14 days Starts/Ends: Kathmandu Journey beyond cosmopolitan Kathmandu to holy Tibet - 'the roof of the world'. Uncover the world's most holy Hindu temple, the world's highest monastery and the tallest mountain, set amongst spectacular Himalayan vistas and enlightening Buddhist stupas. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley - Patan Durbar Square, Bodhnath stupa, Bungamati and Khokana ancient Newar towns Views of the Himalayan Mountains and Everest along the Lalung La Pass Lhasa - Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery Spectacular mountain vistas along the Friendship Highway, with views of Yamdrok Tso Lake Shigatse - Tashilunpo Monastery, a huge golden roofed monastic compound Everest Base Camp - starting point of intrepid treks to the summit of Mt Everest Gyantse - Kumbum Stupa and Phalor monastery Bhaktapur - Durbar Square, visiting local families to watch Ju Ju Dhau (yoghurt) being made and try making pottery Rongbuk Monastery - the world's highest monastery which offers spectacular views of Everest's north face Xegar Dzong (fortress) The Last Resort - a resort on the border of Nepal and Tibet where bungee jumping and rafting are available to book locally What's Included 13 breakfasts 1 dinner at a Nepali cultural evening 12 nights 3 star hotels and simple guesthouses and 1 night permanent tented camp Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 14 Assistance obtaining your Tibet Permit (excludes the cost of the permit) Touring of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Bungmati, Khokana, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Xegar and Everest Base Camp English speaking local guides All relevant transfers and transportation in private, air conditioned vehicles What's Not Included Entrance Fees: USD $30-40 International flights including the one way flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa on day 3. There is one direct Air China flight on a Tuesday, please book this or contact us for assistance. Visas and Tibet Permit. On The Go will make all the necessary arrangements for your Tibet permit in advance of your travel. Upon arrival to Kathmandu, the Tibet permit cost (approx. USD$220 for US passport holders & USD$120 for all other nationalities) will need to be paid by you directly to our representative. Tipping - an entirely personal gesture DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Kathmandu Welcome to Nepal and the start of your holiday! Pick up and complete a landing card on the plane or in the airport before you go through customs. Upon arrival you will be met by an On The Go representative and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a welcome drink and a briefing about your trip. Overnight - Kathmandu Day 2 : Kathmandu Valley - 14 days - 1 -
Kathmandu is a fascinating blend of old and new, the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Nepal and yet in places, seemingly unchanged since the middle-ages with temples, shrines and living gods. This morning we visit the colossal Bodhnath (Boudha), which is one of the world s largest stupas and the most important Buddhist monument outside Tibet. It s a beautiful worship site where the spinning of prayer wheels, prostrating pilgrims and collective chants are just some of the practices that can be witnessed. The Stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bodhnath. Hence, a complete township has developed around Bodhnath and we'll also visit a monastery where the young monks live and study Tibetan Buddhism. Our next port of call is Patan, the old Newar city in the Kathmandu Valley, Here we'll explore the historic Patan Durbar Square, which is home to more than 50 stunning temples and shrines and although it is smaller than Durbar Square in the centre of Kathmandu it is architecturally more refined and less commercialised. Other highlights of Patan include the Golden Gate, the statue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, Sati Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahabiar (the golden temple) and Mahabouddha Temple. This afternoon we visit Bungmati and Khokana, two settlements in the Kathmandu Valley which remain relatively untouched by 21st century life. Bungamati village which dates back to the 7th century has hundreds of master wood carver and sculpture producers. The 13th century Newar settlement of Khokana is famous for producing mustard oil. There is no central square, as in nearby village Bungamati but the main street is a hive of activity. The main temple is a two tiered construction dedicated to Shekali Mai a mother goddess. After time to freshen up at your hotel, enjoy a tasty dinner whilst watching a traditional dance performance depicting the various religions of Nepal. Overnight - Kathmandu (B, D) Day 3 : Lhasa Kathmandu Lhasa. This morning fly to Tibet; this is one of the most scenic flights in the world, crossing over the great mountains of Kanchenjunga and Everest. More than 4500 metres above sea level, Tibet is known as the Roof of the World and the towering mountain ranges that surround the plateau, ensure it s complete isolation. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport before we drive to the fabled city of Lhasa - Ground of the Gods, where we receive a short briefing and then the rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise. Only take part in light activity today to give your body time to acclimatise properly and to avoid altitude sickness. PLEASE NOTE: The flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa is not included in the tour cost. There is one direct Air China flight on a Tuesday please book this one or contact us for assistance. Overnight - Lhasa (B) Day 4 : Jokhang temple Over the next two days we explore enchanting Lhasa, home to Dalai Lama s until the 1950 s. Our first stop today is Sera monastery, which is still a working retreat 600 years after its foundation as a main teaching monastery. It is one of the great Gelukpa Universities, once housing more than 5500 monks although these days only hundreds of monks rattle around in the massive buildings. Here we see young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden and being rewarded for a correct answer with a resounding hand-clap from their master. The highlight of the day is a visit to the holiest shrine in Tibet, the 7th century Jokhang Temple; located in the Barkhor district, it houses a solid gold shrine of the enlightened Buddha. The temple is not the most attractive sight but it is certainly the most fascinating. A continuous flow of pilgrims, travel around the complex in an anti clockwise direction, prostrating themselves with varying degrees of exertion and frequency, and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. The temple is a veritable hive of activity and a wonderful place to witness the practises of Buddhism. From the flat roof of the temple there are fabulous views of the city. Overnight - Lhasa (B) Day 5 : Potala Palace Exploration of Lhasa continues today with a visit to the city s most iconic landmark - the Potala Palace. Potala is the poignantly empty winter home of the Dalai Lama, towering 117 metres above the city, it s a masterpiece in design; 13 stories high, containing thousands of rooms. It was the heart of Tibet, its (exiled) government and people. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing an incredible 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. Perched on the side of Marco Ri - the main buildings are the White Palace, the living quarters of the Dalai Lama; the Red Palace, which is purely for Buddhist prayer and the Tomb of the 13th Dalai Lama, with its giant stupa containing one ton of gold and jewels! After exploring Potala Palace we take a short journey to the 15th century Drepung Monastery. Formerly one of the largest monasteries of Tibet, housing 10,000 monks, it was torn asunder during the Cultural Revolution and its walls and statues continue to be rebuilt today. Overnight - Lhasa (B) Day 6 : Lhasa Today is a free day for you to relax or independently explore the city. Overnight - Lhasa (B) - 14 days - 2 -
Day 7 : Kambala pass & Gyantse Lhasa Gyantse. Departing Lhasa, head off along the Friendship Highway to the attractive city of Gyantse. The journey is incredibly scenic, crossing two mountain passes, the Kambala pass (4794m) and Karola (5010m) pass via the beautiful lake Yamdrok Tso. Gyantse is 3rd largest town in Tibet but most influenced by Chinese attractions. Overnight - Gyantse (B) Day 8 : Gyantse Kumbum and Shigatse Gyantse - Shigatse. Gyantse s main highlight is the Kumbum, constructed in 1440, it is an eight storey building and the best preserved example of unique Tibetan architecture. Kumbum means a hundred thousand images and this fabulous building is lavishly decorated, with paintings smothering the walls and topped with a gold dome. After sightseeing at the Kumbum stupa and Phalor Monastery in Gyantse we continue our journey to Shigatse, Tibet s second largest city. Upon arrival we visit the free Tibetan market and the Tashilunpo Monastery; a huge monastic compound of golden roofed buildings and cobbled lanes, founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447. Overnight - Shigatse (B) Day 9 : Xegar Shigatse Xegar. Be prepared for a bumpy ride today, driving through the spellbinding Everest Region to Xegar which was once the capital of the Tingri region. Here we visit the impressive Xegar Dzong (fortress). Overnight - Xegar (B) Day 10 : Everest Base Camp Xegar Rongbuk monastery - Everest Base Camp Old Tingri. This morning drive the Chay-Pangla pass to the Rongbuk; at 4930 metres above sea level, it is the world s highest monastery and the spectacular views of Everest s north face are well worth the arduous journey. The Himalayas boast eight out of the ten highest mountains in the world and extend across 2400 kilometres. The mighty Mount Everest has the world s tallest peak and today we visit its famous base camp; the starting point of many intrepid expeditions to reach its lofty summit. We spend a few hours exploring the area before taking a short drive south to the town of Old Tingri (via the stunning Lamna pass), where we spend the night. Overnight - Tingri (B) Day 11 : Zangmu Tingri Zangmu The Last Resort. Today begin the journey back to Nepal, driving up to the steep Lalung La Pass, where we ll be treated to some amazing views of the Himalayas and Everest, before our sharp decent along narrow windy roads, through lush forested mountainsides and deep gorges. Continue to the Tibet-Nepal border town of Zangmu. Crossing the border back into Nepal we stop at a border resort for the night where bungee jumping and rafting are available to book locally if you re feeling adventurous! At the Last Resort you'll spend the night in a spacious permanent tent, which have beds, bedding and towels, with shared bathroom facilities. Overnight - Nepal Border (permanent tented camp) (B) Day 12 : Bhaktapur Borderland - Bhaktapur. Today we drive to Bhaktapur, a typical Newar town where we spend the night. Despite its close proximity to Kathmandu, Bhaktapur seems worlds apart. This enchanting old town is peacefully traffic free and has retained its centuries old traditions, crafts and trades. