Nepal-Tibet-Bhutan Tour
Day 01: Prior to landing in the Tribhuvan
International Airport, you could have some excelllent views of
snow-capped mountains, meet with our tour coordinator and
transfer to hotel.
Day 02-03: Explore kathmandu
such as visit Pasupatinanth, a famous temple of Hindus
devotees, Boudhananth, the Bhuddhist stupa, Swyambhunanth
temple, tradtional and historical Kathmandu Durbar-square, Patan
city, the city art of beauty and Bhaktapur, the city examples of
wood-carving.
Day 04: Fly over over panoramic
Himalayas ranges from Kathmandu to the holy city of Lhasa by China
airlines. The flight takes about 55 minutes to reach the Gongar
airport . Upon arraival at Gongar airport and transfer to
Lhasa. Check into hotel Shambla or Similar.
Day 05-06: Explore Lhasa - The Land
of Gods (11850 ft.)
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located between
29o 36'N and 19o 06' E at the north bank of Kyichu river, a tributary
of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3650 meteres above
sea level. Lhasa has a history of more than 1300 years and has
been the center of politics, economy, culture and religi pung Monastery
was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa,
the founder of Gelugpa Sect. The monastery, occupying an area of
250,000 square meters with a fixed number of 7,700 monks, is the
largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery keeps many historical
relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts, and crafts.
Visit Sera Monastery
Sera means "hailstone" in Tibetan. Set at the foot of the Wudu
Hill to the north of Lhasa City, Sera is comprised of a great sutra
chanting hall and a college. Situated at three kilometers distance
to a northern suburb of Lhasa, Sera Monastery was founded in 1419
by Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa
Sect. The monastery was erected on a mountain slope. Sera Monastery
together with Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa are
known as the Three Great Monasteries of Tibet.
Visit Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple, situated in the center of the old section of Lhasa
called Barkhor, was built in the mid-7th century A. D. It was
later extended by successive rulers, and has now become a gigantic
architecture complex. Located in the east, and facing the west,
Jokhang is a four storeyed Temple with splendid golden roofs.
Its architecture features art from the Tang Dynasty but also
assimilated many features from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist
Temples. The murals in the temple depict the life stories of
historic and religious characters. The temple houses many historical
relics, including statues of King Songtsen Gompo, Princess Wencheng,
Princess Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese). "Princess Willow" (a tree),
and "The Uncle-Nephew Alliance Tablet." Jokhang is Tibet' s
spiritual center, and the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist
pilgrims. It houses a sitting of statue of Sakyamuni when he
was 12 years old. The circular Barkhor Street has innumerable
shops, and wayside peddlers intermingle with devotees walking
clockwise around the Jokhang. An evening walk (Kora) around the
Jokhang Temple together with the Tibetan pilgrims is a lifetime
experience.
Visit Potala Palace
The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works of the world,
sits on top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. In the 7th century, after
the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo's married Princess Wencheng of
the Tang Court, the Plalace was built to provide the Tibetan
court with a place of worship and meditation. In the mid-17th
century, it was re-built by the 5th Dalai Lama to its present
size, and became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction
took fifty years from beginning to completion.
The Potala is divided into two sections, namely,
the Red Palace and White Palace. The total height of the Potala
is 117 meters spanning thirteen storeys. The length of the Palace
from east to west is 400 meters and the breadth from south to north
is 350 meters. The building was constre.
Visit Norbulingkha Palace, the
Jewel Park
It was built in the 18th century and served as the Summer
Palace of the 13th and the 14th Dalia Lama. the Palace is an interesting mixture
of religious and modern elements and as we walk through to see the
main throne hall, an audience hall. The Dalai Lama's Bed Room and
prayer room and the room for this mother. This colorful garden landscape
was the site of picnic and public gatherings. The Palaces are
richly decorated, creating abd atmosphere of peaceful repose.
Visit Bharkhor Market:
This is very interesting market and situated in the heart
of the old Lhasa city with its narrow streets, white washed stone
homes, windows framed in black and brightly painted wood-work and
almost everyone has got something's to sell over there.
