Trekking Trips in Tibet

Lhasa and Namtso Trek

Trip starts and ends in Kathmandu:

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.

Day 1: 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.

DAYS 2-3: 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 4: 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 5: Trek (7-8 hrs)
Today we pass through glaciated valley and reach a herder's camp where we camp for the night.

DAY 6: (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 7: 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 8: Rest and exploration day at Tashi Do
Rest day for self exploration of Tashi Do hermitage and the Lake.

DAY 9: Namtso - Lhasa
We drive back to Lhasa via Yangbachen. O/N Hotel.

DAY 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: Rongbuk-Nylam
After watching sunrise over Everest, we drive on to Nylam. Nylam Guest House.

DAY 15: 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.

Included

• Twin sharing accommodation in Lhasa at standard Hotel on BB Plan
• Fully supported camping services provided by Sherpa staff from Nepal
• Yaks & Yak herders.
• Medical kit box + oxygen bottles
• Transportation by Toyota landcruisers & support truck for food & equipment.
• Tibetan English language guide.
• Flight OW KTM-LXA
• Tibet permit & entrance fees

Cost Excludes:
Insurance & emergency rescue charges; Tibet visa fee; Others not specified in the above cost inclusions list.

Lhasa Everest Trek

Trip starts and ends in Kathmandu:

The trek to the North Face of Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular short treks in Tibet. It offers the attraction of highest mountain in the world and spectacular views of the Himalaya from stark desert valleys. And the view of Mt. Everest North Face from the Rongbuk Monastery is perhaps the most dramatic of all its sides.

We begin our trip by exploring the sights and sounds of the fabled city of Lhasa and drive across the Tibetan hinterland to Nepal border visiting the ancient towns of Gyangtse, Shigatse en route. In Dingri we meet our Sherpa support staffs and trek for the next 5 days to the Everest Base Camp.

DAY 1: Kathmandu-Lhasa (3650 m), 90 kms
Transfer to airport to connect SZ 408 KTM-LXA flight. Upon arrival you will be met by our Tibet representative and transfered to Hotel.

DAY 2: LHASA
Guided sightseeing tour of Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama; Drepung, the biggest monastic university of Tibet and Nechung Monastery, temple of the State oracle of Tibet.

DAY 3: LHASA
Guided sightseeing tour of Jokhang, the central cathedral of Tibet, Barkhor, the bustling Lhasa market encircling the Jokhang Temple, Tibetan Medical Center and Norbulinka Palace.

DAY 4: 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 5: 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 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierachy and Shigatse Market.

DAY 6: Shigatse-Sakya-Shegar/Dingri(4350 m)
Today we arrive at Dingri, a windblown settlement and the gateway to Mt. Everest where we meet our Nepali Sherpa staffs. En route visit Sakya Monastery.

DAY 7: Trek to EBC
The next 5 days we trek from the Dingri plains (14,400 ft) to all the way upto Dza Rongbu Monastery (16,350 ft) and Everest Base Camp at 16,900 ft. We begin our trek along Ra Chhu stream to beyond Chholling and past the village of Lungjhang (14,900 ft). Overnight Camp.

DAY 8:
We continue our trek and pass through a small goat or Drokpa encampment and camp below Lamna La (15,600 ft).

DAY 9:
We climb over Lamna La (16,900 ft) with Gyachung Kang and Cho Oyu off to the south; and descend to Zommug, at 15,700 ft the highest permanent settlement in the Everest region. Zommug is a center for animal husbandry and a supply center for yaks used on Everest expeditions. Overnight Camp.

DAY 10: Rongbuk
To the south of Zommug is the famed Dza Rongbuk Monastery reached by either a spectacular high route or an easier low path. Once a flourishing retreat center, it is built by Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu in early 1901-02. The majestic Everest stands towering high above in full glare.

DAY 11: Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp (16,900 ft) and the Rongbuk Glacier are approximately 2-3 hrs above the monastery. The route passes retreat caves, the ruins of the nunnery of Sherab Chholing and the fast flowing Dzaka Chu. Just before the terminus of the Rongbuk Glacier is Everest Base Camp. Across a creek, is the ocean of ice that composes the Rongbuk Glacier, with views of the Himalayan range that are among the most spectacular ever. O/N Camp.

DAY 12:
Leaving Dza Rongbuk, we drive through the village of Chhosang, Phadrukchi, over Pang La, across Phung Chhu or Arun River, and into Dingri. O/N Camp/GH.

DAY 13: Dingri-Zhangmu
From the Dingri plain we drive across the high Tibetan plateau to the trade post town of Nylam and onto Zhangmu, the border town. En route visit Milarepa Cave where Tibet's greatest yogi of the 11th century Milarepa meditated. O/N Zhangmu Hotel.

DAY 14: Zhangmu-Kathmandu
Across Friendship Bridge where our representative will meet you and drive you to Kathmandu.

Included

• Twin sharing accommodation in Lhasa at standard Hotel on BB Plan
• Fully supported camping services provided by Sherpa staff from Nepal
• Yaks & Yak herders.
• Medical kit box + oxygen bottles
• Transportation by Toyota landcruisers & support truck for food & equipment.
• Tibetan English language guide.
• Flight OW KTM-LXA
• Tibet permit & entrance fees

Cost Excludes:
Insurance & emergency rescue charges; Tibet visa fee; Others not specified in the above cost inclusions list.

Lhasa - Ganden - Samye Trek

Start from Chengdu and fly to Lhasa, the political and religious center of Tibet. Pilgrims from all over the country frequent the city of Lhasa. Together with them we visit Potala Palace the holy land and landmark of Tibet, and Jokhang the holiest monastery in Tibet. And then we drive to Gandan Monastery in the Kyi Chu valley, the start point of our four-day trekking with yak caravan. We walk together with the pilgrims on the pilgrimage way to Samye Monastery, at last we reach Tsetang in the Yarlung valley, the “cradle of the Tibetan culture”.

Day01 Arrive in Chengdu
Today we arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the hometown of Panda, transfer to hotel. Overnight at 4*Tianfu Sunshine Hotel

Day02 Air Chengdu – Lhasa B/L
In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet. Arrive at Gongga Airport, meet with and transfer to hotel for check in with local Tibetan English speaking escort. In the afternoon visit nunnery Ani Sangkhung. 3N at 3-star Hotel Thangka or similar in the old town of Lhasa

Day03 Lhasa B/L
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day04 Lhasa B/L
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In addition, we will take an excursion to Norbukingla Park, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day05 Lhasa – Yamdrok - Gyantse - Shigatse B/L
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Afterwards we drive via Shigatse to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Drive to Shigatse and stay overnight. 1N at 3-star Manasararovar Hotel or similar

Day06 Shigatse – Lhasa B/L
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa (approx. 290 km). Overnight at 3-star Hotel Thangka or similar in old town of Lhasa

Day07 Lhasa – Ganden B/L/D
In the morning drive to Ganden Monastery, which was built by Tsongkhaba in present-day Dagaze County to the east of Lhasa in 1409. Ganden is one of the three main monasteries of Gelug Sect. Anyhow, different from Drepung and Sera, it once played a more prominent political role in Tibetan history. The abbot of this monastery possess of a high religious position within the system of Gelug Sect, just inferior to Dalai and Panchan. The monastery was reconstructed in 1993 and restored its original appearance. The holy stupa of Tsongkhaba is just in the monastery. Get ready for the upcoming trekking. Camping

Day08 Trekking Gandan - Drogpa B/L/D
Today's hike is about 6 hours. We will set up camp at Drogpa, near the Shuga La pass. Camping

Day09 Trekking Drogpa - Chitu La B/L/D
We will hike for 5 hours until we arrive at Chitu La pass (4,940 m/16,207 ft), which is located in a vast, flat plain where we will camp for the night. Camping

Day10 Trekking Chitu La - Nyango Village via Yemalung B/L/D
Today's trek will take 5 hours. Our first stop, Yemalung, is a major pilgrimage site for the followers of the Pa sect. This is the very site where Guru Rimpoche, the founder of the sect, hid important religious texts known as the Terma texts in the 13th century. The meditation cave of Vairocana, Rimpoche's disciple, is located in the slopes above. Camping

Day11 Trekking Nyango Village - Samye Monastery via Wango and Dragmar, drive to Tsetang B/L
The trek to Samye Monastery, our final destination, will take a total of 3 hours. Walking through a forest and a small village, the trail becomes increasingly barren as we approach the monastery. In the afternoon visit Samye. Located in the north of Yarlung Tsangpo River and hold in the arms of mountains, it is the oldest monastery of Tibet (8th century). The stele hanging on the entrance to the main temple shows that king Trisong Detsen took Buddhism as the state religion in 779. The monastery complex consists of several buildings, whose arrangement reflects the Buddhist conception of the structure of the universe. Meru, the world mountain in the center of the universe, is represented in the building of great hall, around which are 4 halls representing the 4 continents swimming in the world sea. After the visit in Samye Monastery, we meet with our driver again and drive to Tsetang for overnight. 1N at 3-star Yulong Holiday Hotel or similar in Tsetang

Day12 Tsetang - Lhasa B/L
In the morning, we will leave for Lhasa. Our first visit will be the Yumbulakhang castle in the Yarlung valley, which was built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the time of the first Tibetan kings. It is far viewed that the castle is high on the rock hills and looks brightly white. The original fortress is now converted into a chapel; in the ground floor there is a shrine in honor of the early kings. The steps up are steep but it is worthy because on the top of the hill you can far view the valley and the surrounding mountain. Keep driving for Lhasa and en route take an excursion to the Mindrolin Monastery. It was built in the late 10th century and had its current name when it was rebuilt in 1677. It is one of the three great monasteries of the Nyingma Sect. The monastery has paid attention to the research of Buddhist classics, astronomical calendar, calligraphy rhetoric and Tibetan medicines and is famous for its achievements in these fields. Over the years the recommendation of the “Chronology of the Tibetan Calendar” has been formulated by the monastery, and it is famous as the first academy of Lamaism in Tibet. After arrival Lhasa in the late afternoon, check in hotel and free. 1N at 3-star Hotel Thangka or similar in the old town of Lhasa

Day13 Train Lhasa - Chengdu B
Check out hotel in the morning and transfer to Lhasa Railway station for train ride to Chengdu (T24 1115/0757+2, soft sleeper, 4-bed-berth). It is about 45 hours train ride from Lhasa to Chengdu. The train will be passing through Nagqu, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou and Guangyuan. A highlight of the ride, without doubt, is the leg from Lhasa to Xining, a journey of 1956 km on the highest rail of the world. It is a fascinating handscroll of natural beauty. The snow mountains, meadows, creeks and the immense grasslands are its components. Yak, sheep flock, horses and other wildlifes of different species are active along side the railway. If lucky, you might have chance to see the most rare and protected animal of the plateau, the Tibetan Antelope or known as “chiru”, which are living on the snow land 3500 – 5000 m high. 2N in the train

Day14 Train ride to Chengdu

Day15 Arrive in Chengdu B/L
At 07.57 arrive in Chengdu, picked up and transfer to hotel. After breakfast in hotel visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Search Base located in the north suburbs of the city proper. The base has made great advancements in the field of assisted reproduction for the giant panda. In the base about 50 pandas live in the semi-natural environment. 1N at 4*Tianfu Sunshine Hotel

Day16 Air Chengdu - Home B
Transfer to airport, fly back home.

Included

• All transfers and overland tour in Tibet
• Entrance fees for sightseeing according to program
• 9 nights in hotels (double room, single room as requested), 4 nights in two-persons-tent (single tent as requested) and 2 nights in the train
• Meals as per itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
• Local English speaking guide in Chengdu, local Tibetan English speaking guide in Tibet
• Permits for Tibet tour
• Cooking devices, cooking tent, single tents with mattress, pack yaks during the trekking
• Air ticket and tax Chengdu - Lhasa
• Train ticket Lhasa - Chengdu

Cost Excludes:
China visa; Tips for guide and driver; Personal expenses; Service not mentioned in the itinerary.