Kathmandu- Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Lhasa - Rongbuk - Everest Base camp - Kathmandu - 19 days
Namtso, or the heavenly lake lies 190 km north-west of Lhasa at an elevation of 4718 m and is the second largest salt-water lake in Tibet. Surrounded by spectacular snow-covered mountains, it is a place of desolate beauty and the site of a holy hermitage that draws pilgrims from all over Tibet.
Our trek passes through glaciated valleys and mountains of the Nyenchen Thanglha range to the pebbled shores of the lake. During the summer months the wide open spaces are filled with nomad herders and their herds of yaks and tents - an intoxicating sight. We shall also visit sacred spots, holy shrines, and the bird sanctuary.
The other highlight of this trip is visit to Rongbuk Monastery and the Everest Base Camp.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Visa preparation. (Must
be Monday, wednesday or friday).
Day 3: Lhasa: Fly to Lhasa: Transfer
to the airport and fly to the Gongkar airport. Upon arrival you will
be met by our Tibet representative and transferred to hotel.
Day 4-5: Lhasa: We will have two full days in Lhasa
to make excursions to the following places:
The Jokhang-The Jokhang is the principal and holiest Buddhist temple
in Lhasa, as well as all of Tibet. It is the focus of devotion of
hundreds of Tibetans from near and far who circle it to gain spiritual
merit. The Jokhang was first constructed in the 7th century and has
a large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha.
Sera and Drepung-Sera, founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelugpa
order. Its many white buildings sit at the base of a rocky hill. Gilded,
bell-shaped gyamtschens grace the roofs of many of the larger buildings.
Drepung used to have 8,000 monks who were taught in the traditions
of Vajrayana, Mahayana, and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan
Buddhism.
Potala Palace-The 13-story Potala Palace is reputed to contain 1,000
rooms and hundreds upon hundreds of brilliant thangkas, frescoes,
and images built in an era when religious art was created anonymously
as a means of gaining merit for future lives. It's one of the world's
most extraordinary buildings and completely covers the mountain it
stands upon.
Day 6: Begin trek: We drive along the Tibet-Qinghai
highway to Yangpachen (4324 m) and further on to Damshung,(4130 m)
a windblown roadside town. Our trek begins from here. Today we will
only have a short trek and goes up through a beautiful meadow. We
will also visit a monastery en route. Camp.
Day 7: Trek (7-8 hrs): Today we pass through glaciated valley and reach a herder's
camp where we camp for the night.
Day 8: (6-7 hrs): We cross Kong La from where you have spectacular views of
Namtso Lake and the Nyenchen Thangla ranges. Descend to a broad basin
and hike along green meadows.
Day 9: To Tashi Do and Namtso Lake (7-8 Hrs): We hike along green meadows and pass through several nomad
camps and their herds of animals. We have lunch by the lake. We then
follow the jeep trail all the way to Tashi Do hermitage. Camp.
Day 10: Rest and exploration day at Tashi Do: Rest day for self exploration of Tashi Do hermitage and the
Lake.
Day 11: Namtso - Lhasa: We drive back to Lhasa via Yangbachen. O/N Hotel.
Day 12: Lhasa-Gyangtse (3990 m), 350 kms: Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across
Kampa la pass 5050 m and Karo la (5045 m)passes. Visit Kubum stupa
and Pelkor Chode Monastery.
Day 13: Gyangtse-Shalu-Shigatse (3860 m), 90 kms: Drive to Shigatse. En route visit Shalu Monastery.Visit Tashilhunpo
Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the second in the Buddhist
religious hierachy and Shigatse Market.
Day 14: Shigatse-Sakya-Shegar/Dingri(4350 m): Drive to Shegar across Tsoula pass (4500 M) and Gyatso la
pass (5220 M). En route visit Sakya Monastery.
Day 15: Shegar-Rongbuk(5050 m): Drive via Pangla pass (5200 M) to Rongbuk Monastery, world's
highest monastery situated at 5200 M. O/N Rongbuk Guest House.
Day 16: Rongbuk-Nylam: After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Nylam.
Nylam Guest House.
Day 17: Nylam-Zhangmu-Kathmandu:
Drive to Zhangmu & on to Kathmandu. En route visit Milarepa Cave.
We descend from the high arid Tibetan plateau into the lush greenery
of Nepal.
Day 18: In kathmandu.
Day 19: Departure.
