Trans Himalayas and Karakoram

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We had a wonderful time in Tibet. We have learned a lot about this unique destination because of the wonderful guide Degyi who is so knowledge and always available towards our tours. We stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, and we would never imagine a Tibet travel could be so nice and amazing without the help of Degyi.

Also, thanks a lot to our Tibetan driver Mr.Wongdun for his safe driving and a good sense of service along the way.

We shall return Tibet in the near future!

P.B. and A. A - Europe
Tibet Travel

June 2018 (Private Tibet Journey from Kathmandu)

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	Tour Name: Trans Himalayas and Karakoram Tour Code: M75D356 Duration: 19 Days & 18 Nights Destination: Kodari (Nepal), Zhangmu/Dram (Tibet), Mt.Everest Base Camp, Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa, Lhatse, Saga, Paryang, Manasarovar Lake, Mt.Kailash, Tsada, Shiquanhe, Dorma, Dahongliutan, Yecheng, Kashgar, Tourgart Features: Himalayas is Asia's great mountain system forming a barrier between the Tibet Plateau to the north and the alluvial plains of the Indian subcontinent to the south. The Himalayas include the highest mountains in the world, with more than 110 peaks rising to elevations of 24,000 feet (7,300 meters) or more above sea level. One of the peaks is Mount Everest, the world's highest, with an altitude of 29,035 feet (8,848 meters). For thousands of years the Himalayas have held a profound significance for the peoples of Central and South Asia, as their literature, religions and mythologies reflect. The Karakoram, spanning in the borderlands of South Xinjiang (China), the Northern Areas (Pakistan) and Indian Ladakh, is the home to the K2, the second highest peak of the world 28,251 feet(8,611 meters). This self driving journey starts from Kathmandu, Nepal and traversing the Central and West Tibet to Urumqi in the far west of China, alongside the mighty Himalayas and the Karakoram, from the lush green Kathmandu Valley to barren snow capped Kargilik and everywhere in between, the place of diversity! This journey is truly one of the world's most awe-inspiring driving trips ever! Departure Date: You Choose! Tour Price: From $ P.P

Itinerary Day By Day:

Day01 Kathmandu - Zhangmu
Drive from Kathmandu to Kodari, and cross the border to Zhangmu in Tibet, vehicle check and customs declaration etc. Overnight at a local hotel


	Day02 Zhangmu - Mt.Everest Base Camp (B, L, D) Vehicle check and drive via Tingri to the Base Camp of Mt.Everest. With an altitude of 5,030 meters it is the highest temple in the world. It was said the Rongbuk Monastery had been built as early as the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Mount Everest, meaning "Goddess" in Tibetan is the highest mountain on earth with an altitude of 8, 848.13 meters. Its snow peak sends out silver radiance year after year. Its waist is hidden in the clouds. The optimum weather to visit Mt. Everest is from April to June, a golden period for mountaineers. Each year, a great number of brave robust mountaineers come from all over the world to visit and climb Mt. Everest, hope to fulfill a life-long wish by climbing onto and looking over from the world's highest peak. We drive to the Base Camp and do some explores there. Tonight we will sleep at Rongbuk Guesthouse.


	Day03 Rongbuk - Shigatse (B, L, D) Enjoy sunrise over the Mt.Everest, drive to visit Sakya Monastery, then onwards to Shigatse. The Sakya Monastery (4.280 m) is the centre of the Sakyapa Sect (White Earth Order). The construction of the monastery was started in 1073 by Kung GungQuijiepuo with the order from basba. The southern founded in 1268 by a famous abbot of Sakya named Pagpa who once had ruled the whole of Tibet under the Yuan Dynasty's supervision. So it is of typical Yuan Dynasty style resembling powder or cinnabar. It has over 10,000 volumes of Tibetan books on astronomy, medicine, calligraphy, and history. Owing to its valuable and voluminous amount of Buddhist sutras and cultural remains, the Sakya Monastery is often considered as the "Dunhuang the Second". Overnight at Mt.Everest Hotel


	Day04 Shigatse - Lhasa (B, L, D) This morning we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, head out to Gyantse and stop for Pelkor Chode Monastery & Kumbum Stupa, drive via the shore of holy lake Yamdrok to Lhasa. Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447. The monastery is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang regions of Tibet, sprawls on the slope of Mt. Niser, south-west of Shigatse. Tashilhunpo is associated with the Gelugpa order and is one of the six great Gelugpa institutions along with Drepung, Sera and Ganden in Lhasa and Kumbum and Labrang in Amdo. It is probably the largest functioning monastic institution in contemporary Tibet and is an impressive place to explore. In Gyantse you will visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) close by, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. Check in hotel upon arrival Lhasa. Overnight at Lhasa Kyichu Hotel


	Day05 Lhasa (B, L, D) Sightseeing in Lhasa for the Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple and walk on the ancient Barkhor Street. The Potala Palace, was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. Then you will admire Jokhang Temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. Walk on the holy Barkhor Circuit and do some shopping if desired. Drepung Monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect, which was established in 1416AD and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. Overnight at Lhasa Kyichu Hotel


	Day06 Lhasa - Lhatse (B, L, D) Morning explore the Sera Monastery and drive on paved road to Lhatse along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Sera Monastery was created in AD1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. Here in Sera, you have chance to see the grand occasion of the Buddhist monk debating at one big courtyard. Overnight at a local hotel


	Day07 Lhatse - Paryang (B, L, D) Drive on the south road to Paryang, break at Saga and take photo stops on the way. Overnight at a local lodge


	Day08 Paryang - Lake Manasarovar (B, L, D) Head out for Manasarovar Lake. The road is very good and hence we can reach Paryang at around 14h00 pm and Manasarovar Lake by 19h00. Overnight at local guesthouse or camping at Seralung Monastery by the lake.


