Welcome to Shakti Travels and Tours, Trekking and Expedition (P). Ltd.

17 Nights 18 Days Nepal,Tibet and Bhutan Tour

Day 01 - Arrive Kathmandu.Flower garlands reception at the airport and transfer to hotel. PM:Free for orientation.

Day 02 - We embark sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city,also called `Kantipur`or city of glory,visiting,`KUMARI`the LIVING GODDESS,Kasthamandap,the Big Bell,Kal Bharab etc.We also visit `Swayambhunath temple.This is a Buddist temple set high on a hillock with a commanding view of the Kathmandu vally

Lunch on your own and can be had at one of the many good standard restaurants around town. Our guide will recommend the same.

After lunch we visit Patan city,one of the three queen cities-the other two being Kathmandu city and Bhaktapur.Patan city is the city of fine arts,and we visit Durbar square,Krishna Mandir,Mahavihar-Golden Temple of Lord Buddha,built in the 12th century.We also visit the Tibetan Centre.

Day 03 - Breakfast at hotel.Fly Kathmandu (1400m) - Lhasa (3660m)
Morning transfer to the airport for the hour long flight to Tibet. This spectacular flight, on a Air China Boeing 757, takes us right across the main Himalayan range and provides us with magnificent mountain views. After landing at Gonggar Airport and meeting our Tibetan guide, it is a further 2 hour drive by Landcruiser jeep to Lhasa where we will check in to the Hotel.It's advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude.

Day 04 - - in Lhasa
Today will be spent visiting several of Lhasa's many monasteries in the company of a guide-interpreter. One of these is the Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within it's white-washed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study.

After lunch we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets which is the central market of Lhasa.

Day 05 - in Lhasa
This morning we visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century.
A visit to the Drepung Monastery this afternoon will complete a truly awe-inspiring day. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the world. with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution.

Day 06 - drive Lhasa - Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Today we start our overland journey towards Kathmandu. Travelling by Landcruiser along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) from which there are stunning views across the waters of Yamdrok-tso (lake) to the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa 7252m. We continue westwards over another high pass, the Karo La 5045m, where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse. Overnight.

Day 07 - drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Before leaving Gyantse we have time this morning to visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals.
We then continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls.Overnight.

Day 08 - drive Shigatse - Shegar (New Tingri: 4050m) 244km
Today we continue along the Friendship Highway, marvelling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La, 5220m. From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar and overnight.

Day 09 - drive Shegar - Rongbuk (5000m) 68km
Shortly after leaving Shegar, we turn off the Friendship Highway and head south over the Pang La 5150m towards the main Himalayan range. The view from the top is incredible with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma. Below the pass, Everest initially is hidden from view, but as we turn the corner into the Rongbuk Valley it reappears, more impressive than ever.Overnight.

Day 10 - drive Rongbuk - Tingri (4350m) 65km
This morning we have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp 5200m. The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensate for this. It is a truly awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above us.After lunch, we return to the Friendship Highway and drive to Tingri where we will stay overnight.

Day 11 - drive Tingri - Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
Leaving Tingri, we cross another two high passes, the Lalung La 5124m and the Shung La 5200m. Once more we are rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar.
Now we begin our descent from the arid Tibetan Plateau to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After Tibet, it appears an incredibly lush and green town and we stay overnight..

Day 12 - drive Zhangmu - Kodari - Kathmandu (1400m) 123km
From Zhangmu we drive a few kilometres to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border. We say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where we will be met by our Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5 hours.Overnight in Lathmandu.

Day 13 - Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer to airport for flight to Paro,Bhutan.Arrive by Druk air BAE 146-100 series, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by STT rep and transfer to Kichu Resort.

Day 14 - Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. The drive to Thimphu is 2 hours and will be a pleasant one mainly due to the luxurious Japanese transportation and well maintained road through out Bhutan.
Evening free time. Overnight at Hotel Druk or River view.

Day 15 - AM Thimphu sightseeing - visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery and the new Drupthob nunnery temple. PM drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100
meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Dzong from outside and the market area. Overnight at Wangdi Kichu Resort.

Day 16 - AM drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Overnight Kichu Resort.

Day 17 - Transfer to Paro airport for fly back to Kathmandu.Overnight.

Day 18 - Free until departure transfer.ND OF SERVICE