TIBET is the most beautiful place in the world situated above 4000m and surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides. The beautiful Himalayan range including the top of the world, Mt. Everest (8848m), the holiest Mt. Kailash (6714m), Buddhist monks and lamas are spectacular features of the high and dry Tibetan plateau. After centuries of complete isolation, Tibet is now opened for the Western World. A visit to Tibet is a wonderful and lifetime achievement for travelers.
TRAVEL INFORMATION ON TIBET
Most importantly, all travelers travelling in TIBET are kindly requested to bear in mind that Tibet, being extremely remote and isolated by the most formidable Himalayan ranges, remains still one of the most captivating but least developed parts in the world. With its very short history of tourism (almost 8 years) the facilities for tourists, although being upgraded, are still basic and limited. Therefore, visitors are requested not to have high expectations in terms of facilities in Tibet. However, we will put every effort into making your journey as pleasant as possible.
Travelling to Tibet from Nepal is through rough, bumpy and bending roads. Particularly during monsoon season (June-August) it can be temporarily obstructed by landslides and erosion, so appropriate clothes and good shoes are much advised to allow travellers to walk over the landslides (especially in the Nepali section).
Overcoming Altitude Problems:
Travelling in Tibet is an adventure involving high altitude and can be strenuous. Most visitors have only minor effects from the altitude, however, we advise (especially guests with known heart, lung or blood disorders) to consult their doctor before travelling. Mild headache, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorders can take place before acclimatization.
Our drive:
We advise travellers to drink four liters of water (minimum) per day to breath slowly and deeply and to take more rests than usual in order to avoid exhaustion too much.
Money:
Banks in Tibet/China are closed on Saturday and Sunday. So, you are kindly requested to carry about USD 200.00 per person in cash in order to cover your extra expenses for main meals en route to Lhasa. It is easy to exchange U.S. dollars in Chinese Yuan, the local currency.
Guide:
We always try our best to provide a good English-speaking Tibetan Guide, however, as per new regulation, guides are provided by the guide association on a queue basis. Guides in Tibet do not get enough exposure to English language; please do not expect fluent and spontaneous explanation from him/her. Your frequent questioning will encourage them to explain well, question by question.
Booking and Visa:
A booking form with full payment, along with passport details (including full name, nationality, date and place of birth, passport no., date of issue and expiry) and details of your profession, sex, home address, telephone no., is required to reach us a minimum of two weeks in advance (for booking from outside Kathmandu and a week in advance for booking from within Kathmandu). However, for Mt. Kailash and Everest Base Camp, a booking form is required with full payment in four weeks in advance. We can arrange a China / Tibet visa at a cost of USD 30.00 per person. For visa procedure, 5 full working days are required with a condition that clients should be available in Kathmandu, otherwise an 'urgent surcharge' is required.
Cancellation:
50% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation fee if cancelled within 7 days prior to the start of the tour and no refund for less than a week. Refund won't be entertained for no-shows or delayed arrivals for whatsoever reasons.
Risk and Liability:
We put every effort into making your journey smooth and pleasant, however, all Tibet tours are run strictly under Tibet Tourism Authority. We or our agents shall not be responsible for any change or cancellation of programmes due to any unavoidable circumstances such as road blockade, flood, snow, political unrest, cancellation of flights, delayed arrivals, sickness or accidents. Any resulting additional cost must be borne by clients. Therefore, we advise clients to have full insurance against medical and personal accidents etc. Cancellation insurance is also advised from your home country.
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A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SIGHTSEEING DESTINATIONS IN TIBET
Zhangmu (2500m):
For Nepali, this place is called Khasa. For Tibetan, better known by the name of Dram. Zhangmu is a small settlement clinging to a hillside 10kms from the Friendship Bridge over the Bhotekoshi River. Zhangmu has become the major trading point between Tibet and Nepal. The climate is quite different from the hinterland. The hills around Zhangmu are heavily wooded with many waterfalls in summer and impressive ice formations in winter. It has a bank, a postal office, a government store and presently undergoing a construction boom to meet the demands of trade and tourism.
Nyalam (3750m):
Nepalese traders, being an important trade center, know it as Kuti. Now a days, barrack style Chinese communes surround the typical old flat roofed, mud brick houses. Although vegetation is rare, one can see an abundance of alpine fauna on the hillside during the summer months.
Tingri (4100m):
Tingri is old Tibetan settlement with typical clustered Tibetan styled housing at the foot of small hillock. A short exploration in the settlement can expose you to a typical remote Tibetan lifestyle. Right from the roadside of Tingri, you can see the Mt. Everest (8848m) towards the southern direction.
Xegar (New Tingri) (4050m):
A new Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong, 7kms from the main road. With a population of 3000, it is the center of this large and remote area and a base from which expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched.
Lhatse (4050m):
Lhatse is situated where a main Tibetan road turns westwards to Mt. Kailash (6714m) and Manasarovar Lake. During the short summer season, the whole valley is covered with green barley fields and bright yellow mustard meadows. It is a welcome change after the barren lands of the Tibetan plateau. There is also a small hot spring located a few kilometers away.
