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Tibet - Roof Of The World


Explore the heights of Buddhist culture and magnificent mountain scenery in this high altitude adventure across mystical Tibet




Tales of magic and mystery have long attracted travellers to Tibet and today the lure of this once forbidden land remains strong. Fascinating culture, magnificent monasteries and awesome mountain scenery combine to make this journey one of the most spectacular in the world. We start in Chengdu, in Sichuan province, with a visit to see China's most endearing icon - the giant panda. In Lhasa we explore the magnificent Potala Palace, as well as various monasteries. Continuing across the arid Tibetan Plateau we reach Gyantse, at the head of the old trading route to India, and Shigatse, home to the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery and the Panchen Lama. We travel on rugged and dramatic roads, crossing Pang La (Pass) on our way to Rongphu Monastery and on to Everest Base Camp. The final leg of our extraordinary journey descends through an impressive gorge, then winds through the terraced hillsides of Nepal to Kathmandu.



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Tour Highlights

  • The cliff-cut road to the border town of Zhangmu
  • The North Face of Mount Everest from Rongbuk (5000m)
  • Tibetan rural life and the Kumbum Monastery in Gyantse
  • Tashilhunpo Monastery - the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama
  • Potala Palace of Lhasa - home of the 14th Dalai Lama and most of his prior incarnations
  • Flight over snow-capped mountains to Lhasa - one of the world's most spectacular flights
  • Everest Base Camp and the notorious Everest Ice Fall
  • Kathmandu’s hidden old town
  • Chengdu's Giant Pandas and Sichuan cuisine
  • UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant Buddha at Leshan

Inclusions

  • • The services of Peregrine’s expert English-speaking tour leaders and local Chinese/Tibetan guides.

    • Visit to Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.

    • Sightseeing (and entrance fees where applicable) in Giant Buddha at Leshan, Lhasa (Potala Palace, Jokhang Palace, Sera Monastery and Ramoche Monastery), Gyantse (Kumbum Monastery) and Shigatse (Tashilhunpo Monastery).

    • Spectacular mountain panoramas from several passes: Kamba La, Karo La, Gyatso La, Pang La and Lalung La.

    • Drive from Rongphu Monastery to Everest Base Camp for view of the north face of Mount Everest.

    • Free time to explore Chengdu and Lhasa.

    • Regional flight from Chengdu to Lhasa.

    • Chengdu Airport arrival transfer on Day 1 and transfer on Day 4.

    • Transport in Tibet.

