| Undoubtedly,
one of the most fascinating destinations
of the world, this ancient land has remained
secluded in its mysteries for centuries.
Only since early 1980s did this ‘
forbidden land’ open its fantastic
vistas of diverse topography, culture and
people to the outside world. Also known
as the roof of the world, this mystical
kingdom of fantasy in the heart of Asia
has captured man’s imagination as
no other land has. Even today, Tibet’s
glorious past lives on in the nomads herding
the yaks, monks and monasteries, the pilgrims
at the sacred shrines and the natural bounties.
Our trips to Tibet take
you to extraordinary places of cultural
and religious interest. We introduce you
to the highest monasteries on the earth
and to the pious monks and the nomadic herdsmen
of the Tibetan plateau. With us, you can
circumambulate the axis of the world, Mount
Kailash and take in the awesome sight of
Mt. Everest and other highest mountains
in the world from Rongbuk and Gutso.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS:
As most of the places in Tibet lies over
12000 feet, you are likely to experience
some of the minor symptoms and discomfort
of altitude sickness (headache, mild nausea,
loss of appetite) until your body adjusts
to the elevation. This can take from few
hours to a couple of days, depending on
the individual. You should take it lightly
but drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids.
Proper hydration is critical to acclimatization.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Photography is allowed in most places except
security areas. The monasteries usually
charge for photographs, often quite a lot.
Rates are be given by the guide. Video cameras
are allowed in China. All valuables must
be declared at customs including cameras
& video cameras. Do not lose custom
declaration form, which is needed at the
time of leaving China.
Major Places of interest
Potala
Palace
The dominant landmark of Lhasa, 117 mt./384
ft. above city was the winter residence
of Dalai Lama. An immense building built
in 17th century, 13 storeys high with walls
3 metres/10 feet thick, contains over 1000
rooms, 10000 shrines and over 200000 statues
and tombs of the former Heads of state.
The entire building made of stone and wood
covers an area of 130000 square metres.
The Potala is full of elaborate art work
and frescos that tell us many interesting
stories.
Norbulingka
Founded in the 18th century was the summer
palace of Dalai Lama on the bank of Kyichu
River. There are fountains, pavilions, terraces
and stone tables where visitors may rest
amidst the numerous kinds of flowers and
fauna. This small palace has odd mix of
traditional Tibetan architecture and modern
paraphernalia, such as a Philips radiogram
and Victorian bathroom fittings.
Jokhang Temple &
Barkhor Bazar
The most sacred and foremost temple in Tibet,
built in the 7th century is housing the
most prized Buddhist relic and a 1300 years
old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section
of the temple is topped with golden roofs
found nowhere else except in Tibet. Temple
is encircled by Barkhor Bazar with many
shops selling all manner of goods from trinkets
to tantric ritual objects.
Sera Monastery
For centuries it existed as a small monastic
township housing over 5000 fully ordained
monks, novices, workers and other functionaries.
It is the main teaching monastery and one
of the three great Gelukpa Universities.
Here one can see the young novices learning
scriptures in the debating garden and being
rewarded for correct answer with a resounding
hand-clap from their master. Sera is also
the birth place of Tibetan medicine.
Drepung Monastery
This Monastery soon grew into the largest
of all Gelukpa Monasteries, housing more
than 10000 monks. It could well claim to
have been the largest monastery the world
has known. It soon became a major centre
of Gelukpa religious power, as evidenced
by the fact that the second, third and Fourth
Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here.
The Fifth Dalai Lama ruled from here until
the Potala Palace was finished. Of particular
interest is the medieval monk’s kitchen
with its great cauldrons of steaming barley
“tsampa” sitting on top of huge
earthen stoves and tented by saffron-robed
monks wielding massive ladles.
Tsedang
Founded in 200 B.C. Tsedang is located in
the fertile Yarlung Valley, cradle of Tibetan
civilisation. Places of interest here are
Tradruk Temple, Yambulakhang, Tombs of The
Tibetan Kings etc. The journey to Samye
Monastery, the oldest Monastery in Tibet
begins on the boats to cross Brahmaputra
River.
Gyantse
It was an important town on the trade route
to India and Nepal. Tour highlights are
Palcho Monastery, Kumbum Stupa housing 100,000
Buddha and other statues and the towering
remnants of Gyantse fort, attacked by the
British Expeditionary forces of Col. Francis
Younghusband early 20th century.
Shigatse
It is the second biggest city in Tibet.
Tashilimpo Monastery is the main attraction
here. The complex of temples and tombs houses
the bodies of a succession of Panchan Lamas
and 15th Dalai Lama. The main temple houses
26 meter/85 feet tall statue of Maitreya
Buddha. Nearby on the way to Gyantse is
Shalu Monastery built in 11th century. The
main interesting wall frescoes have been
completed by Newar painters from Nepal and
by Kashmir painters.
Xegar
Located at an altitude of 4800 mt./15744
ft., Xegar is an old trade road from Nepal
border into the Tibetan high plateau. The
road to Rongbuk (Everest Base Camp) diverts
from here.
Zhangmu
It is the entry or exit point near border
at an altitude of 2300 mt./7544 ft. with
custom and immigration offices.
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