 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Now offering expeditions to Africa and Aconcagua
| HOME | QUESTIONS | NEWS | LECTURES | LEADERS | EQUIPMENT | MEMBERS | GLACIER SCHOOL | LINKS | ARCHIVE |
We welcome you to visit our new Tibet Overland Tour website. There is more thorough information about the trip, slideshows, photo galleries, video clips and much more. Thank you.
Fly Over the Top of Everest; Explore the Ancient Buddhist City of Lhasa; Travel Across the Tibetan Plateau; Drive to Everest Basecamp. All In Just 12 Days.
The Tibetan side of Everest from the Chinese basecamp at 5200 metres. This is a photo you could take (Franck Pitula).
 A shepherd girl near Tingri. Hanging around in town, herding sheep, bringing her kids to the local school. (Photo: J. Otto) |
Students at the Chun Zom School near Everest (D.L. Mazur). |
Full Service Cost: $2450, £1250, €1550. Price includes flight over the summit of Everest. Our 14th Tibetan overland Trip!
We provide generous discounts for groups of two or more.
Now accepting applications for our 2009 trips.
4 April to 15 April, and 1 May to 12 May, and 9 October to 20 October 2008, and 2009 (12 Days)
Interested? Please contact us: info@SummitTrek.com
* Our “full-service” trek includes:
| 1. | An experienced leader who speaks English. |
| 2. | Organizer: Jon Christian Otto, fluent Chinese speaker, Tibet and China Expert, with 10 years Himalayan trekking and climbing experience. |
| 3. | Tibetan-English speaking guides and tours for the group (we are also able to provide Tibetan French and German speakers). |
| 4. | Licensed transport by bus to Kathmandu from Lhasa, for you and your bags, including accommodation and meals in Tibet. |
| 5. | Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, across the Himalaya, with views of Everest, for you and 23 kilos of your luggage. |
| 6. | Three hot meals per day throughout the journey. Shared sleeping accommodations in Tibet. |
Leadership: During this full-service expedition, April members will benefit from the leadership (up to Tingri) provided by Daniel Mazur, trekking in Tibet since 1986 and climber-leader-organizer of Everest, K2, and 12 "eight-thousand-metre-peaks". He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with 25 years experience in helping people explore the Himalaya, with the highest attention to detail, comfort, and safety. For more about Dan, please "click" on the Leadership link above.
Organization: Your expedition is organized by Jon Christian Otto, fluent Chinese speaker, Tibet and China expert with ten years experience in Tibetan Himalayan trekking and exploration and climbing. Jon is an excellent communicator, an international diplomat, extremely well organized, with superb attention to each and every detail. For more about Jon, please "click" on the Leadership link above.
The Potala Palace, probably the most famous building in all of Buddhist Asia. Photo J.C. Otto.
Tibetan-English Speaking Guides and Tours for the Group (we are also able to provide Tibetan French and German speakers). Our trained guides will explain everything in extensive and historical/geographical detail to you, as they lead you on tours of famous historic sites and explain the goings-on as you drive through villages, past Everest, and through the Tibetan plateau.
Professional Drivers and Licensed Tourist Transport: All of our vehicles in Tibet are licensed by the Tibetan Government and operated by trained Tibetans at the wheel. In Nepal we use government licensed drivers and transport as well.
Flight: The cost of your tour includes a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa over the top of Mt. Everest, for you and 23 kilos of your baggage. You will be flying in a jumbo-jet, and lunch is served along the way. This is probably one of the most spectacular flights you will ever take, with incredible views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Kangchenjunga and even Shishapangma, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu.
Our trip to Lhasa begins with a spectacular jumbo-jet flight directly over Mt. Everest (J. Otto). After relaxing and exploring Lhasa, we continue our expedition, driving across the Tibetan Plateau to Kathmandu (Franck Pitula).
Safety: Our overland tour will be accompanied by an extensive medical kit, and there are doctors, health clinics and hospitals enroute, should you require special attention.
Communications: In Kathmandu, Gyantse, Shigatse, Shegar and Lhasa, it is now possible to find an internet cafe where you can check your email and stay in touch with loved ones at home. In addition, most villages and all cities have "ISD-telephones" where you may ring any international number.
Cooks and Food: On the road we eat in the best quality local restaurants possible. In villages and cities, we eat in the hotel restaurants, or dine in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Food is freshly prepared, with your choice of fresh vegetables, potatoes, rice, bread, eggs, and meats.
The Happy Tea Shop serves hearty meals, freshly prepared. (Photo D.L. Mazur)
Personal Equipment: We ask that you bring your own warm clothing and sleeping bag (in the big cities, you wont need a sleeping bag, but in the small village inns there may be a lack of freshly pressed linen due to a water shortage). Please see the above EQUIPMENT link, to study what is needed.