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is home to beautifully carved Malla dynasty palaces and pagodas and the cobblestone streets, temples, shrines and squares are full of character. Overnight - Bhaktapur (simple guesthouse) (B) Day 13 : Onward to Kathmandu Bhaktapur Kathmandu. The Newar communities of Bhaktapur are famous for their pottery making, they not only sell their products within the country but also abroad. This morning we head to Pottery Square to watch pottery being made and have a go at making a clay pot ourselves on a traditional wooden spinning wheel. Bhaktapur is also renowned for its sweetened yogurt known as Ju Ju Dhau, which is a local delicacy, and we'll visit a family to see Ju Ju Dhau being made. In the afternoon we return to Nepal s capital where you can enjoy the remains of the day at leisure. Overnight - Kathmandu (B) Day 14 : Kathmandu Hotel check-out and onward transfer to the airport.(b) - 14 days - 3 -
What to Pack Casual wear and comfortable walking shoes are the rule for Tibet. Be sure to bring warm clothing as nights and early mornings can range from quite chilly to down right cold in winter. Waterproof clothing is essential if travelling in the rainy season and throughout the year pack clothing which can be layered, since temperatures fluctuate. Travelling November to April Down Jacket Thermal Underwear Warm/thick trousers Sweaters Warm Sweaters Woolen Shirts Gloves Warm hat & Scarves Light Leather Boots in case of snow Travelling May to October Raincoat or Windbreakers Jackets Trousers Sweaters Sun Hat Shirts (cotton/woollen) Comfortable Shoes Tipping Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable or unsure about when and how much to tip. However in the Himalayas, tipping is an important part of local incomes and it's handy to always keep a supply of small notes for tipping. As a guide we recommend you allocate the following amount for the duration of your tour to cover tips for drivers, porters and local guides - approximately: USD$70-80 in local currency. Local drivers for arrival/departure transfers - approx USD$2 Local sightseeing guide for a full day of touring - approx USD$5 Local driver for a full day of touring - approx USD $5 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Entrance Fees On our Himalayas group tours, entrance fees are not included must be budgeted for by you. The total cost of the entrance fees which need to be paid locally, as noted under 'Exclusions' on the first page of this Go Guide. Entrance fee amounts can change and as such upon arrival to Nepal your tour leader will highlight the exact total entrance fee cost for your tour. Entrance fees are to be paid in Nepalese Rupees and they will be collected on day 2 of your tour. Group Size The number of passengers joining our Himalayan tours and treks varies from week to week. Our maximum group size in Nepal is 15, although on average the number of passengers on our trips tends to be lower, typically between 2-6 travellers. Style of Trip Local guides provide sightseeing and assistance at each port of call, the tours are not escorted throughout by a tour leader. On flights you will therefore travel without a guide and will be met upon arrival at your destination and transferred to your hotel. In Chitwan National Park guiding will be provided by the lodges own expert jungle guides. Transportation is a combination of internal flights and private air conditioned vehicles. What to Expect Please note that Nepal and Tibet are still poor, underdeveloped regions and their infrastructure and weather patterns can sometimes lead to delays or cancellations. This may take the form of flight delays due to low cloud in the mountains or foggy conditions in Kathmandu and Lhasa. The road network is quite congested in the cities and suffers from poor maintenance on some routes again causing delays and a rough ride from time to time. Whilst Kathmandu has a good choice of high quality hotels, in other areas hotels and facilities are not as high as western standards. Power shortages, water supply issues and fuel scarcity are common problems throughout Nepal. We will always try to offset any unforeseen problems but patience and understanding should be included when packing. Bear in mind that tourism is still relatively new to these beautiful Himalayan regions, things do not always run smoothly and a sense of adventure is a must! Health Requirements You should seek medical advice before travelling to the Himalayas from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio are strongly recommended. You may also be advised to take anti-malarial medication. Water As tap water is not safe to drink in the Himalayas, only drink bottled mineral water which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. You should also avoid salads which may be washed in unhygienic water. Altitude Sickness An altitude of over 3,000 meters is defined as high altitude and seeing as most of Tibet and parts of Nepal are higher than this level, it is possible to experience differing degrees of symptoms which include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. These symptoms will usually decrease in severity during acclimatization and mild cases of altitude sickness should not interfere with light activity. It is important not over exert yourself if travelling to altitude and drink plenty of fluids and eat carbohydrate food to keep the body properly hydrated. Please report any symptoms of Altitude Sickness immediately to your tour leader. Temple Etiquette Please take particular care when visiting religious places, such as temples and monasteries. Dress and behave appropriately - don t wear shorts or sleeveless tops and do not smoke or hold hands. Shoes and hats should be removed. Within temples no carvings, statues or deities should be touched. Photography is prohibited in certain sections of most sacred sites and please do not attempt to be photographed with Buddhist monks. - 14 days - 4 -
