Tibet: Roof of the World

On arrival in Chengdu, you are met at the airport (our representative will be holding a sign for you) and transferred to your hotel. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is known for its hot, spicy dishes that are generally considered by the Chinese as one of the best cuisines within China. In such a food-loving country, this is significant, so enjoy!

A history of trade built on cottage industry handicrafts has had a major influence on the development of Chengdu. Recent changes in regulations in China have seen a revival of this tradition of private industry and, at almost every turn, you see signs of a thriving market. Today we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, located just out of the city. The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species and has become an icon for conservation movements everywhere. It is still found in parts of Sichuan province, but very difficult to spot in the wild. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to relax in a bamboo chair at the teahouse in Renmin Park. There is often an ear-picker with cotton buds wandering around, if you feel the need! A stroll to Wenshu Temple will take you past beggars, children, tourists, fortune tellers and fireworks sellers. This is an active and noisy place of worship.

Today you travel to view one of the major monumental highlights of China, the Giant Buddha at Leshan. Situated on the shores of the Min River, the sleepy town of Leshan is chock full of alleys and backstreets just waiting to be explored. The Giant Buddha ('Dafo') measures 71 meters high and is located at the convergence of the Dadu and Min Rivers. At the time it was built, it was the largest Buddha image in the world. Carved out of the cliff face, construction on this amazing statue began in the year 713 AD by a Buddhist monk named Haitong. It took 90 years to be completed. It was built for good luck because many boats had previously come to grief on this treacherous bend in the river. Ironically, the construction of the statue led to the creation of a buffer that resulted in the raging torrents being diverted away from the dangerous cliffs, perhaps saving many lives as a result. Return to Chengdu after the excursion to Leshan.

An early morning flight takes you over snow-capped mountains to Lhasa, capital of the autonomous region of Tibet. The view of the Himalayan chain and Tibetan Plateau make this one of the most spectacular flights in the world. Arrive at Gongga airport, and drive for an hour and a half to the downtown area of Lhasa. Situated at 11,480 ft., Lhasa and its surroundings may appear slightly barren except for the trees lining the roadside. Here, you'll have three days to explore this once-isolated city, with its monasteries and markets bulging with pilgrims and traders. You'll go on an organized guided tour to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera and Ramoche monasteries. Free time to explore the city is subject to the Chinese authorities and the ever-changing political climate, although there are never any problems with filling your days to great advantages in this fascinating city.  If you have free time, consider visiting the Norbulingka Summer Palace or the interesting Tibet Museum.  Lhasa is your base for the next two nights.

Get set for a four-hour drive today on the spectacular Friendship Highway, which traverses high mountain passes and crosses plateaus, connecting Lhasa with Kathmandu.  Road conditions are very poor, so the journey will be bumpy. Travel first through Tibet's richest farming areas, then cross the Brahmaputra River as it winds its way down to the Bay of Bengal. At more than 3,900 meters above sea level, it's the highest major river in the world. Cross the river on a solid suspension bridge and wind your way to Kamba La Pass, with a view over huge Yamdrok Tso Lake. After passing the lake, climb again to Karo La Pass (5,000 meters) before descending to the historic town of Gyantse, a small village and home to the Kumbum Monastery, where you'll find interesting Buddhist murals. Overnight in a hotel in Gyantse.

In the morning you'll explore Gyantse, a town renowned for the exploits of Colonel Younghusband in the 1920s. You'll walk down the newly-rebuilt main street to the Nepali Kumbum Stupa. In the afternoon you'll take a 1.5-hour drive across the Tibetan Plateau to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet with a population of some 40,000 people. The Tashi Lumpo Monastery is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the most important incarnation for Tibetan Buddhists after the Dalai Lama. This impressive religious center contains a giant statue of Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya, as well as an ornate tomb that is the final resting place of the fourth Panchen Lama. Its huge size makes it almost a town within itself. As one of Tibet's most active monasteries, it is currently being restored to its former beauty. Overnight in Shigatse.

Your adventure continues with an eight-hour drive over rough, dusty roads to Shegar. In the morning, you cross the Gyatso-La Pass with stunning views of the Himalayan peaks to the south. Although the scenery is desolate, the country is dotted with busy villages and ruined monasteries. Among these villages is the major town of Lhaze, which makes a convenient halfway stop where you have a local-style lunch break. After a long day of driving, you arrive in Shegar, your last stop before reaching Everest Base Camp. Shegar is a small village of about 1,500 inhabitants with an interesting fort (currently closed).

You will leave early in the morning from the hotel, branching off onto a small road that leads to Everest Base Camp. It is a rather long day (approx. 6-7 hours drive), but extremely rewarding. The initial part of the journey involves climbs in a series of zigzags to the top of the Pang-la pass (17,000 feet), where you stop to take photos of Mount Everest. Along the drive, you can enjoy majestic views of all the other snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma.  Now that we're traveling off the main highway, be prepared for the possibility of dusty traveling on dirt roads, so think about bringing a scarf or large kerchief for time in the vehicle.  Even though today's journey is only 140 km, the poor road conditions make for a long day. At 5,000 meters above sea level, Rongphu is home to the highest monastery in the world.  From here, enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Everest close up as it seemingly hovers overhead. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the stunning view of Everest more than compensates and is a major highlight on this incredible journey.  From here, return to Rongphu and make your way back to the relative comfort of your hotel in Shegar.

Continue your journey on the main road, heading in the direction of the Nepalese border, passing through a checkpoint and continuing on to Tingri, where you'll enjoy more views of the world's highest peaks, including Everest and Cho Oyu, the 26,000-foot giants. Traveling from Tingri, the road ascends to the Lalung La (16,565 feet), where the scenery is again fantastic. This Himalayan panoramic view also includes Xixapangma (26,000 feet). From the top of the pass, you descend nearly 10,000 feet to the small town of Nyalam before continuing to the border town of Zhangmu. As you near the border, the road is cut into the cliffs high above the valley floor. In Zhangmu, you say farewell to your Tibetan guide and driver, and stay at a local hotel for your overnight.

After finalizing departure formalities, you will exit China and enter Nepal. Descending steeply down the zigzag road, you reach the Nepalese immigration and customs at Tatopani. During the monsoon season, there may be landslides, which may cause sections of the road near the border to be closed. Should this be the case, porters then carry your luggage as you walk across the border to your Nepalese vehicle. It is then 4.5-hour drive back to Kathmandu.  There is much to see in the Nepalese capital, so you may consider extending your stay with extra time here to explore Kathmandu and the valley. There are fascinating temples in the city's Durbar Square as well as the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple and the Buddhist Bodnath Stupa, while the neighboring towns of Patan and Bhaktapur are both also worth a visit.

Your tour ends after breakfast and you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you may wish to extend your travels in Nepal and take advantage of the country's magnificent trekking opportunities.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: The Chinese authorities occasionally close Tibet off to foreigners due to political reasons. Should this happen at the time you are expected, alternative travel arrangements will be made.