Itinerary
Day
1 Arrive Lhasa
Days 2-3 Lhasa
Day 4 Gyantse
Day 5 Sakya
Day 6 Rombuk
Day 7 Everest Base Camp - Shegar
Day 8 Shigatse
Day 9 Namtso
Day 10 Lhasa
Day 11 Depart
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Tibet Tour: Highlights of Central Tibet with Everest - 11 days
 Explore a very special area of central Tibet and make the classic overland journey across the Roof of the World.
In the heart of central Tibet the great temples, monasteries, forts and palaces of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse are powerful testaments to a long and volatile history and to the spiritual and artistic traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
Skirt the turquoise lake of YamdrokTso, cross mountain passes topped by prayer flags, pass glaciers, barren hillsides and fertile valleys - green, pink or brilliant yellow depending on season.
From the tiny monastery of Rombuk there are stunning views of Qomolangma (Mt Everest) and a trip up to base camp (5200m) brings you even closer. 
North of Lhasa the Tibetan Plateau's second largest saltwater lake, Namtso Chukmo, is a spectacular site. Dominated by the 7110-meter snow peak of Nyenchen Thanglha, it teems with migratory birds and the cave hermitages at Tashidor are a popular pilgrimage destination.
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Potala
Palace
The symbol of Tibet, this awesome palace containing
over 1000 rooms and 200,000 images dominates the city. The original
7th century building was replaced by the current 130,000square
meter structure in the 17th century. |
Jokhang
Temple
This 1300-year-old, golden-roofed building at the center of
the Barkhor is the spiritual heart of both the city and of
the Tibetan world. The most sacred and active of Tibetan temples,
it is the principal geomantic power-place in Tibet. The courtyard
in front of the entrance is almost constantly filled with
prostrating pilgrims – inside the labyrinth of shrines,
halls and galleries are dimly lit by butter lamps and filled
with pilgrims and incense and house some of the finest treasures
of Tibetan art including a pure gold statue of Sakyamuni.
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Gyantse
‘The Royal Summit’ is named after a crag rising
suddenly from the plane, which has been fortified since early
antiquity – the fort (dzong) which crowns the crag dates
from the C14th. Gyantse quickly emerged as center of a fiefdom
with powerful connections to the Sakyapa order and dominated
the wool and timber trade routes from Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan
for centuries. By 1440 Gyantse’s most impressive architectural
achievements had been completed – the Kumbum, the dzong
and Pelkor Chode monastery. |
Rongbuk
& Everest Base Camp
The view from the world's highest monastery is
incredible, and from EBC at 5200m, even more stunning. |
Tashilumpo
Founded
in 1447 by a nephew and disciple of Tsongkhapa who was retroactively
named the first Dalai Lama. The original building was built
above a sacred sky-burial site, the stone slab of which can
still be seen on the floor. Tashilhunpo is one of the four great
Geluk monasteries in Tibet and at its peak housed 4700 monks
and is still the largest functioning monastic community in Tibet.
The most amazing image is the 26m Maitreya, erected in its own
Lhakhang by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914 and covered with 279
kg of gold. |
Namtso
Stunning high-altitude lake, important pilgrimage site and center of a thriving nomadic community.
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DEPARTURES 2012
April 06, May 06, June 04,
July 03, August
02, August 31, September 30, October 29
*all timed for Full Moon at Everest
Private departures available at any time.
Suitable for children (8+) |
Included
in the Tour Cost:
• All accommodation (twin share)
• Airport to Hotel transfer - Lhasa & return
• Land transport by private vehicle
• Sightseeing & entry fees -
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera, Drepung, Pelkor Choede, Sakya, Everest, Tashilumpo, Namtso
• Entry and travel permits for Tibet
• Full times services of English-speaking guides.
• Tibetan Buffet Dinner & Cultural Show - Lhasa
Not included in the Tour Cost:
• Flights & taxes
• Drinks
• Meals other than specified
• Visa & passport fees
• Airport taxes
• Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs etc.
• Tips & gratuities
• Personal travel insurance
•
Costs arising from events outside the control of Asian Footsteps
or its agents - including the delay or extension of a trip due
to weather, equipment failure, illness, or other causes beyond
our control. No refunds can be made for any unused services or
accommodation on the trip.
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