Pilgrims watching, entering into the spirit of monasteries you understand that every thought, every word and act leaves its mark. In addition to meeting with the most ancient religion of the world you will see Tibetan bazaars and sacred lakes, we offer as well visiting of the sacred Mountain of Kailas.
During couple centuries Tibet was closed for foreigners. The reason was not just in inaccessibility of Tibet. Isolation of Tibet was caused by politics of Tibetan and Chinese governors. Only in 1984 Tibet was opened for travelers and a real possibility to visit this unique country appeared. Since then Tibet has been “calling” lots of adventurers. Our travelling is more attractive, as we take part in second overland safaris in Tibetan upland.
Program: Bishkek-Bishkek
Time: 12 of August 2010 - 24 of September 2010
Activity: overland expedition
Duration: 44 days
Cost: Bishkek-Bishkek 5880 Euro per person
Bishkek-Lhasa 3500 Euro per person
Lhasa-Bishkek 2700 Euro per person
Day 1. (12.08.10) Meeting in Bishkek. Accommodation in Asia Mountains hotel. Preparation for departure, discussing of the itinerary. Slide-show. Meeting dinner.
Day 2. (13.08.10) Excursion to the natural park of Ala-Archa. Ascent to Ratsik’s hut (it’s a good possibility to acclimatize before climbing for 5000 meters).
Day 3. (14.08.10) Start! Transfer to marvelous mountain Lake Son-Kul (3016m). The road goes along Chue valley and you will have possibility to see pearl of Kyrgyzstan – Lake Issyk-Kul. Stop at the southern shore of the lake. Then we continue transfer to the lake Son-Kul. Accommodation is in a yurt camp. We need this stop for acclimatization before passes of 5000m high, which we have to cross.
Day 4. (15.08.10) Transfer to Tash-Rabat (ancient caravan-serai). Accommodation is in tents or yurt camp.
Day 5. (16.08.10) This day is long and bureaucratic. As first we have to cross Kyrgyz border and then Chinese. Patience and understanding of this situation is a main helper in this difficult question. Unforeseen situations are possible. But late in the day we will be in a cosy hotel of Kashgar city.
Day 6-7. (17-18.08.10) We will spend these days in Kashgar. We may have excursions round this fantastic Asian city and we will try to get permits for restricted area and Tibet. (There are several variants of excursions).
Day 8. (19.08.10) Transfer to Kargalyk (260km). Our road goes on east. For thousands years trade caravans have been passing along this route, called the Great Silk Road. The road goes along the southern shore of Taklamakan desert. Stop in Yacheng. The town is famous for its small shops and shopping streets, where the main goods are knifes. Kargalyk or Yacheng (as Chinese call it) is an oasis town on the verge of Taklamakan desert and also the starting point to Tibet. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 9. (20.08.10) Transfer to Hongliutan (460km). A drive takes us high into the mountains; this highway is the highest one in the world. It lies along ridges of Kynlun and Karakorum. Mazar township (4400m) which is situated at the fork in the ancient caravan roads affords fantastic view of Chogori summit, more famous as K2 peak. Then we have to cross 3 high passes at an altitude of over 5000 meters. Be ready for the main test – an overnight stay at an altitude of 5000m in a small village of Hongliutan. You have a choice of accommodation: to stay in your own tent or small lodging with minimum facilities.
Day 10. (21.08.10) Transfer to Duoma (360km). Today is spent riding up in hills with an average altitude of 4900m. We have to cross one more pass of 5600m high, which gives a wonderful view of surrounding snow giants. Tonight’s stay is again in tents or simple Tibetan lodging.
Day 11. (22.08.10) Transfer to Ali or Gar (as Chinese call it) (240km). The main part of today’s trip passes through disputed areas, which officially belong to India. En-route we will pass Tibetan village of Rutok and Lake Bangong. Today’s destination is a small town of Ali. Accommodation is in a three-star hotel. We have to receive the rest part of permits.
Day 12. (23.08.10) Transfer from Ali to Zanda (ancient kingdom of Guge). We leave the main road to follow a mountain path, where we may find amazing world – ruins of ancient kingdom of Guge. Accommodation is in a guest house.
Day 13. (24.08.10) We will spend a full day exploring this fascinating, historically and culturally important area. The Guge Kingdom is discussed within archeological circles in similarity as the Mayan Civilization and Pompeii. Visiting of Toling and Tsaparang, remains of the ancient kingdom of Guge. It’s a good possibility to relax after long and difficult transfers.
