Trip Profile: 11 Days Trip
07 Nights / 08 Days Overland Trip
03 Nights in Kathmandu

Tibet one of those extraordinary destination where indeed adventure lurks around every corner! Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans-himalayan drive, through mountain, passes,  promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. It culminates on an arid plateau - a veritable treasure trove of architectural masterpieces - the Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest in the country The Jhokhang - a spiritual center, and the awesome palaces of the Dalai Lama - Norbulinga ( the summer palace ) and the Potala ( the traditional seat ). To travel for days on this remote plateau with the chance encounters of nomads herding their sheep or yaks is to be transformed into another way of life. We begin the tour by traveling to Kathmandu and departing by road to the Nepal/Tibet border town of Zhangmu where we collect our Transport. The day to day program is outlined as follows. 

Itinerary

DAY 01-2: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you.  O/N in Kathmandu.

DAY 03: KATHMANDU - NYALAM (3600M) - 154kms
Departure at 5:30 hr. from Abode Asia Travel & Tours Inc. Thamel after an approx. 6 hours drive we reach KODARI (China / Nepal Border). Further half hr. drive by truck will bring us to Zhangmu, where after completion of Immigration formalities all check drive to Nyalam. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 04: NYALAM - LHATSE  (3950m) -370kms
From Zhangmu or Nyalam, the road follows the BHOTE KOSHI river in the deep valley with plenty of Waterfalls. After 1.5 hrs drive bring us to NYLAM PASS (3800m) with the  JUGAL HIMALA in view. A continued drive via LALUNGLA (5050m) will bring us in view of MT. LANGTANG (7245m), MT. XIXAPANGMA (8013m), & MT. DORJE LAKPA (6980m), MT. MAKALU ( 8464m), MT. EVEREST (8848m), MT. LHOTSE (8516m)  & MT. CHOOYU (8201m). Overnight in hotel.

DAY 05: LHATSE - XIGATSE  (3900m) - (150+60) = 210kms
Lhatze is 3 hrs qwqy over a 5220m pass near the petrol station, there is a small restaurant where tea / snakes are available. Depending upon the road conditions, SAKYA MONASTERY which is 26km. Off from the main road will be visited. SAKYA is one of the oldest and most important monastery. Reach XIGATSE, the place of the famous TASHILUMPO MONASTERY the seat of Panchen Lama until his death in 1989 with its huge Thanka Wall cleary visible on north side of the road. Overnight hotel.

DAY 06: XIGATSE - GYANTSE (3950m) - 90km
After visiting TASHILUNPO MONASTERY in the morning including the Bazaar of XIGATSE, drive to GYANTSE which is 2 hrs. Gyantse is small bustling town steeped in history. It lies 264 km Southwest of Lhasa on the northern bank of NYANG CHU river. In the 15 Th. Century is served as the Capital of a small Kingdom. Visit KUMBUM CHORTEN & PHKLKOR MONASTERY which was built around 1400 AD It later became the main center for trade with British / India. Overnight hotel.

DAY 07: GYANTSE - LHASA (3650M) - 260km
8 hrs drive takes you to Lhasa crossing the KAROLAPASS (5010m) and KAMBALA PASS (4794m). The KAROLA  climbs between two lofty mountains, NOZING KHANGSA (7223m) and RALUNG (6236m) While driving you will ssee the YAMDROK TSO (Truquoise Lake) which takes approx. 1hr to cross around. After passing KAMBALA, Lhasa Valley is seen to the north. You will also cross the Brahmaputra Rover. Reaching Lhasa and check in hotel. The accompanied guide will reconfirm your onward airline ticket. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 08-9:  LHASA
These days you will be engrossed with sightseeing and excursions of THE POTALA PALACE, THE JOKHANG TEMPLE surrounding BARKHOR market DREPUNG MONASTERY and SERAMONASTERY. Overnight hotel.

DAY 10: LHASA - KATHMANDU
Transfer to airport 2 hrs drive - Representative will assist you. Departure of flight for KATHMANDU would be approx 10:00 hr. CHINA STANDARD TIME and arriving KATHMANDU AT 9: AM NEPAL STANDARD TIME. Flight  Lhasa / Kathmandu takes 1 hour ten minutes. During the flight you will see the following: YARLUNG TSANGPO RIVER, LAKE YAMDROK, MT. KANCHANJUNGA (8586m), MT. MAKALU (8463m) and MT. EVEREST (8848m). (If weather permitting).

