Tours
KATE TURKINGTON'S PRIVATE TOUR
FULL
26th September – 11th October, 2009
My second trip is a private tour for Kate Turkington and friends, which brings together a trip of great contrasts between Nepal and Tibet. We will visit a medieval city that is a World Heritage Site, a canyon where we cross to our hotel by suspension bridge, and there is an optional extra to bungi jump. We fly into Tibet with Mount Everest on our left, and for this part of the tour we will visit Lhasa, for so long the forbidden capital of Tibet, absorbing the culture, history and spirituality of the Tibetans. In order to see the magnificent countryside we drive across the Tibetan plateau and right through the Himalayas. We also plan to visit Everest Base Camp if tourists are still allowed. (This is still being debated – we will go as close as we are able to).
Tour Detail
This tour offers a wonderful journey with a great variety of scenery and a superb combination of highlights from the two Himalayan countries Nepal and Tibet. After a couple of fascinating days exploring Kathmandu, we fly over the mighty Himalayas with the peak of Mount Everest on our left, and arrive in Tibet. We go straight to Lhasa, for so long the Forbidden City, and see all the major sights of interest. We will visit the magnificent, 13-storied Potala, the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lama and also Norbulinka, the Jewel Park, His summer residence. A highlight is Tibet’s most sacred temple, the Jokhang, often referred to as the Heart of Tibet. This houses a statue of Buddha said to have been made during His lifetime 2500 years ago. Pilgrims prostrate across the land to this temple and join with the locals doing a circumnambulation around the Barkor, the local vibrant market place that encircles The Jokhang Temple. Time permitting we will pay a visit to the traditional Tibetan Medical Centre, which shows us a line of medicine little changed since the 8th century and teaching things we, in the west, are only starting to learn now.
From here we travel back west through magnificent scenery, turquoise lakes, glaciers, more high passes and outlying villages en route to Gyantse. This old trading town is where the British fought the Tibetans when they invaded Tibet in 1904. After the fighting was over the Tibetans were surprised that the British assisted the injured of both sides! We will also stop over in Shigatse and go to the Tashi Lhunpo monastery town, the Seat of the Panchen Lama. Here there is a 26m high statue of the Maitreya Buddha (the Future Buddha). Travelling on across the Tibetan Plateau, where at times one feels as if you can see forever, we stay at a little Tibetan Inn at the foot of the North Face of Mount Everest. Here we see where the conquering heroes begin their epic climbs. We then drive on to a point where the Himalayan Range stretches before us, peaks on peaks to the left and right and straight ahead. We descend through the mountains, back into the tree line, where the road we are on is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Crossing back into Nepal, we spend a night on the side of a gorge, in a tented hotel, and we get there by crossing a suspension bridge where bungi jumping can be done. Next we will spend a night in a 'hill station' overlooking vast terraced valleys and visit Bhaktaphur a medieval city that is a World Heritage Site. Here it is rather like slipping through a time warp and one can see handicrafts of excellent standard being made in timeless tradition. Before leaving we return for some excellent shopping in Kathmandu which has some of the world’s finest handicrafts.
Bookings and information
All tours start and end in Kathmandu. Prices are ex. Kathmandu and based on twin sharing, single supplement available. Please email us for full itineraries and details of price inclusions and exclusions.
An indemnity form needs to be signed by all participants. Every effort is made to keep to the itinerary, however no responsibility or liability is accepted by Himalayan Adventures for any itinerary changes that may become necessary for any reason whatsoever, including political unrest, or for your safety or best interest, e.g. strikes or rerouting due to landslides. Signing up for this tour indicates your acceptance to this.
Travel insurance such as Europ Assistance (www.europ-assistance.com) is recommended in case of emergency and is compulsory on certain tours. Flexibility and a sense of humour are vital due to the nature of adventure travel!
Should you wish to join us on any tours please book early to avoid disappointment. This is high season and flights book up early.
To book or receive more information please contact us:
Phone:
Jill +27 79 923 2291
Mary-Jane +27 82 660 6462
Email:
tours@himadv.com
jillpers@netactive.co.za
jillpersson@netactive.co.za