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| A journey from Lhasa
across the
Himalayas to Kathmandu
visiting
Tsetang,
Gyantse,
Shigaste,
the monastery of Sakya
and Everest Base
Camp. |
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detailed
dossier
- detailed
dossier by post - outline
itinerary - dates
and prices -
maps |
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For
many centuries Tibet remained for westerners a mysterious
and forbidden land cut off from the rest of the world by the mighty
Himalayas in the south and the Kunlun Mountains to the north. Only a handful of brave and resourceful travellers
ever managed to breach the country’s snowy mountain fastness and reach
its fabled capital Lhasa. Those that did returned with stories of an exotic
and intriguing land of monastic cities and mountain
passes, where nomads grazed huge herds of yaks, hermit monks spent years
in meditation and pilgrims prostrated themselves over vast distances to
achieve their religious goals. In recent years there have been many changes to the Tibetan
world but its staggeringly rich, and easily misunderstood, culture
remains resilient and continues to fire the imagination of the Western
mind. Moreover Tibet is no longer the inaccessible land that it once
was, and although by no means always comfortable, travel to the Roof of
the World, with all its rewards, is well within the grasp of today’s
adventurous traveller. |
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| The
Himalayan Caravan begins its journey by exploring Nepal’s bustling
capital, Kathmandu. From here one of the most beautiful mountain flights
in the world takes us past Everest, across the width of the Himalayas
and into Tibet. We spend our first night at a relatively low altitude in
Tsetang, one of Tibet’s former capitals and visit the Tolkienesque
temple of Yumbu Lhakhang. For much of the way following the mighty Yarlung Tsangpo
River we carry on to Lhasa and at one point cross the river to visit
Samye Monastery, considered in the Tibetan world to be the centre of the
universe. The holy city of
Lhasa is Tibet’s intriguing, historic capital and we have three full
days in which to explore all the city’s major sights including the
Potala Palace, Drepung and Sera Monasteries and also the Jokhang Temple,
Vatican of Tibetan Buddhism. |
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| Using
high quality Landcruisers, capable of dealing with the rugged terrain
ahead, we travel south via the Khamba La pass, with its stunning views
of Scorpion Lake, to Gyangtse. Here, in this largely unspoilt Tibetan
town, we visit the medieval Pelkhor Chode Temple complex with its huge
Kumbum stupa, and also see Gyangtse fort, scene of an assault by the
British Younghusband expedition in 1904. We carry on via Shalu to
Tibet’s second city, Shigatse and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery,
formerly home of the Panchen Lama. As we continue to Everest Base Camp
we will, depending on road conditions, visit the important and unusual
monastery at Sakya, before crossing over the Pang La pass to spend a
spartan night at Rongbuk Monastery. Here in the footsteps of Mallory and
Irving (and Tintin!) we are likely to be rewarded with unforgettable
views of Everest’s northern face. Carrying on over highland passes and
through some of the most stunning mountain vistas in the world we
eventually cross the Himalayas and begin our descent down through
cultivated foothills and back to the Kathmandu valley.
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| Day 1. |
Tour begins in
Kathmandu. (Kathmandu) |
| Day 2. |
Sightseeing
in the Kathmandu Valley. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
3. |
Free
day in Kathmandu for sightseeing. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
4. |
Fly
to Gongkar (Lhasa) Airport. Drive to Tsetang via Yumbhu Lhakang, the
oldest building in Tibet. (Tsetang) |
| Day
5. |
Drive to
Lhasa.
En route visit Tibet’s first ever monastery, Samye, reached by a ferry
crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo River. (Lhasa) |
| Day
6. |
Full
tour of Lhasa including the Jokhang temple and Sera Monastery. (Lhasa) |
| Day
7. |
Morning
visit to Drepung Monastery. Free afternoon. (Lhasa) |
| Day
8.
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Free
day. Optional daytrip to Ganden Monastery, also possible to visit Tsurphu.
(Lhasa) |
| Day
9. |
Leave
Lhasa for Gyantse via the Khamba La pass and the turquoise waters of
Scorpion Lake. (Gyantse) |
| Day
10. |
Drive
to Shigatse via Shalu. Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery. (Shigatse) |
| Day
11. |
Sightseeing
in and around Shigatse. (Shigatse) |
| Day
12. |
To
Shelkar. En route, depending on road conditions, we will make an excursion
to Sakya Monastery. (Shelkar) |
| Day
13. |
Drive
over the Pang La to Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp. (Rongbuk) |
| Day
14. |
Continue
on past Tingri and over the Lalung Pass with dramatic views of
Shishapangma and the rest of the Himalayan massif. Drop down via
Milarepa’s cave to Nyalam. (Nyalam) |
| Day
15. |
Drive
down via Dram (Zhangmu), across the border and on to Kathmandu. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
16. |
Free
Day. (Kathmandu) |
| Day
17. |
Tour
ends. |
| Dates |
Start
25th Sept. - end 9th Oct. 2004 land only (ex UK
24th Sept.)
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| Accommodation &
Meals |
In
Kathmandu we stay in a well appointed four star hotel. In Lhasa we stay in
a very central three star hotel. Elsewhere we stay in the best available
accommodation. In Rongbuk accommodation is basic and a sleeping bag is
necessary. Apart from breakfast in Nepal meals are not included – this
is for reasons of flexibility, price and choice. Single supplement is
available at an extra cost. |
| Mode of travel |
Please
note that while in Tibet this tour will be using good quality 4WD Toyota
4500 Landcruisers, important for dealing with the rough road conditions
between Lhasa and Kathmandu. For sightseeing days while in Lhasa we may
occasionally use a minibus. In the event of landslides on the approach to
the Nepali border it may on occasion be necessary to employ porters and/or
use alternative transport – the cost for this is not included and £10
to £20 should be allowed to cover for this eventuality. |
| Staff
|
Full
services of trilingual leader and China/Tibet expert Phil Colley assisted
by a very capable Tibetan guide in Tibet and drivers.
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| Group size |
Minimum
7 - Maximum 14.
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| Flights &
Insurance |
For
information on flights, visas and insurance please contact The Oriental
Caravan. Both Nepali and Chinese visas are available on arrival in Nepal
at a total cost of around £50.
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| Price Includes... |
Airport
and border transfers; all transportation as per itinerary; all
accommodation (on a twin share basis); full services of Tour Leader, local
guides and drivers; sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary;
breakfasts in Kathmandu.
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| Booking |
On
this tour it is particularly important to book well in advance, not just
to guarantee a place, but also to allow time for the processing of entry
permits to Tibet.
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| Price
(land only) |
£1485
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