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13 Days Tibet Exploration Tour with a Trek from Tsurphu Monastery to Dorje Ling Nunnery [HT&CS13-01]
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13 |
Trek |
DAYS |
Voir les photos
Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- Tsurphu Monastery to Dorje Ling Nunnery Trek
- Namtso Lake: It is the "Heavenly lake" which is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest salt-lake
- Mt. Everest: The highest mountain in the world
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 01 ARRIVE IN LHASA
- DAY 02 LHASA SIGHTSEEING
- DAY 03 LHASA SIGHTSEEING
- DAY 04 LHASA / TSURPHU MONASTERY
- DAY 05 TREKKING FROM TSURPHU MONASTERY / LETEN
- DAY 06 LETEN / BARTSO
- DAY 07 BARTSO / DORJE LING NUNNERY / DRIVE TO NAMTSO
- DAY 08 NAMTSO / LHASA
- DAY 09 LHASA / GYANGTSE
- DAY 10 GYANGTSE / TINGRI
- DAY 11 MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP / BACK TO TINGRI
- DAY 12 TINGRI / SHIGATSE
- DAY 13 BACK TO LHASA / HOME
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
The tour includes most of the important places of interest in central & south Tibet. We have three full days in Lhasa which gives us ample time to see the most important sites, after that trek from Tsurphu Monastery to Dorjeling Nunnery, we will enjoy an overland trip through the grand view of the holy Namtso Lake to the Himalaya at the end of the tour. The quiet and colorful Namtso Lake, rugged valleys and mountainsides, eye-opening wildlife, the resplendent monasteries and breathtaking view of Qomolangma Peak at the Base Camp fascinating region will make our journey a life-time trip. Note: All the time and distance shown here are approximate and indicative only, if there is inconsistency, it will depend on the weather, local road condition and other actual situation.
Holiday Itinerary
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ARRIVE IN LHASA
Take the flight into Tibet. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by your guide and warmly welcomed with a pure white katak scarf (prayer scarf). Then drive to Lhasa, 100km away from the airport. On the way, you may enjoy the heart-beating highland view along the Lhasa River and stop occasionally for pictures of local villages. As you have just made a sudden ascent to 3,670 meters, transfer to the hotel for a good rest. The rest time is free for relax and adjustment. We suggest taking it easy, drinking lots of water, and avoiding heavy foods. Tonight you will enjoy a local characteristics welcome dinner.
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Accommodation 3-star hotel in the center of the old town
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Meals D
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LHASA SIGHTSEEING
Today, the highlights are Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. As the cardinal landmark of Lhasa, Potala Palace is a structure of massive portions which itself contains a small world within it. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. Potala Palace is a place where you can appreciate the Tibetan culture, religion and art of architecture as well. After lunch you will visit Jokang Temple. Jokang Temple is the most scared shrine and the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple to pray for their now and future. Around the temple is the Barkhor Street, the oldest street and a bustling commercial market. The rest of the time is left free for you to venture around Bakhor Street, where you will feel you are right at the heart of Tibet.
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Accommodation 3-star hotel in the center of the old town
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Meals BL
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LHASA SIGHTSEEING
This morning, our tour begins with a 20km-drive out of Lhasa to one of the holiest cave retreats in Tibet, the Drak Yerpa hermitage. In old times, some ascetics and kings have sojourned here for meditation. Among them, the most famous ones are Guru Rinpoche (Dawa-puk) and King Songtsen Gampo (Chogyal-puk). Here we could visit some meditation caves once used by those famous figures. Sera monastery, sits at the foot of the mountains, is one of the three greatest Gelugpa monasteries. It was founded in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect, who led a renaissance of pure monastic institution by emphasizing study, morality during a time when Buddhist teachings had degenerated. The structure is imposing, picturesque in disorder, and splendid in green and gold. It is a typical Tibetan architecture. If we are lucky enough, we could watch the “Buddism Scriptures Depating”.
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Accommodation 3-star hotel in the center of the old town
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Meals BL
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LHASA / TSURPHU MONASTERY
After breakfast, we will have a travel explanation meeting and then our driver will take us to Tsurphu Monastery for the acclimatization. It takes about 2 hours, and the altitude will up to 4,480m. Around 60km west of Lhasa, Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of The Karma branch of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the middle of the valley facing south with high mountains surrounding the monastery complex. As the birthplace of the Reincarnation System of the Living Buddha, this over 800-year-old spiritual hub still pulsates with religious activities. Afterwards, arrange Yaks and yakman to carry our camping gear and food to our campsite. Prepare for our trekking next day.
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Accommodation Camp at the backyard of Tsurphu Monastery
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Meals BLD
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TREKKING FROM TSURPHU MONASTERY / LETEN
A spectacular first day of trekking ascent up in a green valley crisscrossed with mountain streams. Be on the lookout for various species of mountain goats disguised in gray rocks. Several small nomadic communities camp here for the summer herding months, and we may have a stop into a yak-hair tent named Shupshading (4,700m) for a cup of salt butter tea or some fresh yak milk. Crest the ridge top four hours later at noon, emerging onto a high plateau with the sweeping panoramic view, and look for a flat area for camping in Leten. Leten is also called the 'highest village in the world', several families live here permanently, braving the severe climate with their livestock. Today, it would be a big challenge to us since all the trekking sections are ascending, but the scenery is refreshing and stimulating, the landscapes are classic Tibetan beauty.
