Fitness Requirements:
Participants are expected to be in excellent physical condition, to enjoy hiking, and be tolerant of altitude, weather, and uncertainty. No technical climbing or outdoor experience is required. Trek is rated as moderately difficult.
Optional Extensions:
Chitwan Jungle Safari, Nepal, or Bangkok/Ayudhaya, Thailand. Please inquire about optional 2 night/3 day extensions in Nepal or Thailand.
Cost Includes:
Bed and breakfast plan (double occupancy) in Lhasa and Kathmandu, Tibetan leader/guide, sightseeing services in Tibet and Kathmandu, special dinner in Lhasa and Kathmandu, monastery entry fees, airport transfers in Kathmandu and Tibet, Tibet visa fee.
Cost does not Include:
US-Kathmandu-US airfare,Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flight, Nepal visa fee, hotel in Bangkok, emergency evacuation/travel insurance, personal medical kit, international airport tax, excess baggage charge, personal expenses (laundry, drinks, tips, etc.)
For more information and a detailed itinerary... please contact
KarmaQuest Ecotourism
and Adventure Travel
Tel: (650) 560-0101/
Fax: 712-8164
699 Spindrift Way, Half Moon Bay,
California 94019 USA
Karma@KarmaQuest.com
Website: www.KarmaQuests.com
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The plane from Kathmandu pierces the clouds and slices between Mt. Everest and
Kangchenjunga on its way to Lhasa. During four days in Lhasa, you'll acclimatize to these lofty heights and tour the breath-taking summer and winter palaces (the Potala) of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and join Tibetan worshippers inside the massive butter-lamp lit Jokhang Temple. Visit a nunnery and the historic monasteries of Lhasa Valley, join new friends for a traditional Tibetan feast, and stroll the back lanes of Lhasa where Khampa warriors and reincarnate lamas stroll.
Tibetans earn merit toward a better next life by doing kora (circumambulating a holy place) and visiting sites where their beloved Guru Rinpoche once meditated. Join local pilgrims on the Ganden Monastery kora, high above the Kichu River Valley, before embarking on the trek. From the farming valley of Gyama, you'll climb gradually to Tseb La (17,000') and Kampa La (16,450'). Camping invites evening sightings of wildlife (giant marmots, mountain ungulates) and the starriest clearest skies imaginable.
Over the pass, you'll enter a valley of roses and pass by countless holy sites, meditation caves and ancient chortens (stupas) following centuries of pilgrims' footsteps. The trek ends at Samye Monastery, Tibet's first monastery, recently restored in full grandeur. Finally, a trip to the "Valley of the Kings" - the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Fly back to Kathmandu.
Itinerary
Day 1-2 Fly US to Bangkok, overnight
Day 3
Fly Bangkok to Kathmandu: Visit Swayambhunath
Temple, overnight
Day 4
Kathmandu: Stroll
Bhaktapur's medieval cobbled lanes and palaces.
Day 5
Fly over the Himalaya to Gonggar
airport, drive to Lhasa (12,000')
Day 6-7-8
Sightseeing in Lhasa:
The Potala and Norbulingka Palaces,
Jokhang Temple, a nunnery, Drepung Monastery, and time to
stroll the Barkor. Tibetan dinner with friends. Overnight Shambhala Hotel.
Day 9
Drive to Ganden Monastery: Circumambulate its kora and visit restored temples. Enjoy a
picnic overlooking the stark landscape. Camp at nearby Gyama Valley, 13,000'
Day 10
Begin the trek, considered "one
of central Tibet's finest moderate treks" (McCue, Trekking in Tibet).
Ascend through pastures where yak herders camp in yak wool tents. Camp
beneath the stars at 14,400'
Day 11
Continue gradually, hiking through fragrant
dwarf rhododendron and juniper. Magnificent views unfold. Camp close to
15,800'.
Day 12
Cross Tseb La and Kampa La ("la" means
pass) and descend through a series of meadows where nomadic herders camp.
(14,000')
Day 13
End Trek at Samye: Descend
through vales of flowers and rushing streams. Visit meditation caves.
Cross the dry plains to Samye, its chortens gleaming from a distance.
Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 14
Samye Monastery: Visit monastery compound.
Drive to Yarlung Valley, "Valley of the Kings" and Yumbulakhang,
the oldest building in Tibet. Overnight in hotel in Tsetang or near airport.
Day 15
Early morning flight to Kathmandu: Free time
in Kathmandu.
Day 16
Fly Kathmandu to Bangkok
Day 17
Fly to US
Trip Cost:
5-9 persons US $3,450. per person
10-12 persons US $3,275. per person
Single supplement US $500 each
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