Tibet Lhasa Gong Ga Airport

Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing / Lhasa (L)
Meet you at your hotel and transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to you hotel. The rest of the day you will relax in the hotel to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Day 2 Lhasa (B, L)
Visit the Potala Palace, the legendary palace that is globally synonymous with Tibet. Built on Mt. Marpori in 637 AD by King Songtsen Gampa, it was reconstructed and expanded to its present size during the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. This 13-storied citadel with its 1,000 rooms served as the headquarters of the “religious-state” of Tibet and was home to successive Dalai Lamas. Later in the day, visit Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred shrine. The Jokhang houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, the 1.5 meter-tall image of Jowo Rinpoche. Encircling the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Square (and its radiate streets) is the center of the old town -- much as it was centuries ago, where you may get a feel of local life, negotiate for handicrafts and walk through history.

Day 3 Lhasa (B, L)
Visit Drepung Monastery and Sera Thekchenling Monastery, both characteristic of the Yellow sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

Day 4 Lhasa departure (B)
Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination, service ends.

Mountain bike tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu via Everest Base Camp is a great famous bike riding holidays in to the cross country between Tibet to Nepal. The ride cover over 5000 miter passes including Mt. Everest Base camp and world highest and longest downhill form Nylam la to Kodari. Riding 16 Days riding in Tibetan high plateau desert, Visit Tibetan Nomaden and across riding a way to Kathmandu, The great Palace Potala and many Buddhist Temples and Monasteries in around Lhasa city, Historical Kathmandu Valley where the living Goddess lives and beautiful landscapes with mountain is a great bike riding holidays for lifetime. Nepal Footprint Holiday organize full of back support and experience Mountain Bike Guide all the way to Kathmandu

Day 01:
Arrival in Beijing

Beijing to Tibet Tour - Temple of HeavenArrive at the Beijing Capital Airport, be met and transferred to hotel by your guide and driver, have a good rest by your own. Overnight at Beijing.

Day 02:
Beijing

Today you will be arranged to visit Tian'anmen Square - the largest public square in the world and Forbidden City - magnificent imperial Palaces of Ming and Qing dynasties for almost 500 years, and then head to the Temple of Heaven, a place where the Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. After lunch, drive to visit Summer Palace, originally a royal garden and a temporary dwelling palace for emperors of Qing Dynasty. On the way back Fresh-water pearl market for a good bargain can not to be missed. In the evening enjoy the cultural show - Kongfu show or Peking Opera after dinner. Overnight at Beijing.

Day 03:

Beijing

Morning excursion to the most beautiful section of the Great Wall - the Mutianyu Great Wall. The hike takes about 2-3; Beijing to Tibet Tour - Tibet Trainhours. After lunch drive to visit Changling, one of the 13 Ming Tombs of the 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). In the evening transfer you to train station for the train to Lhasa (T27, 21:30 - 18:38+2days).

Day 04:
On the train

Enjoy the scenery as you travel closer to tibet on the highest railway in the world.

Day 05:
Arrival at Lhasa [3595m]

Today you will see the beautiful Tibetan plateau with the nomads groups, Kekexili Ntature Reserve, ect. Arrival at Lhasa around 18:30, Lhasa train station picking up and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 06:
Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Potola Palace & Jokhang Temple (B) - Walking tour is arranged today

Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was built in 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world;Beijing to Tibet Tour - Prayers at Potola Palace Squarewithin it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 07:
Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Drepung monastery, Sera monastery & Norbulingka summer palace

Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung, Sera monasteries and Summer Palace - Norbulingka palace. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 10,000 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Norbulingka is the summer palace of Dalai Lama, you can visit the residences of different lineages of the Dalai Lama. The park is crowded with picnickers and traditional activities during the Shoton (Yogurt festival) in August. Overnight at Lhasa.

Day 08:
Lhasa / Yamdrok Lake [4441m] / Gyantse [3980m] / Shigatse [3840m], 360KM, 7hrs

Morning drive up to Kampala pass [4794m], you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance, the turquoise coloured Lake Yamdrok Yutso is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, the unforgettable vista of pincer-shaped turquoise water of the lake and amazing spectacle of Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar Beijing to Tibet Tour - Road from Shegai to E.B.Cglacier from Karo la pass are wonders of the day. Continue along the Friendship southern Hwy drive to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late afternoon drive to Shigatse. Overnight at Shigatse.

Day 09:
Shigatse / Sakya [4280m] / Lhatse [3950m], 200KM,4hrs

Morning visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, monks in this monastery are nice looking in their hand-made traditional shoes-'Tsomba' in Tibetan. Late morning drive to visit Sakya Monastery which is the main monastery of Sakyapa sect, houses around the monastery are also in a typical gray colour. Hike around the monastery northern ruins and drive back to Lhatse. Overnight at Lhatse.

