Tours

TIBETAN 2 WEEK TOUR with Everest Base Camp

US$2500
10th - 25th October, 2009

Our fourth tour is a special trip to Nepal and Tibet. We fly into Tibet with Mount Everest on our left, we will have time to explore Lhasa and visit its many sites of interest, the magnificent monasteries, the famous Potala Palace, and the Tibetan Medical centre of healing, before crossing the Himalayan Plateau. Our drive out includes driving over high passes, travelling alongside turquoise lakes and seeing glaciers as we cross the Tibetan High Plateau. It also includes a visit to the base at the North Face of Mount Everest, walking in the footsteps of great adventurers. In Nepal we will have time to explore Kathmandu and also to visit the medieval city of Bhaktaphur which is totally fascinating and a World Heritage Site. We also cross a high suspension bridge to overnight in a canyon as we return from Tibet to Nepal.

Tour Detail

We fly into Kathmandu and spend some time visiting some major sights including Swyanbunath also known as the Monkey temple, perched high on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley.  Here one can see the compatibility and tolerance of the two major religions Buddhism and Hinduism side by side.  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, which 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 for two nights at a little Tibetan Inn.  From here we drive up to the North Face Camp of Mount Everest* to 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. 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. We get there by crossing a suspension bridge where bungi jumping can be done as an optional extra.  We will spend a night in a 'hill station' overlooking vast terraced valleys and may be able to see the Himalayas from the southside if the weather permits. Before leaving we return for some excellent last minute shopping in Kathmandu which has some of the world’s finest handicrafts.

* We will visit Everest Base Camp if tourists are still allowed. This is being debated next year and we will go as close as we are able to

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