Tibet & Nepal

Tibet lays spread across the Tibetan plain, from the Silk Road in the north, the Hindu Kush Mountains in the west, to the Himalayas in the south. Known as the "Roof of the World" it is a unique region. There among breathless landscapes, and alongside lofty mountain ranges, in the vast open spaces, and between the lakes and the rivers, live the Chinese minority people of Tibet. Lhasa, the capital, is the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism which came into being when Buddhism wandered from India to China and the countries of the east, such as Nepal, Bhutan and – of course – India. Some of the world's most spectacular monuments are to be found in Tibet. Come join us on this expedition to an unusual, spectacular, elevated, spiritual and revealing part of our planet.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 Tuesday July 27, 2010 Beijing

Arrival to Beijing, meeting and orientation at the hotel. After orientation we ride out to Tiananmen Square, known around the world for its size. This is the central square in Beijing, China's capital. The name means "the gate of heavenly peace", and is names so after the gate that separates the Forbidden City from the outside world. It was built in 1417. In its center is Mao's mausoleum, with his mummified body inside. The square's main recognition outside of China is on account of a few raging protests that were held there, and in specific the ones known as the Tiananmen Square riots, held in 1989. The protests were held by students around China who demanded to arrange democratic reforms in the country. The protests lasted a few weeks and were eventually suppressed by the army. We continue to tour the Temple of Heaven which serves as an amazing architectural landmark from the Ming dynasty era. The site is situated in marvelous gardens.

Day 2 Wednesday July 28, 2010 Beijing - Lhasa-Yarlung Valley-Yumbu lakhand-Tastang

Today we board a flight to the other side of the Tibetan plain to Lhasa, Tibet's capital, which is located high in the mountains, at 3,650 feet. After landing we head to Yarlung valley, the birthplace of the Tibetan culture, which was ruled by the Yarlung king dynasty, believed to have been the descendants of a demon married to a monkey. On the way we stop by to visit Mindroling temple, one of the most important monasteries belonging to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. We continue to Tastang and visit Yumbu Kang Palace which housed the Yarlung kings.

Day 3 Thursday July 29, 2010 Testan-Samye Monastery-Lhasa

After breakfast we cross the Yarlung River by ferry to visit Samye, the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The enormous monastery was built with the characteristic of a Cosmic Mandala. After the visit continue to Lhasa. On the way we stop to observe local houses. Upon arrival a visit to Potala palace that served as the Dali lama's winter home. It is considered the biggest among the Tibetan monastery complex. The Potala is located on a hill that dominates the entire Yarlung valley, and stand out with red and white colors. We also visit the Summer Palace, the dwelling place of the Dali Lama's, for generations to come.

Day 4 Friday July 30, 2010 Lhasa

Today we visit the hospital that specializes in Tibetan medicine. We continue on a tour of Jokhang temple, oldest and holiest of Tibet's temples. This temple was built by Songtsan Gambo, who founded Tibet in the 7th century AD. The temple is the biggest ethnographic museum in Tibet. Thousands of pilgrims arrive to this temple by car or by foot, to pray in it, and to dance in circles around it. We will see the market vendors and their stalls, selling holy artifacts. At the end of the tour of the city we return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Prayer and Shabbat dinner.

Day 5 Shabbat July 31, 2010 Lhasa

After prayer and Shabbat lunch we head out for a walking tour of the surroundings.

Day 6 Sunday August 1, 2010 Lhasa-Yamdurk lake-Gyanjze

After breakfast we head west towards Gyanjze, which used to be Tibet's third largest city. The city still preserves the old Tibetan scents that have been long lost in other places. We drive alongside Yamdurk Lake, the prettiest of all Tibet's lakes, with its poignant turquoise colors. We climb the Karola Mountain pass, at a height of 5,010 meters. Upon arrival at Gyanjze we have a short city tour, with focus on the markets.

Day 7 Monday August 2, 2010 Gyanjze-Shigatse

Today we tour Gyanjze, known for its cotton fields, and we'll visit Palkhor Monastery & Kumbum, with its unique Buddhist architecture. After the tour we head to Shigatse, which sits on a fertile piece of land and is surrounded by tall mountains, parallel to the Himalayas, the dwelling place of the Puncheon Lama, the second most important spiritual figure after the Dali Lama.

