Tibet Unplugged

  • Days 15
  • Style Original
  • Travellers rating

    based on 85 reviews

  • nepal

    86°F

    86°F

  • From HKD 0 +

Start

11 Mar 2017

Finish

17 Mar 2017

OR
HKD 0 +
Tour Code:810936

Embark on an adventure in Tibet, travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu

Join an adventure across the top of the world. From the serene former home of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa to the ancient narrow laneways of Kathmandu, traverse the world's highest mountain range and delve into the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Mingle with locals, rub shoulders with pilgrims and take in spectacular scenery - this is most definitely Tibet unplugged.

TRIP CHANGES FOR 2016
As a result of the Nepal earthquake that occurred in April 2015, the Kathmandu-Tibet highway near Lamosanghu remains closed. Unfortunately word from our local suppliers and authorities is that this road will remain closed for the majority of the 2016 season. This means that no overland travel between these two countries is possible in 2016. All CFRE trips will be re-routed to fly between Lhasa to Kathmandu resulting in an increase in cost. Trip Notes have been updated to reflect the new itinerary.

TRIP CHANGES FOR 2017:
From 1st January 2017 this trip will change due to the China/Nepal border remaining closed for the foreseeable future. In order to be able to plan consistent itineraries for 2017 we will continue the 2016 changes and fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu instead of travelling overland. We have also removed the one night in Lhatse and replaced with one night back in Shigatse due to passenger feedback.

For 2017 this trip will be called "Tibet Uncovered" and the trip code will be CBSN.
More details will be published in coming months, with the new itinerary outlined below:

1 Kathmandu
2 Kathmandu
3 Lhasa (Flight)
4 Lhasa
5 Lhasa
6 Lhasa
7 Lhasa
8 Gyantse
9 Shigatse
10 Sakya
11 Everest Base Camp
12 Shigatse
13 Lhasa
14 Kathmandu (Flight)
15 Departure Day

Schedule & Pricing Details

  • Date
  • Start

    11 Mar 2017

    Finish

    17 Mar 2017

    OR
  • Options

Attention

Guesthouse (12 nights)
Basic Hotel (1 night)
Permanent Tented Camp (1 night)

  • Highlights

    Location

    City:nepal

    Name:Embark on an adventure in Tibet, travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu

    Address:nepal

    Tel: 00852-21210230

    Itinerary

    Day

    1

    Welcome
    adventure
    welcome

    Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Those who have pre-booked an arrival transfer can meet their driver outside the airport terminal, a few metres from the exit door – look out for the Intrepid signboard. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception for the location of this meeting. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details, next of kin information and permit application details (including a passport-size photo) at this meeting. Please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Afterwards, y...

    Day

    2

    explore
    alluring
    architecture

    Today is a free day for you to explore this alluring city. Check out the Newari architecture at Durbar Square, the vast plaza opposite the old Royal Palaces. Perhaps visit the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa (known to tourists as Monkey Temple) – Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. You might also like to join the pilgrims at Bodhnath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It's the centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism. Visiting Pashupatinath is also highly recommended – it's a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan (a village 3 km north-west of Kathmandu) dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals).

    Day

    3

    (approximately
    situated
    Unknown

    Fly to Tibet's capital, Lhasa (approximately 2 hours) (3,940 m). Colourful and historic, the holy city of Lhasa is situated in a small valley. Unknown to the outside world for years, even the most adventurous and hardy of explorers rarely reached the city without being turned away, either by the treacherous terrain or the fierce warrior monks that protected Tibetan territory from intruders. Nowadays it welcomes tourists, but remains an enchanting city, steeped in culture and mythology. In Lhasa you will stay at a basic but centrally located hotel with twin-share accommodation decorated in traditional Tibetan style. Notes: Due to Chinese government regulations, all foreign tour groups in Tibet must be accompanied by an official licensed Tibetan guide. Altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation may be felt while travelling in ...

    Day

    4

    explore
    shuffle
    throngs

    Today is a free day to explore Lhasa. Perhaps shuffle along with the throngs of pilgrims around the Barkhor pilgrim circuit, stopping to shop for souvenirs at some of the many market stalls. Explore Lhasa's quaint backstreet craft workshops, bakeries, tea shops and tiny alleyways as you wander the Old Town. Discover Jokhang Temple, which is often regarded as the spiritual heart of Tibet. It's also one of the region's most active religious sites.

    Day

    5

    incredible
    Although
    explore

    Today you will tour the incredible Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lama. Although we're not free to explore the palace on our own and must stick to a strict schedule of viewing the exhibits and buildings with our guide, this in no way lessens the impact of seeing what is truly a wonder of the architectural world. Note this is the most popular attraction in Lhasa, especially among Chinese tour groups. It can become very crowded, and tickets last for only a limited period.

    Day

    6

    further
    perhaps
    Monastery

    With further free time, perhaps visit the Sera Monastery where the monks hold dramatic daily debating sessions. Or deepen your perspective of Lhasa's holy sites with a trip to Ganden or Drepung Monasteries. Alternatively, the Norbulingka (Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas) is well worth a visit. As the majority of the cultural and historical sites in Tibet are temples and monasteries, it's best to choose carefully which activities you do in your free time, and pace yourself as much as possible in order to enjoy the sites you visit with the group. While Tibetan Buddhism is certainly a intriguing part of the region's culture, some travellers find that they get 'templed out' quickly, as there's so much information to take in. Take your time, ask your local guide about what interests you most, and if you would rather have time on your ...

