This is a very special departure that we have scheduled that includes the very best of Tibet  - from the magical Potala Palace in Lhasa to the renowned monastery of Samye, to the stunning ramparts of the North Face of Everest, we  explore mystical Tibet, the Roof of the World. In Lhasa we explore the Potala Palace and the lively Barkhor Bazaar. We then cross the magnificent Tibetan Plateau to visit remote hamlets and striking fortress-monasteries where flickering yak-butter lamps illuminate ancient Buddhist frescoes. At the foot of Everest, directly below the mountain’s sheer North Face, the dazzling glaciers of the world’s highest peak seem almost close enough to touch. We then continue right across the spine of the Himalayas for a spectacular 10,000-foot descent from the high Tibetan Plateau to the lush kingdom of Nepal.

Fixed departure date: Friday 14th May - Monday 31st May 2010 Friday 10th September – Monday 27th September 2010 Price: US $ 2865.00 per person travelling based on a minimum of 6 persons in the final group on a sharing basis. US $ 775.00 single supplement. Note: Tibet visa fee is extra (currently US$ 114 per person) & Kathmandu/ Lhasa airfare ( Currently US $ 379 per person). Itinerary: Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu met & transferred to the Hotel. Overnight at the Shangri-la Hotel (BB). Day 02: ½ day Sightseeing of Kathmandu City, Overnight at the Shangri-la Hotel (BB). Day 03: After breakfast transferred to the Shivapuri Heights Cottage (BLD). Day 04: Leisure day with an optional hiking in the surrounding villages, Overnight at the Shivapuri Heights Cottage (BLD). Day 05:Transferred to the airport & fly to Gonggar Airport and drive to Lhasa. Jokhang Temple. Overnight at the Hotel Kyichu (BB). Day 06: Sightseeing tour of Potala Palace, Drepung monastery. Overnight at the Hotel Kyichu. (BB) Day 07: Excursion to Ganden and Sera. Overnight at the Hotel Kyichu (BB) Day 08: Drive to Tsedang, visit Yumbulakhang and Tomb of Kings. Overnight at the Hotel Tsedang (BB) Day 09: Drive to Samye (on way ferry and one way drive). Overnight at the Tsedang Hotel. Day 10: Drive to Gyangtse visit Khumbum Stupa and Pelkhor. Overnight at the Gyantse Hotel (BB) Day 11: Drive to Shigatse visit Tashilumpo Monastery en-route. Overnight at the Shigatse Hotel (BB) Day 12: Drive to Shegar via Sakya. Overnight at the Shegar Hotel (BB) Day 13: Drive to Rongbuk Monastery. Overnight at the Everest hotel in Rongbuk (BB) Day 14: Excursion to Everest Base Camp and back to Rongbuk or the drive to Old Tingri. ( Full Moon ) Overnight at the Everest Hotel (BB) Day 15: Drive to Zhangmu. Overnight at the Cuiuan Hotel (BB) Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu & transferred to the Hotel .Overnight at the Shangri-la Hotel (BB) Day 17: Leisure day in Kathamndu , Overnight at the Shangri-la Hotel (BB) Day 18: Departure for international flight.

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This is a private departure that begins with a magnificent flight across the Himalayan chain where several days are spent exploring the ‘forbidden’ city of Lhasa, including a visit to the Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. This is followed by an overland drive across the Tibetan plateau, the highest country in the world, visiting ancient monasteries and seldom-visited villages, to the Nepal-Tibet border. (Clients may arrive from Chengdu/Hong Kong if they prefer).

This tour can be extended by a further two days to include a visit to the Rongbuk Monastery and a trek around the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest. If the optional Everest extension is added, then Sherpa staff will be supplied to take care of you at this high altitude (5200m).

Duration: 12 days/ 11 nights – (2 nights Kathmandu, 7 nights in Tibet, 2 nights Kathmandu) Accommodation: Comfortable 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu, Comfortable accommodation in Lhasa and local hotels in other Tibetan towns The price for this itinerary is as follows: US $ TBC per person travelling based on minimum of 2 persons on a sharing basis, US $ TBC single supplement.

This itinerary may be arranged on a private basis to suit your own dates (Note that flights to Lhasa normally operate on a Tuesday or a Saturday and this should be borne in mind when considering dates). We are also pleased to quote for a modified version of this itinerary which may be shortened or lengthened depending on your exact requirements.

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Mount Kailash has been regarded by Hindus and Buddhists alike as the ’navel of the universe‘ for thousands of years. Its mystical importance is undoubtedly related to its extraordinary geographical location, marking one of the high points of the Tibetan plateau, from which flow four of the great rivers of the Indian sub-continent. Below it, Mansarovar, where a ritual bath will deliver a pilgrim to Brahma’s paradise; a drink of its water relinquishes the sins of a hundred lifetimes. Now there’s a good reason to visit in itself !

Our journey begins with a magnificent flight from Kathmandu across the Himalayan mountain range to Lhasa, where we spend several days visiting the city's main landmarks including the Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lamas, and the Jokhang Temple. From Lhasa we have a spectacular drive westwards across the desolate Tibetan Plateau to Lake Mansarovar and further on to Mount Kailash. We will meet Tibetan pilgrims at Darboche, below Mount Kailash, to join them for the challenging trekking circuit (kora) around the mountain. The trek ends with a spectacular road journey across the Himalayas back to Kathmandu.

Duration: 23 days/22 nights – (2 nights Kathmandu, 17 nights in Tibet (11 nights camping), 2 nights Kathmandu) Accommodation: Comfortable 3-4 star Hotel in Kathmandu, Comfortable accommodation in Lhasa and other Tibetan towns & camping elsewhere in Tibet. Price: To be confirmed - please contact us for details

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