Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu.
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the Hotel.Overnight at Hotel Shankar. Day 02: Visit the Workshop and get the Motorcycle allocated.
Meeting and introductions with rest of the participants.Take a trial ride and Sightseeing around Ring road.
Eve : Tibet Tour Briefing followed by Welcome Dinner.
Overnight at Hotel Shankar. Day 03: Kathmandu (1,300 m) / Last Resort
Documents processing for Tibet Visa will be done on this day.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and ride 110 kilometers through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to the Last Resort. Enroute stop for lunch at Dhulikhel.
Dinner and Overnight at the Last Resort. Day 04: Last Resort / Zhangmu (2,500 m) 123 Km / Nyalam (3900m).
Early morning a one hour scenic drive to Kodari (Nepal/Tibet Border). Upon arrival complete Nepali Immigration and start a short walk across the friendship bridge. Meet the waiting vehicle and drive 8 kilometers to Zhangmu. Zhangmu: Known to Nepali as Khasa, hangs on a cliff face, its boomtown architecture having a temporary look: even the monastery roofs are sheathed in corrugated iron sheets. Complete Chinese Immigration and then drive 90 kilometers (2 hours) to Nyalam situated at an altitude of 3900 m.
Overnight at Guest House. Day 05: Acclimatization day in Nyalam.
Overnight at Guest House. Day 06: Nyalam / Shegar (4,350m): 244 Km.
Drive to the highest plateau of the world with typical view of the Tibetan landscape offering a sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world. Firstly cross the Nyalam Pass (3,800m) and Thong La (5,050m), from where, weather permitting there are breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt. Everest (8,848m) and Mt. Shishapangma, but dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau.
From here we ride to Lalung La (5200 m) and then continue on the friendship highway to Tingri for lunch.
Later, climb immediately to the pass above Tingri and then a 70 kilometer ride to Shegar. Shegar: Also called New Tingri, surrounded by Mountains, is another town that lies in the shadow of a great fortress. Even in ruins it is majestic.
Seeming to grow out of the craggy brown rock, its sinuous wall bristles with watchtowers like stegosaurus spines. Isolated in 1855 by marauding Nepalese in search of booty, the Gurkhas cut off the dzong’s water supply and settled in for a long siege. Shegar proper has little to recommend it except the highest post office in China.
Check into the Guest House.Dinner and Overnight at the Guest House. Day 07: Shegar / Shigatse (3,810m) – 260 kms
After breakfast, set out on a very scenic drive crossing the Gyatso La (5,220m), the highest pass en-route to Lhasa. From here we descend to the settlement for Lhatse for lunch. From here, the road to Mt. Kailash bifurcates to the west. After lunch, we have a choice to either continue on the friend ship highway by crossing two smaller passes to Shigatse or to take a diversion and follow the more simpler route following the river. However this is subject to road conditions (as there is heavy road maintenance) and which ever road is passable, we will take the route. Shigatse is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 354km west of Lhasa at an altitude of 3810 m.
However we drive further 90 kilometers to Gyantse.
Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel. Day 08: Shihatse / Gyantse (3900 m) – 90 Kms
AM : Sightseeing tour of the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhunpo Monastery. Founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the first Dalai Lama. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama who is second to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhist Hierarchy. The 5th Dalai Lama in declared that his teacher, then the Abbot of Tashilhunpo, who a manifestation of the Buddha Amitabha and the Panchen Rinpochhe. Tashilhunpo has one of the world’s largest status - a 9 storeyed gilded bronze statue of Maitriya, the future Buddha. Later drive to Gyantse (90 Kms) from Shigatse and 264 km Southwest of Lhasa (8 hours drive). It still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. It made world headlines in 1904 when Colonel Young husband, who led British Expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there. As a crossroad on the principle trade route to India, it used to be renowned for the excellence of its carpets. The compound, encircled by an impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress perched atop a nearby mountain. Here one visits the Kumbum Stupa and Pelkhor Chode Monastery. PM : Proceed for the sightseeing tour of Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most unique and magnificent buildings in Tibet consisting of 6 storeys complete with a Buddhists Hall and a prayer hall. It has 112 chapels and its walls are adorned with religious paintings. Built in the 15th century, it has withstood all battles and revolutions since.
