Tibet - Roof of the World | Pettitts Travel

Day 1 London to Doha

Fly with Qatar Airways via Doha to Kathmandu. (N)

Day 2 Doha to Kathmandu

Arrive Doha and connect with Qatar Airways flight to Kathmandu. This afternoon take a walking tour of the old city and explore the temples and palaces of Durbar Square – an astonishing area of regal and religious architecture which is the cultural heart of Kathmandu. End the day at the 2500 year old Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the oldest and most important sites of worship in the city. (N)

Accommodation in Kathmandu: Tibet International Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Yak & Yeti Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Kathmandu – visit Pashupatinath, Bodhnath and Patan

Start the morning at the Pashupatinath temple complex, Nepal’s most important Hindu pilgrimage site and location of the Royal Cremation Ghats. Continuing, visit the nearby stupa of Bodhnath, one of the world’s oldest Lamaist shrines and a focus for Tibetan pilgrimage, before driving outside of Kathmandu to visit the ancient city of Patan, capital of the Malla Kings. Patan is the artistic and architectural centre of the valley and the central square houses an astonishing 55 temples and 136 monasteries. (B)

Accommodation in Kathmandu: Tibet International Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Yak & Yeti Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 Kathmandu

This morning visit Bhaktapur capital of the Kathmandu Valley between the 14th and 16th Centuries. Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square features an array of shrines, courtyards, and memorial pillars with copper-gilt statues of kings and the famous Golden Gate made of pure gold. However, it is the delicate woodcarvings that adorn virtually all the buildings for which this city is noted and the sculptures guarding the Nayatpola Temple, the tallest shrine in the Kathmandu Valley, are impressive. In the afternoon visit the ancient city of Patan, capital of the Malla Kings. Durbar Square contains a striking array of temples fountains, and royal palaces covered with exquisite carvings and adorned with beautiful bronzes. (B)

Accommodation in Kathmandu: Tibet International Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Yak & Yeti Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 Kathmandu to Lhasa – by air

Morning transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight (Wednesday only) to Lhasa. Capital of Tibet, sacred city and spiritual centre of the Tibetan world, Lhasa is believed to have been founded over 14th Centuries ago when Buddhism was introduced to the region during the reign of King Sontsen Gampo. (B)

Accommodation in Lhasa: Kyichu Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Lhasa

Today visit the Potala Palace. Built on an escarpment of Red Hill, Potala is an architectural wonder visible for miles around and standing 13 storeys high with over 1,000 rooms. Later leave the palace and drive west out of Lhasa to the Drepung Monastery. Founded in 1416 AD, Drepung was once home to over 7,000 monks making it one of the largest monasteries of its kind in the world. Later visit the Barkhor to see the Jokhang Temple and to explore the many shops and stalls that characterise this focal point of the old city. (B)

Accommodation in Lhasa: Kyichu Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Lhasa

This morning start your day at Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. First built in 1755 AD by the seventh Dalai Lama, each successive ruler added his own buildings to create a complex of palaces, pavilions, chapels and gardens. (B)

Accommodation in Lhasa: Kyichu Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 Lhasa

This morning drive north out of the city to the Sera Monastery, situated as the base of Mt Purbuchok and founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa, considered one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa Monasteries. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Accommodation in Lhasa: Kyichu Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Lhasa to Gyantse – 259kms

Leaving Lhasa, today it will be a long but fascinating drive to Gyantse. Two high passes at Karola and Kampala, both with far-reaching views, will be negotiated and stop will also be made at Yamdrok Tso – the ‘Turquoise’ Lake. (B)

Accommodation in Gyantse: The Yeti Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Gyantse

Gyantse is one of the least Chinese-influenced cities in Tibet and today take ample time to explore the town including a visit to the imposing Kumbum Chorten, which is renowned for its murals, and the nearby Dzong Fortress. (B)

Accommodation in Gyantse: The Yeti Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Gyantse to Shigatse – 91kms

After breakfast leave Gyantse and drive onto Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest town, important monastic centre and one-time trading stronghold. Shigatse is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama and later today visit the Tashilumpo Monastery – famed for its Grand Hall and opulent tomb of the Lama – before exploring the bustling Khampa Bazaar. (B)

Accommodation in Shigatse: Mansarovar Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 Shigatse to Lhasa – 267kms

Return to Lhasa. (B)

Accommodation in Lhasa: Kyichu Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 Lhasa to Beijing – by air

Early morning transfer to Lhasa airport for the flight to Beijing. (B)

Accommodation in Beijing: The Pentahotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: the Regent Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 Beijing

Travel through the countryside to Mutianyu from where you can take a cable car up to the Great Wall. As you stand on the Wall and look at it snaking its way across the top of the mountains, it is easy to imagine ancient armies locked in battle on the misty slopes. Continue across the mountains, after lunch to visit the fascinating tombs of the Ming Emperors before returning to Beijing later in the afternoon. (B/L)

Accommodation in Beijing: The Pentahotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: the Regent Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 Beijing

This morning visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven before continuing onto Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the square to enter the Forbidden City, the seat of supreme power for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, where you can spend the remainder of the day exploring the courtyards and buildings of this extensive complex.

In the evening transfer to Beijing airport for your onward flight. (B)

Day 16 Beijing to London Heathrow

This morning transfer back to Beijing Airport for the Qatar Airways flight to London Heathrow via Doha. (B)

Tibet - Roof of the World

16 days from £4960 per person

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Itinerary: Tibet - Roof of the World

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