Spectacular Everest north side and base camp with monastery Rongbuk.

The great mountain world of Himalaya.

Holy Lake Nam Tso and Yamdrok.

Cultural highlights of Tsetang, Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.

The common ground of Qomolangma (Everest) and other summit of the Himalayas lies at: they all raised from the seabed of the ancient ocean; the only difference is that the Qomolangma is a little higher - with 8,848 meters above the sea level which makes it the highest summit of the world! It is the big dream or also nightmare of many mountain climbers. But do no fear; we do not go up so high. What we want is only to reach the base camp of the Qomolangma and pay our homage to the holy summit from the distance. For a long time, this interesting route is not available for tourist owing to various reasons. This program leads you to important culture highlights "on the roof of the world, two of the three holy lakes in Tibet, i.e. the Nam Tso and Yamdrok. Let’s go to explore the breathtaking natural wonder and discover the splendid Tibetan culture hidden and depositing in the long history, and get us fascinated with the profound religious atmosphere prevailing on this snow land.

If you can adjust yourselves to the high altitude and also the varieties of Tibet’s cultural characteristics, you won’t mind it is arduous or not but think it is an unforgettable experience at the end of the journey.

Itinerary (13 days):

Day01 Arrive in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the home town of Panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transferred to hotel. Overnight at 4*Yinhe Dynasty Hotel

Day02 Air Chengdu ?Tsetang (B/L)

In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Tsetang (CA4401 0740/0930). Upon arrival at the Gongga airport transfer to hotel in Tsetang (90 km). Located in the southeast of Lhasa, Tsetang is 3,500 meters high. It was said the legendary ancestors of Tibetans, a monkey (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in the shape of a monkey) and his wife a Dakhini once lived on the Gongpori mountain in the east of the city. And so the city of Tsetang is regarded as the “Playground of Monkeys?and the Tibetans as the descended of the Monkey. In terms of geography, the fertile valleys of Yarlung and Chongye here are appropriate for development of Tibetan civilization; there were once numerous temples, shrines and Stupas in this area. Besides, Chonggye is the birthplace of the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682). After lunch stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now. Overnight at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel

Day03 Tsetang (B/L/D)

In the morning drive 40km westwards to visit Samye. Located in the north of Yarlung Tsangpo River and hold in the arms of mountains, it is the oldest monastery of Tibet (8th century). The stele hanging on the entrance to the main temple shows that king Trisong Detsen took Buddhism as the state religion in 779. The monastery complex consists of several buildings, whose arrangement reflects the Buddhist conception of the structure of the universe. Meru, the world mountain in the center of the universe, is represented in the building of great hall, around which are 4 halls representing the 4 continents swimming in the world sea. In the afternoon we make a trip in the Yarlung valley to visit the Yumbulakhang, a castle built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the time of the first Tibetan kings. It is far viewed that the castle is high on the rock hills and looks brightly white. The original fortress is now converted into a chapel; in the ground floor there is a shrine in honor of the early kings. The steps up are steep but it is worthy because on the top of the hill you can far view the valley and the surrounding mountain. Overnight at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel

Day04 Tsetang ?Lhasa (B/L/D)

In the morning leave Tsetang for Lhasa. On the way visit Mindrolin Monastery. It was built in the late 10th century and had its current name when it was rebuilt in 1677. It is one of the three great monasteries of the Nyingma Sect. The monastery has paid attention to the research of Buddhist classics, astronomical calendar, calligraphy rhetoric and Tibetan medicines and is famous for its achievements in these fields. Over the years the recommendation of the "Chronology of the Tibetan Calendar" has been formulated by the monastery, and it is famous as the first academy of Lamaism in Tibet. In the afternoon arrive in Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel

Day05 Lhasa (B/L/D)

In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel

Day06 Lhasa (B/L/D)

In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect, which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose? Today still 200 lamas live in there. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel

Day07 Lhasa - Nam Tso ?Lhasa (B/L/D)

In the morning drive to Nam Tso Lake along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Pass by the 5,150-meter Lhachen La and reach the Nam Tso or Tengri Nor (heaven lake in Mongolian) along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. Nam Tso, the biggest salty lake of Tibet, is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. Explore the Tashi peninsula by walking around the holy hill, the cliffs of which have eroded over the centuries. On the way piles of mani stones stand. Also visit the nomads in yak hair tents who have been living on the pastures between the holy Nam Tso and Nyenchentangla. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa.

Day08 Lhasa ?Gyantse ?Shigatse (B/L/D)

In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5,340m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. In the afternoon drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. Overnight at 3*Manasarovar Hotel

Day09 Shigatse ?Shegar (B/L/D)

In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. Then drive to Shegar (new Tingri; 4.350 m; approx. 245 km). Overnight at 2*Mt. Everest Hotel

Day10 Shegar ?Rongbuk (B/L/D)

In the morning drive to Rongbuk. With an altitude of 5,030 meters it is the highest temple in the world. It was said the Rongbuk Monastery had been built as early as the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Mount Everest, which stands 8,848 meters (29,021 ft) above sea level, is often referred to as 'the third pole on earth'. Being the world's highest peak, its legendary status holds a fascination to many trekkers and mountaineers. In the afternoon we walk 7 km to the Base Camp and do some sightseeing there. Walking or drive by horse vehicle to Rongbuk. Overnight at simple Rongbuk Guesthouse.

Day11 Rongbuk ?Shegar ?Shigatse (B/L/D)

Drive back via Shegar to Shigatse. Overnight at 3*Mansarovar Hotel

Day12 Shigatse ?Lhasa (B/L/D)

Drive back to Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel

Day13 Air Lhasa ?Chengdu (B)

In the morning transfer to Gongga airport (100 km), fly to Chengdu (CA4402 1020/1210).