Discover Nepal and Tibet Tour from March 22 to April 11

2011-09-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

Pem Dorjee Sherpa, two-time Mt. Everest summiter, will lead this 21-day trip every spring and fall. The ancient capital cities of Kathmandu and Lhasa allow you to learn about Buddhist and Hindu culture and the lifestyles and traditions of the people of Nepal and Tibet. The trip starts with a few days in Kathmandu visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples and wandering the narrow, cobblestone streets and markets of the three ancient kingdoms that fill the Kathmandu Valley. Next you will fly over the Himalayas to Lhasa, Tibet.

In Lhasa you will explore the enormous Potala Palace, once the home of the Dalai Lama and the former Tibetan government. You will visit several monasteries and temples as well as the Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace and the bustling Barkhor Square. A local Tibetan guide will join the tour to offer an expert perspective.

Next, leaving Lhasa in a 4WD land cruiser, you will be chauffeured across the Tibetan Plateau back to Nepal. On the way, picturesque Tibetan settlements can be seen and the occasional nomadic herdsmen may be wandering across the dry open landscape. The journey will take you across several high mountain passes with views of the majestic Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, and Makalu (the fifth tallest mountain in the world). Along the way you will visit historic cities and several ancient monasteries, forts and citadels, as well as Everest base camp on the Tibet side. Finally you leave Zhangmu and cross the Friendship Bridge, entering back into Nepal.

TRIP FACTS

Trip length: 21 Days

Trip cost: $4,500

Difficulty: Moderate, Overland Tour

Trip Starts: March 22nd

Trip Ends: April 11th

Group size: 2 to 12 Max

Accommodations: Hotel and Lodge

Transportation: 4WD Land Cruiser

Maximum Altitude: 17,226 ft./5,220m

ENQUIRE THIS TRIP

Continuing the journey, you will visit Pokhara, a town west of Kathmandu, near the Annapurna Mountains in the Himalayas. Three of the ten tallest mountains in the world can be viewed from Pohkara. Spending a day on Phewa Tal, the large lake that reflects the mountains on still mornings or exploring the surrounding foothills will instill a sense of awe. Hike up to the World Peace Pagoda for beautiful views of the surrounding peaks or drive to the edge of a distant cliff and paraglide a few thousand feet above the lake amidst a backdrop of Himalayan mountains, landing smoothly on the road near the city. There is something for everyone in Pokhara.

Your trip continues in Sauraha, a town on the edge of Chitwan National Park, the former hunting grounds of the kings in the southern flatlands of Nepal. In Chitwan there are a number of activities from which to choose. Visit the Crocodile Breeding Center or the Elephant Breeding Center. Join the elephants in the afternoon at bath time and help wash them in the Rapti River. You will get wet! Rent a bike and ride through remote villages or to Bishajar Tal, 20,000 Lakes. Trek on foot through the jungle or by dugout canoe or go on an elephant safari in search of rhino and tigers in the wild. The endangered Bengal tiger lives in this area, although seeing one is very rare. Sloth bears, peacocks, and ten percent of the world’s species of birds also live here. In the evening enjoy the local native dances at a nearby restaurant.

Your trip ends back in Kathmandu.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing of the Kathmandu Valley, Swyambunath Stupa, Kathmandu's Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupathi Temple.

Day 3: Tour of Bhaktpur and Patan Durbar Squares. Afternoon packing to get ready for flight to Tibet.

Day 4: Fly to Gongar Airport in Lhasa, Tibet. Drive to Tsedang (11,201 ft./3,415m). In the afternoon visit Yambulakhang and Chaduk monasteries.

Day 5: Visit Samye monastery in Tsedang.

Day 6: Drive to Lhasa (11,972 ft./3,650m). Visit Mindroling monastery on the way and stop to rest in order to acclimatize.

Day 7: Tour of Drepung, Sera Monastery and Barkhor Market in Lhasa.

Day 8: Tour the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace.

Day 9: Drive to Ganden. Visit Ganden Monastery and drive back to Lhasa.

Day 10: Drive to Gyantse (12,956 ft./3,950m) via Yamdrok Tso and the Karola Pass (16,500 ft./5,050m). Sightseeing of Khumbum Stupa and Palkhor Monastery.

Day 11: Drive to Shigatse (12,792 ft./3,900m). Sightseeing of Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Day 12: Drive to Shegar (14,268 ft./4,350m). Visit the Sakya monastery.

Day 13: Drive to Rongbuk (16,400 ft./5,000m). Visit Everest base camp (17,056 ft./5,168m) and drive to Nyalam (12,300 ft./3,750m).

Day 14: Drive to Zangmu (7,708 ft./2,350m). Visit the Milerapa's Cave.

Day 15: After immigration, cross the border into Nepal and drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 16: Afternoon flight to Pokhara.

Day 17: Sightseeing in Pokhara.

Day 18: Drive to Sauraha and Chitwan.

Day 19: Chitwan safari.

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu.

Day 21: Departure.

Cost Includes:
• Airport transfers in Kathmandu and Lhasa
• Twin accommodations in Kathmandu for 5 nights with breakfast at a tourist class hotel
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu, entrance fees and transportation
• One-way airfare Kathmandu to Lhasa
• Tibet visa fee
• Twin accommodations with breakfast at tourist class hotels in Tibet
• Sightseeing tours, entrance fees at the monasteries and monuments in Tibet
• Domestic one-way flights Kathmandu to Pokhara and Chitwan to Kathmandu
• Transportation as per the itinerary
• Farewell dinner

Cost Does Not Include:

• Lunch, dinner and refreshments in Nepal and Tibet
• Photography charges in the monasteries
• Any cost arising due to unexpected delays, landslides, political disturbance, strikes, cancellation of flights or deviation from the itinerary
• Re-entry Nepal visa
• Tips for driver and other support staff
• Any other extra service not mentioned above

OF GLOBAL INTEREST

Discover Nepal and Tibet Tour from March 22 to April 11