before leaving the Tibetan Plateau, descending to Zhangmu – on the China-Nepal border.
Day 19:	Completing border formalities the drive back to Kathmandu continues down the Bote Khosi valley.
Day 20:	Depart.

travellers' tales

The whole of the holiday was extremely memorable but the highlight was the trip to Everest Base Camp. The views from Rombuk, particularly with the sunset and sunrise were out of this world. (more)

how this holiday makes a difference

These are informal group departures accompanied by local TTB appointed interpreter/guide (Tibetan)

Use Tibetan drivers and interpreter/guide
Privately owned Tibetan owned hotels unless clients request 4 or 5 star accommodation in Lhasa
Option to visit and support Project for the Blind, Lhasa
Proper waste disposal – encouraged to refill water bottles. Plastic water bottles all returned to Lhasa for recycling
RT guidelines distributed to all pax.

Project for the Blind commenced in 1998 in Lhasa with the opening of the first rehabilitation and training center for the blind in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Groups are encouraged to visit and make contributions both through interaction and financial. The main goal is the integration and acceptation of the blind in the Tibetan society, through the four major projects:

Implementation of a preparatory school for blind children
Production of educational materials for the blind.
Preparation of a reintegration program, facilitating the return to local schools and home life.
Realization of a vocational training which gives blind people an opportunity and skills to generate their own income.

Schools Whilst remote schools are financially supported by the government access to learning materials is often restricted by access to cities to purchase supplies. In some villages, eg Samye, leaders have developed relations with schools and purchase materials (exercise books, pencils etc) in Lhasa for delivery to the school. This is administered on an order taken on one visit, materials delivered next visit basis to ensure schools receive exactly what they need (learning to write in 3 very different scripts means differently ruled exercise books for each). Groups are offered the option to contribute to or cover the cost of such purchases.

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