F005. Lhasa-Everest-Kathmandu

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Departure Time: Sept 29th. 2008

Route Feature

Lhasa, literally meaning “Holy-Land”, is the heart and soul of Tibet, has history of more than 1,300 years.  It rose to prominence as an important center of administrative power in the 7th century AD, when Songtsen Gampo, a local ruler in the Yarlung Valley, continued the task of unifying Tibet.  Songtsen Gampo moved his capital to Lhasa and built a palace on the site that is now occupied by the Potala. 
The fifth Dalai Lama also made Lhasa his capital.  He built his palace, the Potala, on the site of ruins of Songtsen Gampo’s 7th century palace, Lhasa has remained Tibet’s capital since 1642, and most of the city’s historical sights date from this second stage of the city’s development. 
Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, is another political, economic and religious center other than Lhasa.  Shigatse has been the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is traditionally based in Tashilhunpo Monastery.  Tashilhunpo is one of Tibet’s highlights and is Shigatse’s foremost attraction.

The Tibetan name for Mt. Everest is “Quomolangma” which literally means “The Third Goddess”. Towering 8848.13 meters in the middle section of the Himalaya in Tingri County, Shigatse, Quomolangma teems with snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Everest region has four peaks above 8000 meters and 38 peaks above 7000 meter, thus is reputed as the Third Pole on the Earth. Glaciers of modern era are located at the foot of the mountains, deep caves and snaking ice rivers present a magnificent view around the Quomolangma.

The three great towns of the Kathmandu Valley – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur – still bear witness to their days as fiercely competitive medieval mini-kingdoms. Indeed, in Nepal’ it’s possible to mentally turn back the clock to the medieval era, such is the evocative power of the country

The wonderful part of this trip is to see the different faces of the Himalaya Range: on the north side, the ever-stretching snow mountains and atrocious weather make it an inhospitable land. While the south side of the Himalaya embraces luxurious shades of green, with waterfalls and cascades flushing almost everywhere. You can do nothing but marvel at this Mother Nature’s masterpiece.

Map::Himalayan Adventure::Lhasa-Everest

Itinerary

DAY01: Shanghai -Lhasa.

Morning flight to Lhasa, transfer to Lhasa in the afternoon. The guide will meet you at Konggar Airport, and transfer you to Lhasa city with about 1 1/2 hours’ driving (100km). On the way, you’ll get greeted by Nie Tang Budda – a Budda image engraved in the mountain face. After arrive in Lhasa, rest and acclimatize. Overnight in Lhasa.

DAY02: Lhasa.

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa’s cardinal landmark – Potala Palace （布达拉宫）, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.

Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet – Jokhang Temple（大昭寺）. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor （八角街）– Lhasa’s most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. Overnight in Lhasa.(B/L/D)

DAY03: Lhasa.

About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung（哲蚌寺）, once world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day’s sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.

Drepung is one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera（色拉寺）. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The “Buddhism Scriptures Debating” in Sera is very famous. Overnight in Lhasa.(B/L/D)

DAY04: Lhasa-Yamdroktso（羊卓庸措） -Shigatse.

Yamdroktso(4441m), one of Tibet’s three holy lakes, is located 110km outside of Lhasa. In the fresh morning air, you’re on the way to this lake. It’s mostly mountain road, winding and bumpy, even thrilling somewhat. After about 3 1/2 hours’ driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(5030m), the dazzling Yamdroktso just lies several hundred meters below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang(7191m).


Just close Tashilhunpo is the Old Town of Shigatse, a great place to wander around: Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid picture of local people’s life. Overnight in Shigatse. (B/L/D)3*

DAY05: Shigatse-Shegar.

Miles away from Shigaste, you can already see the gold tops of Tashilhunpo shinning under the sun. While Tashilhunpo’s （扎什伦布）magnificent outside leaves you gasp in admiration, the inside of this monastery introduces you more religious tranquility and sincerity. This afternoon can make you tired as you basically spend more than 6 hours on the rugged road driving. Shegar, also known as New Tingri, is the last stop before Everest Base Camp. Refresh yourself here and don’t forget to wash your dusty face. Overnight in Quomolangma Hotel (B/L/D)2*

DAY06: Shegar-Base Camp.

Although it’s just 100km from Shegar to Base Camp(5200m), it takes about 4 hours since the cracked winding roads demand much caution. But the views are stupendous on a clear day, and feature a huge sweep of the Himalaya range including peaks over 8000, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung and Cho Oyu. When you finally get to Base Camp, the first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves you speechless. All the hardship you bear along the way makes sense at this while. The best moments to watch Mt. Everest’s are early morning and late evening when Everest is shining like a goddess in the sunglow. Overnight in Rongphu Monastery guesthouse (B/L/D)

DAY07: Base Camp-Tingri-Zhangmu.

This day’s experience is somewhat incredible. Leaving Base Camp to Tingri takes about 5 hours on the bumpy and dusty roads. While another 5 hours from Tingri to Zhangmu is more pleasant when approaching Himalaya’s south side: driving through the valley, your eyes are greeted by various shades of green, your ears are filled with the singing of waterfalls, and the moisture in the air makes you fresh from head to toe. Zhangmu is a bustling border town, also a fascinating mix of population, buildings, stores etc. After the quiet even a bit solitary Everest region, this is a welcome change of tune. Overnight in Zhangmu. (B/L/D)2*

DAY08: Zhangmu-Kathmandu.

In the morning, our guide will help you clear the customs and transfer you to the Friendship Bridge at the border. You need cross the Bridge by yourself, and get to Nepalese side. Our Nepalese guide will pick you up there. Then drive about 6 hours to Kathmandu city, enjoy the scenery of great white waters along the way. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B/L/D) 5*

DAY09: Kathmandu.

In the morning, go to Bhaktapur 巴德岗– the most medieval-look town in Kathmandu valley, and visit its Durbar Square. In the afternoon, free in Thamel塔美尔, tourists’ favorite shopping area. Farewell dinner is typical Nepalese style with folk dance show. Transfer to the airport. Take flight back to Shanghai via Guagnzhou. Take flight back to Shanghai via Guangzhou. CZ3068 2300/0515+1 KTM-CAN ，around 0800/0930 CAN-PVG

DAY10: Kathmandu-Shanghai.

Arrive in Shanghai

Price: RMB 14,800/per person based on group of 8 pax
(Single supplement RMB 2100/per person if any)

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Notes:

  1. Departure may be advanced one day due to flight schedule re-arrangement.
  2. Hotels are subject to change, but will remain the same standard.
  3. Potala Palace get a limitation 800 paxs per day to protect the heritage of history. The sequence of sightseeing suppose to be adjust according the situation of entrance permission.
  4. Departure date may be changed due to the Olympic torch stuff.
  5. The price would be 20% floating during three periods of time this year also according to the Olympic Games 2008 Beijing.
  6. We will make it as clear as possible when we get the updated confirmation from TTB.