Visit Drepung Monastery:
It lies 8km west of Lhasa on the main road, then 3km north
and steep unpaired road. Its name Drepung means" Rice Heap" was
the biggest and the richest of all monasteries in Tibet. This
Monastery is said to be the largest Monastery in the world,
housing over 10000 monks and Governed 7700 subsidiary monasteries
and was divided into four colleges, each with its chanting hall,
dormitories, kitchens and offices. It was founded in 1416 by
the disciple of Je Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat
Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The second third and fourth Dalai
Lamas lived and were entombed here. the entire monastic communities
assemble only for special ceremonies and festivals.
Today, about 400 monks live there. Approaching Drepung, you will
see the Nechung Temple, the home of the State Oracl. The present
oracle lives in India.
Day 07: After breakfast drive
to Gyantse (13050 ft.) Check into hotel Gyantse or Smilar.
This is a small agricultural town famous for its wool carpets and
the Phalkor Choide Chorten, Gyantse lies between a monastery and
fort. This unique structure, built in 1414, consists of five stories
representing the five steps to enlightenment, and is topped by
thirteen rings which symbolize the stages of advancement towards
Buddhahood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes and
Buddha Shrines.
Enroute visit Yamadroke Lake - The Sacred
Lake (14300 ft.)
Yamadroke Lake is one of the biggest and beautiful lakes
in Tibet. We pass by this lake with about 2 hours drive along its
bank. Yamadroke means torquise in Tibetan language. In fact, the
lake looks exactly as beautiful as torquise blue during the good
weather days. This freshwater lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes, is
sweet and non-saline, extending for 624 sq. km., in the shape of
two pincers of a large scorpion. You can have a short stop on its
bank and enjoy photography here.
Visit Phalkor monastery:
Located in Gyantse and founded jointly by Kedup Je of the Gelugpa
Sect and Rabten Kunsang of the Sakyapa Sect in 1418, the Phalkor
Monastery has a special influence over Tibet's Buddhism owing
to its unification of three different sects, the Gelugpa, the
Sakyapa and Bhuton Sects, in a single monastery. The famous Kumbum
pagoda, built in collaboration with Newari artists from Nepal & Tibetan
artists, also stands in the same courtyard with nine story's,
108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various
murals. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images, either sculptured
or painted, this is the reason for its name "100,000 Image Pagoda".
Day 08: After breakfast drive to Xigatse
- The Estate that Fulfils One's Wishes (12600 ft.) Check
into hotel Xigatse or Smilar.
It is situated between 29o 02'N and 88o 08'E in the southwest of
the Tibet Autonomous Region where Nyangchu River joins the Yarlung
Tsangpo River. Shigatse is the second biggest town in Tibet and
it is the center of transportation and distribution of agriculture
and husbandry products from the southeastern part of Tibet. "Shigatse" in
Tibetan means the "Estate that fulfills one's Wishes."
Visit Shakya Monastery:
It lies 143km to the Southwest of Shigatse. Shakya Monastery,
the center of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, was founded
in 1073 by Konchok Gyalpo. During the rule of the Sakyapas the priest
patron relationship between Tibet and China was established. Skyapa
rulers reigned over Tibet for nearly a hundred years from 13th -14th
century. Many of its priceless images frescos, statures, holy scriptures
remaining today date back to the time of its founding.
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang
region of Tibet. It is located in the town of Sigatse and was
founded by Gedun Drup, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of
the Gelungpa Sect. Gedun Drup is recognized as the first Dalai
Lama. It was first built in 1447 and continuously expanded by
the successive Panchen Lamas. The Ngagpa College (Tantric College),
one of its four monastic colleges, is the residence of the Panchen
lamas. The most amazing image in this monastery is the statue
of the giant Maitreya (Future Buddha) erected by the 9th Panchen
Lama in 1914. It took four years to build this monumental statue
which stands twenty six meters high and is composed of 275 Kg.
of solid gold, and a great quantity of precious things such as
pearls, turquoise, coral and amber. The 4th Panchen Lama's funeral
stupa was built in 1662 and it stands eleven meters high and
is covered in solid gold and silver.
Day 09: After breakfast drive to Xegar
(13800 ft.) Cehck into hotel Everest or Smilar.
