Date
16 MAY - 28 MAY
About This Tour
The word “Himalaya” conjures up images of majestic mountains marching into the distance, casting off glorious panoramas as they go; of stoic porters bearing heavy burdens; and of brave climbers risking all to conquer the loftiest peak in the world, Mount Everest. The Greater Himalayas stand at an average elevation of 20,000 feet, guarding a 1,500-mile arc extending from northeastern Pakistan to northeastern India. The mountain range cuts right through the border between two neighbors – Nepal and Tibet, the countries that sit at the “Roof of the World.”
Nepal was essentially cut off from the outside world during the 100-year reign of the despotic Ranas (1846 to 1951), who forbade entry into their kingdom by all foreigners. The land itself seems “inclined” to enforce the old isolationist policies. Virtually impregnable, these white and formidable mountains tower above everything, barricading this narrow, landlocked country from its neighbor to the north. Tibet is a vast, mysterious land of high plateaus surrounded by massive mountain ranges. Once isolated, with little communication to the outside world, Tibet exists today as an autonomous region of China with modern influences encroaching slowly. Toto Tours invites you to journey with us to these Kingdoms in the Sky, away from the frenetic pace of everyday life, to understand ancient cultures and explore breathtaking landscapes in the shadows of the mighty Himalayas.
Tour Highlights
- Kathmandu, capital of Nepal
- Mount Everest flight-seeing (optional)
- Patan City
- Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath)*
- Durbar Square *
- Pokhara, old trading route center
- Lhasa, Tibet’s main city
- Potala Palace *
- Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred temple *
- Norbulingka Palace in Lhasa *
- Khumbum Monastery in Gyantse
- Tashilumpho Monastery in Shigatse * UNESCO World Heritage Sites
ITINERARY
DEPART HOME, BOUND FOR KATHMANDU
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city today, bound for Kathmandu, Nepal, using your preferred airline carriers and routing. Search for flights using the airport code KTM for Kathmandu, and the code LXA for Lhasa, our end city, for your return flights home. (Meals Aloft)
TRAVEL DAY
Most routes from the USA require two days of travel, and tour services commence tomorrow in Nepal. Let us know if you plan to arrive in Kathmandu today, and we will book an additional night at our group hotel. (Meals Aloft)
ARRIVE IN NEPAL
Please take into account any stopovers or overnight layovers in Asia when booking your flights. You need to be in Kathmandu by the afternoon today. After completing immigration and custom formalities, exit the airport and meet with your representative at the arrival area. After the customary greeting with a *Khada (a traditional ceremonial scarf common in Buddhist culture, it symbolizes purity and compassion), we assist you with a transfer to your hotel and check in to your accommodation. In the late afternoon, we meet for a welcome and collection of documents for the Tibet visa process. Afterwards Toto Tours hosts a cocktail hour with introductions and our Welcome Dinner. (Dinner included)
OPTIONAL EVEREST FLIGHTSEEING / KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING
Those who wish to take a mountain flightseeing adventure to Mt. Everest will have a very early wake-up call this morning. After a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, transfer to the domestic airport for a one-hour flight of breath-taking views of scenic beauty across the world’s highest peaks, including the mighty Everest (weather permitting). Indicate on your reservation form if you wish to take this optional flight and we will add the cost of $225 to your invoice. After the flight, have breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a full-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour. We visit Patan to see the Golden Gate and some of the city’s many ancient temples. In the afternoon, visit the Monkey Temple and Durbar Square in front of the old royal palace in Kathmandu. Also see the Kumari Chowk, home of the young girl considered a Living Goddess and worshipped by Nepali Buddhists and Hindus. Finally experience a rickshaw ride from Durbar Square to Thamel through the old and traditional market of Indrachwok and Ason. Overnight in Kathmandu. (All Meals)
CROSS COUNTRY TO POKHARA
We check out of our hotel after breakfast and depart for Pokhara. Our journey covers 128 miles through the Middle Hills countryside, dotted with historic villages and temples along the way. We make plenty of stops to get out and stretch our legs and take photographs of the area. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Pokhara. (All Meals)
POKHARA
Early this morning we proceed to World Peace Pagoda with a packed breakfast. This massive Buddhist stupa is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake, offering spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara. After breakfast and some free time, we hike down to the shore and embark on a boating tour on the Phewa Lake for an hour. We next visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp, where the Tibetan people produce woolen carpets and handicrafts to sell along the lake. Later in the afternoon, visit Mountain Museum, promoting the understanding of the mountains, its people and culture, flora, fauna and the proud mountaineering history. Overnight in Pokhara. (All Meals)
RETURN TO KATHMANDU
After an early breakfast, we return to Kathmandu, stopping along the way at different locations than we did on the outbound journey. Upon arrival, we check back into our hotel for a free evening. There will be time tonight to go out and see some of the sites you may have missed or wish to revisit. Overnight in Kathmandu. (All Meals)
FLY TO TIBET
This morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Lhasa, Tibet. Our Tibetan guide will meet our group at Lhasa’s Gongkar Airport. After immigration formalities, we make the 45-minute drive from the airport to the old city. After checking in at our hotel, there are no planned activities so our bodies can acclimate to the very high altitude of Tibet. Rest, take it easy, and drink plenty of fluids. You can go around the hotel area for light walking and sightseeing. Overnight in Lhasa. (All Meals)
LHASA SIGHTSEEING
After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the Jokhang temple, Sera Monastery and the Barkhor market depending upon the local conditions. Jokhang Temple is a 7th-century geomantic temple and the most sacred temple of all Tibet. Just a short drive from Lhasa, Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 and was home at one time to 5,000 to 6,000 monks. Returning to the city center, we visit the teeming Barkhor Market (Bazaar) to see Tibetan handicraft items and Buddhist artifacts. Overnight in Lhasa. (All Meals)
POTALA PALACE / GYANTSE
This morning visit Potala Palace, the imposing 13-story structure housing 10,000 shrines and over 1000 rooms. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. Afterwards, we drive along the scenic Friendship Highway, getting spectacular views from several high mountain passes, to Yamdrok Lake and finally Gyantse. Here we will visit the 14th century Pelkhor Chode Temple and Stupa and visit Khumbum Monastery, with vast array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Overnight in Gyantse. (All Meals)
SHIGATSE
This morning, we depart Gyantse and drive to Shigatse. Visit Tashilumpho Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. It has 39 chapels, including the huge Maitreya Chapel coated in gold. Afterwards, enjoy strolling through the local marketplace for sightseeing and bargain hunting. Overnight in Shigatse. (All Meals)
RETURN TO LHASA
Today we drive back to Lhasa, taking a different route through the mountains than the one we took on the outbound trip. Once in Lhasa, we recheck into our hotel, and the evening is free to relax or explore a little more on your own. Overnight in Lhasa. (All Meals)
DEPARTURE
After breakfast, check out of our hotel and transfer to the Lhasa Airport for onward flights home. Let us know if you would like to book an additional night at our hotel in Lhasa. (Breakfast)