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Trip code: Lhasatour10
Price: € 1,950
Grade: 1 : Easy
Duration: 10 days
Maximum altitude: 3,600m
Flight Kathmandu > Lhasa included
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Tibet
Trip details
Destination :
Lhasa city, Tibet
Grade : 1 : Easy
1 : Easy | 2 : Moderate | 3 : Arduous | 4 : Strenuous | 5 : Very arduous
Duration : 10 days
Best season : April | May - September | November
Trip Price : € 1,950
Group size : 2 - 12
Single supplementary : € 150
Single room supplement mandatory when no sharing room : €95
Recommended previous experience :
All altitude trekking adventure with at least 5h walk per day
Further info :
Extra service (with supplement) :
Mountain flight to see top of Everest - 40mn
Ayurveda massage - 1/2 day
Lhasa is one of the highest city on the bank of the Kyichu River. The city is surrounded by a range of 5000m mountains amid an amazing landscape. It is the heart of modern life coexisting with magnificient ancient Bhuddist temples, traditional market and shaddy narrow streets. This tour is a stunning discovery in the deep roots of Buddhism and the soul of Tibet. Holy monasteries, the Potala Palace and colorful festivals give a peaceful religious atmosphere to your trip.
Take the occasion to experience the Monlam Chemo Festival among the pilgrims, mask dancers and local people coming from all over the country for this unique occasion.
Itinerary
- Day 01 : Arrive at Kathmandu airport. O/N Hotel.
- Day 02 : Visa formalities day and prepare your bags. O/N Hotel.
- Day 03 : Fly to Lhasa. Free afternoon in Lhasa. O/N Hotel.
- Day 04 : Visit Jokhang Temple and festivities. O/N Hotel.
- Day 05 : Visit Sera Monastry. Free day at Barkhor market. O/N Hotel.
- Day 06 : Potala visit. Free afternoon and festivities. O/N Hotel.
- Day 07 : Drive to Gyantse. Visit Kumbum Stupa & Phalkor Monastery. Drive to Lhasa. O/N Hotel.
- Day 08 : Fly to Kathmandu. Celebration dinner. O/N Hotel.
- Day 09 : Half day Kathmandu guided tour. Free afternoon. O/N Hotel.
- Day 10 : International departure.
Festival
Monlam Chemo, also called The Great Prayer Festival, is one of the most important event in Tibet for Bhuddists. The festivities occur from Feb 16th to 25th 2010 (dates to be reconfirmed). During the festivities, masks dancers perform Cham Dances among the crowd. A huge tangka is unfurled in front of pilgrims coming from all over the Tibetan Plateau. During ritual pilgrims perform prayer postures in front of the Jokhang Temple. The traditional festival was established by Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelup school and the yellow hats Bhuddist sect in the early 15th century. The event generally takes place in february.
Cultural interest
According to the local rules, the Potala Potala can be visited either in the morning or in the evening. The time visit is unlimited for individual visitors but reduce to one hour only if they are accompagnied by a guide. Main chapels and rooms are opened, some others remaining closed to preserve the monument from over-crowed and damages. Still, the Palace remains one of the stunning place to visit with an amazing view of the city and the surrounding mountains from the roof top. The main attraction is the West chapel containing 5 massive golden stupas surrounding a 14m stupa made of gold and studded with precious jewels containing the momiified body of the Fifth Dalai Lama.
The Jokhang Monastery is facing the Barkhor Square where pilgrims make their circumambulation in prayer postures. Two large encens burners situated in front of the main doors are constantly burning to bless the site. The Temple was built by King Songsten Gampo in 7th century at the place of an ancient lake to welcome two statues of Buddha brough by his chinese and Nepali wifes. It still remains a renowned center of pilgrimage. Splendid golden statues and architectural ornoments are covering the top terrasse.
Lhasa is one of the highest city of the world at 3600m altitude. This is the capital of the Tibet autonomous region and an amazing living place divided into the chinese and the tibetan parts. Large avenues and small streets opening in courtyards are the heart of Lhasa. Situated on the Tibetan plateau, the city is surrounded by bare mountains elevated at 5000m altitude. The Jokhan Temple, considered as one of the most holiest place in Tibet, is the main attraction with the Potala Palace.
