Tibet — North & Central Asia, China & Tibet intro — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET NEPAL * TIBET Landscapes of Tibet/Ethel Davies Abode of the God-Kings Ref TB The Other Side of Everest TREKKING GRADE C/D Ref OE JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 17 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSE CULTURAL JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL TIBET JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 23 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSES/MONASTERY/CAMPING NOMADS, MONASTERIES & MOUNTAINS A superb introduction to the complexities of Tibetan Buddhism, art, philosophy and history. But the real, unforgettable highlights are the people of Tibet: their monastic rituals and traditional way of life, and the stunning scenery. Tibetan Plateau & Potala Palace From Kathmandu, we fly across the Himalaya to Gongkar, on the high Tibetan plateau. We visit Yumbulagang Palace, the oldest dwelling place of Tibetan kings, and take a local ferry across the Upper Brahmaputra river to the monastery of Samye. Arriving in Lhasa we have three days of extensive sightseeing of the Dalai Lama's medieval capital. The Potala Palace walls seem to grow directly out of the rocks, soaring and glistening in the crisp, dry air. We visit the sacred Jokhang Temple and listen to eerie, sonorous monks chanting. Potala Palace, Lhasa Over the Karo La Pass Leaving Lhasa, we drive over the 5010m Karo La Pass to beautiful Gyantse. Here we admire the extraordinary paintings and sculptures of the Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choide monastery (15th century). We expect to encounter nomadic herdsmen as our journey continues over high passes on our way to Shekar. Sunrise on the Himalaya As we continue, immense vistas of snowcapped peaks dwarf tiny settlements where hardy yak herders tend their stock. After watching the sunrise colour the northern flanks of the mighty Himalaya we begin our descent from the Tibetan Plateau (5000m). A series of steep switch-backs bring us back to the terraced landscapes of Nepal. This exciting and unique tour sees us trekking in three distinctly different areas of this fascinating region. We venture up to Lake Namtso in Central Tibet, then through a spectacular area south of Shigatse where we visit monasteries tucked away in the mountains. One of the major highlights of the tour is trekking into the Base Camp on the north side of Everest. In Lhasa We hope for views of Everest as we fly across the Himalaya from Kathmandu to Gongkar in Tibet, where we meet our vehicle and drive on to Lhasa. We have two full days of sightseeing in and around this fascinating historic capital city including visits to the sacred Jokhang temple and the incredible Potala Palace. Pilgrims & Monasteries Heading north out of Lhasa we eventually reach Damzhung, then ascend the Largen La Pass (4970m). From here we get fantastic views of lovely Namtso Lake, one of the world's highest at 4590m. Camping at Tashi Do on its shore, we enjoy a spectacular vista of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and visit the nearby hermitage caves with their many prayer flags fluttering in the wind. After acclimatising walks near the lake we drive back over the Largen La to Yangpachen where we camp for the night near to the Gompa (monastery). After visiting the monastery we Yaks/J. Edou continue on foot to Dorjeling where we meet our vehicle. Driving south to Shigatse we visit historic Tashilumpo Monastery, one of the largest in Tibet. The second part of our trek takes us on a pilgrimage route from Zhalu (3890m) through rugged mountains and past several remote monasteries to Ja village, then over the Chak La (4470m) to Ngor Monastery where we stay overnight in the pilgrims' dormitory. Everest Approach Our final days trekking, although strenuous, are well worth the effort and take us over two high passes above 5000m. The second of these, the Pang La (5150m) is the highest point on the tour. Eventually we are rewarded with our first views of Everest (8848m) a fantastic and memorable sight and a wonderful highlight of the tour. We camp at Dza Rongphu Monastery (4920m) from where we make our final trek to the Base Camp (5090m). FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Kathmandu. 