Guided Touring in Tibet

A selection of easy to moderate walks. Altitude is a major factor in determining how far and fast we walk, and can make an easy walk feel difficult. Time has been built in to allow gradual acclimatisation in Nepal and then in Lhasa. The longest walk is 12 miles in the Tsapuk valley at 14,000 feet altitude. Due to distances travelled and altitude, a good level of fitness is required.

Day 1: To Kathmandu - Fly from London Heathrow to Kathmandu, via Delhi

Day 2: Kathmandu - Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Park Village Hotel in the Budhanilkantha area for 1 night.

Day 3: To Shivapuri and Nagarkot - Acclimatise in Nepal with a drive to Kopna Monastery on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu valley and a walk to Baudhanath, the ‘Wish Fulfilling Stupa’. Continue to Nagarkot, at an elevation of 2,200m for 2 nights at the Country Villa Hotel.

Day 4: Nagarkot - Wake early to see sunrise over the Himalayas. Spend the day in Nagarkot, hiking to small villages and visiting a local school.

Day 5: To Lhasa - Transfer to Kathmandu airport for a spectacular flight to Lhasa, Tibet. Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Kyichu Hotel, just minutes away from the Barkhor market in the old part of the city, for 4 nights. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or perhaps take a short walk to Barkhor Square.

Day 6: Lhasa - See the amazing sights of Lhasa, including the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the holiest place of pilgrimage in Tibet, and the ancient Barkhor Market. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 7: Norbulingka - Travel out of the city and visit Drepung Monastery and the Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace, with attractive grounds.

Day 8: Pha Bong Kha Walk - Walk on a fairly level pilgrim’s trail to Pha Bong Kha monastery, with wonderful views of the valley around Lhasa.  Here the mountain is dotted with temples and holy sites.

Day 9: To Drikung - Drive out to the Drikung Valley to experience authentic Tibetan customs in this beautiful untouched region. On arrival there will be a traditional Tibetan reception. Afternoon walk to the Drikung Thil monastery, and the local primary school. We then return to the river and it’s a short walk from there across the valley to the Nomad Camp for 3 nights.

Day 10: Drikung & Terdrom - Morning drive to Terdrom and trek up to the Dhingye Ghang nunnery retreat, a wonderful experience as the walk is part of the inner Kora of the Drikung Mandala.  Continue to the Terdorm hot springs where you can take a soak. Back at camp there will be a traditional dance performance by people from the nearby village.

Day 11: Tsapuk Valley - Drive to the entrance of the Tsapuk Valley for walks in this stunning valley, one of the Himalaya’s best kept secrets where very few westerners have ever walked. The winding valley is filled with many kinds of wild flowers, lovely bird life and it is one of the only areas where the wild Tibetan blue sheep can be seen at close range.

Day 12: To Lhasa - This morning it is farewell to the nomad families and Tibetan hosts and a 3 hour journey back to Lhasa for 1 night, with the afternoon at leisure.

Day 13: To Gyantse - Journey to Gyantse over the Kampa La Pass, stopping to see the beautiful turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso Lake. Cross three more mountain passes, arriving at Gyantse for 1 night at the Jin Zhang Hotel. Evening stroll through the old town.

Day 14: Gyantse & To Shigatse - Morning walk up to the fort for commanding view of Gyantse and the Kumbum stupa. Descend to the Stupa and Phalkor monastery. The Phalkhor has a special influence over Buddhism in Tibet owing to its unification of the Gelugpa, Sakyapa & Bhuton sects. This afternoon drive for 2 hours to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and the capital of the traditional Tibetan province of Tsang. Walk around the mountain overlooking the city along with the pilgrims to one of the holiest monasteries in Tibet, the Tashilunpo, the seat of the Panchen Lama. Stay for 1 night at the Manasarovar Hotel.

Day 15: Tashilinpo Monastery & To Shegar Shen - Visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the few monasteries in Tibet that weathered the storms of the Cultural Revolution. Founded by the first Dalai Lama, Gedun Drup in 1447, this monastery houses the 26m high Maitreya Buddha, made of gold. Afternoon drive to to Shegar Shen, crossing the highest point on the journey through Tibet, the Gyatso La pass at 5220m. Time permitting, there will be a short hike up Tsip Ri, one of holiest peaks in Tibet. Stay overnight at the Shanghai Chomulangma Hotel.

Day 16: To Khodari, Nepal - A full day’s memorable drive to the border. After the small town of Tingri, if the weather conditions are favourable, Mt. Everest (Chomulungma in Tibetan) is visible. From Lalung La pass (5,050m) the road cuts through the Himalayas and drops down to the Tibet/Nepal border at 1700m.  The changes in the vegetation and the landscape in such a short distance is just amazing. Cross the Friendship Bridge on foot and arrive at Kodari, on the Nepal side of the border. It is a further hour or so to The Last Resort, where we spend the night in comfortable safari style tents in lovely surroundings near the Bhote Kosi river.

Day 17: To Kathmandu - Return to Kathmandu, stopping in Dhulikhel for lunch. Stay at the Hotel Malla for 1 night, with a farewell dinner at the Rum Doodle restaurant.

Day 18: To London - Transfer to the airport for a flight to London via Delhi, arriving this evening.