Greene’s party of 2-4

Tibet Adventure: Lhasa- Mt. Everest 2003

Itinerary Two:

Aug 6/Wed Washington DC to Beijing

Fly DCA to Detroit via NW231 (12:40pm/2:10pm), connect NW11 to Tokyo departing at 3:40pm.

Aug 7/Thu Arrive Beijing

Arrive Tokyo at 5:35pm, connect NW19 to Beijing (6:45pm/9:35pm), upon arrival, check into Jianshe Mansion Hotel.

Aug 8/Fri Beijing to Lhasa.

Fly Beijing to Lhasa via CA4112 (9:30am/2:50pm), your guide will meet you at Konggar Airport, and transfer you to Lhasa city with about 1 1/2 hours driving (100km). On the way, you will be greeted by Nie Tang Budda image engraved in the mountain face. After arrive in Lhasa, rest and acclimatize. Overnight in Lhasa Shabala Hotel. (D)

Aug 9/Sat Lhasa

The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa cardinal landmark Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.

Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivalled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor Lhasa’s most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. Overnight in Lhasa (B L D)

Aug 10/Sun Lhasa

About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung, once world largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.

Drepung is one of Lhasa¡¯s two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The ¡°Buddhism Scriptures Debating¡± in Sera is very famous. Overnight in Lhasa (B L D)

Aug 11/Mon Lhasa-Yamdroktso-Gyantse-Shigatse

Depart at 8:00am, drive Gyantse through Yamdroktso Lake, 265 kilometers. Visit the White Monastery and Ten-thousand Buddha Pagoda. Then continue drive to Shigatse about 95 km. Check into Shigatse Shandong Hotel. Today’s drive is about 10 hours.

Aug 12/Tue Shigatse to Tingri

Drive from Shigatse to Tingri, 262 km about 9 hours. Visit Tsaga Monastery on the way. Check into Tingri Hotel.

Aug 13/Wed Shigatse to Tingri

Drive to Tingri, 262 km about 9 hours. Visit Tsaga Monastery on the way, check into Tingri Hotel tonight.

Aug 14/Thu Tingri to Rongphu Monastery to Tingri

Visit the Rongphu Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, view the Mt. Everest. It is only 200 km for round trip, but the road is very tough, it takes 10 hours to drive.

Aug 15/Fri Tingri to Shigatse

Drive to Shigatse about 362 km, about 9 hours. Overnight in Shigatse.

Aug 16/Sat Shigatse to Lhasa

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, then drive back to Lhasa about 285 km, 6 hours. Overnight in Lhasa tonight.

Aug 17/Sun Lhasa to Beijing

Fly Lhasa to Beijing, check into your hotel. You can visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the afternoon.

Aug 18/Mon Beijing to Washington DC

Return flight to Washington DC.

Fly Beijing to Tokyo via NW20 (9:05am/1:50pm), connect NW12 to Detroit (4:00pm/2:45pm), connect NW276 to DCA (5:22pm/6:49pm).

Land cost includes:

. Tibet Permit

. Private escorted drive by Toyota Land cruiser

. Airfare between Beijing/Lhasa/Beijing

. Hotel accommodations based on twin-bed room in 2-3-star hotels or the best available with breakfast

. Mt. Everest environment protection fees,

. Travel accident insurance in Tibet

. 3 meals a day

. All sightseeing tours and entrance fees

Tour cost does not include:

. Domestic airport tax

. Tips

. Chinese visa fee

. Travel insurance