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02102004 DRIVE KATHMANDU [1300m]�ZHANGMU [2500m] 123km NYALAM [3750m]
::We leave Kathmandu early in the morning, driving through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to Kodari on the Nepal Tibet border. After completing the border formalities at both the Nepalese and Chinese immigration posts we check in to our hotel in Zhangmu or Nyalam on the Tibetan side of the border.
::03102004 DRIVE ZHANGMU [2500m]NYALAM - SHEGAR [4050m] 244km
::Today�s drive takes us from the lush, green lower hills into the dry, arid landscape of the Tibetan Plateau. We cross several high passes including the Lalung La [5050m] from which, [weather permitting], there is a breathtaking panorama of the Himalayan range including Mt Everest - a fitting backdrop to the vastness of the Tibetan Plateau. We stay overnight in the town of Shegar at the Hotel Quomolongma.
::04102004 DRIVE SHEGAR [4050m] - SHIGATSE [3900m] 244km
::Continuing along the Friendship Highway, we pass by lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders. We then cross the highest pass of our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m] before descending once more to the barren splendor of the plains. Tonight, we stay in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet at either the Shigatse Hotel or Shandong Mansion.
::05102004 DRIVE SHIGATSE [3900m] - GYANTSE [3950m] 90km
::This morning we have time to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, before setting off on the relatively short drive to Gyantse. Once in Gyantse, we can explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Gyantse Kumbum. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Our overnight accommodation is at Hotel Gyantse or similar type.
::06102004 DRIVE GYANTSE [3950m] - LHASA [3650m] 261km
::A spectacular day�s drive today will take us over the Karo La [5045m] where we are treated to the awesome sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred meters of the road. Beyond the small, developing town of Nagartse, the road follows the bank of a beautiful turquoise lake, the Yamdrok-tso, for about 20 Km. We then cross the Khamba La [4794m.] and continue on to Lhasa, where we check in at the Dhood Gu Dhood gu Hotel.
::07102004 IN LHASA
::Today will be spent visiting several of Lhasa�s many monasteries in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within it�s whitewashed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. After lunch we�ll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets which is the central market of Lhasa.
::08102004 IN LHASA
::This morning we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century. A visit to the Drepung Monastery this afternoon will complete a truly awe- inspiring day. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the world. With a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution.
::09102004 FLY LHASA [3650M] - KATHMANDU [1300m]
::Sadly we leave Lhasa early in the morning for the 2 hour drive to Gonggar Airport and our flight back to Kathmandu or your onward destination. The China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757, takes us right across the main Himalayan range and the mountain views are spectacular.
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