If you really want to go to Tibet, by all means go. It is bleak, barren and spiritual. Tashi Delk!! Welcome to Tibet |
On August 26, 1992 we fly from Bangkok to Kathmandu on Thai Airways to begin our tour of Nepal and Tibet.
Our tour meets in Kathmandu, Nepal. We have a few days to get to know each other, let our internal clocks catch up with local time and begin to adjust to higher altitudes. Kathmandu is at about 4.500 feet. We see some sights and take a bike ride to Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)
We fly a Chinese Airline Boeing 707 from Katmandu to Lhasa. Our route takes us along the southern edge of the Himalayas for a spectacular views of majestic mountains. The Captain announces that we are about to begin our decent. I look at my pocket altimeter and the cabin pressure is 8,000 ft. The plane starts a steep decent and the cabin altitude goes up -- not down. We have to get the cabin altitude up to 11,000 ft. for our landing at Gonggar Airport, one of only two commercial airports in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Arrive Gonggar airport ~ Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
It takes a one-and-a-half hour drive from the airport along the banks of the Brahmaptra River and through Tibetan villages to the town of Lhasa. When we were there, Holiday Inn was operating 14 hotels in China including Lhasa; in 2006 they have 40 hotels but none in Lhasa.
We check in and then slowly climbed the stairs to the mezzanine in the hotel where we are welcomed by the hotel staff and briefed by our local guides. Most of us feel fine as long as we do not move quickly.
Evening welcome drink: Honey Chang in the Galleria.
This morning we visit to the Jokhang and Barkhor Bazaar . Situated in the heart of Lhasa, the Jokhang is the spiritual center of Tibet. Devout pilgrims prostrate themselves at the temple entrance and make the inner circuit of the temple to give yak butter offerings to the deities and pay homage to the golden statue of Skamania.
Afternoon visit the Sera Monastery. On of the three great Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet, built in the 15th century and once housing over 5,000 monks.
In the evening a special Himalayan Banquet.
Morning visit to the magnificent 1,000 rooms Potala Palace , former Winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.
Afternoon choice of a visit to the Norbulingka, the former Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas or a visit to the Barkhor Bazaar for last minute bargain hunting. If time permits a visit to Ani Sangkhung Nunnery and Tent Factory.
Take the southern route to Gyantse, along the shores of Lake Yamdrok. Known to the Tibetans as the "turquoise lake", Yamdrok lies between the two spectacular mountain passes: the Kamba La (4,800 m) and the Karo La (5,000 m).
Dinner and overnight at the Gyantee Hotel.
Morning visit the to famous Kumbum, a three dimensional 112 room mandala structure and the Palkhor Chode Monastery compound. Stroll through the traditional Tibetan village of Gyantse Kumbum, a photographer's dream.
Afternoon drive to Shigatae
Later afternoon visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lamas.
Dinner and overnight at the Shigatse Hotel.
Today the road turns away from the Tsangpo river valley, and you will travel westward for 126 kms to the turnoff for Sakya Monastery, which lies only 26 kms further. Sakya was founded in 1073 by Konchog gyalpo and became prominent by Mongolians rulers. Sayka became the de facto capital of Tibet for over 100 years. After visiting Sayka, you will have a picnic lunch and continue 140 kms on to the hotel near New Tingri/Shegar, crossing the Lhakpa La (pass at 5,220 m).
Dinner and overnight at the Shigatse Hotel.
This day from Shegar to Rongbuk - long day, roads not in good shape if you can call it a road at-all. Overnight in Rongbuk - in tents.
Full day visit Rongbuk Monastery, formerly the site of the highest monastery in the world at (5,030m). Rongbuk is now known as the starting point for climbing expeditions up Mt. Everest from the China side.
The Monastery was severely damages by Red Guards during the
Cultural Revolution. It is being restored slowly by local craftsmen with some
foreign funding. The frieze along the top of this wall looks three dimensional like
rolled fabric, but it is painted.
Overnight in Rongbuk - in tents.
This last day will drive to Zhangmu.
From the Himalayan expanse unfolds, with the 8013 m Mount Shishapangma to the west. The decent to Zhangmu is one of the most dramatic sections of the route. From the very edge of the Tibetan plateau the road descends through the Himalayans to the subtropics of Nepal -a 3,000 foot descent in two hours.
Dinner and overnight at the Zhangmu Hotel
From Zhangmu -- also known as the Friendship Bridge -- it is only a short distance to the China Customs Office where your guide will bid farewell.
After clearing Customs, you may have to walk downhill and cross the Friendship Bridge on your own. Generally, there are porters available to carry your luggage, but you will have to agree on a fee and pay by yourself. Transport should be waiting for you on the other side at Kodari. Now the fun begins, it feels like many adventures roll into one unbelievable day. You must be up for an adventure.
On September 9, we flew form Kathmandu back to Bangkok.