A spectacular flight from Kathmandu to the lakeside town of Pokhara provides us with our first views of the incredible Himalayan Mountains. The Annapurna foothills provide tremendous trekking with delightful trails connecting villages and ridge tops. This picturesque trek winds through enchanting villages with ochre thatched houses, terraced rice fields and rhododendron forests, which are spectacular in the spring when whole hillsides are cloaked in colourful flowers.
The ridge top village of Ghorapani provides one of the finest viewpoints of the Annapurna Mountains with magnificent views of Annapurna, Lamjung, Dhaulagiri and Machapuchare with its fishtail summit. The highlight of this trip is ascending Poon Hill (3193m) for sunrise for a breathtaking panorama of wonderful snow-capped mountains. We return to Pokhara for a luxurious night at the famous Fishtail Lodge, in its idyllic location on Phewa Tal Lake. From the beautiful landscaped gardens we may catch a glimpse of the sun setting on the now distant Annapurna and Machapuchare Mountains.
This trek is one of the great walks of the world, making a complete circuit of the huge Annapurna Massif in central Nepal; it provides dramatic mountain scenery and a fascinating mix of local people and culture. Starting from Besisahar we head north up the Marshyangdi Valley, through lush green foothills and terraced rice fields. Climbing higher we progress through alpine forests to a dry desert region and the Tibetan Buddhist village of Manang. The mountain views are superb; Lamjung, Himalchuli, Manaslu and the Annapurnas tower spectacularly over the valley. The highlight of this trek is crossing the famous Thorung La pass (5416m) to enter the Kali Gandaki Valley and the long descent to the Hindu temple at Muktinath. We continue down through the deepest gorge in the world before climbing to Ghorapani. Awaking early we ascend Poon Hill (3193m) for a sensational sunrise with views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Our return to Pokhara takes us through delightful villages and ends at the luxurious Fishtail Lodge on Phewa Tal Lake.
Tibet, which boasts of spectacular mountain scenery and a rich cultural heritage, is a place worth visiting. As you drive across the Tibetan plateau, you will be expertly guided around all the Tibetan monasteries, temples, monuments and important tourist sites by expert local Tibetan guide. In Lhasa you explore the PotalaPalace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, JokhangTemple, Drepung Monastery and the busy Barkhor Square.
Leaving Lhasa on a vehicle, you will be driven past picturesque Tibetan settlements where nomadic herdsmen can be seen wandering across the wide arid plateau. This overland journey takes you over several high mountain passes with spectacular mountain views, including those of the majestic Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Shishapangma. Your adventure tour continues to the historic cities of Shigatse and Gyantse. As you explore the ancient monasteries, forts and citadels you get an insight into the rich Tibetan culture and history. As you leave Zhangmu and cross the FriendshipBridge, you enter Nepal. Your overland tour comes to a finale.
Mount Kailash, 6,740m. is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual enter for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion – Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions. The River of the Lion Mouth to the North, the River of the Horse Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock Mouth to the south and the River of the Elephant Mouth to the West. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash, the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa, spent several years here meditating in a cave.
For the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic ‘world pillar’ 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top live their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual centre of Zhang Zung, the ancient Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions. Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks.
Your tour commences in Beijing, a city in Northern China. Beijing, an ancient capital and a bustling modern metropolis is a city of amazing contrasts. In Beijing some incredible historical sites awaits you. On a guided tour, you explore the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and the Temple of Heaven.
Leaving Beijing you embark on a train journey to Lhasa, aboard the world’s highest railway, the Qinghai-Tibet railway. As the train trundles along the high Tibetan plateau, picturesque scenes of Tibetan countryside whiz by. Owing to Tibet’s high altitude the train has been equipped with oxygen-supplying equipments. Oxygen masks are available for those who are prone to altitude sickness.
