Itinerary
Days
1-2 Beijing Days 3-4 train Days
5-7 Lhasa Day 8 Depart.
OR
Days
1-2 Beijing Days 3-4 train Days
5-7 Lhasa Day 8 Gyantse Days 9-10 Shigatse Day 11 Depart
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Tibet by Train
8 or 11 Days
Tiananmen,
the Gate of Heavenly Peace shields the elaborate grandeur of the Forbidden
City from the vast expanse of the great square. 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled from within its impressive walls.
The
new high altitude rail line to Lhasa offers a unique view of the
vast Tibetan Plateau - the scenery is simply awesome. The Golmud-Lhasa section of this epic rail journey opened in July 2005. The tracks zig zag 1142 km. across the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges - reaching over 5000meters at its highest point.
The
lure of Lhasa, capital on the roof of the world, cannot be under-estimated
and it is truly a fascinating city, fully justifying its reputation.
Dominated by the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Potala Palace and
bustling with pilgrims circling the sacred Jokhang Temple it is
a feast for the senses.
On yourlast evening in Lhasa we invite you to e njoy
a Tibetan buffet dinner & cultural show
11-Day Option
Cross
the spectacular Khamba-La (pass) with the turquoise waters of
the sacred lake, Yamdrok-tso, spread below. Prayer flags, glaciers,
snow covered mountain ranges - the scenery is incredible!
 Gyantse
stands at the junction of trade routes from India and retains
the feel of a Tibetan town. The forts and well-protected monasteries
of Gyantse and Shigatse reveal a not always peaceful history
- the riches within, testament to past glory.
Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama and one of the most important monasteries of the Gelukpa order, dominates the hillside behind the town - its golden roofs glittering in the afternoon sun.
Follow the Brahmaputra east to the airport for your depature flight back to Beijing or on to another Chinese destination or Kathmandu.
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Forbidden City
China's most iconic symbol are well aware of how
cute they are - especially the young ones whose clumsy antics can
entertain for hours. |
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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. |
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.
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Included
in the Tour Cost:
• Land transport as per itinerary. Private vehicle for airport
transfers, Lhasa sightseeing and in Nepal. Private 4WD landcruiser
for Tibet tour.
• Accommodation as mentioned
• English speaking Tibetan guide
• sightseeing as indicated including entry fees
• Entry & travel permits for Tibet
• Yaks &/or porters to carry personal gear on Kailash
kora.
Not included in the Tour Cost:
• Flight Chengdu-Lhasa or Kathmandu-Lhasa
• International 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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