A new Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong,
7 kms. from the main road. With a population of 3000, it is the
centre of this large and remote area and a base from which expeditions
to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched.
Day 10: After breakfast drive to
Zhangmu (7000 ft.) Check into hotel Gaynste or Similar.
For Nepali, this place is called Khasa. For Tibetan. better
known by the name of Dram. Zhangmu is a small settlement clinging
to a hillside, the major trading point between Tibet and Nepal.
The climate is quite different from the hinterland. The hills around
Zhangmu are heavily wooded with many waterfalls in summer and impressive
ice formations in winter. It has a bank, a post office, a government
store, and is presently undergoing a construction boom to meet the
demands of trade and tourism.
Day 11: After breakfast
drive to Kodari border and crosses the Friendship Bridget. After
clearance at Kodari Immigration and drive to Kathmandu.
Check into hotel.
Day 12: Early
morning fly with Druk Air over the Panoramic Himalayan rages
from Kathmandu to
Paro, arrive at Paro airport and 2 ½ hours drives to Thimpu,
the capital of Bhutan. Check
into hotel. Overnight at hotel in Thimpu.
Day 13: Commence
sightseeing in Thimpu with includes visit
to Tashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/
Monastery which houses most of the Government's office and King's
throne room. It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo,
the chief Abobot of Bhutan.Institute of Zorig Chusum where
students undertake a course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts
of Bhutan; National Library, which holds an extensive
collection of Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back
to several hundred years back, as well as modern academic books,
mainly on Himalayan culture and religion; The Post office;
The Institute of Tibetology; National Memorial Chorten; Handicrafts
emporium which displays wide assortment of beautiful
handoven and crafted products.Overnight
at hotel in Thimpu.
Day 14: After
breakfast drive from Thimpu to Punkha with a short stop at Dochula
pass (3050m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan.
Visit to Punakha
Dzong, the 17th century fortress that has played
important role in building up of modern Bhutan followed
by visit to local market. Then visit, Khamsum Yulley Namgyel
Chorten, the newly built Stupa. After that drive to Wangduephodrang visiting
Dzong and local Market. The district of Wangduephodrang is
also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. Overnight
at hotel in Punakha.
Day 15: After
breakfast drive from Punakha to Paro enroute visit Simtokha Dzong,
the oldest fortress of the Kingdom buitl in 1627, it now houses
the School for religious studies.
Afternoon in Paro visit Ta
Dzong, the National Museum of
the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since
1967, it is serving as the National Museum of
the country and holding fascinating collection of art, thankgkha
paintings and Bhutan's
exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit
Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history. Overnight
at hotel in Paro.
Day 16: After
breakfast drive north of Paro valley to ruins of Drukgyel
Dozng. From this fort Bhutanese repelled
several invasions by Tibetan armies. Nearby visit traditional
Bhutanese farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle
of local people.Then take an excursion
to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of
Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived
here on the back of Tigress and meditated at this Monastery,
hence it is called "Tiger's Nest". The Excursion
to Monastery's view point takes about 5 hours for round trip. While
return to Paro town visit enroute Kyichu Lhakhang,
one of the oldest and most sacred shrines
of the Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Day 17: After
breakfast departs from hotel to Paro Airport for
your onward flight Kathmandu OR DELHI OR CALCUTTA OR
BANGKOK.
Cost Includes : Twin-sharing
accommodation on B/B basis at 3-4* hotel in Kathmandu as
per itinerary. During the Tibet
tour, Accommodation on twin sharing basis and breakfast
daily, Tibet travel permit / Private land transfer by Land Cruiser
as per itinerary. Local English speaking tour guide and
monasteries entrance fees as per itinerary.During the Bhutan
tour Twin-sharing accommodation in the best tourist standard
hotel on full board basis, land transfer as per itinerary, cultural
show, entrance fees, air fare KTM- Paro – KTM OR etc.
SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
All kind of personal nature expenses such as liquor, tips, emergency
expenses. Nepal re-entry visa fee / Travel
insurance / Expenses of private nature such as Laundry, Telephone
calls, Beverages, Tips, etc. / Any loss arising due to unforeseen
circumstances such as ROAD BLOCKAGE due to landslides or snowfalls, ACCIDENTS,
etc.