Nepal & Tibet

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 01:  ARRIVE KATHMANDU

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport

On arrival in Kathmandu: Having cleared immigration, collected your luggage and passed through customs, please make your way towards the exit of the terminal building where you will see a bank of people waiting for you.

Overnight is at Hotel in Kathmandu

DAY 02:  KATHMANDU

Breakfast is at Hotel.

In the morning, visit Swyambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in the heart of old city Kathmandu. There are around 50 temples in the vicinity. In this tour, we visit the 17th Century Durbar complex, Hanuman Dhoka, Paravati temple, great Bell and Drum, Bhairav and Taleju Temple. All around the splendour of historical monuments is the hustle & bustle of the market place. Vegetable vendors, trees of flutes, salesmen with their wares displayed on their person, souvenir hawkers, and street shop selling imported goods and tucked away in a quiet corner the glittering bead market for custom made bead necklaces.

Swoyambhunath (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - Swoyambhunath literally means 'Self-Existent One.' Swoyambhunath is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction was carried out by King Manadeva. By the thirteenth century Swoyambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist learning site. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the North West. Swayambhunath occupies a central position; it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist Pilgrimage sites.

Evening, you will visit Patan Durbar Sqaure.

In Patan, the old Newar city, you will see the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Taleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, Sati Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahabiar (the golden temple), and Mahabouddha with views of old carved wooden windows through the streets, curios shop and Bazaars.

Overnight is at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 03:  KATHMANDU

Breakfast is at Hotel.

Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath & Swyambhunath.

Pashupatinath, situated on the banks of River Baghmati around 8 km from the city, is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. The Pasupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pasupati, the Lord of the Animals. Pasupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings presiding deity here is Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of the lingam. However, only Hindus are allowed inside.

Boudhanath (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the centre of Tibetan culture in Nepal. The 36-meter-high Stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the largest Stupas in South Asia. Bouddhanath Stupa was renovated by Licchavi rulers in the eighth century. The mandala design in Bouddhanath is a copy of the one in Gyangtse in Tibet. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. Smaller stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Bouddhanath. Today, Boudhanath bustles with Tibetan population, busy with carpet manufacture, trade, and prayers at the several monasteries belonging to different sects of Tibetan Buddhism.

Bhaktapur is another Newar city founded in the 9th century. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur. The Square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. The main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeenth century. The art Gallery of Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods. This gallery is open every day except Tuesday. Bhaktapur's Durbar (Royal) Square was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1979.

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 04:  KATHMANDU

Breakfast is at Hotel.

After breakfast drive 35 kilometers from Kathmandu in the little village of Namo Buddha. Its small size belies its enormous importance to Buddhists, and what a worthwhile place it is to visit to escape Kathmandu for a couple of days. The air is fresher, the skies clearer, exceptional food and accommodation is available, and there are interesting cultural and hiking attractions around town. Namo Buddha itself has two points of interest–the Thrangu Tashi Yantse Monastery (home to around 250 monks), and the Namo Buddha Stupa, downhill from the monastery. You will hike the 2 km to reach the monastry. You Walk through the beautiful terraces visiting monastery and temples. After sightseeing around, you can walk towards Panauti bazaar. The journey takes about 4 hours of a normal walk depending on the peace it’s a good downhill and through the countryside or you can also drive.

Panauti village which stands in a peaceful valley roughly six kilometers south of Banepa. The small but beautiful town of Panauti is at a junction of the rivers Roshi and Pungamati. Similar to that of Illahabad in India, a third ‘invisible’ river is declared to join the other two at the confluence point. This town is relatively untouched by modernization where festivals preserving the precious tradition of the indigenous Newars are held. It possesses a number of interesting temples, one of which perhaps is the oldest in Nepal.

Drive back to Kathmandu.

Overnight is at Hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 05:  Fly Kathmandu – Lhasa

Breakfast at Hotel

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Lhasa.

When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.

After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. If you feel to go out, then you can go to the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.

Insider Tips:

For the new-comers of Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option.  Don not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.

Overnight is at Hotel in Lhasa.

DAY 06:  Lhasa tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang and Barkhor street (B)

Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

Then after tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.

Overnight is at Hotel in Lhasa.

DAY 07:  Lhasa tour - Drepung Monastery/Sera Monastery (B)

In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitcheninside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.

In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour  the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.

Overnight is at Hotel in Lhasa.

DAY 08:  Lhasa/Yamdrok Lake/Lhasa (B)

Today, we have to drive from Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake. On the way, the group will pass over the Gampala pass (4790 m),and tourists will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso Lake (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountain and in the distance you have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Then we will drive downhill to the lake and enjoy the free walk at the lake shore before heading back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 09:   Fly Lhasa – Kathmandu

Breakfast is at hotel.

In the morning after breakfast, drive back to Gonggar Airport for flight to Kathmandu.

Arrive Kathmandu & Check in at Hotel. Free time will be at Leisure.

Overnight is at hotel in Kathmandu.

DAY 10:  Depart Kathmandu

Breakfast is the Hotel.

Transfer to the International airport to connect the flight to onward destination.

***END OF PROGRAM***