Arrive Kathmandu 1300m

Namaste and welcome to Nepal. On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and will escort you to the hotel where one of our tour officers will give you a brief orientation of the hotel, Kathmandu, Trek/Camping, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal. Our Tour Officer will ask for your International flight ticket and your passport for safe keeping and for reconfirmation of your out bound flight. Do not hesitate to do this, this is one of our routine service and it will be in the safe hand while you are on the trek, and after the trek you will get it back.

Valley sightseeing tour

After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your full day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. After your breakfast proceed for your full day sightseeing tour to Kathmandu Durbar square visiting, ancient palace, living goddess temple Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka and Kastamandap temple. Transfer to Swoyambhunath stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, further transfer to Pashupatinath temple the holiest shrine of the Hindu people and Boudhnath stupa of Buddhist pilgrimage center and back to hotel, evening briefing about the trek with guide introduction. Be ready this evening for tomorrow leaving to trek and overnight at Hotel.

Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa

You will be taken to airport 3 hours before your departure time. If the weather is clear enough you can have the spectacular view of World’s highest peaks including Mount Everest. You will be received by our agent in Tibet at the Airport and will drive to our Hotel for about two hours in Lhasa. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Guided Tour in Lhasa

Tour the fabled city of Lhasa. A completely forbidden city until very recent times, Lhasa was Holy Grail for many central Asian explorers of past generations. The City has of course been altered by the Chinese occupation and the impact of foreign visitors. However much of the original character remains and whilst jostling through the Potala with crowds of ethnic Tibetans, it is hard not to be captivated by this magnificent civilisation. We will visit the great monasteries of Sera and Drepung, both of which were extensively destroyed in the Cultural Revolution but are now being rebuilt. We will also visit the Jokhang and of course the Potala. Lhasa is at 3600m/12000ft and provides an ideal acclimatizaon for the first few days. The relatively comfortable hotel (the only one during our Tibetan stay) will give members some time to get to know each other without the stress of mountaineering.

Drive to Ganden

Morning drive to Ganden, the journey covers 70 km to the north east outskirt of Lhasa Valley the journey passes through interesting rural villages and farm field and finally reaching at Ganden for the overnight halt. Ganden one of the main monasteries of Tibet, founded by the great abbot Tshon Kha Pa of Gelukpa sect. It was established in 1409, Ganden means the joyful.

At Ganden for short hike and monastery tour

A necessary acclimatisation day, this free leisure day for short walk around this great place and visit to the Monastery, half the Monastery area and its building was badly destroyed during the cultural revolution. Ganden monastery situated at an altitude of 4267m. The founder of Geluk-pa sect and of Ganden Monastery lived in almost dark rooms with a low ceiling. These structures have been preserved for many years. His remains were preserved in golden funerary-chorten having on both side tombs of his two principal disciples. Later, several new buildings were added. However, after 1959, almost all the monasteries of Ganden were razed to the ground. From the past 10 years reconstruction of this monastery is under way, but only the Lord knows how much time it will take to regain its past glory. At present there are about two hundred monks only living here.

Trek to Shuga-La

Trek to Gyama Valley and trek to the bottom of Shuga-la for the overnight camp. The trek passes through the village of Hebu as you camp near Shuga-La on the meadow beside the Drogpa camp (Nomads) 6-7 hours walk.

Trek to Chitu-la

The trek passes the Shuga-La and camp before or after the Chitu-La. Depending upon the availability of the water and camp. 5-6 hours walk.

Trek to Samye via Yamalung and Nyengo settlement 6-7

Trek to Samye via Yamalung and Nyengo settlement 6-7

Morning tour of Samye Monastery and drive to Tsedang

Samye Monastery, this was the first monastery established in Tibet, located on the north bank of Yarlung Tsangpo river, south east of Lhasa. It was constructed by Padmasambhava (Guru Ringboche) and Santarakshita between AD 763 and 775 in the reign of King Dristen Detsen. The Samye monastery was modelled on the University of Odantapuri in India and was made on a plan representing the mount Sumeru (Rirab) which is considered the axis of universe. The four pagodas in white, blue, green and red represents the four worlds in the north, south, east and west of the universe. Smaller temples represents the island between the worlds. The main temple is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara (Chenresi). Acccording to a legend, Padmasambhava magically compelled Tibetan demons to collect stones and wood each night for construction by men during day. The Nagas (serpent deities) procured the funds.
This famous monastery was the site of a major Buddhist council called "Council of Samye” held there in 792-794, two learned teachers, one from India and the other from China participated in the debate. India was represented by Kamlasila and China by Hashang.
At Samye we stop for the sightseeing of the ancient Monastery and then trek to the bank of Yarlung-Tsangpo (Bhramaputra River). After relaxing day at Samye, two hours walk to the bank of the Yarlung-Tsangpo river from where we board on the ferry, a barge like boat, propelled by the motor engine 40 minutes of scenic float brings to the bank where our vehicle will be waiting on the Lhasa to Tsedang main highway. From here an hour and a half drive to Tshedang the growing city. Tshedang in the early century use to be the actual capital of the northern Tibetan Kingdom before it was shifted to Lhasa.

Sightseeing in Tshedang

Today after breakfast we will visit the ancient fort, where the actual castle like palace of the earlier king of Tibet of this Kychui Valley still stands a short drive to the outskirt of the city. After a short drive we walk for about half an hour to the palace fort.

Drive to Gongar airport for the flight to Kathmandu

As per your flight time you will be timely transferred to airport for your flight journey over the Himalayas back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu

A free day in Kathmandu, please let our staff or tour officer know if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight or hot air ballooning.

Transfer to Airport for the International departure.

Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our Tour Officer will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.