TIBET TOUR OVERLAND KATHMANDU TO LHASA
After a tour of Kathmandu we head to Tibet, rooftop of the world
with a flight into Lhasa. After sightseeing, we head off
to see the sacred and ancient sites of Lhasa, capital of Tibet
before flying back across the Himalayas, to Kathmandu.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu and
transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Full day
guided sightseeing inside Kathmandu to the major sites:-
Swayambhunath: One of
world’s most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and the holiest of Buddhist
Chaityas and dates back more than 2000 years. Situated on a hillock
Swayambhunath, literally “the Self-Created or Existent”, is a mosaic of
small stupas and pagoda temple contributed by and time by the succession
of kings and noblemen. The main structure of is made of a solid hemisphere
of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by pinnacle of
copper gilt. Painted on the four sides on the base of the spire are the
“All Seeing Eyes” of Lord Buddha. The main features of Swayambhunath in
brief are “The Five Buddhas.”
Bouddhanth: This
colossas Stupa, is one of Nepal’s most unique monuments.
Bouddhanth with all seeing eyes of primordial Adi
Buddha on all the four sides is said to hold the remains of Kasyapa - the Buddha of the
previous time. The Stupa 100 meters in diameter, built on an
octagonal baseand rises to 36 meters including the spire.
Guheshwari: This
is the place where Sati, the
consort of Siva, is said to have immolated herself due to her father’s insult.
Siva stricken with grief, wandered the skies with her corpse as pieces
of her body fell to earth thus creating 51 sacred sites.
Pashupatinath:
This is a two tiered
golden roof temple with silver doors is famous for its superb Newari
architecture. Entrance to the temple
is permitted to “Hindus Only." Pashupati, literally, “Lord of the
Animals.”
Tibet Tour Part
Day 3: Fly to Lhasa and get transferred to
Tsetang.
A China Southwest Airline flight which departs
Kathmandu in the mid - morning will wing you over the Himalayas in
what must be one of the most spectacular flights to Gongar airport,
90km from Lhasa. You will be met here by your guide and then proceed
to Tsetang where you will have rooms reserved for you at the Tsetang
Hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.
Day 4: Tsedang Sightseeing.
Your encounter with Tibet will begin with a visit
to the palace of Yambulakhang which was built by the first Tibetan
king Nyatri Tsenpo in the second century BC. Local folklore has it
that the king was descended from heaven. Later, we will visit the
Tradruk Temple.
Day 5: Drive to Gyantse
Today, we will begin our overland journey across
the Tibetan plains to Gyangtse via Yamdrok,
or "Turquoise Lake". Overnight at Gyangtse Hotel
Day 6: Drive to
Shigatse
We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive
of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second
largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will
make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery
is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there
is much to explore within its high surrounding walls.
Day 7: Sightseeing and
return to Lhasa
After breakfast, you will
visit Tashilunpo monastery. This is the official seat of the Panchen
Lama, second in importance to only the Dalai Lama. The monastery
itself was built in1447 by Gendun Drup and once housed upward of 3400
monks. Of particular interest in the monastery is the nine-foot statue
of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. In the afternoon you will drive
back to Lhasa.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Lhasa.
After breakfast, you will visit the Potala Palace.
The palace of the Dalai Lama a treasure of Tibetan culture was, till
1965, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet and quite
possibly, the singularly most important building in all Tibet. It was
built in the seventh century by Tsongtsen Gampo as a fort and later
renovated by the fifth Dalai Lama in the seventeenth century to its
present specifications. Your next stop will be Norbulingkha, the
winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which was built, in the eighteenth
century.
Day 9: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Today you will visit the Drepung monastery. This is
the largest monastery in the world and once housed 10,000 monks and
nuns. It was built in 1419 and the second, third and fourth Dalai
Lamas lived and were entombed here. Your next stop will be the Jokhang
Temple. This is the holiest shrine in Tibet and houses a golden statue
of the Buddha, which was brought to Tibet by the Chinese princess "Wen
Chen". You then stop off at Barkhor Bazaar outside the Jokhang
monastery. This is a bustling flea market and is, generally, the place
to buy souvenirs.
Day 10: Transfer to the airport for your
flight back to Kathmandu, remainder of the day at leisure
Day 11: Depart Kathmandu
Prices available on request with excellent discounts for large
groups.
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