Day 01. Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel (BB) .
<p>Upon arrival, you will be received by KHT staff and transfer to your hotel. Get refreshed and free time to walk around Thamel Street. Welcome dinner at Rumdoodle or Gaia will be organized.</p>
Day 02. In Kathmandu (BB)- Guided sightseeing tour.
Guided sightseeing tour to Kathmandu visiting Pashupatinath Temple, Boudanath Stupa and Bhaktapur city.
Day 03. In Kathmandu (BB)- guided sightseeing tour of Patan, Swyambhunath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square
Day 04. Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Transfer to Hotel (BB). O/n at New Mandala Hotel or Gorkha hotel or Similar
<p>Today we fly to Lhasa, an unforgettable flight over rising mountains. Mountains and valleys glide under you, initially with a fair amount of forest. Later balder. After landing we immediately feel that you have to do it with much less oxygen. You will view the Yarlung Tsangpo River / Brahmaputra River and Lhasa River on their way to Lhasa. On your way drive to Lhasa far in the distance, we already recognize the Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, which rises high above the mystical city. The vast majority of Lhasa is Chinese, and Tibetans are clearly a minority in their own country. Large army camps and distinctly Chinese neighbourhoods surround the small piece of the old town and if you are sensitive to it you will be overcome by a sad feeling. How can it go like this in history? You can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude.</p>
Day 5: In Lhasa Sightseeing Tour to Potala Palace, Jhokong temple and Barkhuo bazaar (BB)
Day 05 and Day 06: In Lhasa - Sightseeing tour of Potala palace and Jokhang Temple. O/n hotel
<p>The longer we are in Lhasa, fortunately, we also get the chance to observe that we can still find the Tibetan spheres and that the Buddhist faith among the Tibetans is unbroken. We see the unconditional surrender of the Tibetan believers at the entrance of the Jokhang temple. Constantly prostrating (getting up and back on your knees and even lying flat on the floor), for minutes, hours</p>
<p>On your first day at Lhasa you will be taken for a walk on the Barkhor, the sacred circle around the Jokhang temple with hundreds of pilgrims mumbling who sometimes have come from far and wide. The Jokhang is the religious heart of the Tibetan Buddhist world. Many prayer flags and a market for Tibetan souvenirs characterize the statue, not only for Western tourist but also for Tibetans.</p>
<p>Admittedly, 50 years of brutal Chinese oppression have wreaked havoc on ancient traditions and important historic buildings. When you are in places that have been more or less spared, you realize that it is here in Tibet where the greatest treasures remain. The monasteries in Nepal, Ladakh and Sikkim are insignificant and perhaps the dzongs in Bhutan are somewhat comparable to the nature and size of the buildings and art treasures in Lhasa.</p>
<p>You cannot be in Lhasa without visiting the Potala Palace, the seat of the Dalai Lama. This spiritual leader lives in Dharamsala, India, among many Tibetans who have fled.</p>
<p>The Potala is a huge building with hundreds of rooms. Only a small part is open to tourists; enough, however, to get an impression of the splendour and richness of the Tibetan Empire. There are chambers with large vats of yak butter in which hundreds of fuses glow; there are halls in which stupas have been erected for the successive Dalai Lama’s more than 10 meters high, completely covered with a thick layer of gold leaf. Everywhere large and old prayer cloths, libraries and large statues: Buddhas, Tsong Kapas, Avalokiteshwaras. You wonder and wander through the dark corridors and halls until you overflow with impressions. Overwhelmed, you look for an exit from this labyrinth.</p>
<p>On the second day at Lhasa; not far outside the city are the great monasteries Sera and Drepung. It is hard to imagine that in better times up to 30,000 monks lived here. There are now a few dozen who have to maintain the large building complexes.</p>
<p>Visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyangchoge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy the Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung. </p>
