This journey leads us to the most fascinating land in central Tibet. We first spend some days in the Yarlung-valley, the origin of Tibetan civilization. Then it is available to us to explore Lhasa this magic city in a gentle way within 5 days. Besides, we also undertake excursions in the surroundings of Lhasa. Afterwards we make an overland tour on the Tibetan plateau from Lhasa to Kathmandu. The landscapes are so overwhelming that we accept the strains of this trip gladly, particularly as we will visit on the way some very interesting and important monasteries and Stupa (Sakya, Shigatse, Gyantse). Altogether we enjoy the journey a lot of time to experience the ancient and current Tibet intensely. The contact with the Tibetan population can be searched and found in detail. A journey in Tibet always possesses expedition character. This hard journey requires flexibility, tolerance and spirit of adventure of every journey participant due to the high altitude. Anyhow the tourism infrastructure has somewhat developed.

Day01 Flight to Kathmandu :

Day02-04 Kathmandu B/L :
Optional excursions in Kathmandu: visit Bodhnath the place of origin for Tibetan Buddhism, different monasteries, and the king's cities of Pantan and Bhaktapur.

Day05-06 Tsetang - Samye B/L :
Fly to Tsetang, viewing Himalaya the highest mountain of the world during this approx. 70-minites flight. After arrival escorted to hotel to have a rest for acclimatizing to the high altitude. The next day cross the Yarlung Tsangpo River by small ferry to visit the magnificent Samye monastery, the first monastery in Tibet built in the 8th century. Later go to Lahsa.

Day07 Lhasa B/L :
Visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street nearby Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. In the afternoon visit Norbulingka, which means the garden of treasures in Tibetan language. Located in the west suburbs of Lhasa, this palace complex was built in the 18th century and served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Day08 Lhasa B/L :

In the morning visit Potala, which was constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet and later served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Another aim is Dralha Lhupuk (meditation cave) where Pelden Lhamo, the goddess of protection is enshrined. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called "the court of wild rose". Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day09 Lhasa -Yerpa - Lhasa B/L :
Visit Yerpa caves. After that return Lhasa.

Day10-12 Lhasa - Drigung - Terdrom B/L/D :
Visit Drigung monastery of Kagyu sect where few tourists have ever comes well as Terdrom convent, it is said that the hot spring nearby has a magic curing effect.

Day13 Terdrom - Reting B/L/D :
Visit Reting monastery of Gelupka-sect which is surrounded by flourishing big trees.

Day14-15 Nam-Tso Lake B/L/D :
Drive northwards to Nam-Tso Lake.Trek by the lake. In Changthang meadow nearby herdsman live.

Day16 Nam-Tso Lake - Lhasa B/L :
Return to Lhasa.

Day17 Lhasa - Gyantse B/L :
Leave Lhasa for Gyantse. Pass by the Yamdrok-Tso Lake, the third-biggest holy lake in Tibet and a wonderful place for taking photos. Cross over Kangpa-La Pass (5000 m.) on the way and in the late afternoon arrive in Gyantse, which lies on the bank of the Nyang-river. There visit Kumbum Pagoda (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) as well as Pelkor Monastery famed for its splendid Tibetan buddhist art, both of them being built in the15th century.

Day18 Gyantse - Shigatse B/L :
Drive to Shigatse, the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet. There visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelukpa sect, the seat of the Panchan Lamas and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet region. In the monastery the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Bouddha of the future) in China is enshrined. In Tibet Buddism, Panchen Lama is just the embodiment of Maitreya Buddha.

Day19 Shigatse - Sakya - Shekar B/L/D :
Drive westwards on the Tibetan Plateau and cross over several passes - the highest one, Jiatsuo La Pass being 5200 m high. Road conditions permitting, go on an excursion (about 25 km) to the Sakya Monastery (4280 m). The monastery, built by Kublai Khans, is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Tibet. Finally arrive at Shekar (4300 m).

Day20 Shekar - Zhangmu B/L/D :
During the journey far view Cho Oyu, Mt. Everest and Shishapangma the highest mountains in the world. Drive over the Thang-La Pass (5214 m) to Nylam. Afterwards visit the meditation cave of Milarepa. Milarepa, the yogi, has played an important role in the religious life of Tibet and his teachings still influence the people everywhere.

Day21 Zhangmu - Kathmandu B/L :
Cross the border between Tibet and Nepal to Kathmandu.

Day22 Flight Kathmandu - home B :
Today transfer to airport, fly to home.

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