The 8 Days Drive in Fly out Tibet Tour is an ideal program for those wishing to experience major cultural attractions in Tibet including Lhasa. You will enter Tibet by crossing Nepal-China(Tibet) border and head towards Lhasa which involves driving over an impressive landscape of Tibetan plateau featuring high passes, lakes, towering mountains, pristine wildlife and Tibetan culture.
Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and has been a center of Tibetan Buddhism for centuries. In Lhasa you will visit the 7th century Potala Palace- a world heritage site along with Norbulingka (the Dalai Lama’s summer palace) and Jokhang Temple. You will also explore three largest and oldest monasteries in Tibet: Samye, Drepung and Sera. The tour actually offers plenty of time to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and observe unique lifestyle and culture of Tibet .
The other highlights of this tour is the visits to Gyantse and Shigatse, two largest cities in Tibet. Established in 14th century Gyantse Fort today hosts Pelkor Choede Monastery and Kumbum Stupa while Shigatse is home to Panchen Lama and the impressive Tashi Lunpo Monastery.
This Drive in/Fly out tour eventually ends in Lhasa from where you will fly out to Kathmandu.
On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be greeted with flower garlands/Khadas by our representative and taken to your hotel. Later you will visit office for paperwork. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
After a delicious breakfast at hotel, your tour guide will pick you up from the hotel for a day sightseeing around Kathmandu. Today you will visit several UNESCO World Heritage monuments, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudha Stupa, Swayambhu Stupa (Monkey Temple), Budanilkantha and Pashupatinath Temple. After completing the tour, you will return to your hotel by late afternoon. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Following breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel for a sightseeing tour of Patan Durbar Square. Patan Durbar Square is a world heritage site rich in Newari art and architecture. Here you will visit the main Durbar Square courtyard, Krishna Mandir, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla, Talejun Bhawani, Vishwanath Temple among others. If time permits, you may also take a side trip to Bungamati village, to experience authentic Newari culture.
Following lunch in Patan, you will travel to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bhaktapur is also equally famous for excellent Newari architecture and traditional Newari culture. 55-Window Palace, Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square are some of the sites you will visit in the square. Following the completion of the tour in Bhaktapur you will drive back to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Free day in Kathmandu for trip preparation and Tibet visa formalities. You can spend the day relaxing in your hotel or strolling nearby markets. You will attend a small trip preparation presentation in the office. Meanwhile the last minute formalities to obtain Tibet visa will be completed. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Early morning you will take a scenic drive to Kerung town (near Nepal-China Border) and fulfil necessary border formalities at Nepalese immigration. Then enjoy hour-long adventurous uphill drive by Bus/Van or 2 hour uphill walk (in case there is a landslide) to Chinese immigration. After completing immigration formalities at Chinese border office, you will drive to Kerung (Tibetan side). Stay overnight at a guest house.
After a warm breakfast, you will begin 8-hr long journey on the world's highest Qinghai-Tibetan plateau which commands a sweeping panorama of Tibetan landscape. On the way you will encounter breathtaking views of two peaks over 8000m: Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m), 14th and 6th highest mountains respectively. Once you reach Tingri, here again you will capture a stunning view of Mt. Everest, world's highest mountain. Stay overnight at a guest house.
Following breakfast, you will continue the scenic drive across Tibet. This day the drive is uphill as you will travel across Gyatso La (5,220m), one of the highest mountain passes. After reaching Lhatse you will avoid the road leading to Mt. Kailash and drive towards Xigatse. Xigatse is home of Panchen Lama and the popular Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Stay overnight at a hotel.
Today you will go for a morning sightseeing of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Founded in the 15th century by the 1st Dalai Lama, the monastery has long been a seat of Panchen Lama who is regarded as the reincarnation of Amitabha. In the monastery you can observe the daily rituals and prayers of monks. Afterwards you will take a drive to Gyantse where you spend time exploring 14th century Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. Stay overnight at a the hotel.
Today, following breakfast, you will begin your journey towards Lhasa. This will be one of the most impressive and panoramic journeys of the tour. First off you will cross two high mountain passes, Karola (5,010m) and Kambala (4,749m), that offer stunning views of snowy peaks and unique Tibetan landscape. Then you will also visit Yamdrok-Tso Lake (the third largest freshwater in Tibet) and Yarlung Tsangpo (the longest river in Tibet). Stay overnight at a hotel.
You will spend two full days sightseeing in Lhasa. Lead by a local Tibetan guide, you will Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar together with Drepung & Sera Monasteries. Stay overnight at a Hotel.
You will take an early morning drive to Gonggar airport for your departure flight to Kathmandu. The flight takes about 1 hr 25 minutes. After you arrive in Kathmandu airport our representative will meet you and transfer you to hotel. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Free day in Kathmandu for shopping and recreation. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
As per your flight schedule, our airport representative will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your final departure.
a) Kathmandu
b) Tibet Part
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