If in doubt ask your local guide for further information. Nepal Country Guide Nepal Visa Requirements Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please check with your local embassy before travelling and also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Nepal. All nationalities must obtain a visa for Nepal. On our '', 'Himalayan Highlights' and 'Nepal & Bhutan' tours you will need a multiple entry visa. It is possible for UK, EEC, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, South African and USA passport holders to obtain a visa upon arrival. However in the event of visa refusal at port of entry On The Go will not be held responsible. To obtain your visa upon arrival will need a passport with at least 6 months validity, 2 passport photos Visa fee of approx USD $25 - $100 in CASH (dependent on length of stay) Please refer the Royal Nepalese Embassy website for the current Nepal visa costs. Please note that we require your passport details and date of birth at time of booking in order to for permits and internal flights. Please note that if you're trekking, you will need to provide us with additional passport photos and information upon arrival, in order for us to obtain your permit. See the 'Upon Arrival' paragraph in this the Go Guide for details. Currency in Nepal The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee. Pound Sterling, US Dollars or other major currencies can be exchanged at the airport and there are plenty of places to exchange money in Kathmandu.There are also ATMs at the banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara, although as these are sometimes out of order and banks are not always open, we advise that you bring some cash with you, preferably US dollars. It's advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities. Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees. Time & Voltage in Nepal Kathmandu (Nepal) is 5 hours 45 mins ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight savings time. Standard voltage in Nepal is 220 volts. Primary sockets generally require Indian round 3 pin plugs that are similar but not identical to European plugs, however you will also find those which require the European variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. Vaccinations for Nepal You should seek medical advice before travelling to Nepal from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio are strongly recommended. You may also be advised to take anti-malarial medication. WATER As tap water is not safe to drink in Nepal, only drink bottled mineral water which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. You should also avoid salads which may be washed in unhygienic water. Climate in Nepal n Nepal, June to September is monsoon season and during these months it is very hot and rains almost every day. October to November is much drier with pleasant temperatures in the daytime and good visibility, and at this time of year conditions are ideal for trekking. The winter months from December to February tend to be mild in the daytime but can become very cold at night especially in the mountains. January is the coldest month of the year. March to May is very warm, with occasional showers. The annual temperatures peak in May just before the monsoons begin. The best time to trek in Nepal is during the spring (March through May) and autumn (October and November). Food in Nepal The national dish of Nepal is Daal Bhaat Takaari (lentils, rice and vegetable curry) which can be found in a range of flavours and is often served as a main course for lunch and dinner. For many people in Nepal this is the only dish they eat. It often varies in quality, being excellent in one restaurant and bland in another. Nepali food has Tibetan influences especially in the mountains where a traditional diet consists of soups, potatoes, pasta and toasted flour. You will also find Indian food in Nepal, such as Roti (bread) tandoori meats, masaala and kofti. Kathmandu is renowned as the budget eating capital of Asia with tourist restaurants selling a wide variety of Western style fast food including chips, steaks and pizza. Noodles are available everywhere and ideal for a quick snack, the Nepali name for them is chao-chao. Shopping in Nepal The Kathmandu Valley is heavenly for shoppers, with a host of craft outlets selling locally made handicrafts, stone idols and statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities. There are also beautifully designed brass pots and vessels available. Jewellery shops sell gold, silver, white metal and semi precious stones, as well maala (the traditional necklace worn by women in the Himalayas, which is made of gold with strings of glass beads) at very reasonable prices. If you are more interested in clothing there are delicately embroidered Kaftans, Pashminas made of goats wool, Kashmiri Shawls and Tibetan robes. You can also pick up inexpensive leather jackets. Whilst trekking there are traders dotted along the trails selling everything from down jackets, waterproofs, jumpers, hats and socks at very reasonable prices, so there is no need to panic if you haven't packed enough! It is advisable to pack light and simply buy extra clothing en route if needed. - 14 days - 5 -
