16 Days Tibet and Kathmandu Exploration Tour
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16

Trek

DAYS
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Holiday Overview

Highlights

  • Lhasa highlight tour
  • Visit the Ganden monastery and start trek to Trubshi village.
  • Hiking in the mountains and rivers of Tibet, camping in the herder fields.
  • Visit the famous Gyantse Kumbum
  • Visit Yamdrok Tso Lake
  • The first sight of the mighty Everest simply leaves you speechless.
  • City sightseeing in Kathmandu
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 Ganden to Samye. The quiet and colorful Namtso Lake, rugged valleys and mountainsides, eye-opening wildlife, the resplendent monasteries and the breathtaking view of Qomolangma Peak at the Base Camp, the fascinating Monasteries in Gyantse and Shigatse, and the devout pilgrims making their way to Lhasa will make our journey a life-time trip.. 
Ganden to Samye Tibet trekking route is regarded as one of the best hikes in the world. It is a fulfilling and pleasant pilgrimage trip with much to offer, an overview of Tibetan Buddhism and religious culture, blue holy lakes, high snowy passes and mountains, lush alpine meadows, sporadic herders’ camp, tranquil Tibetan villages, time-honored sacred sites, finally culminating at the barren, desert-like surroundings near the Samye Monastery. If you travel to Tibet, we highly recommend you to try this trek, which will make your Tibet tour more interesting.
Along the high passes, you will find secluded valleys — only inhabited by high-altitude nomads and their yaks. This is also a well-used pilgrimage route for Tibetans for it is convenient to combine a visit to Ganden (the principal monastery of the Gelugpa) with a reasonably direct but hard walk to Samye (Tibet's first monastery).
Though it is an attractive route, do not underestimate the trek. Starting at 4180m (13,940 feet) at Ganden Monastery, passing Shogu-La Pass at 5250m (17,224ft) and heading toward the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Samye Monastery 3540m (11,600ft), the trek is a challenge and the altitude gains are higher than what is often recommended. Only those with experience hiking and camping in higher-elevation wildernesses should attempt this trek unsupported. If you’re coming straight from Lhasa, you should spend at least one night at Ganden Monastery to acclimatize.
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.

Brief Itinerary

  • Arrive Lhasa
  • Jokang temple and Potala Palace, Barkhor street (B)
  • Drepung monastery and Norbulinka, Sera monastery(B)
  • Lhasa to Ganden, trek to Trubshi village (4000m) (BLD)
  • Trubshi trek to Yama Do (4456m), 17km, approx 7hrs(BLD)
  • Yama Do trek to Chitul Gang (4907m), 10km, approx 6hrs(BLD)
  • Chitul Gang trek to herder’s camp ( 4300m), 14km, approx 7hrs(BLD)
  • Herder’s camp to Samye, half way will take truck to Samye monastery, 5km, 2hrs(BL)
  • Herder’s camp to Samye, half way will take truck to Samye monastery, 5km, 2hrs(BL)
  • Tsetang / Gyangtse (3,900m) (B)
  • Gyangtse / Tingri(4,200m) (B)
  • Tingri / Rongpuk (B)
  • Rongpuk /Tingri/ Gyirong Border (370km, 8HRS DRIVE) (B)
  • Gyirong border / Kathmandu (B)
  • Kathmandu sightseeing (B)
  • Kathmandu departure(B)
 

Map & Itinerary

Holiday Itinerary

  • ARRIVE IN LHASA(altitude: 3,670m)

    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.

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

  • LHASA (3,670m)


    We will visit the Potala Palace, landmark of Lhasa and spiritual symbol of Tibet - you will join many pilgrims on your way to the top of a hill where this 13-storey architectural wonder is perched upon. The approach to the Potala is not easy, and requires climbing many steep steps, so we take it slowly and allow ourselves to leisurely enjoy the Palace and its surroundings. We enjoy strolling through its winding corridors and peaking in some of its thousand rooms, and can only imagine what life here was once like. In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Lhasa. As we make the inner circuit around the courtyard, spinning numerous prayer wheels as we go, we are swept up in the energy of the devout. From the rooftop, we get stunning views of the Potala, and the snow capped peaks off in the distance. Around the Temple runs the Barkhor, a holy circuit which pilgrims undertake and a bustling commercial market. The rest of the time is left free for you to venture around Barkhor market, where you will feel you are right at the heart of Tibet. 

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Meals B

  • LHASA (3,670m)

    Since we have just made a sudden ascent from lowland to an altitude of over 3,700 meters (12,139 ft), today’s itinerary is not so tight. Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Norbulingka. Drepung is about 8km west of central Lhasa, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Sera Monastery sits at the foot of the mountains. One of the three main Gelupka monasteries in Lhasa, Sera is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. If we are lucky enough, we could watch the Lamas in their traditional theological exercise of lively debating.  is recognized by “the summer palace of dalai lamas”. "Norbu Linka" means beautiful gardens. This garden covers an area of 36 hectares and it is the annual vacation home for the 7th to the 14th Dalai Lama, who would move here from the Potala Palace to this summer palace and spend most of their summer here. 

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Meals B

  • Lhasa to Ganden- trek to Trubshi village

    Today we will drive from Lhasa to Ganden where we will visit the Ganden monastery and start trek to Trubshi village. After trekking for a short time in beautiful Tibetan topography we will camp.
    Ganden Monastery is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, famous for its Buddha Painting Unfolding Festival. It was founded in the early 15th century by Tsong Khapa, a well-known Tibetan religious philosopher. 45km away Lhasa City, the monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain, on the southern bank of Lhasa River. Its significance as a religious, artistic, political and cultural relic led to it being preserved by the National Key Cultural Relic Preservation scheme in 1961, and is now known as being one of the 'Three Great Temples', together with the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.
    After arriving at Ganden, spend at least a half day to explore the attractions in and around the ancient monastery, home to the earliest monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Although the monastery is mostly in ruins, it is a fascinating place. Pilgrims arrive in Ganden from all over Tibet to walk around the site of the monastery, and one can observe the rituals they perform on this ‘Kora’ around the monastery.

    • Accommodation Local Guest House

    • Distance trekking 5km

    • Meals BLD

    • Time trekking 2-3hrs

  • Trubshi trek to Yama Do (4456m)

    Today is a 5 hour trek. Trek along an ancient trail and take in scenic views of unusual beauty. Walk along a ridge of reach the ancient Hepu village. In the afternoon, you’ll walk through Ani Pagong, a narrow part of the trail that was once home to a nunnery. In the late afternoon, ascend to Yama Do. 

    • Accommodation Local Guest House

    • Distance trekking17km

    • Meals BLD

    • Time trekking 7h

  • Yama Do trek to Chitul Gang (4907m)

    Early in the morning, trek from Yamo Do through a steep gully to the banks of a stream. Climb to Shug La pass and begin the descent from there through fields of glacial boulders. Tsotup Chu is actually a large stream that flows through the valley, and we will cross this stream towards the rocky mountain pass of Chitu La pass. A comfortable camp will be set up in one of the herder fields.

    • Accommodation Local Guest House

    • Distance trekking10km

    • Meals BLD

    • Time trekking 6h

  • Chitul Gang trek to Herder’s camp ( 4300m)

    Go on an exciting 6-7 hour trek covering 14km from Chitul Gang. After ascending this rocky pass, we will quickly descend down and find a beautiful place to camp in one of the fields surrounding the stream. To find our campsite we will meander through the picturesque Herder’s camp for nearly an hour.

    • Accommodation Camp

    • Distance hiking 14km

    • Meals BLD

    • Time hiking 7hrs

  • Herder’s camp to Samye Monastery

    The trail gets wider and easier as we follow through scrub forests in the main valley. Beautiful streams and lush forests surround us as we walking. However, the desert is close by. The next few hours are arguably the most beautiful part of our trek. More than 15 types of scrub trees, blooming rhododendrons, and vast meadow will amaze your every step of the way! After passing through this wondrous landscape, we will take truck through the Changtang village via Samye valley along the babbling tributary stream to Samye Monastery.

    Samye Monatery is regarded as the first Buddhist Temple in Tibet. It was founded in 779 by King Trisong Detsen and located in the quiet piedmont area of north bank of Yarlung Zangpo River. Samye is also the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. It has become a top destination for Tibetan Buddhists who will walk thousands of miles for weeks to finish their pilgrimage to this monastery.

    • Accommodation 3 star hotel

    • Distance hiking 5km

    • Meals BLD

    • Time hiking 2hrs

  • SAMYE- TSETANG

    Drive from Samye to Tsetang, the third largest city in Tibet. Tsetang is known as “the cradle of Tibetan Civilization” for two reasons: first, its mild weather and fertile land conceived the great Tibet dynasty; second, it’s the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. Today you will visit the Yumbulakang and Samye monasteries.

    According to a legend of followers of the Bon religion, Yumbulakang was erected in the second century B.C. for the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo, who was descended from the sky. Yumbulagang became a shrine and under the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, a monastery of the Gelugpa school. Yumbulakang monastery was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution, though it has been extensively renovated since.

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Meals BL

  • TSETANG / GYANGTSE (3,900m)

    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. 

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Distance driving: Tsetang/Gyangtse 302km

    • Meals B

    • Time driving: Tsetang/Gyangtse 6hrs

  • GYANGTSE / TINGRI(4,200m)


    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.

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Distance driving: Gyangtse/Tingri 330km

    • Meals B

    • Time driving: Gyangtse/Tingri 7hrs

  • TINGRI-RONGPHU


    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 f eature 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 the Rongphu Monastery.

    • Accommodation Local Guest House

    • Distance driving: Tingri/ Rongphu 100km

    • Meals B

    • Time driving: Tingri/ Rongphu 5hrs

  • RONGPHU- TINGRI-GYIRONG BORDER

    After a simple breakfast, drvie from Rongbu Monastery to Tingri, about 5 hours on the way.

    • Accommodation 3 star hotel

    • Distance driving: 100km

    • Meals B

    • Time driving: 5hrs

  • GYIRONG BORDER / KATHMANDU

    Your Guide will assist you to exit China. And see you off at Gyirong border. Transfer to Kathmandu Hotel. Check in and have a rest.

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Meals B

  • KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING

    Morning Breakfast, and guided sightseeing of Bouddhanath monastery, Monkey temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. 

    • Accommodation 4 star hotel

    • Meals B

  • KATHMANDU DEPARTURE

    Transfer to the airport, see off.

    • Meals B

 

This price includes

1.      Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary

2.      Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver. While we are trekking, our vehicle will transfer our food and luggage to the appointed site or hostel and wait or meet us at the end of the trekking tour.

3.      Meals: All breakfasts as indicated in the itinerary, meals during the trek from Ganden to Samye.

PS: The trip does not include lunches and dinners; we suggest you could pay your meals fee on site, so that you could have more options. If you prefer us to include the meals fee in the tour cost, the extra fee will be US$15 per person per meal.

4.      Guide: as outlined in the itinerary a Tibetan English-speaking guide and driver will be provided, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city.

5.      Hotel: double-occupancy in 4 star hotel in Lhasa, 3 star and the best hotel in small cities or counties, clean guest house/hostel/or home-stay in villages as clarified in the itinerary; camping in non-residential area as mentioned in the itinerary, camping gear like tent, sleeping mat, and cooking equipment when required;

6.      Tibet Travel Permits: All the Foreigner's Travel Permit to Tibet and the remote area/border area.

7.      Yak/Yakman to carry your luggage if trekking and camping for more than 2 days in non-residential area when required in the itinerary; for a group more than 4 persons we will provide outdoor cooking equipment and a cook to prepare meals;

8.      Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges

9.      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.

 

Holiday Information

Enough films and batteries, Sun-cream with the protection index of 40-60, sunglasses with a sun protection factor of 15, the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, toothpaste, electric torch, Snack foods.

Cloth that you bring must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough according to the weather, including Jacket, hat, Cotton underwear, Socks, Long-sleeve Shirts, T-shirts and Pants (Shorts are not appropriate at any time while hiking), comfortable shoes, rain gear (long rain coat is better).

In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and medicine for diarrhea, siriasis，sunstroke and carsickness.

US$ is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change US$ to Chinese currency in the tour, you can change it in the Hotel you stay or in the Bank of China. You could draw cash only from Bank of China in the big city, the ATM there doesn't always work properly and the bank is not easy to find. Please bring some cash at hand to use.

a) Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.

b) We have tried to arrange various food in different cities. But you may still think the food is simple and not as delicious as in the big cities especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. If you have any priority of the food (eg. If you are vegetarian or you are allergic to MSG, peanut oil, fish and peanut, etc) please inform us early, we will try to alternate the food accordingly. At the same time please prepare some of your favorite snacks and substitution food in case of need.

c) Meals in the home stays will be different from the cities but clean, which leave you a good chance to experience the ethnic minority culture. We will pack a breakfast for you of cold cereal, milk, toast, fruit, and jam for the home stay. d) It is very important to drink a lot of water and eat enough fruit in your tour especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. You are advised not to drink tap water.

Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).

In some remote areas, sometimes shower maybe not available in the home stay. A married couple is not allowed to share a room in the Miao's home-stay due to the local customs.

 

It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.

We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.

It is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.

In some provinces with many minorities (like Guizhou, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang and etc.), the customs and habits of local people are different from place to place. The local guide will inform you what should care. Respect the local customs and religions. The people are very kind and hospitable. You can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by! 
a. Do not photo them without getting the permit, please show the respect to them! 
b. Don't talk the sensitive topics like the political and the religion matters!

When you sign up for the trekking tour, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in trekking in high altitude and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. It is customer's responsibility to determine whether the tour he/she choose is suited to his/her physical condition. Customers are responsible for the cost of any medicines or medical care they may require during the trip for any reason. Please make sure you have adequate personal medical insurance to meet any medical emergency which might arise. In some cases, if you need medical care during the tour, you may be required to pay for it at the time it is rendered and seek reimbursement from your insurer after you return home. Please check with your medical insurer for details. In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to assist you in obtaining necessary care. Also, please tell us in writing if you suffer from any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour (if you hasn't tell us in writing before going, you are supposed to be healthy enough to take the tour). Finally, please check with your doctor to find out what inoculation may be recommended for the areas you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary inoculations. We reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to decline to retain any person, if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behavior interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.

 

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