<p>In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and a colorful Rock Painting of Buddha. </p>
Day 07: Lhasa – Shigatse via Gyantse 360km (BB) (3900 meters)
<p>Today we take a beautiful ride over the Kamba La (4794m) and the Karo La (5010m) to Gyantse. Our way leads along with the fantastic Yamdrok Tso (Tso = lake in Tibetan). In this way amidst the grey-brown landscape, the turquoise and blue colors of the water get an extra dimension. The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount NyenchenKhangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. ,/p>
<p>Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang the pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet’s third-largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress. </p>
<p>After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second-largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit the home of Panchan Lama – Tashilunpo Monastery. It stands among the six most sacred Buddhist temples in Tibet and was built, in 1447, by the 1st Dalai Lama. It is located at the foot of the Dromari Mountain is actually a city in itself with a maze of alleys and many prayer rooms. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama. Tashi Lumpo means ‘hope of fame’. The monastery houses many prayer halls, meeting rooms and monks’ residences, where monks are trained. It is worth attending their debating lessons.</p>
<p>The Temple of Maitreya (Jamba Chyenmu) is Shigatse’s largest building and houses the 26-meter-high statue of the Buddha of the Future. The temple was built in 1914 under the ninth Panchen Lama and there are 280 kilos of gold and 150 tons of copper and bronze in this statue. Besides the grave stupas of the Panchen Lama’s, here is also the tomb of the first Dalai Lama, who are title posthumously.</p>
Stay overnight in Shigatse
Day 08: Shigatse – Tingri – Chutang – Youpa Village (350 km, 3770m)
<p>In the morning, we will take the tour vehicle and head to Tingri via Lhatse. On the way, you will stop by the famous Gawu La Pass (5198m). It is the best place to enjoy mind-blowing vistas of the top 5 highest peaks (all above 8000m) along the majestic Himalayas. Then we will follow the winding road to Youpa Village and acclimatize to the new altitude. You may get prepared for the trekking and yak registration.</p>
<p>Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Youpa Village</p>
<p>If the weather is good, you can have a glimpse of 4 mountains which are 8000m high or more. A glimpse of Snow Mountains along the way.
Day 09: Trekking Day1: Youpa-- Showo-tso pond (10km, 4677m)
<p>After a tight sleep, we get up in the morning and put all the trekking gears and supply on the yak caravan. You can travel light and only pack things like water and food and other stuff. At around 11:00, our trek will begin from Youpa Village. With blinding sunshine and fluffy clouds above the head, we ascend gradually through steppes and rugged paths. The 10km’s trek will final lead you to the camping site around the enchanting Showo-tso pond. There is a total of 900m ascent during the day trek. </p>Camping at the lakeside of Showo-tso
Day 10: Trekking Day2: Showo-tso—Showola pass (4900m)—Dolshang (Orchid valley, 4030m, 14km)
<p>At 10:00, we are about to leave the camping site at Showotso. The following challenge is to climb over lofty Showo la pass and later descend to Dolshang valley via gushing brooks covered by vibrant unknown flowers and shrubs. Doshang forms the initial parts of Gama Valley and picturesque brooks surrounded by amazing snow-capped mountainshelp to breed massive colorful orchid flowers. Once getting down to the valley, you instantly find yourself intoxicated by the alluring scent of orchid flowers. The stunning waterfalls, exuberant meadows, snowy peaks, etc make you wonder if you venture into a fairyland .</p>
Camping in Dolshang Valley
Day 11: Trekking Day3: Dolshang (Orchid valley)--Tsonang-tso—XialongPasture--Tangsung Viewing Platform (4510m, 12km)
