Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa
Accommodation: Yak Hotel 3 stars or the same level hotel
Lhasa airport or Train station pick-up by our local English-speaking tour guide and private van, then, transfer you to the hotel (3 star hotel). The rest of the day is free on your own.
Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing
Accommodation: Yak Hotel 3 stars or the same level hotel
Today's activities: Lhasa escorted tour Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street This morning our tour guide will meet you at hotel .You'll wind your way up through the stunning, awe-inspiring Potala Palace,built in 637 AD by Songtsen Gampo, it was the former winter residence for the Dalai Lamas and is truly a splendor of Eastern architecture. After lunch,we will visit the Jokhang Temple, the center of Tibetan Buddhism, also built in the 7th century on the legendary pond of "Wothang." After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa.During the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed to shopping center for tourists. We'll finish the day by taking a Kora around the Barkhor.
Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing
Accommodation: Yak Hotel 3 stars or the same level hotel
Lhasa escorted tour - Drepung Monastery ,Sera Monastery Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, once the world's largest monastery that contained more than 10,000 monks, it was the resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, but several destruction were taken place in history. Even so ,you still have lots of things to see by walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lane though the monks apartments is thrilling. The amazing day will ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery, it is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi who is disciple of Tsongka pa, few different monastic colleges in Sera is the home of several hundred monks from different part of Tibet, the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening everyday in the afternoon except Sunday. Later today ,continue to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag in the rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa -- Gyantse
Accommodation: Local best hotel
Up to Kambala pass which is 4794m high, you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso there. It is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. Then drive back to chushul, along Nepal friendship way to Gyantse, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumpum, the most stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. Overnight at Gyantse.
Day 5: Gyantse -- Shigatse -- Old Tingri
Morning driving to Shigatse, about 90km from Gyantse. Visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas in Shigatse, then drive by Friendship Hwy to Old Tingri via Lhatse and Shegar. Guide will do preparations for the trekking - hire yak porter and yaks. You may have a good view of Cho Oyu. Overnight at Old Tingri ( Local Guest house, dorm bed).
Day 6: Trekking in Tsojan
The elevation of Tsojan Village is 4500m and 4 hours of trekking is needed. The trekking begins in Old Tingri and you pass through Lunja as your head south towards Everest in the distance. The high flat plain typical of Tibet allows for gradual elevation gains during the day. A water-powered barley mill is passed along the way.
Day 7: Trekking in Nam-La
The elevation of Nam- La Pass is 5100m and you will need 6 hours for trekking. As you continue to up the valley. Everest disappears behind the mountains and as the trail turns to the southeast and begins to climb to the pass. Camping at the beyond Nam- La.
Day 8: Rongbuk Monastery
Continue to along the way towards the main road by passing Zemukh village, connect with the main road and continue on to the Rongbuk Monastery. Overnight at Rongbuk Monastery.
Day 9: Rongbuk -- Everest Base Camp
Today you can have a good relax at Rongphu, and then head up to E.B.C. It only takes 2 hours hike to E.B.C from Rongphu, you can stay one night at E.B.C. Camping.
Day 10: Everest Base Camp -- Shigatse
After sunrise at E.B.C, start driving back to Shigatse, you may have Xiqian hot-springs nearby Lhatse. Overnight at Shigatse.
Day 11: Shigatse -- Lhasa
Driving back Lhasa by friendship Hwy, takes about 4 hours. Afternoon have a good rest at Lhasa. Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 12: Depart from Lhasa
Transfer from your hotel to Gonggar airport or Railway Station of Lhasa in the morning, trip ends.
Dear Janet, I would like to thank you and your team for a wonderful tour setup. Begging with your professionalism, warm support and willingness to make our group tour successful one.And great thanks to Dhargye our tour guide who took care of whole group and especially myself during a night of vomiting. He and Mr. Namla- the driver were superb. I will send you some photos separately. Feel free to use them on your company's website. Am happy to give references as required.
Dear Janet,We are safe and sound home and are looking back at a very impressive trip to Tibet and Zhangye. We have between us some 3000 pictures – some quite stunning. Yesterday the four of us expressed what an unforgettable trip this has been. We want to share our appreciation for the way the trip has been organised. Like clockwork. All guides appearing at the right time and place. Everything was very well organised. It was a bit double for us when we were in Lanzhou hearing about the earthquake creating havoc in Nepal, but not leaving Tibet unaffected either. Thank you again for a trip to be remembered for a long time.
Dear Nancy,I feel embarrased that I am answering only now but another couple of weeks of travelling and the beginning of the next semester at the university made me really busy. However, me and Olaf wanted to thank you for the amazing trip we had in Tibet! The organization was simply excellent, thank you for a very quick and informative communication from your side. Many thanks go also to our guide, Danluo as well as to our driver; both of them acted very professionally and kindly towards us. It was really great that our guide was of the Tibetan origin, providing us with a unique cultural insight and first-hand information. His English language skills were just perfect and the communication with him very pleasant.