Fly
from Kathmandu to Lhasa. If the weather
is clear there are wonderful views of Everest,
Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and
other peaks en route. On arrival at Gonggar
airport (which is 90 km. from Lhasa), you
meet your vehicle and drive east along
the broad Yarlung Tsangpo valley to Tsedang
(3400m.). After checking in to your hotel,
you drive south to see the reputed oldest
building in Tibet, the Yumbu Lakhang, a
beautiful castle-like dwelling and monastery,
dramatically perched on a spur looking
out over the fertile valley below. If time
permits you may be able to visit a small
monastery close to Tsedang, or an interesting
carpet factory where you can see the whole
process of carpet making. You stay overnight
at hotel.
Day
2
This
day you visit Potala Palace, Sera Monastery
and Norbulinka. One of the highlights is
the visit to the symbol of Tibet; the Potala
Palace set high on Red Hill, the winter
home of the Dalai Lama until 1959. The
most sacred temple in Lhasa is the Lokhang,
where people come from all over Tibet to
visit and pray in this spiritual heart
of the country.
In the afternoon visit Sera monastery,
which was created in 1419, has always been
an important Buddhist seminary. As rose
are planted everywhere in the monastery,
it is also called “the court of wild
rose”. Today still 200 lamas live
in there. Another great treasure is the
Norbulingka – the old summer palace
of the Dalai Lama. You stay overnight at
hotel.
Day 3
This
day you will be visiting Drepung Monastery,
Jorkhang Temple & Barkhor street. You
can explore Lhasa on your own and visit
the Tibetan Medical College or the Ramoche
temple (one of the oldest religious buildings
in Tibet).
In the evening you visit Jorkhang temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism
and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for
worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry
structure still existing in Tibet. Surrounding the Jorkhang Temple is the bustling
Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Around
the Barkhor there are numerous stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts: brightly
colored boots and fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewelry, rosaries, prayer
flags and charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary
household ware. You stay overnight at hotel.
Day
4
Drive
from Lhasa to Ganden (4500m) and it is
45 kilometers. If you head along the south
bank of the Kyi Chu to Medro Gongkar, Ganden
is 45 kilometers from east of Lhasa. On
continuing eastwards you will drive past
Tibet University crossing the Lhasa East
Bridge to the gas station. En route you
will encounter a village and a line of
telegraph posts. A monastery lies 18 kilometers
ahead at the top of Wangku Ri, a scared
ridge. The main road leads to Ganden valley.
At the south west corner of Ganden, a large
rock draped with prayer flags can be found.
You stay overnight at hotel.
Day 5
Rest
at Ganden for acclimatization. Ganden is
an interesting place to wander aimlessly
about in. The sheer ochre walls of many
of the buildings make great backdrops for
photographs. Kora (walk) around Ganden
is not to be missed. This circuit begins
at the south west corner of Ganden. A large
rocky cleft draped with prayer flags marks
the start of this scenic circuit which
takes at least one hour to complete. After
Kora you can walk up an adjacent hillock
to view Ganden and surrounding sights.
You stay overnight in camps.
Day
6
Trek
from Ganden to Yama Do. You resume your
Tibet Trekking adventure as you trek away
from Ganden towards south along Angor Ri,
the highest point on the Ganden kora. After
ascending for 1 1/2 hours, you see several
cairns near a saddle. The trail further
leads westwards descending to Hepu village.
30 houses become visible. 3 ½ hours
of trekking brings you close to Shug La
pass. Ani Pagong lies 1 hour away from
Hepu. 1 hour of continuous ascent leads
to lush meadows. Then, appears Yama Do
where on finding a perfect campsite you
will rest for the night. You stay overnight
in camps.
Day
7
Trek from Yama Do to Tsotup Chu Valley
across 5250 meter Shug La.
Leaving behind Yama Do, you have to climb eastwards negotiating boulders along
the final climb atop 5250 meter Shug La, the highest point on this trail. The
pass is distinctively marked with its large cairn wrapped in prayer flags and
yak horns. After a brief stop at the pass to savor the grand vistas you take
sharp descent walking past a boulder field. The trail eventually opens into
the valley and up ahead in a distance crosses Tsotup Chu, a large stream and
rich pastures of yaks, goats and sheep. You encounter several herders on the
way. After adventurous trekking for 4-5 hours, you camp for the night at a
superb location in Tsotup Chu Valley.
Day 08:
Trek
from Tsotup Chu Valley to Herder's Camp.
As you turn away from Tsotup Chu Valley,
you come across main water course following
from the south-east and a tributary from
the south-west. You take the route along
this tributary followed by steep ascents
for 30 minutes to a large basin and thereafter,
the tributary disappears out of sight.
