Central Tibet tour: 08 days (fly in / fly out OR fly in / travel to China by Train)

TRIP OVERVIEW:
Entry Point: Lhasa (the flight takes 1 hour & 10 minutes to reach Lhasa from Kathmandu)
Exit Point: Lhasa (you can fly out to Kathmandu or any other Major city of Mainland China). You can also travel to Mainland China by train.
Service type: Economic with basic service arrangement OR middle class (as per your budget and requirement)
Mode of transport in Tibet: TOYOTA 4WD Land Cruiser
Accommodation: Either economic OR middle class as per your budget and requirement
Tour departure: Saturday & Tuesday (these are the regular days that have flight to Lhasa)

This tour covers all ancient cultural sites of central Tibet including Tsedang (Yarlung Tsangpo valley), Samye valley, Gyantse, Shigatse and Lhasa. In ancient time, Tsedang was the hub of Tibetan civilization. Almost 40 (there is no precise figure) Budhist Kings ruled in Tibet and during their reign, Tsedang was the capital city. Yambulakhang, the first ever built Palace of Tibet is still there. Also, we you can see some colossal tombs of Tibetan Kings situated on the southernmost corner of Valley. The tour also covers the Samye valley where Tibet’s first Monastery (Samye) is situated. After Samye, the other two cities to visit are Gyantse (ancient trading hub) and Shigatse (the second largest city of Tibet). Eventually, the tour brings you to Lhasa (the present capital of Tibet). After finishing two days sightseeing tour in Lhasa, you will fly back to Kathmandu OR you can travel to mainland China (by plane OR train).

DAY TO DAY PROGRAM

Day 01: Kathmandu to Lhasa (Gonggar airport) then drive to Tsedang
You will fly from Kathmandu to Gonggar airport, Lhasa. The flight takes about 1 hour & 10 minutes to reach Lhasa. This is probably the most beautiful flight in the World. While flying to Lhasa you can see five tallest mountains and all are 8000m+. Those mountains are Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Cho-Oyu (8188m), Mt. Makalu (8485m) and Mt. Kangchenjunga (8586m). While taking boarding pass, please ask checking counter politely to allocate your seat on left hand side row.   

Our Tibetan guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to Tsedang. Afternoon, you will visit Thandruk Monastery.  Thandruk Monastery, perhaps is the oldest monastery in Tibet. It is situated on the crowded road side of the main city.

Day 02: Sightseeing tour in Tsedang
Visit Yambulakhang (the first Palace of Tibet) and some massive Tombs of Tibetan King. These tombs are almost 1300 years old. Nine tombs are visible now including the Tomb of King Songtsen Gampo.

After lunch, drive to Samye valley. On the way visit Mindoling Monastery. Mindoling Monastery is located east of the Dranang River of the Dranang River county. The Monastery was built at the end of 10^th century and renovated and changed its name in 1677. This is one of the three biggest Monastery of Nyingmapa sect.
After visiting Mindoling Monastery, you will visit Samye Monastery. Samye was, the first Monastery in Tibet, built by King Trisong Detsen. The Monastery put the foundation of Buddhist religion in Tibet. The Monastery is uniquely designed architectural showpiece of Tibet.

Day 03: Drive, Samye to Gyantse (3950 m.)
Immediately after leaving Samye, we have to drive through a long tunnel that goes under the mountain range between Samye and Lhasa valley. The highway then climbs steeply to the Kamba – La with its magnificent views of the turquoise lake Yamdruk Tso. Continue to Gyantse to the Kumbum, Palkor Chode Monastery and fort.

Day 04: Drive, Gyantse to Shigatse (3900 m.)
An hour drive from Gyantse will take you to Shigatse, the city of Tashilumpo Monastery. En route, you will visit Shalu Monastery which is 8 KM off the main High Way. Shalu Monastery was built on 1000 AD. The Monastery has special architectural style combining Han with Tibetan and Nepali style.

