Day
01 : Kathmandu/Zhangmu
Drive to Kodari, the Nepal/Tibet border crossing point situated 114 km from
Kathmandu. After going through customs and immigration formalities, trek for
approximately two hours (8 km) to Zhangmu. After completion of immigration
formalities, check in at Hotel Zhangmu for overnight stay.
Zhangmu (7,000 ft/2,134 m), better known by its Tibetan name of Khasa is a
small settlement clinging to a hillside 10 km inland from the Friendship
Bridge across the Bhote Kosi. After the closure of the Indo-Chinese route
from Gangtok, Zhangmu has become the major trading route between Tibet and
Nepal. The climate is quite different from the hinterland. The hills around
Zhangmu are heavily wooded with innumerable waterfalls in the summer and
frozen icicles in the winter. Zhangmu has a bank, a post office, a
government store and is presently undergoing a construction boom to meet the
demands of increasing trade and tourism.
Day 02 : Zhangmu/Xegar
Drive 257 km from Zhangmu to Xegar (13,800 ft/4,207 m). This is a new
Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong and is 7 km
from the main road. With a population of 3,000, its importance lies in the
fact that it is the centre of this large and remote country and is also the
base from where expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched.
Presently, accommodation is very Spartan, in mud-floored rooms, with dry
latrines. However, there are plans to build a modest lodge in its vicinity.
Day 03 : Xegar/Xigatse
Drive 245 km from Xegar to Xigatse (12,600 ft/3,842 m), which is famous for
the Tashihunpo monastery. This is the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is
regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. Built
in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama, the monastery houses the relics of
Sakyamuni, the great Hall of Maitreya and a vast collection of thankas,
frescoes and statues. There is a bustling 'free' market at the foot of the
ruins of the Xigatse fortress where one can buy local handicrafts embedded
with coral and turquoise, Tibetan daggers, Chinese porcelain and yak butter.
Day 04 : Xigatse/Gyangtse
Drive 93 km from Xigatse to Gyangtse (13,050 ft/3,979 m). This is a small
agricultural town famous for its wool carpets and the Palkhor Choide
Chorten. Set amongst the ruins of the Lamasery and the fort, this unique
structure, built in 1414, consists of five storeys representing the five
steps to enlightenment, topped by thirteen rings which symbolize the stages
of advancement toward Buddhahood. There are 108 halls inside, each with
frescoes showing a strong Indian influence and Buddha shrines. Before 1959,
traders coming from Kalimpong and Gangtok in India used to enter Tibet
through Yadong and then to Gyangtse, enroute to Lhasa.
Day 05 : Gyangtse/Lhasa
Drive 359 km from Gyangtse to Lhasa. Situated at an altitude of 11,850 feet
(3,613 m), Lhasa was and still is the religious, cultural and economic
centre of Tibet. Places of interest include the Potala, the 13-storey palace
of the Dalai Lama with over 1,000 rooms; the legendary monasteries of
Drepung and Sera; Norbulingka the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and the
Jokhang, the holiest shrine of Tibet. The circular Barkhor Street with its
innumerable shops and wayside peddlers intermingling with the devotees
walking clockwise around the Jokhang enfuses the magic and experience of
Tibet.
Day 06 : In Lhasa
In the morning visit Sera monastery. "Sera" means hailstone in
Tibetan. Set on the foot of the Wudu hill to the north of Lhasa, Sera
comprises over thirty sections, including a great sutra chanting hall and a
college.
In the afternoon visit Jokhang temple, built in 647 AD. This is the
spiritual centre of Tibet and the holiest destination of the Tibetan
Buddhist pilgrims. It houses a statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.
Barkhor bazaar is the earliest street of old Lhasa and circles the Jokhang
temple.
Day 07 : In Lhasa
In
the morning visit the imposing Potala palace. Located on the Red Hill, it
was built in 640 AD during the reign of Songtsan Gampo. The original Potala
was destroyed in the 9th century but was rebuilt in the 17th century during
the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama.
In the afternoon visit Drepung monastery. Situated to the west of Lhasa,
this monastery was founded in 1416 AD by one of the disciples of Tsong
Khapa. It was the largest and the richest of the three major yellow-sect
monasteries in Lhasa.
Day 08 : Lhasa/Xigatse
Begin the return drive to Nepal, with a night halt at to Xigatse.
Day 09 : Xigatse/Tingri
Continue on to Tingri, halting there for an overnight stay.
Day 10 : Tingri/Zhangmu
Continue on to Zhangmu.
Day 11 : Zhangmu/Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu.