The trail further opens into the valley
progressing south to the Chitu La at 5100
meters capped with several cairns. The
trail further brushes past a sheer rock
wall on its south flank. Thereafter, follows
a descent into a basin showcasing three
turquoise lakes. Further on, the trail
moves on to the west side of the stream
and thereon, after 30 minutes approaches
campsite. Many herders’ camps can
be seen at the nearby locations. Following
the rock-strewn valley floor, you will
head to a flat seasonal herder's camp in
the east side of the valley. Soon after
returning to the west side of the valley,
you will near another seasonal herders'
camp. As you reach a superb campsite, you
will halt there for the night. You stay
overnight in camps.
Day 09:
Trek
from Herder’s Camp to Wango. Transverse
through lush scrub forest along wide trail,
you trek ahead basking in the sheer pleasure
of two- hours of blissful moments. Surrounding
mystical vistas of verdant vegetation and
stream double the pleasure. Along the trail
you can witness a plethora of rich wildlife;
more than 15 types of trees and shrubs,
fragrant junipers growing on southern slopes
and rhododendron on the shadier slopes.
Succession of lush meadows appears en route.
Further ahead, pristine village of Changtang
zooms into picture. Majority of the local
villagers are engaged in animal husbandry
for livelihood. Yarlung Tsangpo valley
can be viewed on the south. You can ascend
steeply up to Yamalung Hermitage for one
hour. But if you choose not to climb this
ascent, you can simply wait near the bridge.
Ancient history has it that Guru Rinpoche
after rigorous meditation attained spiritual
enlightment with the blessings from deity
Amitayus (Tibetan: Tsepame) at Yamalung
(also called Emalung). This heritage houses
small temples sheltering monks, sacred
spring and stone carvings of 8th Guru Rinpoche,
King Trisong Detsen and Indian pundit Shantarakshita.
Stone houses come into sight after walking
for one hour to the village of Nyango.
The trail overlooks big tributary streams
cascading from the north-west to join the
Samye valley. Old trade route from Lhasa
to Samye via the Gokar La follows this
valley. You can see four small shops fully
resourced with soda and cigarettes. The
trail further proceeds towards Wango. Overlooking
lush meadows, you will camp between Wango
and Pisha.
Day 10:
Trek
from Wango to Samye takes 2 hours and drive
to Tsedang.
Pisha offers picturesque view of entire lower Samye valley. At its lower end
an undulating hill called Hepo Ri appears into picture. This is regarded very
sacred. The trail winds through ridge Dragmar towards verdant fields and villages
of Samye reviving ancient history. A partially rebuilt palace is nestled on the
summit. History boasts that the palace is the birthplace of King Trisong Desten
and had a grand temple in the ancient time. The trail overlooking amazing spires
leads to Sangbu village. You will find a well trodden track for jeep ride to
Samye. As you approach Samye valley, you can visit Samye monastery bearing panoramic
picture of Samye. Shortly after this insightful visit, you will drive to Tsedang,
the third largest city in central Tibet. On the Southeast of Tsedang, you will
get to observe mesmerizing view of mountain GANGPO RI standing at 4,130 metres
above sea level. Tibetans regard this mountain as their legendary birthplace
and give huge significance. You can eventually rest for the night at a comfortable
guest house.
Day 11
Explore
the Yarlung Valley. Today will be spent
exploring the Yarlug valley which is also
known as the Valley of Tombs. Ancient Tibetan
history boasts that Tibetan civilization
was originated from Yarlung valley. You
can spot massive burial mounds of Tibetan
Kings.
Today’s sights include Tandruk (Trandruk)
Monastery, a 7th century monastery, which
holds fantastic wood carved altar, interesting
relics and murals. Yambulakang, the castle
perched dramatically on a pinnacle above
the valley is the oldest known dwelling
in Tibet, reputedly the home of the Yarlung
Kings. The view from the castle is awesome.
The tour continues to the west of Tsedang, crossing the Tsangpo River on a
boat to Samye Monastery, founded in 779 AD, is in a green valley among barren
mountains surrounded by a village. Samya Monastery is one of the most imposing
sights of Tibet. Built between 763 and 75 AD modeled on the University of Otantapuri
in India and planned as a representation of the universe it has a collection
of pagodas and temples. You stay overnight in guest house.
Day 12:
Drive
to Gongkar Airport and fly from Lhasa to
Kathmandu. You will be escorted to the
airport in time for your flight home. The
flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu takes one
hour and during your flight, you can see
Yarlung Tsangpo River, Yamdrok Tso [Lake],
Mount Kanchanjungha (8,586m.), Mount Makalu
(8,463m.) and Mount Everest (8,848m.).
But the visibility depends on the weather
condition. Your Tibet Tour ends on your
arrival at Kathmandu Airport.