Tibet overland tour with Everest Base Camp

country:	Tibet
location:	Tibet Everest base camp
trip type:	A small group adventure
departures:	2009: 26 Nov
price:	From €920 (14 days) excluding flights. Price based on group departures (2-6 people). Private departures available at any time. Single supplement €260. (Flight costs: Kathmandu-Lhasa €285 or Chengdu-Lhasa €195)
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Everest base camp treks

Small group cultural tours

Tibet holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

The classic route across the roof of the world.

The lure of Lhasa, capital on the roof of the world, cannot be underestimated. Dominated by the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Potala Palace and bustling with pilgrims circling the sacred Jokhang Temple it is a feast for the senses. Cross the spectacular Khamba- La (pass) with the turquoise waters of the sacred lake, Yamdroktso, spread below. Prayer flags, glaciers, snow covered mountain ranges- the scenery is incredible. Gyantse stands at the junction of trade routes of India and retains the feel for a Tibetan town. The forts and well protected monastery of Gyantse, Shigatse and Sakya reveal not always peaceful history-the riches within, testament to past glory. From the tiny monastery at Rhongphu the view of Qomolangma (Mt Everest) is absolutely magnificent as it stands alone at the head of the valley - a walk or drive to Base Camp brings you even closer.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive in Kathmandu or Chengdu.
Day 2:	A half day walking tour of Kathmandu or a morning visit to the Panda Breeding Center.
Day 3:	Fly to Lhasa.
Day 4-6:	Lhasa - explore this fantastic city including guided tours of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung & Sera Monasteries.
Day 7-8:	A scenic drive to Gyantse where you visit Pelkor Choede & Gyantse Kumbum before the short drive to Shigatse.
Day 9:	Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama and Sakya, once the heart of Tibetan political power.
Day 10-11:	Spectacular drive to Rombuk, the world's highest monastery (5000m). Visit Everest Base Camp (5200m) before the equally stunning descent to Lao Tingri.
Day 12-13:	Awesome passes are followed by the dramatic descent to Zhangmu and on to Dhulikhel and Kathmandu for a final day of shopping and sightseeing.
Day 14:	Depart.

travellers' tales

Besides the monumental and unique sceneries, the best moments of the travel happened during the contact with the beautiful people of the Tibet and of Nepal. Their culture is so rich and different that, as the altitude itself, takes away our breath and turn these days into unforgettable holidays. (more)

this type of trip

Small group departures escorted by an experienced Tibetan guide. Our itineraries operate in remote areas and are by nature 'expeditions' not conventional holidays; conditions are harsher, events less predictable, infrastructure less developed and the lifestyles very different to those you are familiar with. The standards of accommodation and communications are not always up to Western levels. However good our organization is, we are at the mercy of the unexpected, and while most of the time things go smoothly, this cannot be guaranteed. The unpredictable, however often leads to unexpected encounters and the best experiences.

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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