Reason to visit Tibet

Tibet lies north of the Himalayan range. Its neighboring countries to the south are Nepal, Sikkim (India), Bhutan and Ladakh (India). At its extreme ends is Burma in the east and Pakistan in the west.

Most of our popular tours are in Lhasa, capital of Tibet. The iconic Potala Palace, seat of Dalai Lama, is a very impressive building – built in 1645 and completed in 1693. The happening places are market around Jhokang temple and Barkhor bazaar. Tibetans from far flung places village visit Jhokang temple to pay their homage. It is a spiritual center of Tibet. There are valuable relics of Tibetan Buddhism inside Jokhang temple. The statue image of princess Bhrikuti is very impressive. Bhrikuti was princes of Nepal married to Songtsen Gampo, king of Tibet. Tibetan prostrating around the Jhoang temple is an intriguing sight. There you meet nomads from far away Tibet and see people bargaining for goods and artifacts. It is very enjoyable place to walk around in leisure. Drepung and Sera monasteries around Lhasa are two popular monasteries. Drepung monastery built in 1416 is the largest monastery in the world. Once it housed 10,000 monks and nuns.

For adventure, take exploration tour to Yearlong valley. There are historic caves and monasteries that goes back to centuries. From Lhasa take our overland tour to Everest Base Camp (5200m). You get to see entire Himalayan range and its lofty peaks including Mt. Everest as you travel on the Tibetan plateau to the base camp. At base camp visit the fabled Rongbuk monastery (4980m). You get to see great view of Mt. Everest. En route there is Yamdrok lake (4400m). It is 72 kilometer (45 miles) long turquoise – blue lake. Tibetans consider it holy and scared. Stop at Shigatse (3900m) to see Tashilhunpho monastery. It is the seat of Panchan Lama; second highest lama after Dalai Lama in Tibet.

If you want a longer adventure holiday we offer an overland drive tour to Mt. Kailash (6714m) and Lake Mansarovar (4500). It is very rewarding and memorable experience to travel on the roof top of the world. We have trips starting from Kathmandu as well as from the airport at Simikot. Pilgrims travel to Mt. Kailash and walk round it (55 km). For them it is a once in a life time spiritual journey. Buddhist, Hindus and Bon Po pay their homage to Shiva – a most powerful god in Hindu mythology. Mt. Kailash has amazing beauty. The peak juts out to the sky in the middle of dull and flat landscape. Devotees of Shiva see various images that are relevant to the story in their religious scripture. Like Mecca to Muslim and Jerusalem to Christine, Hindus consider it a pious act to visit Mt. Kailash. If you have time and energy travel further west from Mt. Kailash. The vast and dull landscape of the Tibetan plateau opens up. There you find archaeological ruins of ancient Guge-kingdom. It has old caves, monasteries, houses, and hills – a photogenic site.

We organize climbing in Tibet in collaboration with Tibet Mountaineering Association. Most climbers choose Mt. Everest (8848 m) as their first choice. The normal climbing route is through North East Ridge. It was first pioneered and used by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. The two British climbers made their first attempted ascent in 1924. They were the first climbers to have ever reached the closest point – at that time – to the summit of Mt Everest. Second choice is Cho Oyu (8201 m). The 6th highest mountain is a most accessible 8000 meter peak. Most climbers prefer to climb Cho Oyu from Tibet side. Shishapangma (8013m) is the 4th highest peak. It is one of the best climbing peaks in Tibet. The other interesting peak is Lhakpa Ri (7045m). It is located in the corner of the vicinity of Mt. Everest. From the summit of Lhakpa Ri, Mellory figured out the North col. route to the summit of Mt. Everest.

Tibet is a fascinating land. Rich cultural heritage of Tibet is a living museum. Present day China is combined with past legend and mystique of Tibet. Dominating landmark of Lhasa is Potala palace build in 1645. Jokhang temple with valuable relics of Buddha and devotees prostrating in and around is something you can never see elsewhere.

Tibet is a vast country. It is often referred as TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region) or Xizang in China. It is a very well known for its unique form of Buddhism. For centuries Tibet has maintained its unique culture and religion. The political system of Tibet was always hinged on Dalai Lama and his incarnation. The tour to Tibet is a fantastic and special experience. It is the combination of ancient Tibet and modern China. See amazing monuments, temples, monasteries and pilgrims prostrating around monasteries. The development activities taking place since 1985 has transformed Tibet.

The average elevation of this vast land is 4000 meter (13,123 ft.). Compared to the area it has very low population. As per 2010 census total population is at 30, 12,166.

The world is changing very fast. Much faster than in the past centuries. The moment of conquest and discovery has become a history. Before it is too late now is the time to enjoy the delight of the unique culture and the landscape of Tibet. The amazing vistas on this dry and inhospitable land, situated on the roof top of the world, will change soon. Tibet is at the verge of drastic change. Tibet is a spiritual place. Combination of Bonpo, Tantric and Buddhism has created Tibet something of mystic land. You have to see it to comprehend.

Lhasa (elevation 3612m), capital city of Tibet, is the religious, cultural and economic center of Tibet. It has many important monasteries. Among them Drepung is the largest. Built in 1419 it is the resting place of second, third and fourth Dalai Lama. Jokang temple, built in 7th century, is the house of golden statue of Buddha. Barkhor Bazar around Jokang temple is interesting place to see day to day life of Tibetan. The Potala Palace is landmark of Lhasa. This awesome palace built in the 7th century was residents of Dalai Lama. The palace was home of 13th Dalai Lama. It has hundreds of rooms full of fantastic frescoes painting and Buddhist statuary. It is worthwhile to visit Norbulingka built in 18th century – winter palace of Dalai Lama, and Sera monasteries – founded in 1419. The Sera monastery with white buildings that sits at the base of a rocky hill belongs to Gelupa (Yellow Hat) order.

The other well known monasteries outside Lhasa are Tashilhunpo in Shigatse. This monastery built in 1447 is the most important monastery outside Lhasa. It is the seat of Panchen Lama who is 2nd in rank to Dalai Lama. In Gyantse there are Kubum stupa and Pelkot Chode (Palgor Chorten) monastery. Travel further through the beautiful deep blue Yamdrok lake to see these sites in Central Tibet. The extension overland journey to the north base camp of Mt. Everest where take you to the fabled Rongbuk monastery.

The other interesting place beside Lhasa is Yarlung Tsangpo valley. It is the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Visit Samey monastery. Samey is the oldest monastery, built in 779 AD, that belongs to Red head school and Yumbulakhang. The highway on the plateau are made almost parallel to the Himalayan range. Panoramic wide angle view of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Sisapangma are very impressive.

The well known pilgrimage place for Buddhist, Bonpo and Hindus alike is Mt. Kailash. To Tibetan it is Kang Rinpoche (precious jewel of snow). It dominates western landscape of Tibet. Mt. Kailash is a sacred place for all -Hindus, Bonpo and Buddhist alike. Hindu believes that the scared mountain is the abode of Hindu God Shiva. Though names are different but devotion of all faiths is to the same God. The devotees walk and prostrate around 55 km mountain path to purify their sins. It is once in ‘a life time’ religious experience. This mountain is everything for everybody in whichever way considered and worshiped.

Mt. Kailash is at the elevation of 4500 meter above sea level. It is at the highest elevation on the Tibetan plateau. The distance from Lhasa to Mt, Kailash is about 2000km. It has paved road that stretched across vast dry and barren land. The other alternate is to travel from Kathmandu to Nepaljung – a border town in Nepal, and take flight to Simikot. From Simikot trek or charter helicopter to Hilsa. Cross a high 4000 meter pass to Hilsa, walk across the border to Tibet and travel by jeep to Taklakot (Purang). Next day travel overland to Darchen. From Darchen the pilgrimare around Mt. Kailash begins.

Tourists must join a tour group; it is the rule that has no way around. Tibet Travel permit, transport with driver and a tour guide are mandatory. Summer is the best time to visit though in some places in overland travel rain may disrupt travel plan. In winter the weather is rather harsh.

The road and bridge to Kodari border is still in disrupted condition. The April 2015 earthquake in Nepal had damaged the road and bridge on both side of the border. It is less likely to be active very soon. For trade an alternative route via Kerung, the unused old trade route further west of Kodari, is in use right now. But this road connecting main high way to Kathmandu is still in desolate condition. The Chinese has not opened this route for tourist. China plan to develop Kerung pass as an alternative to Kodari border as the main trade route from Lhasa. Due to this reason Kailash Himalaya Trek has reorganized all its tours to Tibet. Now all tours of Kailash Himalaya Trek start or end at Lhasa or Simikot.

Tourist travelling from Kathmandu to Tibet cannot get Tibet permit with urgent fees. That means they need at least 4 nights in Kathmandu. However, it is possible to get Tibet permit with China Visa in advance if you enter Tibet through other entry points. This rules may change at any time without advance notice. It is also possible to take direct flight to Lhasa from Chengdu (China).