We also visit the Pelkhor Chode Monastery located near the Khumbum, it was founded in the 15th century. It has been remarkably well preserved and many of the statues and paintings inside it date back to the time of its founding.
Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel. Day 09: Gyantse (3,950m) / Lhasa via Lake Yamdrok (264 Kms)
After breakfast, set out for Lake Yamdrok (110 kms) passing the Simi La (4200 m) and driving on a trail with fantastic views of the turquoise blue waters of the man made lake caused by the dam. Later we also cross the Karo La (5010 m). We continue to drive along the picturesque trail of the colorful Lake Yamdrok, the Tibetan lifeline river Brahma Putra (Yarlung Tsangpo). Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake: A lake of a glaring blue that radiates a near mystical charm. It is about 240 kms in circumference and is more like an Island sea. There are Yak herders around and the lake itself supports a population of scale less fish in its non-saline waters. It is about 124 kms. from Lhasa. Later we ascend on a dirt track to Kamba La (4,794m), and have an opportunity to meet the Yak Herders. From here we descend to the main road head and then make a grand entry into the streets of Lhasa City. Lhasa
The capital of Tibet at an altitude of 3650 m, is situated on the north bank of the Kyichu River in the province of U (central Tibet). Two high craggy hills stand up in isolation from the valley floor. One, Red Hill, is topped by the Potala Palace and the other, Chockpori or Iron Hill, is crowned by a tall antenna. Lhasa in Tibetan means "Place of the Gods" and Potala Palace " the residence of the Dalai Lama (the god king), is the earthly representation of the celestial Palace of Avaloketswora, the Buddha of infinite compassion whose incarnation in the human form is believed to be the Dalai Lama. As Tibet’s political, religious and cultural centre it is a city truly blessed by the gods, where life is unhurried, is people jovial and yet remaining staunchly independent. Lhasa consists of two district parts consisting of different architecture, population and lifestyle. Old Lhasa, the Tibetan section, centers around the Jokhang Temple. Its streets are narrow, between white washed stone houses whose walls slope inward as they rise. Windows are framed in black trapezoids, with protruding fan shaped eaves above. Many houses have brightly painted woodwork. The Chinese section, was built in the last 30 years around the base of the Potala. It is characterized by straight, broad streets and utilitarian buildings that houses Chinese style department stores and all kinds of government houses. A Revolutionary Museum below the Potala displays the evidence of Chinese wrought economic and social change during the past 30 years.
In spite of it’s forced pace of modernization, Lhasa has not lost it’s soul. It is a friendly city where a Tibetan will always return a smile.
Overnight in Dhood Gu Hotel. Day 10: Lhasa
Sightseeing tour at Potala Palace: This legendary palace built atop a
single hill is synonymous with Tibet. First foremost king, Songtsen Gompo, it was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. This 13 storey, 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of the former "church-state" of Tibet and was home to successive Dalai Lama who, from the latter half of the 18th century, used it as their Winter Palace. On the same day also visit the Jokhang Temple: Situated in the heart of old Lhasa, it houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a golden Shankyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place, which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. This, the spiritual centre of Tibet, is also the heart of Lhasa.
Overnight in Dhood Gu Hotel. Day 11: Lhasa
Full day sightseeing tour of Lhasa including the Drepung Monastery:
8km west of Lhasa. It said to be the largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks, it was founded in 1416 by the disciple of Te Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and the fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. Drepung in Tibetan means ‘Richmound’. Sera Monastery: 5 kms (3 miles) north of Lhasa. Sera setting is one of Lhasa’s prettiest. Once a community of more than 5,000 monks, it was a virtually extinguished by the Chinese. The restored monastery sits below the brow of hill on which Tsongkhapa built a hermitage and spent several years meditating. One of the monks’ disciples began building Sera in 1419, completing it a few years later.
Overnight in Dhood Gu Hotel. Day 12: Drive from Lhasa / Shigatse
After the grueling drive over the pass to get to Lhasa, the trail today on tarred road is a pleasant and enjoyable one. The drive takes about 6 – 7 hours as we follow the Yarlung Tsangpo river and scenery of irrigation fields, yak hair skin boats, a typical scene of Tibet. Shigatse – A Granary of Tibet
Shigatse is a famous cultural city with a history of more than 500 years. Some 3,800m above sea level, it has been a place in which panchen lamas of various historical stages were authenticated. Later it has become a political and religious center in rear Tibet. To its south stands the world known Qomolangma Peak. Around the city there are the Sakya, Palkor and Shalu monasteries.
