TIBET OVERLAND
APRIL-May 2011
The Potala - Lasha, Tibet
This is the ultimate China - Tibet experience. The full trip begins in Beijing, China. After three days of sightseeing, we board the train to Lhasa. In Lhasa, we tour the Potala and other famous monasteries, the city’s Tibetan center, the Jokhang Temple, the Barkhor, and associated sites From Lhasa we proceed by land cruiser or minibus west to Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, Tingri and on to western Tibet’s Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. 
From Kailash we’ll proceed out of Tibet by the scenic southern route through the Himalayas to Kathmandu, Nepal. A trip to Bardia National Park will possibly be an option after arriving at Kathmandu.
This is not a trekking or climbing trip. There will be lots of walking while touring the many locations we will visit so you need to be sufficiently mobile to experience all of the opportunities available. On the overland portion of the trip, we will take all opportunities to walk each day when it makes sense to do so.
Mount Kailash - Tibet
There are several options for the trip:
24 day trip beginning in Beijing, April 13 and ending in Kathmandu.- May 6, 2011. Price: $4,745 (Single Supplement $410)
Includes pick-up at Airport in Beijing, three star hotel(twin room) and meals, three days of sight-seeing with English speaking Guide and Driver in Beijing, train fare to Lhasa, pick-up at train station in Lhasa, three days of sight-seeing with English speaking Guide and Driver in Lhasa, transport by land cruiser or minibus with English speaking Guide, hotel (twin room) and most meals on Tibet Overland Tour, Tibet Tourist Bureau Permit, transport to hotel in Kathmandu, one American trip leader for Beijing to Lhasa segment and two American co-leaders from Lhasa to Kathmandu.
17 day trip beginning in Lhasa, April 20 and ending in Kathmandu.- May 6, 2011.
Price: $4,080 (Single Supplement $300)
Includes pick-up at Airport in Lhasa, three days of sight-seeing with English speaking Guide and Driver in Lhasa, transport by land cruiser or minibus with English speaking Guide, hotel (twin room) and most meals on Tibet Overland Tour, Tibet Tourist Bureau Permit, transport to hotel in Kathmandu, and two American co-leaders.
11 day trip beginning in Beijing, April 13 and ending in Lhasa -April 23, 2011.
Price: $2,200 (Single Supplement $250) Includes pick-up at Airport in Beijing, three star hotel and meals, three days of sight-seeing with English speaking Guide and Driver in Beijing, train fare to Lhasa, pick-up at train station in Lhasa, three days of sight-seeing with English speaking Guide and Driver in Lhasa and transport to airport.
Bardia National Park Tour - Full details will be available soon.
Prices based on a group size of ten people
See detailed itinerary below.
To sign-up or for more information, send an e-Mail or call 877 965-5100.
Itinerary
4/13/2011 Arrive Beijing
Our English speaking-guide will meet us at the airport and transport us to our hotel, the
Ping An Fu.
4/14/2011 Sightsee Beijing
4/15/2011 Sightsee Beijing
4/16/2011 Sightsee Beijing
4/17/2011 Depart on Train
This has to one of the coolest train rides anywhere. We leave Beijing (143'/44M) at 9:30 AM for a 2,438 mile/4,064km journey to Lhasa (12,005'/3,660m), an increase in elevation of 11,862'/3,616m. Our 48 hour train ride takes us over the 16,636'/5,072m Tangu La (pass), making this the world's highest railway. Fantastic scenery and even wildlife sightings are highlights of the ride. Dining cars and restrooms are available and we will endeavor to obtain the best compartments available for our trip. Oxygen is available in the compartments, although taking the train (and not using the Oxygen) provides some degree of acclimatization by the time we reach Lhasa.
4/18/2011 On the Train
4/19/2011 Arrive Lhasa (12,005'/3660m)
We will be met at the train station by our Tibetian guide and transported to our hotel, the Dhood Gu. The rest of the day is open for recovery and acclimatization.
4/20/2011 Acclimatization Day/Arrival Day for fly-in Group
If you are fllying in, you will be met by our Tibetan guide on arrival at Gonggar Airport in Lhasa. After immigration formalities, it's a 1.5-hour drive along the 56 mile/93 km road to Lhasa. Due to Lhasa’s altitude, it's a good idea to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day .
4/21/2011 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Our tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide, also working as an interpreter, escorts us to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. We then tour the NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visiting the BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibits, of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. The day's tour for the day concludes as we return to the comforts of our hotel.
4/22/2011 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Today we visit the POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. The 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an awesome view of entire city and also has the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, plus numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery, which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks; there are only few hundred now. Tibetans’ respect and spiritual beliefs are strongly connected with this monastery.
4/23/2011 Drive to Shigatse (12,600'/3,840m)
Today, the members of our party finishing their trip in Lhasa, will be transfered to the airport or continue with their next adventure.
Those of us who are traveling to Kathmandu will board our Land Cruisers or mini bus for the overland adventure portion of our trip. Our first stop will be in Gyantse. Highlights are the GYANTSE DZONG (fortress) and KUMBUM. Gyantse Dzong is an old historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooking a stunning view of Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a large gold-domed stupa, several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After you enjoy exploring Gyantse, you will take a 54 mile/90 km drive to Shigatse. Shigatse, at altitude of 12,792'/3900m, is the second largest city in Tibet. The TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, is a major attraction.
