Tibet EBC Tour Both Way by Flights

Itinerary

• 1

  Day 01: KATHMANDU (1,300M) - LHASA (3,650M)

  Morning transfer to airport - Fly to Lhasa by a trans-Himalayan flight (1 hr) with a high chance of enjoying the panoramic view of the mighty Himalaya with a close up view Mt Everest (8,848 m) and other adjoining peaks. Welcome and assistance by our Tibetan guide at the Gongaar airport - Transfer to Lhasa (45 min) through the new tunnel with a visit to Drolma Lakhang and check in to your hotel. Full rest for acclimatisation.

• 2

  Day 02: IN LHASA

  AM: Visit Potala Palace.
  It is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet and stands on the top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The term Potala comes from Sanskrit. In the 7th century, it was built for the meditational purpose. It was the Dalai Lama’s winter palace. Its white part used to be for the administrative purpose and the red part for the religious purpose.
  
  PM: Visit Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar
  Jokhang Temple is situated at the centre of the old part of Lhasa called Barkhor. It was built in the mid-7th century and was later extended by the successive rulers. It is a four storied temple with splendid golden roofs. It has a combination of architecture of Tang Dynasty & Nepalese Buddhist temples.
  
  Barkhor Bazaar:
  It is a bazaar complex just outside and around Jokhang Temple. It is the main Tibetan bazaar which has been able to sustain Tibetan culture & heritage until today. This bazaar is good for shopping and eating out and also mixing with the local Tibetan people.
  

• 3

  Day 03: IN LHASA

  AM: Visit Drepung Monastery.
  It is situated 5 km away to the western suburb of Lhasa city at the foot of Mt Ganpoi Uze. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa sect in Tibet. One time, the biggest monastery with 10,000 monks occupies 250,000 square meter. It maintains plentiful of historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts.
  
  PM: Visit Sera Monastery.
  Sera is one of the Gelugpa’s six great monasteries in Tibet. It was founded in 1419. The complex today, a veritable monastic city, occupies a site of nearly 12 hectre. Sera, like Ganden & Drepung, was a vital center of religious activity that drew students from the far corners of Tibet. In its heyday, it boasted over 5000 monks and novices. In fact, Sera is one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. The debating monks are the worth seeing sight organized everyday in the afternoon in the garden of Sera Monastery.
  

• 4

  Day 04: LHASA - GYANTSE (3,950 m) – SHIGATSE (3,900 m): 261 + 90 KM

  AM: Scenic drive to Gyantse via Yamadroke Lake (holy turquoise lake) over crossing two high passes Karo La (5,010 m) & Kamba La (4,794 m).
  
  PM: Visit Kumbum Stupa and Phalkor Monastery.
  The famous Kumbum Stupa, a combination of pagoda and stupa arts, stands with nine floors with its 108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images of the Buddha either sculptured or painted.
  
  Phalkor Monastery is the next door monument to the Kumbum Stupa. It was founded in 1418. Its role is unique on the Buddhism in Tibet as it represents all the three sects of Tibetan Buddhism: Gelugpa, Sakkyapa and Bhuton.
  
  Late afternoon, scenic drive to Shigatse (90 km: 1½ hrs) through the beautiful mustard farmland – Overnight at hotel.
  

• 5

  Day 05: XIGATSE – NEW TINGRI (SHEGAR) (4,200 m): 245 KM

  AM: Visit the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Monastery. It is the most beautiful monastery in Tibet, it is believed. It was founded in 1417. The most amazing in this monastery is the giant statue of the Maitreya (the future Buddha)(26 metre in height and 275 Kg pure gold with many more invaluable jewels) erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914 and took 4 years for its completion. Fourth Panchen Lama’s funeral stupa was also built inside the monastery in 1662 which is one of the major attractions in the monastery.
  PM: After lunch, picturesque drive to New Tingri via Lhatse by over crossing the high pass Gyatso La (5,220 m) through the typical Tibetan landscape encountering the Tibetan nomads with herds of yaks and sheep – O/n in hotel.
  

• 6

  Day 06: NEW TINGRI – RONBUK (4,900 m) - EVEREST BC (5,000 m) – NEW TINGRI: 186 KM

  AM: Scenic drive to Ronbuk via Pang La (pass of 5,205 m) from where a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayan range including Mt Everest (8,848 m) & Mt Cho Oyu (8,201 m) can be enjoyed (weather permitting). The drive off the Friendship Highway is in fact a different experience of the typical Tibetan landscape. Late morning, from Ronbuk, take a horse cart or take a shuttle bus to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) and explore EBC. Unbelievable is to be able to reach the base of Mt Everest at the height of 5,000 m simply by driving some hours. In fact, it is a lifetime achievement. This wonderful proximity of yours to the highest peak will be an unforgettable moment of a different arrogance for a long time in your life. Late afternoon, drive back to New Tingri for a better hotel for overnight – Overnight at hotel.

• 7

  Day 07: NEW TINGRI –XIGATSE - LHASA: 245 + 280 KM

  Scenic drive back to Lhasa via Shigatse and from Shigatse through the northern route along the beautiful gorges made by the Brahmaputra River without repeating the route via Gyantse – Transfer to your hotel.

• 8

  Day 08: LHASA – KATHMANDU

  Morning, transfer to Gongaar Airport (45 min) and fly back to Kathmandu (1 hour) - Transfer to your hotel.