Day 10:
Lhatse / New Tinggri [Shegar,4250m] / Rongbuk Monastery [4900m] / E.B.C [5150m], 190KM, 4hrs

Early morning start driving to Rongbuk via Shegar, cross over Gyatsola Pass [5200m] and Gawu la pass [5,200m], from the top of the Gawu la you will see the spetacular Himalayan Ranges and its glorious peaks viz Mt.Makalu [8463m], Mt.Lotse [8,516m], Mt.Everst [8,844m], Mt.Cho Oyu [8,201m] and Mt.Shishapama [8020m] from Left Beijing to Tibet Tour - Mt. Everest (North Face)to right, climbing down through numbers of switchback bends lead to the dry valley of Tashi Zom and then to Rongbuk.

Rongbuk is the highest monastery in Tibet and it consists both monks and nuns, it is also a good point to see Mt.Everest. Afternoon trek from local tent guesthouses community to E.B.C, it is only 6km and takes about 2 hours. Or you can take the dedicated minibus (25rmb/per person, round-trip). Overnight at distinguish featured local tent guesthouse.

Day 11:
Rongbuk / Old Tingri [4250m] / Zhangmu [2250m] 280KM, 6-7hrs;

Morning after see the sunrise at E.B.C, start driving to Zhangmu via Old Tingri & Nyalam, crossing Thongla [5300m] pass, savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma [8,020m], Cho Oyu [8201m], Menlungtse and Gauri, the road driving over the pass of Tongla is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks and it is like a road to the sky. Overnight at Zhangmu.

Day 12:
Zhangmu / Kodari (Nepal Boarder) / Kathmandu, 122km, 5hrs

Beijing to Tibet Tour - ZhangmuAfter breakfast, your Tibetan guide will help you clear the customs, say your farewells to the guide and driver at Friendship Bridge. Our Nepalese guide will pick you up there, after you check in at Nepali Immigration office, then drive about 5 hours to Kathmandu city, enjoy the scenery of great white waters along the way. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, end the trip.

Route A : 4 days (Lhasa holy tour)

D1 : Pick you up at airport or train station . stay in Lhasa city and rest ;

D2 : Visit Jokhang Temple , Barkor Market Street and Potola Palace . stay in Lhasa city ;

D3 : Sera monastery , and Norbulinka Palace . stay in Lhasa .

D4 : Send you to Lhasa airport or train station--end .

D1: Arrive at Lijiang and prepare for the coming long and exciting trip.  Overnigh at Lijiang.

                
D2:Lijiang—Zhongdian (194km) It will take us 4 hours to arrive Zhongdian with two stops for visiting on the way: the first BEND of YANGTSE which is very important for southern China, TIGER LEAPING GORE which is situed between two mountain (Haba 5396m,Yulong 5596m) and also the third most famous and deepest gorge in the world. After that, you can admire the very nice and queit Tibetain villages before our  arrival at Zhongdian.On arrival at zhongdian, we  go to see the one of the thirteeth biggest temple in Tibetain area, which is also famous as ‘  the small palace putala” SONGZANLIN monosteryOvernight near the zhongdian old town.

D3 :Zhongdian—Deqin (190km) from today on, our journey would be not easy but the scenery changes from mountain to mountain.we will see four places of interest before arrival at Deqin county, NiXi Village Porcelain,we can see several Tibetain workshops and some black porcelains products ; the Moonlike Vally which is the first bend of the Jinsha jiang river;DONGZHULIN monastery which is built at the same period as Songzanlin monastery at Zhongdian.The attractions are that we can see the mumy of one respectbale living budda inside and we learn more about the lamasery.The OBSERVATORY to take overview of the secrect Mt Meili,namedafter a brave Tibetain man (6740M) on good weather.
Admire the sunset of Mt Meili . Overnght at Feilai si village

D4: Deqin—Mankham (224km) After seeing the sunrise of the Mt Meili,we begin to leave yunnan and enter Tibet.Along the way we will stop at Yanjing town to see the ancien SALT FIELDS which was once controlled by  Lijiang Cheiftains and was of importance for Yunnan and Tibet, then we go to see the only CATHOLIC CHURCH in Tibet . After visit we continue our way to Mangkham along the Mekong river. Overnight at Mangkham county or Zhuka town where the altitude is lower and  locates at the riverside.overnight at Mankham.

D5: Mangkham---Pasho via Dzogong (359km) .We will have a long driving today, most of  the time  will be spent on climbing and going down the high mountains. We will first climb LAWU mountain (we reach 4358m) and  then go down to ZHUKA military station at the Mekong river,then we cross Mekong by the Zhuka bridge and get across the Jiaoba mountain, going down to RONGXU military station. Then we go through the highest pass on this road DONGDA mountain(5008m),from where we can the Yunnan-Tibet road and the Mekong river , alike two brilliant silk straps hanging in the Himalaya mountains.Dzogong county is at the end of this climbing and we reach BANGDA grassland which is a vast one with the altitude of 4400m.we will go down from the Bangda grassland to Nujiang river side (Salween river) by passing famous NINTY-NINEBENDS. We arrive at Pasho finally which means village under a braveman.Pasho(3910m) is srrounded by  several high mountains and is a basin among the three river flowing pararellment regions. Overnight at Pasho.