  • 4WD vehicle
  • Minibus
  • Plane
  • 12 breakfasts

Tibet - Roof Of The World

Day 1
Chengdu
Meals Privided:
On arrival in Chengdu you are transferred to your hotel.Our airport representative will be holding a sign. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is known for its hot, spicy dishes that are generally considered by the Chinese as one of the best cuisine within China. In such a food-loving country, that is no mean achievement.
Day 2
Chengdu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
A history of trade built on cottage industry handicrafts has had a major influence on the development of Chengdu. Recent changes in the regulations in China have seen a revival of this tradition of private industry and, at almost every turn, you see signs of a thriving market. Today we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, located just out of the city. The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species and has become an icon for conservation movements everywhere. It is still found in parts of Sichuan province, but very difficult to spot in the wild. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to relax in a bamboo chair at the teahouse in Renmin Park. There is often an ear-picker with cotton buds wandering around, if you feel the need! A stroll to Wenshu Temple will take you past beggars, children, tourists, fortune tellers and fireworks sellers. This is an active and noisy place of worship.
Day 3
Leshan (Giant Buddha) - Chengdu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today we travel to view one of the major monumental highlights of China - the Giant Buddha at Leshan. Situated on the shores of the Min River, the sleepy town of Leshan is bursting with alleys and backstreets just waiting to be explored. The Giant Buddha ('Dafo') measures 71 metres high and is located at the convergence of the Dadu and Min Rivers. At the time it was built, it was the largest Buddha image in the world. Carved out of the cliff face, construction on this amazing statue began in the year 713 AD by a Buddhist monk named Haitong. It took 90 years to be completed. It was built for good luck because many boats had previously come to grief on this treacherous bend in the river. Ironically the construction of the statue led to the creation of a buffer that resulted in the raging torrents being diverted away from the dangerous cliffs, perhaps saving many lives as a result. After our excursion we return to Chengdu.
Day 4-6
Lhasa
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
An early morning flight takes us over snow-capped mountains to Lhasa, capital of the autonomous region of Tibet. This is a spectacular flight, as we cross over high mountain peaks before arriving in the high Tibetan Plateau. On arrival at Gonggar Airport we are met and driven by coach to the fabled city of Lhasa, which lies at 3650 metres above sea level. Here we have three days to explore this once-isolated city, with its monasteries and markets bulging with pilgrims and traders. This includes an organised tour to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera and Ramoche Monasteries. Free time to explore the city is subject to the Chinese authorities and the ever-changing political climate, although there are never any problems with filling in the days to great advantage in such a fascinating city. In your free time you may wish to visit the Norbulingka Summer Palace or the interesting Tibet Museum.
Day 7
Gyantse
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today we travel for about four hours as we take to the Friendship Highway; a spectacular road, which traverses high mountain passes and crosses plateaus, connecting Lhasa with Kathmandu. Please note that the road conditions are very poor in Tibet, so we should be prepared for bumpy journeys. We first travel through Tibet's richest farming areas, then cross the Brahmaputra River as it winds its way down to the Bay of Bengal. Running here at an altitude of 3939 metres above sea level, it is the highest major river in the world. We cross the river on a solid suspension bridge and wind our way to Kamba La (Pass) and enjoy a view over the huge Yamdrok Tso Lake. After the lake, we climb again to Karo La (Pass) (5010 metres) before descending to the historic town of Gyantse, a small village and home to the Kumbum Monastery, where we find interesting Buddhist murals.
Day 8
Shigatse
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
In the morning we explore Gyantse, a town renowned for the exploits of Colonel Younghusband in the 1920s. We walk down the newly rebuilt main street, along with the Nepali Kumbum stupa. In the afternoon we drive for an hour-and-a-half across the Tibetan Plateau. Shigatse is the second largest city of Tibet with a population of some 40,000 people. The Tashilhunpo Monastery is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the most important incarnation for Tibetan Buddhists, after the Dalai Lama. This impressive religious centre contains a giant statue of Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya as well as an ornate tomb, which is the final resting-place of the fourth Panchen Lama. Its huge size ensures it is almost a town in itself. One of Tibet's most active monasteries, it is currently being restored to its former beauty.
Day 9
Shegar
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Our adventure continues with a five-hour drive over rough, dusty roads to Shegar. In the morning we cross the Gyatso La (Pass) with stunning views of the Himalayan peaks to the south. Although the scenery is desolate, the country is dotted with busy villages and ruined monasteries. Amongst these villages is the major town of Lhaze, which makes a convenient halfway stop, where we have a local-style lunch break. Shegar is a small village of 1500 inhabitants, overlooked by an impressive fort (unfortunately this is currently closed to visitors).
Day 10
Everest Base Camp - Shegar
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Departing from Shegar, we drive to the south towards the mighty Himalaya. The initial part of the road journey involves climbs in a series of zigzags to the top of the Pang La (Pass) (5150 metres), where we stop to take photos of Mount Everest. Along the drive we can bask in the splendour of majestic views of all the other snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. As we are now travelling off the main highway it could get dusty travelling on these dirt roads, so you may like to carry something like a scarf or big handkerchief with you when we’re driving. Even though we are only travelling 140 kilometres on our round journey, it is a long day due to the poor road conditions. At 5000 metres above sea level, Rongphu is home to the highest monastery in the world. From here we can enjoy a breathtakingly close-up view of Mount Everest as it seemingly hovers over us. We then branch off on to a small path that leads to Everest Base Camp itself, which is situated at 5040 metres above sea level. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the stunning view of Everest more than compensates. It truly is an awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you. This is certainly a major highlight on our incredible journey. From here we return to Rongphu and make our way back to Shegar.
Day 11
Zhangmu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We continue our journey on the main road and head in the direction of the Nepalese border, passing through a checkpost and continuing to Tingri, where we still enjoy more views of the world’s highest peaks including the 8201-metre-high Cho Oyu - the world’s 6th highest peak. From Tingri the road ascends to reach the Lalung La (Pass) (5050 metres), where the scenery is again fantastic. The panorama also includes the 8000-metre-high Xixapangma. From the top of the pass we descend nearly 3000 metres to the small town of Nyalam, before continuing to the border town of Zhangmu. As you near the border, the road is cut into the cliffs high above the valley floor. If you don’t like heights, sit on the left-hand side of the vehicle! At Zhangmu we say farewell to our Tibetan guide and driver.
Day 12
Kathmandu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Today, after finalising departure formalities, you exit from China and enter Nepal. Descending steeply down the zigzag road, you reach the Nepalese immigration and customs at Tatopani. During the monsoon season there may be landslides, which may cause sections of the road near the border to be closed. Should this be the case, porters then carry our luggage as we walk across the border to our Nepalese vehicle. It is then a 4½-hour drive to Kathmandu. There is much to see in the Nepalese capital, so you may consider extending your stay with extra time here to explore Kathmandu and the valley. There are fascinating temples in the city's Durbar Square as well as the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple and the Buddhist Bodnath Stupa, whilst the neighbouring towns of Patan and Bhaktapur are both worth a visit.
Day 13
Kathmandu
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. A transfer to the airport is not included, however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.

IN A NUTSHELL

13 days
$3,285
15

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
03/04/201215/04/2012 $3,285
14/05/201326/05/2013 $3,285
30/04/201312/05/2013 $3,285
16/04/201328/04/2013 $3,285
02/04/201314/04/2013 $3,285
30/10/201211/11/2012 $3,285
16/10/201228/10/2012 $3,285
09/10/201221/10/2012 $3,285
02/10/201214/10/2012 $3,285
25/09/201207/10/2012 $3,285
11/09/201223/09/2012 $3,285
04/09/201216/09/2012 $3,285
29/05/201210/06/2012 $3,285
15/05/201227/05/2012 $3,285
01/05/201213/05/2012 $3,285
28/05/201309/06/2013 $3,285
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