Upon arrival, check into the Hotel.
Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel. Day 13: Shigatse / Shegar
After a leisurely breakfast, ride to Shegar also called New Tingri. The road is scenic and our arrival at Lhatse, a small town is a pleasant one. Here, the road to Mt. Kailash bifurcates to the west.
After a quick lunch break, we continue to ride and cross over Gyatchu La (5,220m), the highest pass en-route to Lhasa and then descend to Shegar which is surrounded by Mountains and is another town that lies in the shadow of a great fortress. Even in ruins, it is majestic. Seeming to grow out of the craggy brown rock, it’s sinuous wall bristles with watchtowers like stegosaurus spines. Isolated in 1855 by marauding Nepalese in search of booty, the Gurkhas cut off the dzong’s water supply and settled in for a long siege. Shegar proper has little to recommend, except the highest post office in China. We purchase our entry tickets for the clients, staff as well as the vehicles from the Quomolongma National Park office for the entry in Mt. Everest Region for the following day.
Dinner and Overnight at the Guest House. Day 14: Shegar / Rongbuk Monastery
After breakfast, head off to the Check point and after completion of the routine check, we drive for another kilometer and take the left turn at the marker and then head towards the Everest Base Camp.
Firstly we arrive at the check post of the Quomolomgma National Park where permits are checked and then ascend on a zig zag trail to Gyawola Pass at (5200 m). From here we descend one again zig zagging our way to the settlement of Tashi Dzom for lunch. From here we pass a few villages and then follow the river into Rongbuk which takes about 1 hour.
Upon arrival, check into the Guest House.
PM : Excursion around Mt. Everest Base Camp
(Note : The new rules prohibits vehicles from going beyond the Rongbuk area. Clients need to travel by the Horse drawn cart which carries 2 passengers and takes about 30 minutes to traverse the 7 kilometer distance to the tented city of the Everest Base Camp. The cost will be Yuan 30.00 per person)
Follow the dirt road south; the Dzakar Chu, now much reduced in volume, is on your right. Soon the valley broadens and the road leaves the river to continue its ascent on the other side, swerving to avoid a rockslide. At the base of the slide is chorten; at its top are the ruins of the Samdrupo Nunnery (a small chapel has been rebuilt). The Everest Base Camp is just beyond some moraine hills. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this area and enjoy this tented town.
Later return to Guest House. Dinner and Overnight at the Guest house. Day 15: Rungbuk / Tingri (4,250m) / Nyalam 200 Km.
Drive from Everest base Camp via Tingri to Nylam. A very long day of driving. Set out retracing the route from Everest Base camp for 26 kilometer mark and then cross the bridge and head off with a steady climb to Tingri which takes about 4 hours. From Tingri we drive on the highest t plateau of the world with typical view of the Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world. Cross the Lalung La (5,200m) and Thong La (5050 m) from where, weather permitting, here is a breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mt. Everest (8,848m) but is dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. Descend down for about an hour to arrive at a familiar setting and time permitting, visit the Mileapa Cave, where Milerapa is said to have meditated.
Later, descend to Nyalam. Dinner at a restaurant and overnight at the Guest House. Day 16: Nyalam / Zhangmu / Kodari / Kathmandu.
After breakfast, head off to Zhangmu (40 kilometers). Complete the Chinese Immigration and border formalities. The permits and Motorcycles are checked once again and then we drive down 8 kilometers to Kodari and the Nepal Tibet Friendship Bridge. Here the porters will transfer the luggage to the Nepal side and we bid farewell to our Guide and drivers from Tibet. Cross the Friendship Bridge, complete Nepal Customs and Immigration and drive 128 Kms. (4 hours) to Kathmandu. Check the Motorcycles at the Workshop and then transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 17: Free until final departure transfer to airport for onward flight. End of Arrangements. Please contact us for details and price. -We run the tours with KTM640cc motorcycles on full board, all travel permits and best available accommodation, supported by crew, back up support, mechanics and spareparts.
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