	Day09 Lake Manasarovar - Mt.Kailash (B, L, D) Drive to Darchen and walk/or drive to explore the south slope of Mt.Kailash. Mt. Kailash is considered as the most sacred mountain by Buddhists and Hindus alike. Buddhists believe it to be the axis of M1. Sumem, the central mountain amidst the tour continents of the old concept of world system. The Hindus believe that on the mountain the divinity Shiva live with his wife Parvati; the Tibetan Buddhist believers believe that the divinity Demchog live here. To walk around the Kailash is not only to release the sins, but also good for the reincarnation. Kailash is very beautiful in appearance, thickly covered with snows and hovering dominatingly above its surrounding peaks though its altitude is "only" 6140 meters. Camp or Lodge


	Day10 Mt.Kailash - Tseda (B, L, D) This morning you drive to Tsada and on the way make a short stop at Tirthapuri which is 2hrs jeep away. You can visit little temple as well as a Kora along the holy track at Tirthapuri. You will visit the site where Guru Rimpoche once took meditation. Then you will leave for Tsada. On the way we will traverse the unique landform of the "earth forest" - the canyon erosion landscape of the Sutlej River. In the afternoon we arrive in Tsada and check in hotel. Overnight at a local hotel


	Day11 Tseda (B, L, D) Early in the morning we drive to Tsaparang (10 km, 3.800 m), the oldest center of Guge Kingdom. A group of four temples surround the lower part of the fortress walls, one fifth of which lie above the remains of the city, the former Summer Palace of the kings. The coffered ceilings and carved bars of the temples are decorated in different designs. Parts of murals are well-preserved and complicatedly decorated. You will also visit Tholing Monastery. Overnight at a local hotel


	Day12 Tseda - Shiquanhe (B, L, D) Leave in the morning for Shiquanhe whose traditional name is GAR, the capital of Ngari Prefecture in West Tibet a city at the confluence of Indus and Gar. Shiquanhe River the main source of the Indus, originates from the Kailash. Overnight at a local hotel


	Day13 Shiquanhe - Domar (B, L, D) Drive northwards to Dorma. On the way we visit the Pangong Tso, a long and narrow lake, situated on the border of Indian and China. Fresh air with fantastic view. Overnight at a local lodge


	Day14 Domar - Dahongliutan (B, L, D) Start driving early in the morning because the road becomes more difficult from Dorma onwards to Xinjiang. Soon after drive along a river valley we again stand on the land 5,000 to 5.300 m high. Now and then we have to try hard to deal with the rugged road resulted from the heavy trucks. Get across the Tialongtan La (about 5.000 m) and keep on driving to Dahongliutan. Overnight at a local lodge


	Day15 Dahongliutan - Mazar (B, L, D) Enjoy the barren and grandeur of the wildness in far west Xinjiang, see lots of Asian mammals such as wild camel, yak and Tibetan antelope (Chiru) etc. drive to Mazar. Overnight at a local lodge


	Day16 Mazar - Yecheng (B, L, D) Head north to Yecheng over high mountain passes. Stop for local market (bazaar) in the villages when available. Overnight at local hotel


	Day17 Yecheng - Kashgar (B, L, D) Enjoy your drive towards Kashgar as the road is flat and open. On the way visit local bazaar and handicraft workshops at Yengisar. Overnight at Barony Hotel Kashgar


	Day18 Kashgar (B, L, D) Enjoy a day tour in Kashgar. You will visit Idkah Mosque, the Abakh Khoja Tomb, Sunday Bazaar, the old town and Kashgar Silk Road Museum. Idkah Mosque is known for being the largest and oldest mosque in China that invites about 10,000 worshipers on every Friday. Abakh Khoja Tomb that is better known by the Chinese as Tomb of Fragrant Lady is an ancient Islamic building, where five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried. The Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar is perhaps the largest road market in Central Asia, the trip to the Bazaar offers you a good chance to experience the very good touch to the vibrant city with its local residence. After that you will explore the Old Town of Kashgar to observe these time-aged houses and people's daily life. Overnight at Barony Hotel Kashgar


	Day19 Kashgar - Tourgart (B) Drive to Tourgart Pass and cross into Kyrgyzstan. End of drive through China along big mountains and rivers, some of the world's most spectacular landscapes.

Tour costing varies upon group size, travel season and hotel accommodation levels etc. For price details please email us at info@splendidchinatours.com.

Price inclusions:
01). All accommodations based on two persons sharing one room/tent/lodge (single occupancy is subject to supplement);
02). All admission fees and activity expenses as listed in the itinerary;
03). All necessary permits for vehicle entry and exit at Chinese customs and border controls;
04). Chinese Temporary driver's license and Chinese Temporary Vehicle plate/registration;
05). Well designed driving map/route with GPS navigation system for the driving holiday;
06). Daily meals as specified in the itinerary: B denotes breakfast, L denotes lunch, and D denotes dinner (SD signifies special dinner);
07). Services of a local English speaking guide throughout (other languages can be arranged upon request, supplement may apply);
08). Tibet local travel permits such as Tibet Entry Permit (TTB), Alien's Travel Permit (PSB) and Military Permit etc. when applicable;
09). Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour;
10). Vehicle compulsory insurance within China;
11). Governmental taxes and fees.

Price excluded:
01). International airfare to/from China;
02). Chinese/Nepalese/Kyrgyzstan Visa fees;
03). Expenses of personal natural such as laundry, telephone, drinks, mini bar etc;
04). Personal shopping, optional activities and excess baggage charges;
05). Gratuities for local tour guides, drivers and hotel bellboy etc;
06). International travel insurance;
07). Toll road, fuel/gasoline and vehicle relative fix/repairment if any;
08). Services and activities that are not mentioned in the itinerary.