D6 :Pasho—Rawok(135km) Situated th south of Pasho county, Rawok lake region is abundant in Glaciers.In the Rawok valley,  we can see the everlasting glaciers above our car, feeling sense of excitments. Then we reach the Rawok lake(3850m), which has a proportion of 22 square meters.Leaving the National road 318, we go to the Laigu village by a tough way where we can see huge glaciers and the village surrounded by several peaks of high mountains. Overnight at Rawok

D7: Rawok---Pomi (139km). We will go down to Pomi today.Pomi ,meaing ancestors  ,was a independent kingdom in history. Pomi is a distinctive regions in Tibet, especilly the centre town called ZHAMU(1100m), which is surrouned by very high mountoins and  famous as ‘the Small Swiss in Tibet. Continuing the way, we arrive at a village called Mitui which is in front of a high mountain (6385m).Here we can admire ‘the World-Class Glacier Miracle’ which is formed by two world-class waterfalls ,between which exisit agreat primitive forests.The glacier is also one of the only two glaciers that could suddenly move. Once it moves, the road  would be cut off,but  it happens rare. We stay at  the Mitui village that looks like isolating  from the outside world..
Overnight Pomi or Mitui village.

D8 :Pomi—Bayi (235km) we set off from the small Swiss in Tibet ZHAMU town,going through the primitive forests then go  through the last dangerous pass of this road to Lasha.From TONGMAI village to PANGLANG village, the lengthis about 15km,but there are a lots of floods from hillsides and sparry in summer time.  After  this dangerous part, we come to RULANG forests,here you can relax yourself from that hard way. Then we continue climbing over the mountain named SEJILA(4702m),from where we admire the famous peak Nanjiaba far away. Going down from the Sejila mountain, we reach finally the centre of NYINGCHIcounty Bayi town(2400m) ,which is known as ‘the ShouZhou in Tibet’. Overnight at Bayi.

D9  :Bayi—Basongtso(lake) to GongbuGyangdha to  Lasha (410km)
Today we will leave very early to visit the lake BASONGTSO ,driving along the beautiful Niyang river. At the lake, the snow mountain,the crystal lake,the lush trees,the monastery and the villages make up a perfect paradise. Then we drive out of the lake and continue our way to Lasha, stopping for the ID checking on the way. Overnight  at Lasha.

D10: Lasha—Namtso (260km,4500m)
The Namtso lake is far from Lasha, but it still worth seeing since  it is the 2nd holiest lake and the biggest lake in Tibet. If we can stay there , you can see sunset and the sunrise of the lake. But it is a bit high to stay overnight. On the way back to Lasha,you can also go to the YANGPARCEN hot spring to relax yourself. Overnight guesthouse lakeside or Lasha.

D11: Lasha---Shigatse(280km,3800m)
Drive to Shigatse , the gold tops of Tashilhunpo shinning under the sun. While Tashilhunpo  s magnificent outside leaves you gasp in admiration, the inside of this monastery introduces you more religious tranquility and sincerity.
Just close Tashilhunpo is the Old Town of Shigatse, a great place to wander around: Nicely decorated Tibetan houses and interesting market and bazaar give you a vivid picture of local people s life. Overnight in Shigatse

D12: Shigatse-Lhasa. Yamdroktso(4441m), one of Tibet s three holy lakes, is located 110km outside of Lhasa. In the fresh morning air, you re on the way to this lake. It s mostly mountain road, winding and bumpy, even thrilling somewhat. After about 3 1/2 hours driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(5030m), the dazzling Yamdroktso just lies several hundred meters below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang(7191m).After down from the mountain, there s about 30km road along lakeside, with barley fields on the other side of the road. A nice walk by the lakeside can be a great joy. Leaving Yamdroktso is as spectacular as arriving, since you ll cross the 5045m Karola, with its awe some roadside views of the Nojin Kangtsang Glacier.. With the Glacier scene still exciting you, after about 90km, you get to Gyantse. There stands the 35m-high famous Kumbum, packed with exquisite Tibetan sculpture and paintings, a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet.
Just 4km to Gyantsse, there s the Pala Farmland which used to belong to the slave-owner family of Pala. The well-kept Farmland can bring the family s luxurious life back to your eyes. This site deserves a quick visit of 30 minutes. Then you can leave the small town of Gyantse. Back Lhasa Over night Lasha.

D13 Lhasa sightseeing
In the morning, visit the grand – looking  Potala Palace, which was built in the 7th century for the King. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang temple and stroll in the famous local bazaar Parkhor street,we can also choose the other to see:Tsepung monastery , which is the biggest monastery in Tibet .Sera and Norbulingka  monasteries which can give you deep impression of Tibet arts and civilization.

D14 leave Lhasa
These seems too long for  this journey but we can make it short because we can ship some place on the way .For example, D5 we can stay at Rawok rahter at Pasho,we need not go to the Laigu glacier since we can see the nicer one on D6 , the Mitui glacier. We can save one day here. If we go to Namtso, we stay there and go to Shigatse next day directly, no need go back to Lasha for  the night. In that way we can make it 12 days for the trip, not very hurry.