Team Member Experience: No experience is necessary for this overland trip, but it helps if you are an adventurous and fun-loving traveler. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, members need to join with a spirit of friendship, teamwork and cooperation, and be ready to work with the group and be a good "team-player".
Fitness and Health: To participate in this expedition you must be in good health. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales. Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu. We look forward to exploring Tibet together with you!
From Tingri (4,390 meters) its possible to see four of the highest peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest. (Photo D.L. Mazur)
|
Introduction Welcome to our Tibet overland tour. You will have a chance to enjoy the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu for a few days, then board the jumbo-jet flight across the Himalaya, flying directly above Mt. Everest to the exotic city Lhasa. You will spend several days wandering the city getting to know this medieval centre of Buddhist culture. After several days of exploring Lhasa, you drive across the Tibetan plateau, crossing high passes and seeing sacred lakes, Everest basecamp and drinking in the fabulous views of Everest and other high Himalaya. Finally you complete the drive to Kathmandu, where you have a final day to explore, rest, shop, and savour the sights. A very unique tour at an excellent value in a short amount of time. Please take a moment to scroll through this page to read the detailed description, and view the itinerary, as well as other information. When you are ready to sign up, please go to our "contact" page. |
Our trip begins with a flight Nepal's capital city, where we meet your flight. Touring the exotic temples of Bakhtapur, in the Kathmandu Valley (Felix Berg). A holy man praying near the Baghmati River in Kathmandu (Chris Kinny).
Detailed Description
Our trip begins in the ancient and colorful city of Kathmandu, and our staff will personally meet your flight at Tribhuvan airport. We stay in a comfortable, simple, clean hotel, and sample some of the tasty Nepalese, Tibetan and Western-Style cuisine. During our 2 days in Kathmandu, there is lots to see and do, while we await the processing of our Chinese visas. We shall finalize our arrangements, and take some time out for trinket hunting, with planned visits to explore the 17th century splendors of the Monkey Temple, the Durbar Square and old Kings Palace, as well as the ancient city of Patan.
After obtaining our Chinese visas, early in the morning we take a 1 hour flight in a jet, exactly over Mt. Everest and the spine of the Himalaya, arriving in Tibet's capital city of Lhasa. In the past, we have had some fabulous views out of the plane windows during this flight.
A colorful parade and festivities could add to our enjoyment of Lhasa. (Photo: D.L. Mazur) |
This is our 17th visit to Lhasa since 1986, when the city was briefly opened to individual travelers for a few months, then quickly closed again. At 3,650 meters of elevation, Lhasa was established around 600 AD on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. The heart of the city is centered around the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred building in all of Tibet.
Buddhist pilgrims from Amdo region circumambulating the Jokhang Temple in the Barkhor market. Photo: J. Otto.
Our comfortable, simple, clean, hotel is just near the Jokhang palace and the famous Barkhor Market, where you can shop for exotic handicrafts and religious art from all across Tibet, China, and Buddhist India.
We will have a chance to dine very well at our hotel. Photo: D. L. Mazur
We will have a good wander through the streets of Lhasa, and take a refreshing walk through the fabulously massive Potala Palace.
Built on a hill in 1645, using the remains of older palaces and fortresses, the Potala has untold dark hallways, with steep narrow stairways, and rooms filled with more gold then you will probably ever see anywhere else.
We will spend a few days in Lhasa resting and exploring the beautiful and spacious city. Then, we will board our bus and drive past the sacred Yamdrok Tso, and on to the Kara La Pass, directly past large busy glaciers and 7000 metre peaks, to the ancient city of Gyangtse (3950 metres), where we will stay in a hotel.
One of Tibet's crystal blue sacred lakes. Otto collection.
The following morning, we will drive to Shigatse at 3650 metres, the second largest city in Tibet, with a famous Monastery. The road winds along the massive Brahmaputra River, past traditional warren-like Tibetan farm towns. I Shigatse, we will have a look around and try to visit the 15th century Tashilunpo Monastery, the largest active monastic institution in Tibet. Monks in maroon robes seem to be everywhere, going about their daily chores, praying, and practicing ceremonial music performances.
The Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, where more than 700 monks live and worship in the Buddhist religion. (Photo: J. Otto) |
A Tibetan farmer brings his goods to market on the road near Shegar. (Photo D.L. Mazur) |
Next we drive to 4350 metre high Shegar, where an ancient fortress protects the town.
Yaks being loaded at basecamp on the Tibetan side of Everest at 5200 metres. Our bus will take us up here. This is a photo you could take (Thomas Haines).
The next morning, we drive to Everest basecamp at 5200 m, take photos, then return to the 4200 metre-hiogh village of Tingri, where we stay in a guesthouse. In the morning we set off early and drive back to Kathmandu, where we have time for last-minute shopping, celebration and exchanging addresses with our new friends before departing for home.
