Breathtakingly beautiful Tibet sits on the rooftop of the World and takes my breath away!
The clarity of colours, the depth of the views and its peoples impress on me what is truly important in life.
Land of magic and mystery it is a place that is truly unique where I can to get close to the highest point on the earth and perhaps a higher part within myself. AWESOME!
Join us and know what it really feels like to be 'on top of the world' !
TIBET - NEPAL 16 days
DATES: May 20 - June 4
COST: $A 4880. Fully escorted tour.
SMALL GROUP - BIG ADVENTURE
INCLUDES:
- Accommodation twin share
- Air fare from Nepal to Tibet
- Entrance fees to all sites as per itinerary
- All transport as per itinerary (private jeeps)
- Daily breakfast
- Local, English speaking guides within Tibet
- Transfers according to itinerary
- Airfares to and from Nepal
- Chinese Nepalese Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Photography fees inside monasteries (supports monks in Tibet and varies)
We also have an information night/get together before departure for you to ask any questions and get to know us and the group.
“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”
― Albert Einstein, The World As I See It
ITINERARY FOR THIS UNIQUE, TOP OF THE WORLD TOUR
Day 1 KATHMANDU Arrive Kathmandu - settle in and meet group. Apply for Visas and permits for China/Tibet
Day 2 KATHMANDU Visit Bodanath Stupa date to the 5th century and is situated on the Kathmandu-Lhasa trade route, a place for pilgrims for centuries
Day 3 KATHMANDU Morning to self. Afternoon walking tour of the old part of town, through the market places. Visit a traditional Thanka painting school.
Day 4 KATHMANDU to LHASA Flight 0830 departure - Flight takes 1hr 10 minutes. Rest up and acclimatize with the higher altitude.
Day 5 LHASA Morning tour of the Potala Palace one of the world’s most famous architectural works (pictured above). Built over many centuries it dates back to the 7th and served as a winter residence and place of worship for the different Dalai Lama’s from the 5 the to present day (now in exile in India). It houses some very impressive 3 dimensional mandalas created in gold and precious stones. Afternoon tour of Drepung monastery 5 km west of Lhasa. Founded in 1419 by Jamyang Choje it was home to about 7,700 monks and was the largest monastery of Tibet. It holds many Buddhist relics, sculptures, and art works.
Day 6 LHASA Morning walking tour to visit the Jokhang Temple situated in the Barkhor – the old part of Lhasa. Built in the mid 7th century it is the 'spiritual heart of Tibet’ and the holiest destination for Tibetan pilgrims who circum-ambulate the area surrounding the main temple. It also has a market place selling all sorts of Tibetan artefacts and jewelry.
Afternoon tour of Sera Monastery at the foot of Wundu Hill, north of Lhasa. Founded in 1419 it was the college of Tantric study and debate. If possible we will see monks actively debating such concepts as 'emptiness'.
Day 7 LHASA Morning to self. Afternoon walking tour of this interesting city. Evening walk to the city gathering point and view the Potala palace by flood light. Walk through the gardens once used by the Dalai lama.
Day 8 LHASA Day trip to Drolma Lhakhang (Tara's Monastery) stopping to see the rock carving of the medicine Buddha. This monastery is associated with the Bengali scholar Atisha and is full of hidden treasures and relics. It was spared desecration during the cultural revolution after a direct request from Bangladesh (Atishas home) to leave it untouched.
Day 9 GYANTSE 3,950 M a 6-7 hour drive crossing the great river of Tibet the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahamputra). We cross the Kamba La pass 4794M and the Karo La pass 5010m to see the beautiful turquoise lake, Yamdrok.
Visit the unique Phalkor Monastery a centre uniting 3 different sects of Buddhism – Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Bhuton. The hidden chapel at the top holds a small statue of Tara that is alleged to have spoken on different occasions.
Climb the Khumbum Stupa built around 1400, the 2nd largest stupa in the world (9 stories high) which houses fine examples of Newari, Tibetan and Nepalese artistry. It is honeycombed with 77 chapels – superb wall paintings and has 100,000 images, thus called the, ‘100,000 image Pogoda’ - Khumbum
Drive to Xigatse with a stop to visit the interesting Shalu Monastery where monks were trained to 'run through the air' known of as the Lung Gompa.
Day 10 XIGATSE (May 29) Visit to Tashilumpo the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang region which was established by Gedrun Drup (first Dalai Lama) a disciple of Tsong Karpa and founder of the Gelugpa sect. Built in 1447 and expanded by each successive Panchen Lama. Tashilumpo houses the huge golden statue of the Maitreya Buddha which was erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914. It took four years to build this very impressive 26m high statue made of 275 kilos of gold and precious gems such as turquoise, pearls, amber and coral. See the 4th Panchen Lama’s stupa , built in 1662 standing 11 meters high and covered in solid silver and gold.
Day 11 XIGATSE Morning to self. Afternoon visit one of the biggest carpet weaving centers in Tibet watching traditional weaving, dying, spinning and pattern work that is involved in producing a carpet.. Overnight in Xigatse.
Day 12 Early morning drive to Everest Base Camp Tibet. Experience the magnificent wonder of Mt. Everest only a short exhilarating walk from the car park and look onto the breathtaking (literally) face of Everest.
Scenic drive to Tsamda. Our guest house has some stunning views of Everest and the bonus of a soak in basic thermal pools.
Day 13 Drive to Zhangmu 6-8 hrs crossing the Lalun La pass 5,050M to view some of the highest mountain Peaks in the world. travel down to the Nepal border stopping at the famous yogi, Milaraepa’s cave. Guesthouse accommodation in Zhangmu.
Day 14 Zhangmu to Kathmandu. Change from Jeep to bus at border. Go through border procedures. 6-7 hours Meander down the Bhotekoshi River gorge and crossing the famous friendship bridge as we head back to Khatmandu.
Day 15 KATHMANDU - Day to self. Optional afternoon visit to Swyambu or other monastery.
Day 16 KATHMAND Our tour concludes.
SOMETHING SPECIAL
Gary has a good knowledge of spoken and written Tibetan and has studied Tibetan Buddhism for many years which makes this trip something REALLY special! We often receive blessings and other opportunities that are not available to the general tourist. We developed Mandala Magic tours from the dream to share our passion; our experience and knowledge of unusual places, sacred sites, beautiful people and ancient wisdom. We have been sharing that passion for over 15 years.
Please note that this is a flexible itinerary and may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. If there are special events or opportunities ‘not to be missed’ they will be added to enrich your travel experience. Some rearrangements may be necessary.
It is a perquisite to have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the expiry date with at least 2 blank pages.
ACCOMMODATION –
Accommodation is comfortable twin share 3 to 4 star in the large cities, however in more remote areas we will be staying in traditional Tibetan Guest houses. Some have hand painted decoration on the walls and we eat together in the dining areas. We endeavor to ensure rooms have their own bathroom and toilet, however in some regions of Tibet where we are travelling this is may not be possible.
If you choose to have your own room add extra $600 and let us know.
TOUR GRADINGS
Suits travelers with average fitness and mobility. More suited to those with a keen interest in exploration and adventure and will involve long road journeys, and at times more basic accommodation.
GENERAL INFORMATION-
We supply a detailed list of what to pack, information on money, health precautions and climatic conditions, things to be aware of and other general information specific to each tour.
Before departing we meet with the group and go over the itinerary, travel tips and advice, offer some great books to read and answer any questions.
MT KAILASH OPTION: this three day pilgrimage/trek around the four sided Mount Kailash is life changing. Add another 5 days making the tour 21 days. Further information and costs on request. This requires a high level of fitness.
WHAT TO DO NOW: Contact us by e-mail karen@mandalamagic.com.au and let us know you are coming. BOOKINGS OPEN!!!