In the old city of Lhasa, you will be taken on a guided tour to all the city’s major attractions: Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka etc. Excursions to important Tibetan cities of Shigatse, Gyantse and Shegar are also included in your itinerary. On reaching Rongbuk, you get to view the world’s highest mountain Mount Everest. As you leave Zangmu and cross the Friendship Bridge you enter Nepal. There is a refreshing change in scenery, as verdant greenery replaces the dry and arid Tibetan landscape.
On this Tibet overland tour you have four days in Lhasa to acclimatize and to absorb the exoticism of Tibetan heritage and to explore this history-laden city to its core. You will be expertly guided around the most significant and ancient Gompas (monasteries) of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse by your Tibetan guide, who will instruct you on the intricacies and mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. With its spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, Tibet would certainly be a unique mystical destination to visit.
You drive down Friendship highway by a vehicle passing through small Tibetan settlements where you get upfront views right from your vehicle of nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains amidst a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain peaks.
A special highlight of this trip is the visit to the Everest base camp where you will be rewarded with panoramic and breath-taking views of Mount Everest from the north side. This overland tour will be a mystical delight that will be remembered by the fireside for many winters to come.
On this 15 day tour and trek you not just embrace an amazing opportunity to trek the hotspots of Bhutan but also get to feast on an incredible diversity of mountains and ecosystems. A hike to Takstang Monastery provides ample acclimatization for a delightful trek from Drugyal dzong towards campsite at Shana (2800m) and thereon to Soi, Thangthangkha and then to Jangothang. A rest day in Jangothang acclimatizes you completely for further trek to Lingshi, Shodu, Barshong and finally to Dodina.
Along the trekking trail, nature scintillates you with its lush forests of pine, oak, rhododendron, juniper, bamboo and spruce, Pachu River gracing down the majestic landscape, outstanding views of Chomolhari (7320m), Jichu Drake (6900m) and Tshrim Khang, cliffs overlooking stunning views of cascading waterfalls, yak pastures and trout-fishing sites. If you get lucky, you may get to spot rare fauna like blue sheep and snow leopard. Eventually, after insightful sightseeing in Thimpu you will be farewell to Bhutan with indelible trekking experience, photographs and mementos that intimately bond you to Bhutan and its people throughout your lifetime.
Classic Laya Trek offers you a luxury of experiencing the most amazing trekking adventure along the off the beaten path with plenty of acclimatization. Reckoned synonymous to warmth hospitality and a dotted trekking destination, Laya is a perfect hub to capture a complete picture of Bhutan; you can taste Bhutan’s famous butter tea, yak milk and local brewed wine, watch cultural program and remain mute witness to the authentic Bhutanese culture and custom.
En route to Laya the trekking trail weaves past Shana camp, Soi Thangthangkha, Jangothang, Lingshi, Chebisa, Shomuthang, Robluthang and Limithang. You can not help yourself soak in the tranquility and exotism of nature. Further ahead, you trek along Koina, Gasa Hot spring, Goen Damji and Tashithang on a network of well-maintained and rock-strewn trails. Each of these destinations has its own distinct character: unique geographical features, surreal mountain vegetation, quaint hamlets, dzongs, open pastures, indigenous people, art and history are juxtaposed amid the seclusion and simplicity of Bhutan. Hot spring bath at Gasa Tshachu is an additional treat that makes your trek more memorable and undeniably worthwhile.
This trek is exclusively designed for those who wish to explore the most of Bhutan on foot within the short span of time. Exploration begins with a hike to Taktsang monastery. This helps you in getting acclimatized for trekking to Drugyal dzong, Shana Shana, Soi Thangthangkha, Jangothang, Dumzo Dhumzo, Thombu Shong, Shana Zam and then back to Drugyal dzong. Breathtaking views of towering rugged peaks like Chomolhari (7320 m), Jichu Drake (6900m) and Tshrim Khang, ruined forts, pristine villages, rivers, lakes, lush forests of oak, pine, rhododendron and spruce and abundant wildlife provide the trip with constantly changing sceneries and experiences along with a special connection with nature. This 11 day trek gives you exhilarating and rewarding way to experience some of the most captivating and wondrous areas of Bhutan.
