ACROSS THE MIGHTY HIMALAYAS

Breakfast at Hotel

A: M: Half-day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Bodhnath.

Pashupatinath: Means ‘the god of all animals’ and is one of the Avatars of Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath is not only the holiest Hindu pilgrimage in Nepal but also one of the holiest destinations in the entire world. Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu (near International Airport) on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple of lord Shiva Pashupati Nath, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors. Entrance to the main temple is permitted to Hindus only, yet visitors can see the temple and the activities performed on the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River and the Arya Ghat cremation grounds only for Hindus.

Boudhnath: The stupa of Budhanath lies 8 KM east of Kathmandu. On this colossal and ancient stupa, one of the biggest in the world, are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The height of this stupa is 36 meters. It is said to have been built by Lichchhavi King Mana Dev in the fifth century A.D. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. Boudha is generally acknowledged to be the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside Tibet. Tibetans simply call it CHORTEN CHEMPO “Great Stupa”.

P.M: Half-day sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur is world-renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture and indigenous lifestyle. The ancient city is also variously known as the “City of Culture”, the “Living Heritage” and “Nepal’s Cultural Gem”. Bhaktapur is more like an open museum. Monumental masterpieces in Bhaktapur are innumerable, and each is more attractive than the other. Bhaktapur is 14 Km east of Kathmandu city. Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square is the gem not only of Bhaktapur but also of the entire nation. The most fascinating structure here is the world-renowned 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, Big Bell, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, and Shiva Temple. Taumadhi Square has Nyatapola Temple dates back to 1702 AD. The colossal five-storied edifice is the country’s tallest pagoda temple.

Overnight stay at Hotel.

Our driver will pick you up in your hotel from 9:00-9:30 am. Then we will drive to the Sino-Nepal border area, close to Tibet. While driving near Mt.Himalayas, you can see the deep gorges, snow-capped mountains on the way. We will also drive across the LuangTang National Park.

Stay overnight in village guest house in Syabrubesi

Our Chinese guide waits at China side, We reach after a 16 KM drive from Syabrubesi to enter China. Then we will drive for 1 hour to Kyirong (2800m) which is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains and dense forests. In the afternoon, you take a stroll to visit Paba Temple (2850m), a Gelugpa temple which is built by Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo at the proposal of his wife Nepali Princess Bhrikuti. It’s the Nepali-style temple with delicate murals that is only within a minute’s walk from your hotel.

Stay overnight at Kyirong Hotel

Today, we will first drive to pass through Peikutso Lake and grassland. Then we continue to drive to Everest Base Camp and visit the world’s highest Monastery, the Rongbuk Monastery. On the way, you can view the splendid panoramic Himalayan Mountain Range at Gawu La Pass (5198m).

After visiting Everest Base Camp, we will drive to Tingri.

Stay overnight at Tingri Hotel.

Today, we will drive from Tingri to Shigatse. On the way, you will visit the 5000m G318 National Highway milestone in Lhatse. After your arrival in Shigatse in the early afternoon, you will visit the seat of Panchen Lama Tashilunpo Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet.

Stay overnight at Shigatse Hotel.

Today, we will drive to Lhasa via Gyantse. On the way, you can see many Tibetan farmer villages. After arriving in Gyantse, you will visit Heritage Town Gyantse’s old street and Perklor Monastery, Kumbum Stupa. Then you will also visit Manak Dam Lake, Korola Glacier and Yamdrok Lake on the way to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was put to use in the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in the tea house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy the Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debating in the courtyard of SeraMonastery. In addition, you will see colourful rock painting of Buddha and see the three sand Mandalas in Sera Monastery. After that, you will visit a Tibetan religious text printing house.

In the evening, you will enjoy the Farewell dinner well-prepared by us.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.

SUBHA YATRA