<p>In the morning, we keep trekking upwards from Dolshangand pass through the pristine forest. While climbing through the ridge of the mountain, we can look back and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Gama Valley. If we arrive at the right time, you can even capture the grandeur of Mt. Makalu (8,463m). We will reach Tsonang-tso Lake at around noon. Cuddled by snow-tipped mountains, Tsonang-tsolake flows through Gama Valley via an underground outlet. The crystal-clear water face of Tsonang-tso reflects the spectacular symmetric image of surrounding snowy summits. After lunch, we need to pass another mountain pass to reach the splendid Xialong Pasture, blanketed with colorful wildflowers. The final part of the trek will lead us to the camping site of Tangsung Viewing Platform. </p>
Camping around Tangsung Viewing Platform
Day 12:Trekking Day4: Tangsung Viewing Platform—Badang-Ega—Paltang (4950m, 11km)
<p>Follow the zigzag trails we move down to the Badang, where the Ega prairie situated. During the descent, a looming gorge and glaciers start to take shape on your right side. The running water there makes up the source of of Gama Valley. We need to wade through rugged and gigantic rocks to make it to Paltang, the final camping site of the day trek. You can have a good rest and save energy for tomorrow’s challenging trek. </p>
Camping in Paltang
Day 13: Trekking Day5: Paltang--Eastern Slope of Mt.Everest Base Camp (5310m)—Paltang (4950m, 18km)
<p>Today’s trek would be a tough one. Firstly, we trek to the base camp at the eastern slope of Mt. Everest. The initial part of the trek involves a difficult upward walk amid huge rocks with slope measuring 45 degree. From the slope you can gaze at the little-known Mt. Chomo Lonzo (7804m) and marvelous glaciers along eastern slope of Mt. Everest. After the trek is done, we will head back to Paltang. If you prefer having a good rest instead of trekking to Eastern Slope of Mt.Everest Base Camp, you can simply enjoy the picturesque view around the camping site in Paltang. </p>
Camping in Paltang
Day 14: Trekking Day6: Paltang—Ega--Tangsung Viewing Platform (4510m, 14km)
Follow the same route and trek back to Tangsung Viewing Platform
Camping at Tangsung Viewing Platform
Day 15: Trekking Day7: Tangsung Viewing Platform--Tsosho-rim (5013m, 11km)
<p>Trek northward towards the camp site of Tsosho-rim below the majestic snow-feathered peaks; you can appreciate the epic vistas of Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m) and an unclaimed peak (7000m). </p>
Camping at Tsosho-rim
Day 16: Trekking Day8: Tsosho-rim--Nangma-la pass (5344m) -Youpa Village (3990m, 21km)
<p>Today, we will climb over two soaring mountain passes, one is the Nangma-la pass (5344m), the highest pass of entire trek, and the .Other nameless one is above 5000m. Passing deep-blue Latsetso Lake, we will get to Youpa Village. </p>
Stay overnight in the guesthouse of Youpa Village
Day 17: Youpa Village - Rongbuk (5000m), Rongbuk Guesthouse
<p>Drive to Rongbuk (north camp of Everest). Our driver will come here to pick up us and drive you to Rongbuk monastery, the world highest monastery, 120km approx 3 to 4 hours, In Rongbuk monastery, you can see the most beautiful amazing and the wonderful view of the north face Mt.Everest and also breathtaking golden sunset and sunrise of the Mt.Everest, if the weather permits.</p>
Day18: Drive from Rongbuk to Kyirong (370km approx. 9 -10 hours) (BB)
<p>Today we drive to Kyirong border via old Tingri. You will have a quick stop at old Tingri. On the way you can see the Mt.Shishapangma with other snow mountains and Lake Peiku-tso. Lunch will be served somewhere around the lake. After passing the ghungthang- la pass (5236meter), we will descend all the way to Kyirong core town. Check-in hotel.</p>
Day 19: Kyirong – Kathmandu. (170 km)
<p>Drive to the Kyirong border (leave Tibet). Arrive Kathmandu. Our office representative will meet you at the Nepal border checkpoint. Within 20 kilometres you drive from a bare plateau into a lush green jungle. You will follow a new route which has been recently paved. It will be 6-7 hours ride and we arrive at our hotel in Kathmandu late in the afternoon.</p>
Day 20: In Kathmandu. (BB)
One day is set aside to absorb any delays, but there is certainly also a day to rest or to go into the city for shopping.
Day 21: Transfer to airport, depart Kathmandu.
Depart Kathmandu.
Grade : Moderate
Max Altitude : 5548 m
Best Time : Spring (March-May) Autumn (Oct-Nov)
Mode of Trip : Lodge , Camp
Trip Days : 18