You are expected to barter for your goods in Nepal and the process is always very lighthearted. Most traders will speak English in tourist areas but if you can learn a few words in Nepali you may get a better deal. Tibet Country Guide Tibet Visa Requirements Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours, therefore it is essential that you check current visa requirements with the embassy before travel. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Tibet. All nationalities require a Chinese visa/tibet permit to enter Tibet. It is only possible to enter Tibet from Nepal with a visa and permit issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. If you are travelling with us the China visa/tibet permit will be arranged for you by On The Go. You will require 3 passport photos in order to obtain your Tibet permit and Nepal visa and it's a good idea to have a spare one. Before booking your flights and trip to Tibet please contact your travel agent or one of our consultants for the most up to date Tibet visa Information. Upon booking you will need to advise us of your international flight details and you will also need to provide us with the following: a coloured scanned copy of your passport information and photo page and a completed China Visa form. We will provide you with the form which you will need to print it out, fill in by hand and attach a passport photo. Then create a colour scanned copy of the completed visa form with photograph and email it back to us in PDF format. The cost of the Tibet visa/permit is not included in the price of the tour and is to be paid directly by you to our representative in Kathmandu upon arrival on day 1. The current cost of a Tibet visa/permit on a one day visa service is: British, Australian and EU passport holders: USD $120 USA passport holders: $220 Please note: Visa fees are subject to change. If arriving into Kathmandu earlier and booking pre tour accommodation, it may be possible for us to use a 3 or 5 working day embassy visa service in Kathmandu, at a lower cost. Contact us for further details. Currency in Tibet The currency is Tibet is the Chinese Yuan. Pound Sterling, US Dollars or other major currencies can be exchanged locally at the Bank of China in Zhangmu, Shigatse and Lhasa. Many hotels also have exchange facilities. There are ATMs in Lhasa and Shigatse and credit cards may be accepted in large hotels, shops and restaurants. It's advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities. Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees. Time in Tibet Tibet is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT) and does not observe Daylight Saving. Voltage in Tibet Standard voltage is 220 volts, 50Hz AC. Primary sockets generally require Continental or European plugs, of the two round pin variety, or 2 flat pin similar to those found in America. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. Food in Tibet Tibetan food consists mainly of barley, meat and dairy products. Staple foods include; Yak butter which is refined from the milk of cattle and goats and 'tsamba' which is made of roasted barley, ground with flour and mixed with a little tea, butter, curds and sugar to add flavour. 'Tubo' is a common evening dish; a type of gruel made from dried meat, tsamba and wheat flour. Tibetans are limited to only being able to eat things that grow at over 4000m, which means vegetables are very scarce and people in the higher altitudes eat a lot more meat instead. In winter beef and mutton is cut into strips and air dried in order to preserve it, it is then barbecued or eaten raw. In Lhasa there are numerous restaurants and noodle places serving national dishes and also Indian, Western and Nepali cuisine. A tasty specialty are 'momos,' which are tiny steamed or fried dough parcels containing meat or vegetables. Shopping in Tibet Shopping in Lhasa is a popular tourist activity and Barkhor Street Bazaar is the best place for it. In Barkhor there are lots of stalls, selling a wide range of goods including; Yak wool jumpers, silver ornaments, jewellery and handicrafts. Tibetan incense is a good souvenir, Tibetans use it to worship Buddha and drive away evil spirits. Thangkas (religious scrolls) are also very popular, the higher quality ones have a handpainted image (rather than printed) in the middle, with very detailed backgrounds. The quality of Thangkas can vary dramatically, so take care when purchasing one. It is a good idea to buy any practical items you may need in Lhasa before you travel to more remote towns. There are departments stores which will supply all of your everyday goods. In the markets, small shops and stalls, you should barter and generally try to cut the asking price by 50 percent. Climate in Tibet Central Tibet is generally mild from April to November, making it the best time to visit. Due to the high altitude it is rarely scorching, but the sun s rays are very strong. From December to February/March it becomes very cold and temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Travel during these months is not advisable. Tibet does not have a typical monsoon season, but May to September are the months with the highest rainfall (which mostly occurs in the evenings). Vaccinations for Tibet You should seek medical advice before travelling to Tibet from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all - 14 days - 6 -
of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Rabies and Polio are strongly recommended. You may also be advised to take anti-malarial medication. WATER As tap water is not safe to drink in Tibet, only drink bottled mineral water which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. - 14 days - 7 -