Xigatse (3900m):
It is situated in the southwest of the Tibet Autonomous Region where Nyangchu River joins the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Shigatse is the second biggest town in Tibet and it is the center of transportation and distribution of agriculture and husbandry products from the southeastern part of Tibet. 'Xigatse' in Tibetan means the 'Estate that fulfills one's Wishes'.
Tashilhunpo Monastery:
Tashilhunpo Monastery is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang region of Tibet. It is located in the town of Xigatse and was founded by Gedun Drup, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelungpa Sect. Gedun Drup is recognized as the first Dalai Lama. It was first built in 1447 and continuously expanded by the successive Panchen Lamas. The Ngagpa College (Tantric College), one of its four monastic colleges, is the residence of the Panchen Lamas. The most amazing image in the monastery is the statue of the giant Maitreya (Future Buddha) erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914. It took four years to build this monumental statue, which stands twenty-six meters high and is composed of 275kgs of solid gold and a great quantity of precious things such as pearls, turquoise, coral and amber. The 4th Panchen Lama's funeral Stupa was built in 1662 and stands eleven meters high and is covered in solid gold and silver.
Gyantse (3950m):
A small agricultural town famous for its wool carpets and the Phalkor Choide Chorten, Gyantse lies between a monastery and fort. This unique structure, built in 1414, consists of five stories representing the five steps to enlightenment and is topped by thirteen rings, which symbolize the stages of advancement towards Buddhahood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes and Buddha Shrines.
Phalkor Monastery:
Located in Gyantse and founded jointly by Kedup Je of the Gelugpa Sect and Rabten Kunsang of the Sakyapa Sect in 1418. The Phalkor Monastery has a special influence over Tibet's Buddhism owing to its unification of three different Sects, the Gelugpa, the Sakyapa and Bhuton Sects in a single monastery. The famous Kumbum pagoda, built in collaboration with Newari artists from Nepal and Tibet, also stands in the same courtyard with nine storeys, 108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images, either sculptured or painted, this is the reason for the name '100,000 Image Pagoda'.
Yamdrok Lake - The Sacred Lake (4425m):
Yamdrok Lake is one of the biggest and beautiful lakes in Tibet. We pass by this lake with about two hours drive along its bank. Yamdrok means turquoise in Tibetan language. In fact, the lake looks exactly as beautiful as turquoise blue during good weather days. This freshwater lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes, is sweet and no saline, extending for 624 sq kms, in the shape of two pincers of a large scorpion; you can have a short stop on its bank and enjoy photography here.
Lhasa - The Land of Lords (3650m):
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located at the north bank of Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3650m above sea level. Lhasa has a history of more than 1300 years and has been the center of politics, economy, culture and religion in Tibet since ancient times. 'Lhasa' in Tibetan means 'the land of Lords'. In Lhasa, there are plenty of scenic spots and historical attractions among which Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama with thirteen storeys and 1000 rooms, Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple-the holiest shrine of Tibet and the famous Rimpoche Temple.
Drepung Monastery:
Situated five kilometers distance to the western side of Lhasa at the foot of Mt. Ganpoi Uze, Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect. The monastery, occupying an area of 250,000 square meters with a fixed number of 7700 monks, is the largest monastery in Tibet. The monastery keeps many historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, arts and crafts.
Sera Monastery:
Sera means 'hailstone' in Tibetan language. It is set at the foot of the Hill situated at three kilometers to the north of Lhasa city. Sera is comprised of a great sutra chanting hall and a college. Jamchen Choje, a disciple of Tsongkapa, the founder of Gelugpa Sect, founded sera Monastery in 1419. The monastery was erected on a mountain slope. Sera Monastery together with Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in Lhasa are known as the 'three Great Monasteries of Tibet'.
Jokhang Temple:
Jokhang Temple, situated at the center of the old section of Lhasa called Barkhor, was built in the mid-7th century A.D. It was later extended by successive rulers and has now become a gigantic architecture complex. It is located in the east and facing to the west. Jokhang is a four storeyed Temple with splendid golden roofs. It's architecture features art from the Tang Dynasty but also assimilated many features from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist Temples. The murals in the temple depict the life stories of historic and religious characters. The Temple houses many historical relics including statues of King Songtsen Gompo, Princess Wencheng, Princess Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese), Princess Willow (a tree) and 'The Uncle-Nephew Alliance Tablet'. Jokhang is Tibet's spiritual center and the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses a sitting of statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old. The circular Barkhor Street has innumerable shops and wayside peddlers intermingle with devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang Temple. An evening walk (Kora) around the Jokhang Temple together with the Tibetan pilgrims is a lifetime experience.
Potala Palace:
The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works of the world, sits on the top of the red Hill in Lhasa. In the 7th century, after the Tibetan King Songsten Gompo's marriage with Princess Wencheng of the Tang Court, the Palace was built to provide the Tibetan Court with a place of worship and meditation. In the mid 17th century, it was re-built by the 5th Dalai Lama to its present size and became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction took fifty years from beginning to its completion.
The Potala is divided into two sections, namely, the Red Palace and the White Palace. The total height of the Potala is 117 meters spanning thirteen storeys. The length of the Palace from east to west is 400 meters and the breadth from south to north is 250 meters. The building was constructed of stone and timber with golden roofs. It is a majestic architectural masterpiece.
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