2 Arrive Kathmandu. 3 & 4 In Kathmandu, walking tour; excursion to Bodnath and Pashupatinath, optional visit to Patan. 5 Fly Gongkar in Tibet; drive Tsetang, visit Yumbulagang Palace. 6 In Tsetang; excursion by road and ferry over Brahmaputra river to Samye Monastery. 7 Visit Mindroling Monastery; drive Lhasa. 8 to 10 In Lhasa; visit Potala Palace, Jokhang, Sera Temple and full-day excursion to Ganden. 11 Drive to Gyantse. 12 In Gyantse; visit Kumbum Stupa. 13 Drive Shigatse; visit Tashilumpo Monastery. 14 Drive via Shekar to Tingre. 15 Drive Kathmandu via Friendship Bridge. 16 In Kathmandu; optional Everest flight; afternoon fly London. 17 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel, 1nt guesthouse; 14 breakfasts & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus or Jeep/Flight/Ferry. Comment: An exciting journey through a remote region. We travel at high altitudes (average 3950m) and some of our road journeys are long and bumpy, although infinitely rewarding. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and interpreter guide. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Kathmandu. 2 Arrive Kathmandu. 3 In Kathmandu; city walking tour. 4 Fly Lhasa. 5 & 6 In Lhasa; visit Potala Palace, Jokhang and Norbulingka. 7 Drive via the Largen La (4970m) to Tashi Do (Lake Namtso); visit hermitage caves. 8 Treks near lake (2hrs); drive to Yangpachen Monastery. 9 Visit monastery, trek to Dorjeling (5hrs). 10 Drive to Shigatse. 11 Drive to Zhalu Monastery; trek to Showa La Pass (4100m) and on to Ja (6hrs). 12 Cross Chak La (4470m); descend to Ngor Monastery (4.5hrs). 13 Trek to Dzong Luguri (2hrs); drive Shigatse; visit Tashilumpo Monastery. 14 Drive via Gatso La (5220m) to Tingre. 15 Drive to Lungjiang; trek to Shaomba (6hrs). 16 Trek via Pang La (5150m) to Chukorong (8hrs). 17 Trek to Dza Rongphu Monastery (4920m) (5hrs). 18 Visit Dza Rongphu Monastery; trek to Everest Base Camp then return to monastery (5090m) (5hrs). 19 Drive to Zhangmu via Tingre and Lalung La (5050m). 20 Cross border; drive to Kathmandu. 21 In Kathmandu. 22 Fly London. 23 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 10nts hotel, 1nt guesthouse, 1nt monastery, 8nts camping; 20 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Jeep/Foot/Flight. Comment: We trek in three distinct little-visited regions culminating in Everest Base Camp. Trekking is strenuous and at high altitude (max 5150m) and is suitable for experienced walkers only. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus trek guide, yaks, yak herdsmen, cook and drivers. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. The Other Side of Everest Ref OE Abode of the God-Kings Ref TB TIBET (CHINA) Lake TASHI DO Namtso Nyanchen Thanglha Damzhung 7162m Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Ganden LHASA Gatso La Yellow Hat Thong La 5220m Pass Lamas Samye 5050m Pass Tashilumpo Monastery H Monastery NGOR MONASTERY Kumbum Stupa I TINGRE 4240m GYANTSE Gongkar M JA Chak La TSETANG Showa La Shekar A 4470m Pass 4100m Pass Yumbulagang SHAOMBA ZHANGMU CHUKORONG Mindroling Palace L Friendship DZA Monastery Bridge A RONGPHU Everest Base camp R a ka Z an gb G A N G D I S E YANGPACHEN GOMPA DORJELING Yangpachen o S H A N SHIGATSE Trek length and gradients 5400m 5000m 4600m 4200m 3800m 3400m 3000m Shaomba Tashi Do Yangpachen Gompa Dorjeling Shigatse Ja Ngor Shigaste Tingre Chukorong Dza Rongphu Everest 8848m Y A km B HU T A N 0 120 Rest Day Rest Day KATHMANDU Bodnath Stupa Pashupatinath Temple N E PA L INDIA Day 7 2km Day 8 6.5km Day 9 13km Day 10 Day 11 10km Day 12 12km Day 13 13km Day 14 Day 15 17km Day 16 17km Day 17 7km Day 18 16km Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement 161

North & Central Asia, China & Tibet intro contd… Tibet