Day 8 Tuesday August 3, 2010 Shigatse-Shegar

After breakfast we visit Tashihunpu Temple, where the penceon Lama sits. Then we visit Sakya Temple, the birth place of the Sakya System, which for a short while was the main stream in the Tibetan Buddhism (the 13th and 14th centuries). We continue to Lhatse way, rising to a height of 5,200 meters. From the pass we take in the beautiful moon shaped landscapes of the Tibetan plain.

Day 9 Wednesday August 4, 2010 Shegar-Everest-Tingri

Today we drive towards Mt. Everest via the dry Tingri Toban. Along the ride we can view the Himalaya mountain range. The high peaks of Gojal, Langtang, Everest and Makalu. We reach base camp, from where all the climbers start their expedition to the top of the world's highest peak. Towards evening we continue driving to Tingri.

Day 10 Thursday August 5, 2010 Tingri-Nyalam-Zhangmu

After breakfast we drive towards the town of Nyalam, and down into Bhote Kosi, a green river that splits the Himalaya. During the monsoon the walls of the river turn into flowing waterfalls. We continue driving, and walking a bit, towards Zhangmu, a small Tibetan village laying near the border with Nepal.

Day 11 Friday August 6, 2010 Zhangmu-Kathmandu

Today we drive to Kodari bridge, on the Tibet-Nepal border. After clearing customs we continue to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. Upon arriving in the hotel we get ready for Shabbat. Prayers and Shabbat meal follow.

Day 12 Shabbat August 7, 2010 Kathmandu

After prayers and Shabbat meal we head out for a stroll through the streets of this interesting old city of Kathmandu, and Thamel, every backpacker's favorite street.

Day 13 Sunday August 8, 2010 Kathmandu - Monkey Temple - Nagarkot

Very early this morning one can take a paid flight over the Himalayan peaks, and Mt Everest, weather permitting. After breakfast we head out to Swayambhunath Monkey temple, which overlooks the valley, dated back over 2000 years. Continue to Patan, a city that preserves the ancient Nepalese culture with amazing scenery of the Kathmandu valley. We will also visit some of the local villages. While walking through the narrow streets, time seems to stand still. We will be impressed by the style of life that the locals chose for themselves, living and conducting their trade on the streets. Towards evening, transfer to a hotel in Nagarkot.

Day 14 Monday August 9, 2010 Nagarkot – Bhaktapur – Kathmandu - Delhi

We watch the sunrise over the Himalayas (weather permitting), then continue to tour Bhaktapur, city of believers, a city with many Buddhist temples built with amazing architecture. We continue to Budhanat Stupa, the largest Buddhist center in Nepal. We stroll through the stores of the exiled Tibetans around it. Afterwards transfer to the airport and board a flight to Delhi, India.

Day 15 Tuesday August 10, 2010 Delhi-Home Gateway

After breakfast we head to the airport for our flight to our home gateway.

Important:

• There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon internal flights. We will make every effort to visit every location mentioned.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Domestic Flights
• Registration fee
• Kosher half-board + supplies for preparing sandwiches for lunch
• River cruises and elephant ride
• First and/or good Tourist Class hotels
• Comfortable air-conditioned touring coach
• Tours and entrance fees according to the tour plan

PRICE EXCLUDES

• International Flights
• Tips for local service providers ($130) to be paid abroad
• Visas to China, Tibet & Nepal
• Personal expenses
• Travel Insurance
• Shows and nights out not included in the tour plan
• Tip for our tour guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)

Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.

• 90 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
• 60-90 days prior to departure: $500 + $100 per passenger
• 30-60 days prior to departure: $1,000 + $100 per passenger
• Less than 30 working days prior to departure: 100% of total - no refund
• We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we can not stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling. It is crucial to purchase the travel insurance within 14 days from the 1st payment that you make for this trip (flights/cruise/tour etc). Your payment is made directly to the insurance company.

We highly recommend the 'cancel for any reason' upgrade option.

Our preferred policies are Travel Safe (USA & Canadian residents), Travel Select (USA residents) and Global Trip Protection Elite (All other Nationalities).

For an obligation free quote and further details email Yonah insurance@eddiestravel.com