4/24/2011 Drive to Shegar(13,940'/4,250m)Today we travel along the Friendship Highway in a picturesque landscape, driving past small town of Lhatse (4,050m) and cross Gyamtso La (pass) at 17,122'/5,220m. As the route opens into plains, we will see many monasteries and nomadic herders' camps enroute Shegar.
4/25/2011 Drive to Rongbuk(16,400'/5,000m)
From Shegar, we drive to the south crossing Pang La (pass) at 16,892'/5150m. Along the drive we marvel at the majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for 41 miles/68 km, we reach Rongbuk at 16,400/5,000m. Here we get a spectacular view of Mount Everest. A guest house is available for overnight accommodation.
4/26/2011 Drive to Old Tingri (14,399'/4390m) 65km
This morning we have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp 16,892'/5150m. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for it. It truly is an awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you.
Note-At this time, Jeeps are not going to Base camp. There are horse cart available to the Base camp. Our jeep will drop clients at Rongbuk. From Rongbuk, Everest Base Camp is 5.4 miles/9 km round-trip, and it takes about an hour to reach EBC by horse cart. The cost of USD 5 per person for the Horse-Cart and EBC permit is included in your trip price. You also have the option to hike rather than taking the horse cart. After our visit to EBC, we will travel to Old Tingri.
4/27/2011 Old Tingri to Saga (15,088'/4600m)
From Rongbuk, we backtrack northeast to Lhaste, and then head west. The road follows a route along the Brahmaputra River. The river valley streches ahead and traditional picturesque villages come into view. This scenic drive provides plenty of opportunities for photography. From here the track, continues towards the northern route. After travelling 177 miles/295km, we reach an elevation of 15,088'/4600 meters. Saga is our first night of tent camping.
4/28/2011 Drive Saga to Paryang(15,580'/4750m)
On our 153 mile/255km drive from Saga to Paryang, we travel through the small dusty town of Zhongba with enchanting panoramic views. We camp overnight in Paryang at a fabulous campsite, anticipating our arrival at Mount Kailash.
4/29/2011 Drive Paryang to Lake Manasarovar (14,957'/4,560m)
Before arriving at Mount Kailash, we travel 162 miles/270 km from Paryang to Lake Manasarovar through an extraordinary landscape. As we near this breathtaking sacred lake, the historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the NW shore of the lake. From this vantage point, we get a glimpse of majestic Mount Kailash. Overnight in tent camp.
4/30/2011 Short trek to Darchen(14,957'/4,560m), drive to Manasarovar
Passing through Zutul-Puk, we follow the trail through Bharkha plain leading to Darchen. It is an easy walk along some impressive gorges and around many mani stones and mani walls back to the Bharka Plains and dusty Darchen. We will also have the opportunity to soak and shower at the hot springs. The kora is finished – we have erased our sins, endured cold nights and mornings, crossed one of the highest passes in the world, met countless fellow pilgrims, and sent prayers of peace out to the world. Shortly after arriving at Darchen we board the waiting vehicle for a short drive to Chiu Gompa on the shores of Manasarovar. Overnight in tent camp.
5/1/2011 Drive to Paryang (15,580'/4750m)
After the Mount Kailash tour we drive 180 miles/300 km crossing Mayum-la and several rivers. The scenery along this section is some of the most beautiful of the entire journey. Overnight in tent camp.
5/2/2011 Drive to Saga(15,088'/4600m)
We continue driving for another 153 miles/255km returning to Saga, passing through the still dusty town of Zhongba and a few smaller passes. Overnight in tent camp.
5/3/2011 -Drive to Nyalam (12,300'/3,750m)
After crossing Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) by a ferry, we continue driving 150 miles/250 km to Nyalam. Soon after leaving Saga the road opens into a wide flat plain and passes by a huge turquoise lake, the Peiku-Tso, with a spectacular view of Shishapangma (26,329'/8027m) as the backdrop. We then climb the the Lalung La (17,056'/5,200m). Descending through a montage of breathtaking views, alpine meadow trails, picturesque hamlets, and an abundance of wildflowers; we reach Nyalam.
5/4/2011 Drive to Kathmandu(4,592'/1400m)
From Nyalam, we drive to the border town of Zhangmu. From Zhangmu, it’s a short drive to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border where we part with our Tibetan guide and driver. We walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where we will be met by our Nepalese staff. After completing re-entry formalities, we continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5-6 hours.
5/5/2011 Kathmandu
We have an open day in exotic Kathmandu. This gives us a cushion in case of a delay on our Overland trip. There are many sightseeing and shopping opportunities here.
5/6/2011 Depart Kathmandu or leave for Bardia National Park
Depending on your plans, this may be the day you head back home. Other options include further sightseeing in Kathmandu, departing for the Jungle Safari (if scheduled), or heading off for your next adventure. Whatever your plans are, you have just had one amazing trip!
