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Tibetan Journey

Tibet Tours with World Discovery

13 days from £2280

excluding international flights

DAY 1 – Depart UK.

DAY 2 – Arrival in Kathmandu.

On arrival in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.  Recommended flight from London: Qatar Airways from London Heathrow via Doha (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 3 – Kathmandu Sightseeing.

Your World Discovery Nepal toury begins after breakfast, when you meet your private guide and spend the morning visiting the highlights of Kathmandu. The afternoon is at leisure, with the opportunity of taking an optional excursion to Patan.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – Kathmandu/Lhasa.

Fly across the high Himalaya to Lhasa, Tibet's capital city located at 3,650m (11,902ft). The sensible thing today is to take things easy in order to adjust to the thin air of this high altitude.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 5 - Lhasa sightseeing.

Today you will visit 2 of Tibet's most hallowed Buddhist sites - the early 15th century Sera Monastery in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, and the fabulous Jokhang (detail, left), one of the oldest temples in Tibet, constructed in the 7th century, full of atmosphere with the noise and bustle of countless pilgrims following the circuit of Barkhor Street around the temple.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 - Lhasa sightseeing (continued).

This morning you will visit Tibet's most famous building - the marvellous Potala Palace which dominates Lhasa. Built originally in the 7th century, the Potala was the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. You will also visit the summer palace - the huge Norbulingka Palace complex built in the 18th century by the 7th Dalai Lama and covering an area of more than 100 acres. Another building visited today is the Drepung Monastery (1416).
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - By road to Gyantse.

Leave Lhasa for the long overland journey (approximately 8 hours) to Gyantse on the northern bank of the Nyang Chu River. The route is through some spectacular scenery including the Kamba-la Pass (4,800m) with its views over the stunning Yamdrok Tso Lake (pictured), and the Karo-la Pass (5,010m).
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Gyantse. By road to Shigatse.

In the morning explore Gyantse, including the gold-capped Kumbum Stupa and the magnificent 15th century Phalkor Monastery built by a local chieftain. Then drive to Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city, where you will visit the sacred Tashilunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 9 - By road via Samye to Tsedang.

Travel by road and then ferry across the Yarlung Tsampo River to reach Samye Monastery (left), built in the 8th century by an Indian Buddhist Master. Continue in the afternoon to Tsedang, regarded as the cradle of Tibetan civilisation.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 10 - Tsedang sightseeing.

Today you will visit the Yombulakhang Palace, the earliest royal building in Tibetan history (originally built in the 2nd century and recently reconstructed). Also see the Chamdok Temple, one of the oldest in the country.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 11 - Lhasa/Kathmandu.

Drive back to Lhasa for the return flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 12 – Kathmandu.

A day to relax at your hotel, do some shopping, or explore some of the other attractions within easy reach of the capital. For those with an interest in history and architecture, a must-see is the glorious medieval town of Bhaktapur, virtually untouched by modernity and designated by UNESCO as a World heritage Site. Also worth visiting is the Hindu holy site of Pasupatinath, where crowds of pilgrims gather to bathe and worship in the many shrines beside the sacred Bagmati River (a tributary of the Ganges). Your World Discovery representative is on hand to organise these and other visits on your behalf. In the evening you will be taken to the unique Dwarika's Kathmandu Hotel for a special farewell banquet.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

EVEREST MOUNTAIN FLIGHT

This experience of a lifetime offers you the chance to view the mighty Himalayan peaks including Everest, the highest mountain on earth.  This is the closest one can get to the peaks without having to trek or climb.  Everest Mountain flight details.

DAY 13 – Kathmandu/London.

Private transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights

There are no direct flights between London and Kathmandu. We recommend the services of Qatar Airways from London Heathrow to Doha with a good onward connection to Kathmandu. Flights are daily throughout the year. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Doha. Depart at 20.30; arrive Doha at 06.10 next morning
Doha/Kathmandu. Depart at 09.30; arrive Kathmandu at 16.00
Kathmandu/Doha. Depart at 09.10; arrive Doha at 11.50
Doha/Heathrow. Depart at 12.45; arrive Heathrow at 17.30

Tibet Tours: Tibetan Journey (Tour Reference: WDTB001)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled regional flights between Kathmandu and Lhasa (and v.v.)
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms.
• 11 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.
• The services of a private driver in Kathmandu and in Tibet.
• The services of a private guide for the included sightseeing.

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• Visas for Nepal and Tibet. The Nepal visa can be obtained before departure from Embassy of Nepal in London, or alternatively you can purchase the visa (current price US$25) on arrival at Kathmandu Airport (recommended). The Tibet visa must be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.

A deposit of £500 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Tibet tour must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.