Day 14. (25.08.10) Transfer to Darchen, which is the starting point of a pilgrimage route around Mt. Kailas. Today again we have to cross couple high passes, which give breathtaking view of the Himalayas. And finally we will sacred Kailas mountain. Tonight’s stay is a pilgrimage camp at an altitude of 4000m.
Day 15. (26.08.10) First day of Kora.
Day 16. (27.08.10) Second day of Kora.
Day 17. (28.08.10) Third day of Kora. Today we finish sacred Kora and return to Darchen. As we have free time, we may visit Zuthul Phunk village and the only cave monastery of this place. This cave monastery is believe to be the famous one, as it being the meditation retreat for one of the great Tibetan saint namely - Saint Mirarepa. The print impression of his pair of palms on the roof of the rock cave believed to have been left behind when he was trying to lift up the rock to make more rooms inside. Accommodation is in a pilgrimage camp.
Day 18. (29.08.10) Transfer to Paryang (320km). En-route we may visit Lake Manasarovar, which gives fantastic view of Gurla-Mandatha Mountain. Paryang is a heart of western Tibet, where the four great rivers of South Asia diverge from their glacial sources around Mount Kailash. During raining season, the roads to Paryang are likely to be washed out by floods and sometimes it is quite difficult to drive. Accommodation is in a guest house.
Day 19. (30.08.10) Drive through the windswept territory passing many villages and camps of yak herders with the distance view of snow capped mountains. After 5-6 hours of drive we get in Saga (4400m).
Day 20. (31.08.10) Transfer to Tingri (370km). We leave the main road to the heart of Tibet – Lhasa and follow the trail, which goes to the Everest base camp.The trail to Tingri from Saga is the absolute windswept landscape on the rough dirt road. In the afternoon, drive to the first pass of Lelung La at 5,050 m. From here a superb view of the high Himalayan peaks can be seen clearly. Late in the day we will cross Jiasuola mountain pass (5220m). Tonight’s stay is a hotel of Tingri.
Day 21. (01.09.10) Transfer to the Everest base camp (100km). Base camp territory is a conservation area, so we will have additional permits and checks. En-route we nay visit Rumpo Monastery which is highest temple in the world (5100m) and located on the tongue of Pumpo Glacier (5154m). In good whether conditions, visitors can get very good view of four giants: Everest (8848m), Chou Oyu ( 8201m) , Makalu (8463m) and Shixia Bangma (8012m). Overnight stay is base camp of Everest or guest house of Rumpho Monastery.
Day 22. (02.10.10) Transfer Shigatse via Tingri (322km). Accommodation is in a three-star hotel.
Day 23. (03.09.10) Transfer to Lhasa (312km). Before going to the main city of Tibet, we will visit Tashi Lumpu Monastery, which was Built in1447 by the first Dalai Lama. Then transfer to Lhasa. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 24-25. (04-05.09.10) Lhasa.
After breakfast we will drive to Drepung Monastery, which lies 8km (4.96 mi) west of Lhasa. The monastery, which was founded in 1416 and miraculously survived the ravages of civil wars and the Cultural Revolution, still stands as Tibet's most important and largest monastic university in Tibet, with 700 monks residing in its 20,000-sqm complex. We will get off our car to join a crowd of pilgrims - most of who have arrived from their distant homes by foot - for a 30-minute walk to the entrance of the walled monastery. We will continue touring the monastery before heading back to Lhasa to visit Jokhang Temple, the holiest of temples.
Next day we will visit the Potala Palace, the landmark of Lhasa and spiritual symbol of Tibet. Perched on top of the slopes of Mt. Mapori, this 13-storey architectural wonder is reputed to contain more than 1,000 rooms. Here, we will join many pilgrims on our way to the top of a hill where this 13-storey architectural wonder is perched upon. In the afternoon sightseeing tours of Sera monastery, word Sera means hail stone in Tibetan. Set in the foot of Wudu hill to the north of Lhasa city, Sera comprises of a great sutra-chanting hall a college and 32 sections. Then circular Barkhor Street with innumerable shops and wayside Pedlars intermingled with the devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang infuses the magic and experience of Tibet.
