|
Accommodation while on camping tours
will be in 2 man tents, single tents are available at a
supplement. All meals are included on full service camping
treks. All camping equipment and gear, including
two-person tent, dining tent, toilet tents, kitchen tent, tables
and stools etc. Comprehensive medical kit.
Porters and pack animals carry all
personal gear and equipment. You carry only a daypack. For rafting
trips: all rafting equipment, life jackets, helmets and windproof
jackets, group and personal waterproof containers.
Accommodation on lodge treks
Rooms are either dormitory 2/3/4 bed rooms, the facilities in
these lodges are basic but clean and comfortable. Breakfast and a
packed lunch is provided, evening meals are at your own expense,
with the exception of the Everest Base Camp tour which is
breakfast & dinner included, packed lunch at own expense.
|
|
General Information
Isolated from the outside World for centuries and only recently
opened up to Western travellers; Tibet has gained a reputation as a
magical and mysterious place. The general altitude of the terrain sets it
apart from other countries, creating a realm of crisp light and intense
colours, bounded by a deep lake-blue sky. Natural beauty is complemented
by cultural riches, which although somewhat tarnished by the Chinese
occupation since 1949, still has a lot to offer the adventurous traveller.
This is a Tibetan adventure journey that gives you the opportunity of a
non technical trek up the East Rongbuk Glacier to Advenced Everest Base
Camp and to visit some of the classic Buddhist sites of this remarkable
land. You will also get to visit and go site seeing in some of the more
remarkable towns and cities in Tibet: places such as Lhasa, Gyantse and
Shigatse.
The tour begins and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal, an
interesting contrast because although there are many Buddhists in the
land, Nepal is the World's only Hindu Kingdom and is generally very green
compared with Tibet! There will be time to discover the city and to become
engrossed in the Kathmandu Valley.Grade
This tour is essentially an overland trip which
takes you up to fairly high altitudes, but allows you to acclimatize for
the trekking week of the journey. Days are spent sightseeing around the
various towns we visit before the trek from Everest Base Camp (from the
northern side) maybe up to Camp 3 in good conditions. This should not tax
anyone who is physically - fit condition. Though it is graded C+ this is a
reflection of the altitude to be attained: The maximum height reached is
up to (6340m). Because of our time previously spent in Lhasa and
overlanding in Tibet, hopefully no one will feel the altitude. If however
some people do not acclimatise very well, they will be kept low.
Climate
Weather in the world's highest mountain range is
never totally predictable but we would expect clear and settled
conditions. Nepal is temperate to warm with cool nights generally,
although it is a lot colder at altitude. Tibet however has desert
temperatures that can fluctuate wildly. On a clear day temps can reach 35
c and then plunge down to below minus 10 c during the night. You must be
prepared for hot and cold protect yourself from the fierce Sun and the
dusty storms that may blow up.
The Travelling Day
Flexibility and patience are the key
words when travelling in Tibet. Tourism is still in its infancy in this
wild and remote area and the Chinese authorities, who control our
itinerary in Tibet, are often very relaxed with arrangements and
schedules. While in Kathmandu, Lhasa and the bigger towns, the day begins
comfortably between 9 and 10am – (Tibet is on Beijing time which is 3.15
hours ahead of other regions on the same latitude and there is plenty of
day light even at 21.00). After a hearty breakfast you are usually on the
road to visit some of the sites, or you may be escorted on foot. On other
occasions you will have some time or even days to explore on your own
volition. Lunch is not included apart from on the camping trekking
section: On the driving stages either a packed lunch can be procured from
villages we pass through or we may stop at roadside eateries, or go to
restaurants at places of interest.
The road journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu is quite
adventurous with stunning views through great Tibetan plains and ancient
cities. Some of the drive days are quite long and you should get yourself
and your gear organized before you have breakfast, in the hotel or lodge
dining room. We try to get on the road early - ish and generally stop for
a lunch at some point along the way which is protected from the wind and
sun. We then continue driving throughout the afternoon. On arrival at the
hotel/lodge you should have a couple of hours free to rest or to take a
short stroll into the vast arid wilderness or the nomadic settlements
nearby. After the evening meal is served at around 9pm most people usually
retire early in preparation for the next day's journey. Evening meals are
included only in Gyantse and Shigatse. Else where they can be purchased
for a modest sum.
The Trekking Day
A typical walking day begins just after 6 a.m. with
an early morning mug of tea served through the tent flap. On this trek as
we reach higher altitudes, this may get later to take into account the
overnight cold. After breakfast, during which the camp will be struck and
the porters loaded, we begin our walking in the pleasant cool of the
morning. Lunch is around 11 a.m. or so. This mid-day break usually lasts
about an hour or so. After walking for three hours or so in the afternoon,
we will aim to pitch camp around 4 p.m. You will have an hour or so to
relax and reflect before the day is rounded off with a hot three-course
meal. The meal arrangements are full board on trek.
Equipment & Clothing
All general equipment and cooking
equipment is provided. A detailed list of other recommended clothing and
equipment will be sent with confirmation of booking.
Included
Flights from the UK are only included on request and their prices depend
upon the date and the operator. We may use return flights London Heathrow/Kathmandu
using the scheduled services of Gulfair or Qattar. All ground transport as
specified in the itinerary, bed and breakfast accommodation in Kathmandu,
half day excursion of Kathmandu and valley, all food and accommodation on
trek, Evening meals in Shigatse and Gyantse,. English-speaking Sherpa
guide, trek crew and porters, tents, cooking equipment, trek permits.
Kathmandu airport transfers.
Not Included: Passport, visas, insurance,
immunization fees, meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu / Lhasa: budget
up to £15 per meal without drinks. No Lunches are included, except on
trek.
Documents
A visa is required for Nepal and you must have a valid passport. Visas for
Nepal if applying directly with the Nepal Embassy will cost £55 for a
double entry Visa which you need for this tour. For those who wish to use
our visa service where your passports will be handled personally by our
courier company, the cost will be £80 (which includes the £55 visa
cost). Trekking documents are required, but these are organised by us in
Kathmandu. Visas for Tibet can be obtained in Kathmandu by the trekking
operators as long as passport details are submitted at least a month
before your departure for the journey. On arrival you will need to submit
your passport, four passport photographs and your fee. On all these issues
and the cost of the Chinese/Tibetan visa. you shall be advised.
Books & Maps
The best new book available that covers Tibet is: "Mapping the
Tibetan World," by Kotan publishing. This book is how Lonely planets
should be! – It makes the latter seem dull and boring. The Kotan guide
has so many maps, schematic drawings etc. and it also covers Nepal ,
Bhutan and parts of northern India. Alternatively you could always get
Lonely planet or Rough Guides to Tibet and for information on the sights
of the Kathmandu valley, its history and culture, we suggest Kathmandu and
the Kingdom of Nepal pub. Lonely Planet travel guides. A good general
guidebook is the Insight Guides series Nepal. There are many books on
Trekking in Nepal. Perhaps the most well known are those by Stephen
Bezruchka or Stan Armington. A usefully realistic account of what happens
on trek is found in Mike Hardings's Footloose in the Himalayas.
Health Matters
A medical kit will accompany the trek. We
do, however, recommend that each person carry a small personal first aid
kit. A suggested list of contents will be sent to all members, as well as
more general information on health matters.
|
ITINERARY
|
|
We reserve the right to
alter (lengthen or shorten) any trek at any time
if this is necessary. Be aware that the Chinese
have on occasion found it expedient to close the
border to Westerners. This is totally beyond our
control. Local roads in Tibet are also susceptible
in bad weather and local changes to the itinerary
may be expedient. Please note that sometimes the
Chinese government requisition hotel rooms for
various functions and this is totally beyond our
control.
1000m = 3281ft. 1km =
0.62 miles.
Day 1: Depart.
Day 2:
Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel ShangriLa.
Rest of day free
Day 3:
After breakfast, you will see some of the more
spectacular sights in Kathmandu during your
half-day guided City Tour, visiting Kathmandu with
its many temples and pagodas, the hilltop Buddhist
monastery of Swayambunath, Pashupatinath, and
Bodnath. Evening Pre-Trek Briefing.
Day 4:
In a little over one hour, the Kathmandu-Lhasa
flight covers rugged terrain that once took trade
caravans months to cross. On a clear day, as many
as eight of the world's fourteen 8000m+ peaks can
be seen. As we cross the great barrier of the
Himalaya, the landscape beneath changes
dramatically, from Nepal's green terraced
hillsides to the high dry, barren plains typical
of Tibet. We land at Lhasa. At 3660m and transfer
to our hotel.