Climate & season
Lhasa is situated on the Tibetan pleateau in high altitude. Most of the days are crystal clear with nice warm temperature. The main rainy season is from july to september even though the city does not suffer from the monsoon rain due to its situation beyond the high barrier of the Himalayas. December and January are the coolest months in the year with temperature often below zero.
November and February, even if cooler, are very nice time to visit Lhasa. You will still benefit from very sunny weather and avoid the large number of tourists that visit the place.
Tibet & Nepal team
We provide highly experienced local guide in Tibet. They know very well the regions crossed. They will always be pleased to share with you the treasures of Tibet and will make your trip enjoyable. Our leaders speak fluent english, nepali, tibetan and chinese for the well-being of the group. The team will support and assist you in friendly sharing moments.
What about tipping ?
In Tibet tipping driver and guide is expected and common although it is not compulsory. If you feel your guide or driver has done a good job, please allow approximately USD 20$ per day per person to be divided equally between Tibetan crew staff. As the season in Tibet is quite short, extra income are often expected to sustain the rest of the year with less tourits. Then, we highly recommend that you leave a tip to theTibetan staff.
In Nepal tipping is less expected. Nevertheless, wages and living standard are very low. If you feel that the service is good, we recommend leaving a tip of 500 roupies or so.
Visa and Permits
We arrange your visa and permits at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. No need to get a visa for China before departure, it will automatically be cancelled and remplaced by a specific visa for Tibet. Nevertheless, it is important you send us a copy of the identity pages of your passeport upon booking. An extra fee is applicable at the rate of USD 115$ for all nationality and USD 200$ to American passport holders. It is also highly recommended to book your international flight arriving in Kathmandu either on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday as the Embassy opens on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
On the way back a re-entry visa has to be paid directly in Kodari village at the entrance point in Nepal. Please, allow USD 100$ to bear the cost of the visa for Nepal. Also bring 2 ID photos and your passeport. Prefer a multi_entry visa at Kathmandu airport to pay the extra fee upon arrival directly from Nepal.
Accommodation
We take care of all accomodations during your trek, hotels in Kathmandu as well as lodge / guesthouse on your trek. All hotels and guesthouse rooms are on double or triple sharing basis. Nevertheless, we can provide a single room at affordable price, please ask.
We always stay focused on providing the most suitable accomodation in regard of the comfort and the quality of the service based on the local standard. In Lhasa you will be at the Yak Lhasa Hotel or similar and in Kathmandu, Thamel Hotel or similar.
Health condition & acclimatization
Altitude has to be considered as you can suffer from AMS. Kathmandu is at 1300m altitude and you will fly to Lhasa at 3650m altitude.It is essential that you get fit and healthy before your trek. This trek is not recommended for heavy smokers and for those who have heart problems or respiratory ailment. We will require a medical certificate from your doctor that allows you to participate the trip.
What does the trip include
Price Includes
- Welcome at Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu.
- All hotel/airport transfer.
- Hotel rooms in Kathmandu, double occupacy, on B&B Basis.
- Domestic flight Kathmandu – Lhasa.
- All meals on set menu in Tibet
- All accommodation in Tibet.
- Private landcruiser transport.
- Guided tours included in your itinerary with entry fees.
- Guide and driver.
- Nepal crew salary, insurance, food and lodging.
- Permit fees.
- Comprehensive medical kit.
- Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) for safety in altitude.
Price does not include
- International flight to / from Kathmandu and all applicable taxes.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- All personal clothing & personal equipment.
- All expenses of personal nature (Laundry, Phones, Tips, bar bills ...).
- Tibet Visa fee of US$ 115 for foreigners and US$ 200 for Americans.
- Personal / Medical / Travel insurance and Rescue evacuation in case of emergency.
- Any expenses for early returning member due to sickness, injury or any other reason.
- All applicable transport charges in case of road disruptions or landslide.
- Extra staff or additional vehicule.
- All drinks.
- Tips.
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