Day 26. (06.09.10) Early in the morning, transfer to Nyingchi (Bayi) which is known as little Switzerland in China (490km). On the way, we will climb Mila pass at 5230m and make short excursion to Lake Draksumtso which is one of the holly lakes in Tibet with an altitude of 3850m. This excursion will leave unforgettable impressions at each of participants. Overnight is in a hotel of Nyingchi.
Day 27. (07.09.10) Early in the morning we drive to a small town of Bomi (240km). For the first time during our long trip we will see a forest – Lulang primitive forest. Accommodation is in a guest house.
Day 28. (08.09.10) Transfer to Basu (225km). En-route we will see Midui Glacier which claims having the lowest altitude glacier in China. The scenery is stunning and unique. Afternoon drive to Rawok lake and short stop by the lake. You will wonderful possibility to enjoy the beauty of the Lake and ice-capped mountain behind it. Then we cross Gama La Pass at an altitude of 4,618m with numerous switchbacks and descend to the valley. Overnight stay is in a gust house.
Day 29. (09.09.10) After breakfast depart from Basu to Zuogong. We will cross one more pass with an altitude of 4800m. You may appreciate the scenery of nature which compensates enough bad road to Zuogong. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 30. (10.09.10) Drive to Batang (265km). En-route we will cross Dongdashan pass (5008m) with its off-breathing switchbacks and pass by Markam which is the last town in Tibetan territory. Then drive across the Lancang river and finally get to Batang, the most beautiful Tibetan town. It is famous for its delicious fruits and unique culture. Overnight stay is in a hotel.
Day 31. (11.09.10) After breakfast, depart from Batang to Xinduqiao (382km). We will drive across Haizishan pass (4512m) and arrive in Litang town situated at an altitude of 4014m and boasted the highest city in the world. It has the magnificent high grass around. Then we continue our trip and drive across Jianziwan Mountain (4659m) and Kazila Mountain (4712m) and fnally get into the deep valley where Xinduqiao is located. It is highly evaluated by amazing natural attractions. Our guest house is situated near by Tibetan Village.
Day 32. (12.09.10) The route from Xinduqiao to Chengdu lies through Zheduo Pass (4298m), little town of Kangding, Erlang mountain tunnel (about 4.1 kilometers) and Dadu River. From Batang to Chengdu, the most part of the road is paved. Between Ya and Chengdu it is a free way. Hotel accommodation.
Day 33. (13.09.10) Transfer to Songpan (325km). Our itinerary lies along Sichuan province which is a home of famous Panda . On the way, we will experience the culture and life of several ethnic minority groups inhabited this area. Stay in Songpan old city which is small but dynamic old city on this road.
Day 34. (14.09.10) Transfer to Linxia (512km). Drive along many Tibetan villages located on grass lands, they are quite different from Lhasa. If we have enough time it’s possible to visit one of 6 greatest temples for Tibetan people - Laburang Temple. Afterwards drive up to the town named Linxia which is inhabited by Chinese Muslem (Donggan). It is a sharp switch to different culture. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 35. (15.09.10) Transfer to Zhangye (610km). Drive along the highway, there is no attraction except for Gobi desert. Hotel accommodation.
Day 36. (16.09.10) Transfer to Hami (640km). Drive along highway, it is possible to stopover at Jiayuguan which is the westernmost town and to make excursion of the Great Chinese Wall. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 37. (17.09.10) Transfer to Turphan (422km) along highway. Today we will see the Thousand Buddha caves and have a dinner at the Grape valley. Hotel accommodation.
Day 38-39. (18-19.09.10) Transfer to Kashgar. Hotel accommodation.
Day 40. (20.09.10) Passing of Chinese-Kyrgyz border. Transfer to Sary-Tash, a small village situated in Alai valley near by Osh-Horog highway.
Day 41. (21.09.10) Transfer to Osh city situated at the Great Silk Road. It is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia, according to historians it is about 3000 years old. Therefore it is famous for location around sacred Suleiman mountain. Accommodation is in a hotel.
Day 42. (22.09.10) Transfer to Bishkek (700km). The road goes through a stunning landscape of wooded mountains, jagged rocky peaks, and meadows beneath, full of beautiful wildflowers. It offers breathtaking views for miles into the distance. Accommodation is in “Asia Mountains hotel” in Bishkek.
Day 43. (23.09.10) Rest after long trip. This evening there will be a celebratory farewell dinner, including a slide-show.
Day 44. (24.09.10) Departure of expedition members.
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