    Day

    7

    another
    further
    explore

    Enjoy another free day to further explore Lhasa or perhaps relax and get ready for the next part of your journey.

    Day

    8

    Continue
    Gyantse
    (approximately

    Continue to Gyantse (approximately 8 hours) (3,980 m). This small town southwest of Lhasa retains a feel of 'old' Tibet. The drive is long but rewarding, with spectacular views and plenty of photo opportunities. If we do stop at Karo La (4,960 m) there will be a tourism charge of CNY 40 per person. Gyantse (3,950 m) is a small agricultural town that's famous for its wool carpets. It has a very traditional feel to it, and indeed everyday Tibetan rural life continues here much as it has done for centuries. There are a number of interesting buildings around town, including the Pelkhor Chode Temple complex, a unique structure built in 1414 comprising five stories, each one representing a different stage on the path to enlightenment. The backstreets of Gyantse are a great place to see contemporary Tibetan life, with pilgrims, pop ...

    Day

    9

    Continue
    (approximately
    monastery

    Continue to Sakya (approximately 6 hours) (4,280m). Sakya's monastery and town buildings are quite unique. The monastery is built in medieval 'Mongolian' style. Rather than being whitewashed, the secular buildings are painted in red and white stripes. Perhaps explore inside the monastery in your free time this afternoon. At first the halls may seem similar to other monasteries you have visited, but after spending some time here you'll see that Sakya has a subtle, ancient beauty unlike any other. You might also like to climb the hill through the Tibetan Village to see what's left of the original monastery complex. Make sure you pick your way through the ruins and remaining buildings in a clockwise direction, as this is a kora route (prayer circuit). You can also hike a little further afield to the nunnery, which sits high on t...

    Day

    10

    exhilarating
    (approximately
    Everest

    An exhilarating drive (approximately 5–6 hours) brings you to Everest National Park. Stretch your legs, rest your lungs, set up camp and get settled in. Enjoy some lunch before taking the gentle 4-kilometre round-trip hike up to Everest Base Camp (approximately 2 hours). Follow the prayer flags up the slope, crossing your fingers for a clear and sunny sky. Visiting Rongphu Monastery is also possible, depending on the wishes of the group. This is the highest monastery in the world. On a clear day you might even get a photo of the monastery's chorten against the backdrop of mighty Everest, or Qomolangma, as it is called in Tibetan. Today, around 50 monks and nuns remain in this relatively modern Tibetan monastery (in the early 1900s, some 500 lived here). You will be greeted warmly by the monks and nuns here, and it's often po...

    Day

    11

    Everest
    (approximately
    thousand

    Today you will depart Everest Base Camp and drive to Lhatse (approximately 4.5 hours). Lhatse is a small, modern town with only a few thousand residents. Enjoy some free time here this afternoon. Depending on our Tibet permits, it might be possible to visit Phuntsoling Monastery, which is located at the bottom of a large sand dune.

    Day

    12

    exploring
    continue
    Shigatse

    After exploring Lhatse, continue to Shigatse (approximately 4 hours) (3,840 m). This is Tibet's second-largest city. You'll have the option of visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the few monasteries in Tibet to have come away virtually unscathed from the Cultural Revolution. With its expansive territory inside thick stone walls, it's almost like a town in itself. You will explore the area with a local guide, but if you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the myriad monastic buildings – each with their own intricate decorations, legends and religious imagery – you can ask for directions to the tranquil Chapel of Jampa and meditate on the world's largest gilded statue. The courtyard outside of the Kelsang Chapel is one of the best places to observe the pilgrims and monks prepare for ceremonies. In the evening, perhaps join ...

    Day

    13

    Journey
    (approximately
    scenery

    Journey back to Lhasa (approximately 6–7 hours). Though it's a long day of driving, the scenery along the way is spectacular, so sit back, relax and enjoy it. There will be stops for lunch and to take photographs of the mountains.

    Day

    14

    airport
    Kathmandu
    (approximately

    Head back to the airport to board your flight to Kathmandu (approximately 1.5 hours). Your journey comes to an end where it all began, back in Kathmandu. You'll check back into your hotel, then head out for a final (optional) group dinner. Boasting a delicious array of international and local cuisine, Kathmandu is lovely place to dine, especially after your adventure across the 'Roof of the World'.

    Day

    15

    activities
    departing
    luggage

    Your trip comes to an end. There are no activities planned, and you are free to depart the hotel at any time before 12 noon. If you are departing later, luggage storage can be arranged at the hotel.

    Inclusions

    Included activities
    • Meals

      n/a

    • Transport

      Plane, Private Bus, Public bus

    • Accommodation

      Guesthouse (12 nights), Basic Hotel (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (1 night)

    • Insurance

      This day tour excludes fee of insurance.

    Important notes

    Q&A

    Supplier may change time and services due to a special circumstances,so all reply following are for reference only.Please note the relevant information on Web in case of change.

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