After noon visit Tashilungmpu Monastery. The Tashilungpu Monastery was built in 1447 AD which is known as one of the six major Monasteries of Gelukpa Sect. This is the largest Monastery in Tsang area with a total area of 3,00,000 Square meters. The highlight of the monastery is the gilt statue of Meitreya Buddha made of copper with 22.4 meter high. It is considered to be the highest statue in the World. Tashilungpu Monastery is the seat of Panchen Lama.

Day 05: Drive, Shigatse to Lhasa (3650 m.)
Early morning after breakfast, you will set off for Lhasa via the northern High Way. The drive takes about 4 hours to reach Lhasa.

Day 06: Lhasa sightseeing tour
You will visit Potala Palace, Norbulinkha Palace and Barkhor Bazaar Square.

Day 07: Lhasa sightseeing
You will visit Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery today.

Day 08: Departure from Lhasa
You may take a flight back to Kathmandu from Lhasa or take a flight to mainland China (Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Xian etc). Also, you travel to these cities by train from Lhasa.

For any queries; please click here

Service Includes

• All necessary Tibet travel permits
• Kathmandu to Tibet boarder (Zhang-Mu) transportation by private vehicle
• Zhangmu – Lhasa transfer by comfortable private bus
• 7 nights accommodation (budget) in Tibet on group sharing basis with breakfast
• English speaking Tibetan guide
• Tibet group visa fee
• All fees for sightseeing and Monasteries as outlined in the itinerary
• All applicable taxes and service charges as per current Government policy

Service Excludes

• Accommodation, meals, transfers in Kathmandu
• International flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa (USD 430 ) and China to Lhasa
• Travel insurance
• Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
• Tips for guides and driver
• Nepal visa
• Train ticket from Lhasa to China or v.v.
• Any extra cost due to unforeseen circumstances

Note:

• Flight Ticket:  The flight ticket for Kathmandu – Lhasa or v.v. booked through us in economy fare cost US $ 430 per person one way and round trip cost US $ 760 per person.
  The flight tickets mentioned above are subject to change as per availability of the seats and according to Air China fare policy.
• Visa: The current visa fee will be effective until Chinese Embassy apply new fee.
  The current visa fee for US Nationals is US $ 175.
  Visa application days are Monday, Wednesday & Friday so the clients should reach in Kathmandu before a day advance than of these visa working days to apply visa.
• Passport Type: Passport should be normal/ordinary. Chinese Embassy refused to give visa in Kathmandu for Diplomatic passport holder and the passport holder of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan etc and few South African countries as well as for the reporters/journalist; so we regret for unable to manage tour in Tibet for them. French passport holder can get visa in normal process with 5 working days so they have to reach Kathmandu accordingly about a week before.
• Accommodation: The accommodation for budget tour is basic level. Guesthouse in mountain region has very basic dormitory room with common toilet (not clean) and 2 star category of hotel will be provided in city area with good twin/double/triple room and attached bathroom (clean).
  The accommodation for standard tour is upgraded into middle class hotel using 3 star hotel in city only with private room and the same quality of basic guesthouse with sharing in a group in mountain region. 3 star hotel have standard room with attached bathroom and hot shower.
• Deluxe accommodation in 4/5 star hotel will be provided for deluxe tour in Lhasa with all international level of facility and 3 star level standard hotel in Shigatse & in Gyantse city. And the common sharing room with group in budget guesthouse as similar to above description in mountain region.
• Transportation: We will use good comfortable bus for whole tour in Tibet for all group size. And normal private bus or Hiace van in Nepal for Kathmandu – Border (V.V.) transfers.
• Guide: Guide will be English speaking with good knowledge about Tibet and the sightseeing points. However, the quality of English language speaking of guide is standard level, not highly proficient.
• General Service: Welcome by Khada (the holy scalf) and mineral water on arrival in the airport at Lhasa for all kind of tour option.
  Also, we provide mineral water during two days sightseeing tour in Lhasa for standard & deluxe tour.