ITINERARY  ::

DAY 1 : DRIVE FROM KATHMANDU ( 1400 meters )  TO KERUNG  ( 3,000 meters )
Today, we will meet with your team’s group members in Kathmandu , at around 06:30 AM , who are joining this group trip to Lhasa. Proceed for an overland journey (145 km / 8 Hours) to Kerung town in Tibet. The journey will pass through a typical Nepalese rural landscapes along the hillside highway until it arrives at Nepal - Tibet border point at Rasuwagadhi.  After completing immigration and custom formalities, the journey will take an uphill driving towards Kerung town. Upon arrival in Kerung, check into the guest house. Overnight in Kerung.

DAY 2 :  DRIVE   FROM KERUNG TO SHEGAR  (4,330 meters )
Conveniently after the breakfast, proceed for the driving journey  (333 km / 7 Hours ) to Shegar town in Tibet. Today, the journey passes through the highest plateau in the world with a scenario of the typical Tibetan rural landscapes meanwhile crossing over the “Lalung La Pass” (5,050 meters), which is also a vantage point to observe the breath taking mountain range of Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m) and Mt. Shishapangma (8,012m) both of them, however dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. Upon arrival in Shegar, check in to the guest house. Overnight in Shegar.

 

DAY 3 :  DRIVE   FROM  SHEGAR  TO  SHIGATSE  (4,330 meters )
Conveniently after the breakfast, proceed for the driving journey  ( 267 km / 7 hours ) to Shigatse. Today, the journey passes through a scenic Tibetan highway & passes through the highest point of “Gyatchu La Pass” (5,220m). When approaching the Shigatse town, one can see its huge Thangka painting on the wall which is clearly visible from the north side of the highway. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight in Shigatse.

[ Shigatse City  : This town is situated near the junction of the “Ngang” and “Yarlung Tsangpo” (Brahmaputra) rivers, with many traditional low ceiling, flat roofed, mud brick Tibetan houses, but quite a lot of ugly modern Chinese buildings as well. It is home of the “Tashilunpo Monastery”, traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, and one of the great centres of Tibetan Buddhism.  Shigatse has an interesting local bazaar, where various traditional items can often be found at more or less reasonable prices.  This town has always been an important trade and administration centre and also has political and religious significance, once being the seat of the Panchen Lama. The town is essentially divided into two parts: the old Tibetan style area in the city and the concrete, modern Chinese part of the town. The older streets and alleys here are very pleasant to wander around and there are a few sights of interest to guarantee a stay of minimum of two days. ]

DAY 4: DRIVE  FROM SHIGATSE  TO GYANTSE  ( 3,977 meters )
Conveniently after the breakfast, take an excursion to Panchen Lama’s “Tashilunpo Monastery” & also visit to the local market of Shigatse bazar.
Later, proceed for the driving journey ( 94 km / 2 Hours) to Gyantse town. The journey today, passes through Tibet’s biggest Agricultural fields sprawled along the both sides of the highway that heads to Gyantse. On arrival in Gyantse, check in to the hotel. Later, visit to “Kunbum Stupa and Pelku  Chode Monastery” .  Return to hotel. Overnight in Gyantse.

[ Tashilunpo Monastery  :  The monastery located on a hill in the center of Shigatse city, the name “Tashi Lhumpo” translates to the meaning " All fortune and happiness gathered here" or  " Heap of Glory".
It was founded in 1447 by the 1^st  Dalai Lama, is the traditional monastic seat of the Panchen Lama , and an historically and culturally important monastery in Shigatse.  It is the head monastery of the “Yellow Hat sect (Geluk gompa)”.  The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking tulku lineage in the Geluk tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery could accommodate the 4,000 monks and is the largest of its kind in the whole of the Tibet.
Kumbum Chorten Stupa : The octagonal shaped, 9 stories white stupa, 42.4 meters high chorten situated in the periphery of the Pelku Chode monastery is known as “ Kumbum Stupa”. Kumbum means 100,000 images in Tibetan language hence this is colloquially also known as  “ One-Hundred-Thousand-Buddha Tower ”. The first Khumbum was founded in the year 1427 AD by a Gyantse prince. It has nine Lhakangs or stories & is 42.4 metres high surmounted by a golden dome, and contains 77 niches/ chapels which line its walls. At the higher levels you can go out to an outdoor terrace and enjoy an incredible view on the town, monastery and surrounding fort.
Pelku (Palcho) Chode Monastery :-  This is the main Buddhist monastery in Gyantse. It was completed and consecrated in 1425 AD. -- The monastery treasures 1,049 sets of ancient Tibetan sutras which are most valuable for studying Tibetan religion and ethnic cultures. The monastery has 17 Datsans (colleges, a unit of religious organization in a monastery) in total in this monastery, which belongs to the Sakya (the major monastery is Sakya Monastery), Kagyu and Gelug (the major monastery is Ganden Monastery) sects of Tibetan Buddhism. It is really rare among the Tibetan monasteries that several sects could coexist under one roof.  ]

DAY 05 : DRIVE  FROM  GYANTSE  TO  LHASA  ( 3,656 meters )
Conveniently after the breakfast, proceed for the driving journey ( 311 km / 5.5 Hour ) to Lhasa by passing over the “Brahmaputra River” (Yarlung Tsangpo) and then arriving at a vantage point in the “Khampa-la  Pass” (4,794 meters) from where one can have a panoramic view of the turquoise lake of “Yamdrok Tso” which is famous for its Scorpion shape and turquoise blue coloured clean water.
Continue, the journey further ahead until you will arrive in Lhasa. Check in to the hotel. Overnight in Lhasa.

[ Yamdrok Tso Lake : This scorpion shaped picturesque lake is situated at a distance of an hour of driving from Lhasa. You will reach the foothills of Kampa la pass. From here you will have your best views of Yamdrok Lake , its sky blue water & also the snow capped mountains on a sunny winter morning. ]

DAY 06 : EXCURSION IN  LHASA ( 3,656 meters )  
Conveniently after the breakfast, proceed for an excursion to the magnificent heritage sites of  “Potala Palace”. Take a lunch break in between the tours. Then continue your excursion to the “Jokhang Temple” and the “Bharkor local market”. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Lhasa.

[ Potala Palace :  This is situated on the red rock hill in the central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19 meters at the topmost point.  The word Potala was derived from the Sanskrit language and translate to the meaning "Abode of the Awalokiteswora ( God Of Compassion)."  Legend has it that in the 7th century, to greet his bride Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty (618B.C. - 907B.C.) of China, then great Tibet King “ Shrongtseng Gompo”  built a 9 storey palace with a thousand rooms up on the Red Hill and named it Potala. Later, with the collapse of the “ Songtsen Gampo Dynasty” , the ancient palace was almost destroyed in wars. What we see at present is the architecture of the Qing Dynasty (1644B.C. - 1911B.C.) and the continuous expansion of the re-construction work and its outcome since the 17th century.
Jokhang Temple : Jokhang temple was build by: Great  King Songtsem Gampo (617 – 650 AD , the 33rd king of Tibet) and it is Included on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2000 AD as a part of the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple is located in central Lhasa. With an area of 25,100 square meters (about six acres), it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims.
Bharkhor Local Market  : Located just outside to Jhokhang Temple , this charismatic & the lively local market surrounds the entire periphery of the Jhokhang Temple an enrich the environment of the entire temple complex. The circular route of this oldest street in the heart of the city dating back to the foundation of the Jokhang temple itself. This is also a market where you can hang around in the evening time.]

DAY 07  :  EXCURSION  IN  LHASA ( 3,656 meters ) 
Conveniently after the breakfast, proceed for an excursion to the magnificent heritage sites of
“ Drepung Monastery “ and the “ Sera Monastery ”. Take a lunch break in between the tours. Then continue your excursion to “ Norbulinkha Palace ”.  Return to the hotel. Overnight in Lhasa.

[  Drepung Monastery :- The monastery was established in 1416 AD by Tsong Khapa's disciple Jamyang Qoigyi, Situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, five (5 ) kilometers (3.1 miles) from the western suburb of Lhasa, the Deprung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism.
Sera Monastery :-  Located at the foot of Tatipu Hill in the northern suburb of Lhasa City, Sera Monastery is one of three famous monasteries in the city along with the Deprung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery.
It is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built it in 1419AD during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)AD. The monastery was named “Sera” which means “wild rose” in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when it was built.
Norbulinkha Palace :-  Norbulingka Palace, on the west edge of Lhasa city is the biggest manmade garden in Tibet Autonomous Region. Norbulingka, in Tibetan, refers to “Park of Treasure” and used to be the summer palace of Dalai Lamas to deal with government issues and hold religious activities. Built from 1755AD  and under the reconstructions of different Dalai Lamas, Norbulingka expands its scale into over 360,000 square meters and more than 374 rooms, including palaces for 7th to 14th Dalai Lamas. Dotted with various kinds of precious flowers and plants, it is the genuine “Plateau Oxygen Bar”. With peaceful atmosphere and tranquillity ,you will easily get yourself relaxed when walking inside this pure land. As one part of the historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, it was added to World Heritage Sites in 2001 .]

