The Roof of the World: Tibet |WFT

Itinerary

Day 1 – Sunday, 19th May (includes dinner) Kathmandu – Arrival

Arrive at Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel. (Please check flight timings with us before booking.) (Separate transfer can be arranged if you do not arrive together, at additional cost. If you arrive earlier, a city tour can be arranged for you, at additional cost.) Be treated to a welcome dinner comprising typical Nepalese fare. Do try the typical Nepalese drink tonight!

Overnight at International Guest House

Day 2 – Monday, 20th May (includes breakfast) Kathmandu

Post breakfast, we will go sightseeing around Kathmandu. First we visit Pashupatinath temple, the holy Hindu temple complex, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Next up is Boudhanath, one of the biggest stupas in the world. Also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the stupa is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kathmandu. Then we visit the Swayambhunath, situated atop a hill offering spectacular views of Kathmandu. It is also known as the Monkey Temple because of the number of holy monkeys residing within the temple premises.Evening at leisure.

Overnight at International Guest House

Day 3 – Tuesday, 21st May (includes breakfast) Kathmandu – Dhulikhel

After breakfast, drive to the ancient city of Bhaktapur. Also known as Khwopa or Bhadgaon in the Newari dialect, Bhaktapur has the bestpreserved palace courtyards in the country. It is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is rich in ancient arts, religious values, architectural masterpieces, and ancient sculptures. The spectacular square was the capital of the Malla Kingdom till 1769 AD. Bhaktapur is renowned for the Juju Dhau (royal sweet yoghurt), pottery, and artistic wood-carvings. After lunch we drive to Dhulikhel, with a stopover at the world’s tallest shiva statue in Sanga. In Dhulikhel explore the beautiful town, and if the weather is clear we can view the eastern side of the Himalayas.

Overnight at Gaia Holiday Home

Day 4 – Wednesday, 22nd May (includes breakfast) Dhulikhel – Lhasa

Today we head to Lhasa. Drive to Kathmandu and board the flight to Lhasa. (Flight cost not included.) You will fly over the spectacular Himalayas, and catch a sight of the Mt. Everest during the one-hour flight to Lhasa. After arrival in Lhasa, we will take care of the necessities, like withdrawing money, completing our in-country police verification, etc., before proceeding to our hotel to check-in. We will spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the high altitude in Lhasa, maybe stepping out for a gentle stroll in the evening. Dinner at the hotel

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel

Day 5 – Thursday, 23rd May (includes breakfast) Lhasa Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then we go for a stroll to get acclimatized.After a light lunch we will go on a guided walking tour to Jokang temple, Lhasa Tsamkung nunnery, and the hair salons near the nunnery. Here you can opt to braid your hair Lhasa style (10 Yuan per braid).In the evening we will have dinner at Dunya Restaurant.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel

Day 6 – Friday, 24th May (includes breakfast) Lhasa – Xigate

Post breakfast, drive to Xigate (or Shigatse) via the Brahmaputra route. Although the drive will be long, of around 7 hours, it will be memorable. Gaze out of your window as we drive along the majestic valley. Upon arrival at Xigate, enjoy an evening walk around the city at your own pace.

Overnight at Qomo Langzong Hotel

Day 7 – Saturday, 25th May (includes breakfast) Xigate – Gyantse Today we start early. Post early breakfast, check-out by 8.30 a.m. Drive to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery square. The monastery was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, and is located on a hill in the centre of the city. About two-thirds of the buildings were destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), mainly the residences for the 4,000 monks, but the monastery itself did not face much damage because it was the seat of the Panchen Lama, who remained in Chinese-controlled territory. However, during 1966, Red Guards led a crowd to break statues, burn scriptures, and open up the stupas comprising the relics of the 5th to 9th Panchen Lamas, and throw them in the river. Some remains were saved by the locals. In 1985, the 10th Panchen Lama began the construction of a new stupa to house the rescued antiquities and honour his predecessors. It was finally consecrated on 22 January 1989. After the visit, join in the Tai Chi Dance workout in the square. Then spend a couple of hours exploring the monastery. Have lunch in Xigate. Post lunch, we drive towards Gyantse, with a stop at the Barley Flour Watermill.Upon arrival in Gyantse, we will visit the castle, the Kumbum Monastery, and Gyantse Dzong. Or you may choose to do photo stops depending on altitude/energy levels. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Gyantse Hotel

Day 8 – Sunday, 26th May (includes breakfast) Gyantse – Lhasa

Start early from the hotel post breakfast as we travel from Gyantse to Lhasa today. The drive will be around 6 hours. Drive to KaroLa Glacier, Yamadroke Lake, and Kamba Pass. Lunch en route or pack a picnic and eat at the lake if weather permits. Reach Lhasa by evening. Thereafter spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel

Day 9 – Monday, 27th May (includes breakfast) Lhasa Visit Potala Palace early in the morning. The 5th Dalai Lama began construction of the palace in 1645. The red-and-white palace was the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama until he fled to India during the 1959 Tibetan uprising. Named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the palace is now a museum and a World Heritage Site. The palace has 13 storeys, over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. Thereafter, have lunch and rest for a while. Around 3 p.m. drive to PhurRong Kha Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Do both if time permits, else visit only Drepung Monastery to see the kitchens and enjoy the walk up there. Then take a walk to see Potala Palace all lit up at night.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel

Day 10 – Tuesday, 28th May (includes breakfast and farewell dinner) Lhasa – Namtso Lake – Lhasa Post breakfast, drive to Namtso Lake and be back by evening. This mountain lake lies on the border between Damxung county of Lhasa prefecturelevel city and Baingoin county of Nagqu prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, approximately 112 kilometres north-northwest of Lhasa. The saltwater lake is about 70 kilometres in length and 30 kilometres in width. This tour will take about 14 hours, hence we have nothing else planned for the day.

Overnight at Kyichu Hotel

Day 11 – Wednesday, 29th May (includes breakfast) Lhasa – Departure Post breakfast, drive to the airport to fly to Kathmandu. Fly back home from Kathmandu. (Please check flight timings with us before booking. Preferably, plan flights after 4 p.m. or later.)

Cost:Rs 1,27,720

Payment plan:

The payment has been divided as follows:

25% for booking a month prior to the trip.

Another 25% payment to be made within a month before the trip.

Balance payment to be made a week before the trip.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of tour / travel services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reason/s we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows:

Booking amount & Tickets: (Non Refundable)

60 days prior to arrival: 50% of the Tour / service cost

45 days prior to arrival: 70% of the Tour / service cost

30 days prior to arrival: No Refund

Inclusions:

Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis 

Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (2 dinners and all breakfasts) 

All airport/hotel transfers 

Private transport with driver and guide in Nepal and Tibet 

Tours as mentioned in the itinerary 

Entrance fees to Tibetan temples and monasteries 

All government and local taxes 

Tips for guide and driver 

Exclusions: 

GST at 5% 

International flights into and from Nepal 

Return flight Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu 

Travel medical insurance 

Monument entrance fees during sightseeing in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur 

Any optional tours 

Meals not mentioned in the itinerary 

Beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic 

Tips for guides (one each in Nepal and Tibet) and driver 

Any personal expenses, such as laundry, phone calls, porterage, etc. 

Any other item not mentioned in Inclusions above 

Any services not mentioned in Inclusions above 

Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like ill‐health, land blocks, bad weather, etc.