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Accommodation Camp near Leten Village
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Distance 11km
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Meals BLD
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Time 4-5hrs hiking
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LETEN / BARTSO
Today we will reach the highest pass of this trekking - Lasar la (5,300m). After breakfast, we will first cross the first small pass, descend into a magical valley of lichen-coated boulders, meandering streams and expansive sky. Arrive at the Lasar La three hours later, and descend into the Yangpachen valley, with its wide open plateaus, spiky grass hummocks and tundra-like parched, cracked patches of earth. Then another 3 hours walk to Bartso. Surrounded by the juniper used for incense all over the Tibetan world, this nomad village of 5 homes with permanent sources of water is a good place to camp.
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Accommodation Camp near Bartso Village
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Ascent 300m
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Descent 600m
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Distance 15km
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Meals BLD
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Time 5-6hrs hiking
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BARTSO / DORJE LING NUNNERY / DRIVE TO NAMTSO
Leaving the village of Bartso behind, head towards a wide trail leading across the valley and over another ridge, from where we will be rewarded with views of Mount Nyenchen Tanglha (7111 m), the holiest mountain in central Tibet. Emerge at Tajung village (4,660m), and then climb gently up rolling hills where young nomadic boys and girls picnic on the plateaus as they watch their yaks and sheep graze. The vistas are, again, just amazing! Mid-day, we should reach the small Djore Ling Nunnery (4,474m) and finish our trekking. It's possible that these nuns, some of the friendliest in Tibet, will drag you into the gompa's tea-house and pass around a heaping plate of yak meat (use the bowie knife provided to hack a piece off) before getting into the requisite photo session. After that we will drive to Namtso Lake for night.
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Accommodation Holy lake Guest House
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Ascent 150m
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Descent 150m
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Distance 15km
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Meals BLD
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Time 4-5hrs hiking
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NAMTSO / LHASA
In the quiet morning, beat the cold and get up early to the lakeside of Namtso to appreciate the sunrise and beautiful scenery. In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' Namtso Lake, considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, is the second-largest saltwater lake in China and the highest lake in the world. As the sun rises, cloud lifts from the mountains and the scene is bathed in golden sunshine. When the weather is clear, the water is a stunning shade of turquoise and we will be surrounded by magnificent views of the nearby Mount Nyenchen Tanglha range with peaks of more than 7,000m. The wide open spaces, dotted with tents of local nomads, are breathtaking. We may also walk along the lake or climb up the hill near the lake to explore the area. After visiting the lake, we will drive back to Lhasa.
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Accommodation 3-star hotel in the center of the old town
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Meals BLD
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LHASA / GYANGTSE
Morning drive up to Kampala pass (5,030m), you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok Tso Lake on the way and spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Tanglha in the distance, which are wonders of the day. Lying at the south foot of the uninterrupted snow-capped Himalayas, the turquoise coloured Lake Yamdrok Tso appears like a holy sapphire and evokes solemnity. In clear weather, the reflection of sunshine in different depths lends the lake gorgeous and mysterious colors. Tibetans here believe that it is a dwelling place of the spirits that protect the people. Every year, many devotional followers would come here for pilgrimage.
Then along the highway drive to Gyantse, visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum. Gyangtse is very famous for its giant architectural stupa in Tibet. Pelkor Monastery was built when different religious sectors conflicted neck and neck in Tibet. So it occupies a stunning position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and features a mixture of pagoda and monastery. The most symbolic architecture in the monastery is the Kumbum Stupa, which is composed of nine layers of nearly 77 temple halls with numerous Buddha statues in halls and murals. The mural paintings are the wonders of the stupa that mostly date back to its original time, there are around 108 cells all around the stupa and every cell has different paintings and statues inside.
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Accommodation Yeti hotel in Gyangtse
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Meals BLD
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GYANGTSE / TINGRI
This day can make you tired as you basically spend the whole day on the road driving (about seven hours on the way). On the way, you will cross over Gyatsola Pass at 5,220m. You will also visit Sakya Monastery and see Mt. Everest far away. Located in Sakya County southwest of Shigatse, the Sakya Monastery is the principal monastery of the Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tingri or rather Lao Tingri is the last stop before Everest Base Camp Tour.
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Accommodation Kangar Hotel in Tingri
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Meals BLD
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MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP / BACK TO TINGRI
Although it's just 100km from Tingri to Mt. Everest Base Camp, it takes about 5 hours since the cracked winding roads demand much caution. But the views are stupendous on a clear day and feature a huge sweep of the spectacular Himalaya ranges including its glorious peaks over 8,000km, Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516m), Everest (8,844m), Gyachung and Cho Oyu, especially when you cross over the top of the Gawu la Pass (5,250m) on the way. When you finally get to Everest Base Camp, the first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves you speechless. All the hardship you bear along the way makes sense at the while. As the supreme point of the world, Mt. Qomolangma is also blessed with many starkly beautiful and extreme wonder. This afternoon is left free for you to wondering around. Then drive back to Tingri in the late afternoon.
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Accommodation Kangar Hotel in Tingri
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Meals BLD
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TINGRI / SHIGATSE
After breakfast, drive about 300km to Shigatse and have lunch. Then, we will visit Tashilunpo Monastery. Built in 1447 and the seat of the Panchen Lama, the monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha and The Stupa-tomb of the Tenth Panchen Lama, which contains masses of jewels and gold and is the most splendid and costly mausoleum in China since the 1950s. 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.
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Accommodation Shigatse Hotel or similar
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Meals BLD
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BACK TO LHASA / HOME
Early in the morning leave from Shigatse to Gonkar airport in Lhasa for about 5 hours. Take afternoon flight back to Beijing. Hope you have had a wonderful time in Tibet.
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Meals BL
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Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