SUGGESTED DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY FOR TIBET OVERLAND TOUR IN APRIL, MAY, AND OCTOBER.
| APRIL TOUR | ||
| 1. | 4 April | (Sunday) Arrive Kathmandu Airport. Purchase Nepal Visa. Meet our staff. Relax in Hotel. Meet group (1,300 meters). |
| 2. | 5 April | Tour Kathmandu - Bring passport to Chinese Embassy, for Visa. City Tour, visit temples, shopping, explore. |
| 3. | 6 April | (Tuesday) Early morning flight to Lhasa (3650m), over the top of Mount Everest, a spectacular event. Hotel. |
| 4. | 7 April | Rest and all day touring around Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. Visit temples, and explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 5. | 8 April | All day touring around Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. Visit temples, and explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 6. | 9 April | Drive through the Kara La pass, with 7000 metre peaks, and sacred blue lake of Yamdrok Tso, to Gyantse, 3950m. Explore the ancient city, Hotel. |
| 7. | 10 April | Drive to Shigatse, 3650 metres. Explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 8. | 11 April | Drive to Shegar (4350 metres). Hotel. |
| 9. | 12 April | Drive to Everest basecamp at 5200 metres, take photos, return to Tingri (4200m). Hotel. |
| 10. | 13 April | Drive to Kathmandu. Welcome back! |
| 11. | 14 April | Relax all day in Kathmandu. Shopping, saying goodbye to new friends, Farewell Banquet. |
| 12. | 15 April | Fly back to your home country. |
| MAY TOUR | ||
| 1. | 1 May | (Sunday) Arrive Kathmandu Airport. Purchase Nepal Visa. Meet our staff. Relax in Hotel. Meet group (1,300 meters). |
| 2. | 2 May | Tour Kathmandu - Bring passport to Chinese Embassy, for Visa. City Tour, visit temples, shopping, explore. |
| 3. | 3 May | (Tuesday) Early morning flight to Lhasa (3650m), over the top of Mount Everest, a spectacular event. Hotel. |
| 4. | 4 may | Rest and all day touring around Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. Visit temples, and explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 5. | 5 May | All day touring around Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. Visit temples, and explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 6. | 6 May | Drive through the Kara La pass, with 7000 metre peaks, and sacred blue lake of Yamdrok Tso, to Gyantse, 3950m. Explore the ancient city, Hotel. |
| 7. | 7 May | Drive to Shigatse, 3650 metres. Explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 8. | 8 May | Drive to Shegar (4350 metres). Hotel. |
| 9. | 9 May | Drive to Everest basecamp at 5200 metres, take photos, return to Tingri (4200m). Hotel. |
| 10. | 10 May | Drive to Kathmandu. Welcome back! |
| 11. | 11 May | Relax all day in Kathmandu. Shopping, saying goodbye to new friends, Farewell Banquet. |
| 12. | 12 May | Fly back to your home country. |
| OCTOBER TOUR | ||
| 1. | 9 October | (Sunday) Arrive Kathmandu Airport. Purchase Nepal Visa. Meet our staff. Relax in Hotel. Meet group (1,300 meters). |
| 2. | 10 October | Tour Kathmandu - Bring passport to Chinese Embassy, for Visa. City Tour, visit temples, shopping, explore. |
| 3. | 11 October | (Tuesday) Early morning flight to Lhasa (3650m), over the top of Mount Everest, a spectacular event. Hotel. |
| 4. | 12 October | Rest and all day touring around Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. Visit temples, and explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 5. | 13 October | All day touring around Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. Visit temples, and explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 6. | 14 October | Drive through the Kara La pass, with 7000 metre peaks, and sacred blue lake of Yamdrok Tso, to Gyantse, 3950m. Explore the ancient city, Hotel. |
| 7. | 15 October | Drive to Shigatse, 3650 metres. Explore this ancient city. Hotel. |
| 8. | 16 October | Drive to Shegar (4350 metres). Hotel. |
| 9. | 17 October | Drive to Everest basecamp at 5200 metres, take photos, return to Tingri (4200m). Hotel. |
| 10. | 18 October | Drive to Kathmandu. Welcome back! |
| 11. | 19 October | Relax all day in Kathmandu. Shopping, saying goodbye to new friends, Farewell Banquet. |
| 12. | 20 October | Fly back to your home country. |
Interested? Please contact us: info@SummitTrek.com
| HOME | QUESTIONS | NEWS | LECTURES | LEADERS | EQUIPMENT | MEMBERS | GLACIER SCHOOL | LINKS | ARCHIVE |
Please
visit and learn about
our other expeditions:
