Tibet Unplugged

Tibet Unplugged

Trek to Everest Base Camp, Meet monks in Sakya, Travel across the Tibetan plateau, Experience rural life in Lao Tingri, Join the pilgrims in Lhasa, Tibet, Explore colourful Kathmandu city, Visit Shigatse the seat of the Panchen Lama, Admire Gyantse's impressive Kumbum Chorten

Join an adventure across the top of the world. From the serene former home of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa to the ancient narrow laneways of Kathmandu, travel across the world's highest mountain range and delve into the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Mingle with locals, rub shoulders with pilgrims, take in the spectacular scenery of Everest National Park and sample delicious Tibetan and Nepalese food - this trip is most definitely Tibet Unplugged.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where the meeting will take place. Please ask at reception for this information. It is very important that you arrive in time for this meeting, as there are formalities to be completed for our Tibet entry permit. Please note that your leader will collect your China visa fee in cash at the group meeting today - see visa section for amounts.

After a brief orientation walk of the area surrounding the hotel, the day is free to explore fascinating Kathmandu.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where the meeting will take place. Please ask at reception for this information. It is very important that you arrive in time for this meeting, as there are formalities to be completed for our Tibet entry permit. Please note that your leader will collect your China visa fee in cash at the group meeting today - see visa section for amounts.

After a brief orientation walk of the area surrounding the hotel, the day is free to explore fascinating Kathmandu.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The flights to Lhasa takes approx. 2 hours.

Lhasa rose to take an important role in the administration of the country over 1,300 years ago. At this time, the grand temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were built to house priceless Buddha images and religious artefacts brought into Tibet as dowries from China and Nepal. The 17th century saw a second stage of renovation and development, which included the building of the Potala Palace. Perched on Red Hill overlooking the town, this massive structure gracefully dominates the landscape and is a true architectural wonder.

We have four relaxed days here to allow for altitude acclimatisation, so be sure to head out and see the sights. We visit the Potala Palace to inspect its many marvellous pavilions, stupas and Buddhist artefacts. We can also visit either the nearby Drepung or Sera monasteries to observe an evening debating session with the monks - a highlight of any Tibet trip.The Jokhang Temple especially buzzes with activity and is the spiritual heart of Tibet. Pilgrims circle the temple day and night, some of them having traversed the extremes of the Tibetan landscape on foot to get here. The Barkhor, a holy devotional circuit, surrounds the Jokhang and houses a market bazaar where people bargain for Buddha images, woodcarvings, carpets, prayer wheels and the odd goat's head. The Dalai Lama's New Summer Palace at Norbulingka is also a pleasant place to relax.

In Lhasa we stay at a basic hotel, centrally located, with twin-share accommodation decorated in the traditional Tibetan style.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The flights to Lhasa takes approx. 2 hours.

Lhasa rose to take an important role in the administration of the country over 1,300 years ago. At this time, the grand temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were built to house priceless Buddha images and religious artefacts brought into Tibet as dowries from China and Nepal. The 17th century saw a second stage of renovation and development, which included the building of the Potala Palace. Perched on Red Hill overlooking the town, this massive structure gracefully dominates the landscape and is a true architectural wonder.

We have four relaxed days here to allow for altitude acclimatisation, so be sure to head out and see the sights. We visit the Potala Palace to inspect its many marvellous pavilions, stupas and Buddhist artefacts. We can also visit either the nearby Drepung or Sera monasteries to observe an evening debating session with the monks - a highlight of any Tibet trip.The Jokhang Temple especially buzzes with activity and is the spiritual heart of Tibet. Pilgrims circle the temple day and night, some of them having traversed the extremes of the Tibetan landscape on foot to get here. The Barkhor, a holy devotional circuit, surrounds the Jokhang and houses a market bazaar where people bargain for Buddha images, woodcarvings, carpets, prayer wheels and the odd goat's head. The Dalai Lama's New Summer Palace at Norbulingka is also a pleasant place to relax.

In Lhasa we stay at a basic hotel, centrally located, with twin-share accommodation decorated in the traditional Tibetan style.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The flights to Lhasa takes approx. 2 hours.

Lhasa rose to take an important role in the administration of the country over 1,300 years ago. At this time, the grand temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were built to house priceless Buddha images and religious artefacts brought into Tibet as dowries from China and Nepal. The 17th century saw a second stage of renovation and development, which included the building of the Potala Palace. Perched on Red Hill overlooking the town, this massive structure gracefully dominates the landscape and is a true architectural wonder.

We have four relaxed days here to allow for altitude acclimatisation, so be sure to head out and see the sights. We visit the Potala Palace to inspect its many marvellous pavilions, stupas and Buddhist artefacts. We can also visit either the nearby Drepung or Sera monasteries to observe an evening debating session with the monks - a highlight of any Tibet trip.The Jokhang Temple especially buzzes with activity and is the spiritual heart of Tibet. Pilgrims circle the temple day and night, some of them having traversed the extremes of the Tibetan landscape on foot to get here. The Barkhor, a holy devotional circuit, surrounds the Jokhang and houses a market bazaar where people bargain for Buddha images, woodcarvings, carpets, prayer wheels and the odd goat's head. The Dalai Lama's New Summer Palace at Norbulingka is also a pleasant place to relax.

In Lhasa we stay at a basic hotel, centrally located, with twin-share accommodation decorated in the traditional Tibetan style.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The flights to Lhasa takes approx. 2 hours.

Lhasa rose to take an important role in the administration of the country over 1,300 years ago. At this time, the grand temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were built to house priceless Buddha images and religious artefacts brought into Tibet as dowries from China and Nepal. The 17th century saw a second stage of renovation and development, which included the building of the Potala Palace. Perched on Red Hill overlooking the town, this massive structure gracefully dominates the landscape and is a true architectural wonder.

We have four relaxed days here to allow for altitude acclimatisation, so be sure to head out and see the sights. We visit the Potala Palace to inspect its many marvellous pavilions, stupas and Buddhist artefacts. We can also visit either the nearby Drepung or Sera monasteries to observe an evening debating session with the monks - a highlight of any Tibet trip.The Jokhang Temple especially buzzes with activity and is the spiritual heart of Tibet. Pilgrims circle the temple day and night, some of them having traversed the extremes of the Tibetan landscape on foot to get here. The Barkhor, a holy devotional circuit, surrounds the Jokhang and houses a market bazaar where people bargain for Buddha images, woodcarvings, carpets, prayer wheels and the odd goat's head. The Dalai Lama's New Summer Palace at Norbulingka is also a pleasant place to relax.

In Lhasa we stay at a basic hotel, centrally located, with twin-share accommodation decorated in the traditional Tibetan style.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The flights to Lhasa takes approx. 2 hours.

Lhasa rose to take an important role in the administration of the country over 1,300 years ago. At this time, the grand temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were built to house priceless Buddha images and religious artefacts brought into Tibet as dowries from China and Nepal. The 17th century saw a second stage of renovation and development, which included the building of the Potala Palace. Perched on Red Hill overlooking the town, this massive structure gracefully dominates the landscape and is a true architectural wonder.

We have four relaxed days here to allow for altitude acclimatisation, so be sure to head out and see the sights. We visit the Potala Palace to inspect its many marvellous pavilions, stupas and Buddhist artefacts. We can also visit either the nearby Drepung or Sera monasteries to observe an evening debating session with the monks - a highlight of any Tibet trip.The Jokhang Temple especially buzzes with activity and is the spiritual heart of Tibet. Pilgrims circle the temple day and night, some of them having traversed the extremes of the Tibetan landscape on foot to get here. The Barkhor, a holy devotional circuit, surrounds the Jokhang and houses a market bazaar where people bargain for Buddha images, woodcarvings, carpets, prayer wheels and the odd goat's head. The Dalai Lama's New Summer Palace at Norbulingka is also a pleasant place to relax.

In Lhasa we stay at a basic hotel, centrally located, with twin-share accommodation decorated in the traditional Tibetan style.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The drive to Gyantse takes approx. 8 hours and is long but rewarding, with spectacular views and plenty of photo opportunities. If we stop at Karo La (4960m) there will be a tourism charge per person of CNY 40.

We stay at a basic hotel, centrally located, with ensuite twin-share accommodation.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The drive to Shigatse takes approx 2 hours.

We stay at a basic hotel.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

The drive to Sakya takes approx. 4 hours. The town is situated at an elevation of 4280m) and is the base of the once-powerful Sakya sect of Buddhism. In our free afternoon here in Sakya you can visit the Sakya Monastery. The Monastery's medieval Mongolian architecture is quite different from the temples we've seen in Lhasa and contains some of the most magnificent surviving artwork in all of Tibet, which is relatively undamaged. Founded in 770 under the guidance of the great Indian Tantric master Padmasambhava (who reputedly flew here from India using his Tantric powers), the monastery has withstood invasions and fires to remain one of the most significant sites in Tibetan culture. As Tibet's oldest monastery and one of the most beautiful, it saw the ordination of the first Tibetan monks and also became a translation school unparalleled in Asian history. The monastery is designed on the plan of the Odantapuri Temple in India (present-day Bihar) and mirrors the structure of the universe according to Buddhist cosmology. The main temple represents Mt Meru, the mythical mountain at the centre of the universe. The four 'lingshi' temples at the corners of the main temple represent the four continents which surround Mt Meru.

In Sakya we stay in a basic hotel, centrally located with twin-share accommodation.

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Today's drive is an exhilarating one (approx. 8-9 hours) along what is little more than a yak track, eventually arriving in Rongphu - 5,000 m above sea level and a mere eight km from Everest Base Camp (5150m). The view from here is utterly spectacular!Rongphu Monastery stands at a lofty 4,980 m, and its panoramas are astounding. This monastery was first built in 1902 by the Nyingma Lama and originally housed more than 500 monks. Today, only about 50 monks and nuns remain, sharing the same prayer hall, but staying in separate residences. The nuns here are great fun and will be delighted to have you join their evening prayers. The monastery guesthouse offers very basic accommodation, but the scenery that surrounds us more than compensates - be sure to lie in bed at night and watch the moon illuminate the mountains.

Our monastery stay in Rongphu is in very basic multi-share accommodation with no showers and toilet facilities located outside.

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Accommodation

Today, we drive to the Tibetan village of Nyalam. The drive from Rombuk to Nyalam (3700m) takes around 8 hours. The journey is long but truly memorable as we traverse high mountain passes, featuring spectacular views of the Himalayas. In the settlement of Nylam we have time to take in the vast landscape and get a feel for rural Tibetan life.In the village of Nyalam we stay in basic guest house with twin-share accommodation. Toilet and showers are on a shared basis

 

Accommodation

Have your camera handy because this drive is full of photo opportunities! Also known as Khasa, the border town of Zhangmu (elevation 2250m)  has become a major trading post between Tibet and Nepal and the subtropical oceanic climate endows it with warm, humid weather as well as beautiful scenery throughout the year. Crossing the border at Zhangmu, we wind our way further down the valley into Nepal and our accommodation above the raging white waters of the Bhote Kosi River.

Accommodation

The journey back to Kathmandu takes approx. 5 hrs and we arrive in the early evening of day 14. 

There are no activities planned for day 15 and you may depart the hotel at any time. Check-out time from the hotel is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Accommodation

The journey back to Kathmandu takes approx. 5 hrs and we arrive in the early evening of day 14. 

There are no activities planned for day 15 and you may depart the hotel at any time. Check-out time from the hotel is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Accommodation

@variation

Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner