Cultural tours

Explore LHASA

LHASA - The city of Lhasa, situated at an altitude of 3607 metres (11,808 feet) lies on the north bank of the Kyichu river in the province of U (Central Tibet). Two high craggy hills stand up in isolation from the Valley floor. One, Red Hill, is topped by the Potala Palace and the other, Chokpori or Iron Hill, is crowned by a trail antenna.

Lhasa consists of two distinct parts consisting of different architecture, population and lifestyle. Old Lhasa, the Tibetan section, centres around the Jokhang Temple. Its streets are narrow, between whitewashed stone whose walls slope inwards as they rise. Windows are framed in black trapezoids, with protruding fan shaped eaves above. Many houses have brightly painted woodwork.

New Lhasa, the Chinese section, was built in the last 30 years around the base of the Potala. It is characterized by straight, broad streets and utilitarian buildings that house Chinese style department stores and all kinds of government houses. A Revolutionary Museum below the Potala displays evidence of Chinese wrought economic and social change during the past 30 years.

Inspite of its forced pace of modernisation, Lhasa has not lost its soul. It is a friendly city where a Tibetan will always return a smile.

Code: SAATTR9

FLYING VISIT TO LHASA (5 DAYS FLY IN / FLY OUT)

Ideal for those with not much time to spare or as an extension to your holiday in Nepal. The trip starts and finishes with a flight across the Himalaya. Four days will be spent exploring the monasteries and surrounding areas of Lhasa. Due to limited flights available to Lhasa, this trip is only possible on a Tuesday (April through to mid October).

HIGHLIGHTS OF CULTURAL TIBET (8 DAYS FLY IN / DRIVE OUT)

An 8 day exploration of Tibet including sightseeing in Lhasa (Drepung, Sera, Potala
Palace, Barkhor and Jokhang) and visits to Xegar Dzong, Shigatse (Tashilumpo Monastery), Sakya Monastery and Gyantse. Depending on the time of year we fly into Lhasa and drive out across the Tibetan plateau to the friendship Bridge on the border with Nepal, and on to Kathmandu, or the other way round.

EXPLORING TIBET (8 DAYS FLY IN / FLY OUT)

A private departure that begins with a magnificent flight across the Himalayas from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Several days are then spent exploring this ‘forbidden’ city includes a trip to famous Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street and visits to Sera, Drebung, Norbulingka, Ganden Monastery and drive to Gyangse & Shigatse. Our tour finishes in Kathmandu. Due to the flexibility of this private itinerary, clients can choose to spend more or less time at each location to suit their own interests. This tip can be extended by 2 days to include a visit to the Rongbuk Monastery and a trek around the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest.

Notes on TIBET tours / treks and expeditions:

1. All departures are subject to flight operation Kathmandu / Lhasa / Kathmandu.

2. Road conditions between Nepal and the Tibetan plateau may deteriorate during the monsoon months (June-September). We may therefore have to reverse the routing on some itineraries, which could involve some additional costs.

3. The Chinese authorities with whom we work reserve the right to change the itineraries and/or costs due to reasons beyond their control. Any such increases to be borne by the participants and are liable to be collected directly in Kathmandu.