Day 5, 6 & 7: Lhasa
is dominated by the fabled Potala Palace, which
rises above the city like a fairytale castle set
atop of a rocky pedestal. The sight of this
incredible edifice is something you have seen in
nearly all the tourist and coffee table books on
Tibet. It is no disappointment! Begun in the 7th
century but not reaching its full glory until the
17th century reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama, the 13
storey Potala rises 117 meters high and entirely
of wood, earth and stone. It has over 1,000 rooms,
and one of our main aims in Lhasa is to have you
explore those of them that are open to the public.
Apart from visiting this
great palace, the time in Lhasa is also spent
taking in the sights in and around the city. The
Norbulingka or "Jewel Park", the summer
palace of the Dalai Lamas, was begun by the
Seventh Dalai Lama and rebuilt by the current
Dalai Lama in the 1950s. It was from here that His
Holiness fled to India in 1959. The exquisite
little building in a park like setting is less
formal than the Potala's quarters, but equally
rich.
A visit to the Jokhang,
the religious and geographical centre of Lhasa and
the most important temple in the world for all
sects of Tibetan Buddhism, is a must. Pilgrims
from across Tibet, many of whom have walked
hundreds of kilometres to see the Jokhung once in
their lives, queue for hours to enter the temple
and perform a ritual circuit (in postration) of
its many sacred shrines. It is a moving experience
to join them in the dark hallways lit only by
butter lamps, filled with the sound of low
chanting. The main image worshipped here is Jowo
Rinpoche, a gilded statue of Buddha Shakyamuni
said to have been modelled during his lifetime.
The Jokhang is encircled
by the Barkhor; a 800m flagstoned pathway that is
both a sacred route and the biggest bazaar in
Tibet. Night and day, Tibetans walk clockwise
around it, earning religious merit as they shop,
people-watch and chat with friends. While many of
the goods on sale are Chinese, those buying them
definitely are not! Here you find people from all
corners of Tibet; striking tall Khampa men from
the east with big knives and red tassels wrapped
about their heads, Golok women with their hair
plaited in 108 tiny braids, wide-eyed nomad
families bundled in sheepskins. The Barkhor is the
real heart of Tibet, and you can spend hours
watching the passing parade - not to mention
bargaining for the trinkets and souvenirs
displayed in streetside stands, everything from
prayer flags to silver jewellery and yak butter.
Be warned, however, that locals are not always
pleased about having their photo taken. It's best
to ask first and holding up the camera is the best
way to enquire.
There's also time to
visit several of Lhasa's great monasteries.
Drepung and Sera on the outskirts of the city both
date back to the 15th century, and housed up to
10,000 monks. Although their inhabitants have been
considerably reduced in numbers; many monks are
still found in important religious establishments,
with many impressive temples and shrines. Like all
Tibetan gompas, these are absolute treasure houses
of art, ritual and symbolism.
Three days in Lhasa gives
you plenty of free time to explore the town and
get the feel of the place. You might like to walk
down to the Kyi Chu river and watch fishermen
floating in their yak-skin coracles, explore the
pleasant park and ancient Lukhang temple behind
the Potala, revisit the Potala or linger on the
Barkhor.
Day 8: Lhasa - Gyantse
Today we
undertake a very long journey by Four Wheel drive,
about 260km. We start along the friendship Highway
which links Lhasa with Kathmandu . We go past
typical Tibetan countryside. Small villages of
whitewashed houses topped with prayer flags
alternate with fields of barley and mustard –In
places this is an extremely fertile area. Enroute
we drive over the Karo La (pass) at 5045m and get
great views of Mt. Nojin Gangzang and its glaciers
(7191m). Arrive in the town of Gyantse (3950m)
which is the third largest town in Tibet. It once
flourished as a trade center with India, but
became a battle field in 1904 when the British
Army under Younghusband attacked the area.
The city is actually
little more than a pastoral farming village. The
main attraction is the Kumbum, a magnificent
many-roomed structure richly decorated with 15th
century frescoes and images created by the Newars
of the Kathmandu Valley (an ethnic group renowned
for their artistic talent. Thwe Kumbum is the
largest Chorten in Tibet at nearly 40m height and
is said to have 100,000 buddhist images drawn on
the walls.
Day 9:
Gyantse - Shigatse A shorter journey today;
this time to Tibet's second city Shigatse at
3900m. This drive is about 90km across the plains.
The day starts with more sightseeing: you may go
and see the Gyantse Dzong - the 14th century fort
that held out for a time against the British. The
adventure continues as you drive westwards across
the great Tibetan plain. Continuing on,we arrive
and overnight at Shigatse 3900m. Tibet's second
largest city, its broad streets lined with
whitewashed buildings in the traditional Tibetan
style. There is a day here for exploring the
bazaar and the great monastery of Tashi Lhumpo, an
impressive collection of ochre buildings roofed in
glittering gold.
Day 10: Drive Shigatse
- Shegar (244km).
The road continues westwards to the village of
Shegar,(also called New Tingri. It is another long
day, but enroute you get to test how well you are
acclimatizing , by going over the Lagpa La (5133m)
which is the highest point of the Friendship
Highway. The pass here has fluttering prayer flags
and a stone monument from where you get a terrific
view over the Himalayas. We eventually arrive at
Shegar (Shelkar or New Tingri) which translates as
"Crystal." From here the adventure to
Everest begins!
Day 11: Drive Shegar
–Rongbuk (5000m)
If conditions are favourable today we drive on
to Everest Base Camp on a rough and ready road up
beside the old morraines of the Rongbuk Valley.
The distance is 68km, but the drive takes longer
than one would think! There should be time to
visit the Rongbuk monastery and maybe to do a
little "Puja" ceremony to the mountain:
Jomolangma (Everest 8850m) that dominates the
skyline ahead of you. This is to wish you well on
your ascent!
Day 12 & 13:
Acclimatization days at Base Camp. Just
to make sure that you are ready to go, your body
has more time to adjust to the rarefied
atmosphere. We recommend that you stroll around,
and you will have plenty of time for
photography.etc..
Day 14: Trek
from Everest Base Camp to Camp 1 (5460m).
Day 15 & 16: Trek
to an interim camp at 5760m approx and then have
another acclimatization day, giving you time to
explore the moraines or catch up with a spot of
reading.
Day 17:
Trek to Camp 2 (5970m)
Day 18: Trek
up to Camp3 (6340m), and then you are almost
touching the summit….well at least through
powerful binoculars! After a celebration we return
to Camp 2 to sleep. You don't really want to sleep
up at Camp 3 do you?
Day 19: Return to Base
Camp. A drink may
well be in order by about this time and you will
probably feel that you have deserved it!!
Day 20: Drive Base
Camp – Nyalam (215km). A
long drive towards Nepal. It's back onto the
Friendship Highway onto Nyalam over some high
passes.
Views of the Himalayan
Range from this route are in places absolutely
stunning. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu and a band of
small peaks line the horizon Shishapangma is
slightly to the north. After topping a final 5050m
Lalung La Pass, the road winds down to Nyalam
(4100m), the last truly Tibetan village and
here we stay the night.
Day 21: Nyalam –
Kathmandu (1400m)
The road twists down a steep, narrow river gorge,
its walls lush with greenery and ribboned with
waterfalls,. It continues on to the border at
Zhangmu, a border entry-point also known as Khasa
or Dram. Perched on a hillside a few kilometers
above the actual border, this town is a bustling
mix of Chinese, Tibetan and Nepalese. This is the
transition from the high, dry and wild Tibetan
Plateau to Nepal's green hills. Chinese customs
and immigration are at Zhangmu. The road below
here is often blocked by landslides, and it may be
necessary to walk; if so, porters will be provided
to carry your luggage. The crossing of the
Friendship Bridge spanning the Bhote Kosi River,
marks the re entry to Nepal. After clearing
customs and immigration at the little town of
Kodari 91640m), our bus will drive down the 118km
Arniko highway to Kathmandu. The highway follows
the course of the river, here called the Sun Kosi
"River of Gold". Nepal's rolling
countryside unfolds out the window, its terraced
fields and populated villages are a contrast to
Tibet's stark plains. On arrival into Kathmandu
the rest of the day is free for you to choose on
either shopping or relaxing around your hotel
which is normally the Hotel Shangri La.
Day 22: In Kathmandu A
last opportunity to go to Thamel and do all that
shopping that you managed to avoid in Lhasa. There
are some great bargains to be had, especially in
clothing, jewelry and woodwork. Good bookshops and
great restaurants.
Day 23: Time
to fly home. Please make sure that you have
collected all your valuables from the security
deposit and settled all your hotel bills. Co-ordinating
with your flight time, the transport staff will
pick you up and take you to the International
Airport for your flight home. |
|
|
|
|
