Options & Upgrades Tibet ExtensionDay 01: Kathmandu - Lhasa
After breakfast, you are transferred to Kathmandu airport for the China Southwest Airlines flight to Gonggar airport, Tibet. This one-hour flight is spectacular (weather permitting!) over the Himalayan Ranges with excellent views of the mountains including Mt. Everest (8848m) - the highest peak on the earth.
Arrive Gonggar airport (3400m,) you are met for a 90-minute transfer to Lhasa (3650m.) The heart and soul of Tibet, it is a city of wonders. Balance of day to rest and acclimatize.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Doodh Gu Hotel
Day 02: Lhasa
Enjoy a full day tour of Lhasa. Visit Potala the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. It is one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet & the cream of Tibetan culture. Built in the colossal monastic style of Central Tibet by Gyelwa Ngapa the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century, it stands 300m above the valley atop the hill called Marpo Ri. This thousand room Potala dates from 1645 when the fifth Dalai Lama began erecting a palace that would serve as a sacred and administrative center.
In the afternoon visit to the 7th century Jokhang Temple which has architectural features from the Tang Dynasty and from Indian & Nepali Buddhist Temples. It houses many historical relics since the Tang Dynasty and statues of King Songsten Gompo, Princess Wencheng from China and Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal.
Explore the Barkhor market, which was until early fifties a grand, exciting year-round trade fair, crowded with merchants from all over central Asia. The word Barkhor refers to the middle of the three concentric holy circuits around the Jokhang. The Barkhor Circuit runs through the heart of the old city where life has changed little down the centuries and it gives you a curious sensation of having slipped through time into a medieval carnival.
Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Doodh Gu Hotel
Day 03: Lhasa
Drive (20-minutes) to Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet and belongs to the Gelugpa sect. This monastery has plenty of historical relics, Bhuddist scriptures, arts & crafts. Drepung literally means “ heaps of rice” and the fertility of its fields supported a monastic community that before 1959, ranked as Tibet’s largest monastery with 7,770 monks.
Afternoon visit of Norbulingka, the summer palaces of the Dalai Lamas. Every year as the chill air warmed, the Dalai Lama would leave Potala in a grand procession for six months residence in the Norbulingka. It is worth a visit and the park is a great place to be at festival times and public Holidays. During the seventh Lunar month of every year the Norbulingka is crowded with picnickers for the Shotun festival.
Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Doodh Gu Hotel
Day 04: Lhasa - Kathmandu - Depart
Early morning return transfer to Gonggar airport. Enjoy a scenic flight across the Himalayas to Kathmandu. Arrive in Kathmandu at 9.15 AM, you are met and assisted to your onward connecting flight.
Meals provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
END OF SERVICES2006
$1099 per person, double occupancy
$99 single room supplement
Inclusions:
· 3 nights hotel accommodation on a twin share, bed & breakfast basis including taxes and fees
· Airport transfers by private vehicle
· Sightseeing and transport by private vehicle with a local driver and English-speaking guide
· Entrance fees to sights mentioned in the itinerary
· Round trip economy class air ticket from Kathmandu –Lhasa - Kathmandu
Exclusions:
· Airport tax 1100Rs.(US$ 15) in Kathmandu
· Overseas/International air and taxes
· Photography charges in monasteries and monuments
· Cost arising due to landslides, roadblocks, etc. such as hiring of additional transport or porter charges must be borne by the clients on the spot
· Lunch, dinner, refreshments
· Items of personal nature
· Items not mentioned above
· Travel Insurance
· Gratuities