DAY 11:  DEPARTURE
After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international airport for your final destination.

Abode Asia Travel & Tours Inc.
Tibet remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped part of the world, situated at an average average elevation of 5000 (16,000ft) above sea level. Its facilities for tourists are only now approaching a reasonable standard.

A trip to Tibet is not for the faint hearted, the traveling can be hard, adventurous and often unpredictable. Due to Tibet's high altitude travelers with a history of heart, lung or anemia problems should consult a doctor before even thinking about a visit.

Visitors should also understand before taking this trip that Tibet was only opened to tourism 19 years ago. The infrastructure of the tourist industry is still very basic in this remote country. Please do not expect the standards you are accustomed to in the West. However, every efforts will be made under the circumstance to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.

Our most popular tour is an 8 day package where clients go overland from Nepal and fly back from Lhasa. If offers a spectacular insight into the life and culture of these friendly people. From the ancient monasteries with chanting monks, to the tranquil shores of the Turquoise Lake Yamdrok. This trip concludes with the breathtaking Trans - Himalayan flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu.

The trip starts early morning around 5:30 AM from Abode Asia Travel & Tours Inc. office, Thamel opposite KC's restaurant & before Hotel Excelsior. The distance Kathmandu / Friendship bridge, Kodari (Nepal Tibet border) is approx. 116km, and takes 06 hrs, drive. After completing immigration formalities on the Nepal side you continue drive / walk to ZHANGMU IMMIGRATION which is approximately 11kms. Here our representative from China will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. He will then take care of your entire tour arrangements until your departure, Lhasa / Kathmandu.

CLOTHING ACCESSORIES
From Oct - March warm clothes are required to flight the frosty cold. From April - September light clothes to shun the scorching heat. However a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather nay unexpectedly change at any time. The recommended item are: A domestic first aid kit, toilet and tissue papers flashlight, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun, hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion, and a limited number of clothes.

CUSTOM
There is no prohibition on still and video cameras, tape recorders as long as they're registered with a custom official, printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese government are prohibited. Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be excessive.

FOOD & DRINK
Tibet has only a handful of towers and Tibetan cuisine is not exactly the most varied in the world. It is handy to carry, anything that can be brewed with hot, water instant coffee, drinking chocolate, tea   (bags) soup cubes, powered milk, other food items worth considering are instant noodles, vegemite, nuts and raisins, chocolate, dry foods and biscuit.

BUSINESS HOURS
Government offices are usually closed on SATURDAY and SUNDAY.

CURRENCY
RENMBI, the people's money used by millions of  Chinese everyday, circulates in notes of 1,2,5,10 and 50, 100 yuan, 1,2 and 5 jiao; There are also coins for 1,2 and 5 fen.  With the Chinese currency Renminbi, one yuan is divided into 10 jiao, into 10 fen (US$ 1= 8 yuan)

AIRPORT
Lhasa Gonggar airport is approx 96kms away from Lhasa

AIRPORT TAX
The airport departure tax at present is US$ 12.00 Per Person

AIR TICKET RECONFIRMATION
Your guide will reconfirm the air ticket upon payment of RMB 30, which is reconfirmation fee charged by China Southwest Airlines.

CANCELLATION POLICY
A cancellation charge of 50% for reconfirmed booking up to SEVEN DAYS before departure to TIBET  will be charged after which NO REFUND will be entertained. Further under no circumstance will there be a refund on NO SHOW UPS and DELAY in ARRIVALS.

HEALTH & ALTITUDE PROBLEMS
Traveling in Tibet involves high altitude and can be strenuous. Clients with heart and lung problems or blood diseases should consult their doctor before booking the trip. Very rare cases of altitude sickness have been reported. Simple headache, fever, loss of appetite and stomach disorders can happen before the acclimatization. Advised, drink approx. 3 liters of water per day, do not strain yourself, move slowly, breathe deeply and take regular rests please do not smoke & do not drink alcohol.

NOTE: CLIENTS TRAVEL AT THEIR OWN RISK WHILE IN TIBET