DAY 08  :  FLIGHT  FROM  LHASA  TO  KATHMANDU ( 1,400 meters )
Conveniently after the breakfast, be timely checked out from your hotel and get transferred to the Gonggar airport in Lhasa with our representative. Farewell to Tibet. Board your return flight to Kathmandu Or to your onward destination.                                  
                                                                                 --------- End of Tour ---------

Travelling Season	Select Your Preferred Travel Dates	Tour Cost	Book This Trip & Pay Online
SPRING :- March , April, May SUMMER :- June , July , August AUTUMN :- September, October , November WINTER :- December, January, February	Arrival On: Departure On:	$USD 0000.00 ( mini. 02 Pax ) Per Person

Tour Cost Includes :
-- The overland transportation from Kathmandu till Lhasa in a private tourist coach on sharing basis
    with other tourists including an English speaking tour guide and the driver.                                                      
-- The 01 Night of hotel room accommodation with breakfast in the guest house in Kerung.
-- The 01 Night of hotel room accommodation with breakfast in the standard hotel in Shegar.
-- The 01 Night of hotel room accommodation with breakfast  in the standard hotel in Shigatse.
-- The 01 Night of hotel room accommodation with breakfast  in the standard hotel in Gyantse.
-- The 03 Nights of hotel room accommodation with breakfast in the standard hotel in Lhasa.
--  All sightseeing in the private vehicle with a local English speaking Tibetan guide & the driver in
     Lhasa.                                                  
--  All monastery entrance fees in the monumental zones as mentioned in the itinerary.
-- Transfer between hotel & the airport in Lhasa, in a private vehicle with the driver.
--  Tibet Travel Permit & China Visa fees.                                                            
 
Tour Cost Excludes :
--  All lunch and dinner during the whole trip.
--  Air Tickets for the sector “Lhasa – Kathmandu”.                                                            
--  All sort of personal expenses of the traveller such as ; laundry , photography , bar & liquor, tips etc.
--  Nepal re-entry visa fees.                                                              
--  Travel , Medical & the Rescue Insurance of the traveller.
--  All other expenses that are not mentioned in the cost inclusion section. 

TIBET TOURIST VISA 

--  A travel into the Tibet whether by a flight or an overland journey both, requires a Chinese Visa
   and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a licensed  
   and authorized Travel Company ( Tibet via Nepal ).
--  A valid “Visa to China” is not the same as a “ Tibet Travel Permit”. As such, for those who already 
    have a “China Visa ” will also have to apply for the “ Tibet Travel Permit”.
-- This “ Tibet Travel Permit ” is still required for any remote foreign traveller who is already in China   
   and now willing to travel to Tibet from any territory in China.
--  To obtain the “ Tibet Travel Permit ” you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre - organize
     private transport for trips outside Lhasa.
-- The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the Travel Agent you
     are going with.

A  TRAVELLER  TO  TIBET  MUST  POSSESS AND  PRESENT  THESE  DOCUMENTS .

[ 1 ]  Passport   :: --  valid for 6 months.
[ 2 ]  Chinese Visa  : -- you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China).
[ 3 ]  Group Visa  ::-- who entry from Nepal to Tibet after Tibet tour traveller can visit China mainland with valid group visa.
[ 4 ]  Individual Visa  ::--  will be cancel when we apply for group visa (if visa is in the passport).
[ 5 ]  Tibet Entry Permit  :: -- it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering
                                                 Tibet.
[ 6 ] Specific Areas  Permits  :-- A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain :
Travel Permit  -- It is required when you are planning to movement to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you
                             land in Tibet.
Military Permit  --  It is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

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SAFETY  GUIDELINES  IN  TIBET 

We recommend you to go through our following safety guidelines and stay tune with latest happening.
-- Have at least 2 copies of Tibet Permit with you while travelling there.
-- Keep your belongings properly.
-- When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have any troubles, report to your
   guide promptly.
-- Never rush to visit attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa .
-- Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and
    unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.
-- Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.
-- Spend few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when travelling to
     higher places to avoid attitude sickness.
-- Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.
-- Respect the religion, customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.
-- Pay special attention to unique alpine climate (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)
-- Keep necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.
-- Never travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.
-- In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and small change in the local currency.
--  If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.
-- Don’t carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or  free Tibet movement.
-- We also recommend not carrying any guide book to Tibet.

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NEPAL  TOURIST  VISA

-- The “Tribhuvan International Airport “ ( TIA ) is the only international airport of Nepal from where the
    Immigration Office grants the Tourist Visa on Arrival for the tourists flying to Nepal .
--  Though you can expect some queues during peak Tourist season, the “On Arrival ' visa procedure is
    very quick and simple.
--  If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions
     stationed abroad prior to your arrival.
--  If you have obtained visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions in abroad , then you must enter Nepal
    within six months from the visa issued date. Your total stay is counted starting from the day you enter
    into Nepal.
--  Visas obtained on Arrival at the Entry and Exit points are 'Tourist Visas'.  They bear multiple Re entry
    facility. Tourist Visa 'On Arrival' is the only entry visa to Nepal.

On Arrival Visa Fee at Entry Points  ::
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD

NOTE  ::  Please carry the Cash ( US$ or Euro ) with you . The electronic money is not accepted at all . 

Gratis Visa  On arrival  ( Visa for Free )    ::
--  Children below 10 years except US citizens
--  Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year. 
--   Non Residential Nepalese(NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad).
--  Chinese Nationals
--  Officials from China, Brazil, Russia and Thailand do not need Entry Visa based on reciprocal visa waiver Agreement

Visa Extension Fee   ::
-- Tourist visa extension is done for minimum 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days.
    In the case of delay less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day as late fine.
-- Contact Department of Immigration for extending your visa or changing the category of your visa.
-- Tourist Visa extension can be done from Immigration Office, Pokhara too.
-- Non tourist visa extension can be done only at Department of Immigration (if eligible) for a period of
    maximum one year (except business visa).

IMPORTANT NOTE   ::- 
-- If you are visiting Nepal for the purposes other than Tourism (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting
    friends and families), you should still get ' Tourist Visa' to get into the country. However, you must change the category of 
    visa as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal from Department of Immigration by producing  required documents.
-- Nationals of following countries are requested to acquire Visa prior their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions 
   ( Embassies / consulates ) of Nepal Government. (1) Nigeria , (2) Ghana ,  (3) Zimbabwe , (4) Swaziland,(5) Cameroon, 
   (6) Somalia, (7) Liberia , (8) Ethiopia,  (9) Iraq , (10) Palestine , (11) Afghanistan, (12) Syria .

ALTITUDE  SICKNESS  & REMEDY

-- Altitude sickness, the mildest form being acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude,
    caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation.
--  Altitude sickness occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air at high altitudes.
--  Generally speaking, this brief illness occurs when a person quickly travels from a place with a low elevation to one with a
     high elevation - or vice versa.
-- The faster you climb to a high altitude, the more likely you will get acute mountain sickness. The best way to prevent
     altitude illness is to ascend gradually.

SYMPTOMS ::
-- This causes typical symptoms such as a headache, nausea, vomiting , light headedness , loss of appetite, and trouble
    sleeping.
-- The different levels of altitude sickness have different symptoms :  Symptoms of mild, short-term altitude sickness also
     include dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, sleep problems and a general loss of energy.
-- This usually happens above 5,000 feet, though some might not experience altitude sickness until at least 10,000 feet
     in elevation.

HOW LONG CAN ALTITUDE SICKNESS LAST ?
-- Other symptoms will go away quickly at a lower altitude. Symptoms of moderate altitude sickness usually improve in 24 hours at an elevation that is at least 1,000 to 2,000 feet lower. Symptoms should go away completely within 3 days.

WHAT IS THE BEST REMEDY FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS ?

Treating Altitude Sickness Instantly ::
--  Stop And Rest Where You Are.
--  Make Sure You're Drinking Enough Water.
-- Then go down to the lower altitude zone as soon as possible.
--  If You Have A Headache, Take Ibuprofen Or Paracetamol.
--  If You Feel Sick, Take An Anti-Sickness Medicine, Such As Promethazine.
-- Do Not Smoke, Drink Alcohol, Or Exercise.
--  Do Not Go Any Higher  For At Least 24 To 48 Hours.
-- Once you go down, and after the altitude sickness goes away, get some tea and chocolate.

WHAT MEDICATIONS PREVENT ALTITUDE SICKNESS  ?
-- Acetazolamide is used to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. This medication can decrease headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath that can occur when you climb quickly to high altitudes (generally above 10,000 feet / 3,048 meters).

HOW QUICKLY DOES DIAMOX WORK FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
-- To prevent altitude sickness, start taking acetazolamide 1 to 2 days before you start to climb. Continue taking it while you are climbing and for at least 48 hours after you have reached your final altitude. You may need to continue taking this medication while staying at the high altitude to control your symptoms.

HOW MANY DIAMOX CAN I TAKE A DAY ?
-- The recommended dosage is 1 capsule (500 mg) two times a day. Usually 1 capsule is administered in the morning and 1 capsule in the evening. It may be necessary to adjust the dose, but it has usually been found that dosage in excess of 2 capsules (1 g) does not produce an increased effect.

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE DIAMOX  ?
-- You should not use Diamox if you have cirrhosis, severe liver or kidney disease, an electrolyte imbalance, adrenal gland failure, or an allergy to Diamox or sulfa drugs.