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Mt. Chomokangar & Namtso Lake

We explore the pilgrimage site of Tashi Dor before driving back through the Nyenchen Thanglha range, over the Sugu La and close to the base of Chomokangar, a stunning peak just short of 7000m. We then spend the nest 3 days exploring the incredible alpine environment and views. If you only have a short amount of time and you want to get amongst glaciers, alpine lakes, yaks and pikas and experience camping out near yak herders piques your interest, this trip is a prfect choice.

Overland Nepal to Lhasa

After crossing the heights of the plateau we will visit the massive Sakya monastery, the seat for one of Tibetan Buddhism’s four major schools (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Geluk). This crucial monastery is almost ominous in its gigantic presence and is frequently bypassed in the rush to and from the border, but we think it should not be missed.

Shigatse is the biggest town in western Tibet and its grand Tashilhumpo monastery is the seat for the Panchen Rinpoche. We carry on directly to Lhasa on the 4th day so as to have plenty of time to visit the sites there (described in Major Monasteries). We will also be able to make a day excursion to Ganden monastery which sprawls upon a ridge-top above the Kyichu valley.

 

On the last day we will transfer the hour and half to Lhasa airport in time for flight departures.

 

Monasteries to Nepal

We will transfer directly to Tsedang from Lhasa airport so as to see the early sites of the Yarlung dynasty and the first Monastery of Tibet, Samye. Then we move on to Lhasa for three full days of sightseeing that will allow us the flexibility to make the visit up to Ganden or even to other smaller retreat sites or monasteries in the area.

On the 7th day we will commence the drive towards Nepal via the old road to Gyantse. The journey will cross five passes over 15,000 feet (4,500m), run alongside the sacred Yamdrak-tso, and give us time to visit the important monasteries of Gyantse, Shigatse and Sakya. Our final day in Tibet will run along the northern fringe of the high Himalaya with views of Everest before we plunge into the valley leading to Nepal. Please see the more detailed description of all these sites in the itineraries above (Major Monasteries).

The last night at Zhangmu will allow an early and easy transfer across the border and on to Kathmandu the next day.

Major Monasteries

We will meet your flight arrival at Lhasa airport and make the hour and half transfer directly to your hotel in Lhasa. The next days will include visits to the major temples, palaces and monasteries of Lhasa and we will arrange specific times with you upon arrival. The Jokhang is the most sacred of all temples in Tibet is also the heart of Lhasa. Pilgrimage to see the Jowo statue within this 8th century temple is perhaps the most important journey any Tibetan can make. The bustling marketplace surrounding the temple can provide hours of friendly and fascinating wandering. The towering Potala Palace was the religio-political nexus of traditional Tibet, as well as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, and it will take a full morning to ascend and explore. Drepung and Sera monasteries, two of the largest monastic complexes in the world (housing well over 6,000 monks each in their heydey) require an afternoon each to explore. There are also numerous smaller temples, monasteries and nunneries tucked within the old town of Lhasa or the hills around and we can explore according to your interests.

On the fourth day we drive the old road to Gyantse which runs alongside the sprawling lake of Yamdrak-tso, over two passes, and past looming glaciers. The next morning we will have time to see the fantastic artwork and architecture of Pelkar Chode monastery and its associated Kumbum temple. We will also visit the unusual Shalu temple on the way to Shigatse and its magnificent Tashilhumpo monastery. Then we will return to Lhasa on the 6th day via the more direct route running through the Tsangpo canyon.

Finally, on the day before departure, we will travel through the desert sand dunes on the north bank of the Tsangpo to visit Tibet’s first monastery — Samye. This unusual temple complex was founded by the historic cooperation between King Trisong Detsen and the great Tantric master from India, Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche. On the same day we will be able to see the site of Yumbu Lhakang, the ridgetop residence of Tibet’s early kings. The next day it is an hour drive to departure at Lhasa airport.