Day
01-02: |
Flying
into Kathmandu is an unforgettable
experience with the Himalaya spread
out before you. You will be met
at the airport on arrival and transferred
to your hotel. In the morning of
day 2 a half-day city tour will
introduce you to some of the highlights
of Kathmandu. |
Day
03-04: |
A
long day as we dive, complete border
formalities at Kodari and Zhangmu.
It is then a steep and spectacular
drive up the gorge and on to the
Tibetan Plateau. Expect to feel
the effects of altitude as you ascend.
We spend a day at Nyalam to help
with acclimatization; they are many
short walks possible in the area
for those feeling up to it. |
Day
05-07: |
Long,
yet spectacular days as we head
west. Even along the road settlements
are few as we cross vast, open valleys
and prayer flag topped passes. Depending
on the season there may be families
of nomadic dropka moving their herds
of sheep, yaks, goats and horses
across the plateau. |
Day
08-10: |
The
53-kilometer kora of Mount Kailash
is one of the most sacred of pilgrimage
circuits in the world. Kailash
(Kang Rinpoche in Tibetan) is
the earthly manifestation of Mount
Meru and is sacred to Buddhists,
Hindus, Bonpo and Jains –
the entire route is lined with
prostration points, places to
check you sin-level, drink or
immerse yourself in sacred waters,
make offerings and hang prayer
flags. The high point, both physically
and spiritually is the Drolma
Pass (5636m) on the second day.
On
day 10 it is a short walk to Darchen
before heading to Chiu Gompa on
the shores of Lake Manasarovar
to soak in the hot springs.
|
Day
11-12: |
The
drive retraces the outward route
as far as Saga.
|
| Day
13: |
Another
long day's drive, but again scenically
magical as we take a barge-ferry
across the Yarlung Tsangpo and head
south via Pelkhu Lake. Rejoining
the Friendship Highway cross the
Lalung Pass and head to Nyalum. |
| Day
14: |
Dropping
suddenly and steeply off the Tibetan
Plateau descend through the Himalaya
to cross the China/Nepal border
at Zhangmu – Kodari before
continuing the descent to Kathmandu. |
| Day
15: |
Departure. |
|
Everest
Base Camp Extension |
| Day
13: |
Another
long day's drive, but again scenically
magical as we take a barge-ferry
across the Yarlung Tsangpo and head
south via Pelkhu Lake. Rejoining
the Friendship Highway turn east
to the small town of Lao Tingri. |
| Day
14: |
Make
a day trip to the tiny monastery
of Rhongphu. The drive is magnificent
and the views of Qomolangma (Mt
Everest) are stunning, as the mountain
stands alone at the head of the
valley. Either drive or walk the
last 7kms up to Base Camp. Return
to Lao Tingri. |
| Day
15: |
Another
high pass gives a last, spectacular
view of the Himalaya before we leave
the Tibetan Plateau, descending
to Zhangmu – on the China-Nepal
border. |
| Day
16: |
Completing
border formalities the drive back
to Kathmandu continues down the
Bote Khosi valley. |
| Day
17: |
Departure. |
