PHYSICAL GRADING – 1/5 (Easy)
Many have set foot on this very popular cycling and overland route across one of the most well-travelled border post between two countries. Friendship Highway is the linkage between the highland plateau of Tibet China and the valleys of Nepal. Starting from Lhasa, you will pass through some great passes in excess of 5000m, drive up to Rongbuk Monastery at 5100m, and spend a night near Everest Base Camp at 5200m.Dragon Expeditions customized our very own 12-day program to cater to the busy professionals who want to see some of the best views in the world (including several of the 8000ers mountains of the Himalayan Ranges), but yet have limited travel schedule. To add more comfort into this wonderful journey, we always choose one of the best accommodations available along the way. With our team of excellent service support staffs and vehicles, we ensure that our clients can complete this adventure successfully, safely and comfortably.
HIGHLIGHTS
Potala Palace
Jokhang Palace
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Palchoi Monastery & Old forts at Gyantse
Panchen Lama Tashilungpo Monastery in Shigatse
Mount Everest Base Camp
Bhaktapur UNESCO ancient town
Pokhara
INFORMATION
DISTANCE : 1,000 km
DURATION : 12 days
INCLUSION
01. 11-night accommodation (No camping required)
02. Private chartered vehicle
03. English-speaking local guide
04. Services of trip leader/coordinator
05. 1 welcome dinner in Lhasa + 1 celebration dinner in Kathmandu
06. Airport transfers in Lhasa & Kathmandu
07. Tibet Entry Permit & other necessary Travel Permits for foreigners
08. Entrance fees to Everest region & conservation fees (both passengers and vehicle)
09. Medical Supplies: oxygen bags; basic 1st-aid kit
10. Supplies of bottled drinking water, fruits (limited)
11. Coordination meetings & Pre-departure briefing (preparation, gears, safety, admin etc.)
Option: Trekking to Nepal Annapurna Base Camp (10-day) or Poon Hill (4-day)
Day01: Arrive Lhasa – Acclimatization
• Transfer from airport to hotel; Rest in hotel due to high altitude of Lhasa at 3650m
• Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)
Day02: Lhasa – Acclimatization
• Highlights: Potala Palace; Jokhang Monastery; Sera/Drepung Monasteries; Bharkor Square; Tibet Museum; Norbu Lingka
• Overnight in Lhasa (hotel)
Day03: Lhasa / Gyantse (drive 254km, 5-6hrs)
• Highlights: Yamdrok-Yumtso Lake; Karo glacier; Palchoi Monasteries
• Overnight in Gyantse (hotel)
Day04: Gyantse/Shigatse/Lhatse / Shegar (drive 337km, 7hrs)
• Highlights:Tashilungpo
• Highest point in this journey at Lhaka La (JiaCuoLa) Pass 5260m, 31km from Lhatse
• Overnight in Sunny Hotel (hotel)
Day05: Shegar/ Everest Base Camp (drive 106km, 3-4hrs)
• Mostly paved road, but dirt track for last 102km towards Everest
• Highlights: Himalayan range; view of Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Shishapangma; switchbacks to Tashizong; Rongbuk Monastery; Everest BC memorial
• Overnight in base camp (tents, no shower)
Day06: Everest Base Camp / Tingri / Nyalam (drive 262km, 5-6hrs )
• Highlights: last >5000m highpass Thang La at 5050m; start of 2800m vertical descent to the Nepalese valley; greenery; Friendship Highway;
• Overnight in Nyalam (hotel)
Day07: Nyalam / ZhangMu (drive 42km) / Bhaktapur (drive 110km, 5-6hrs)
• Mixed of paved and dirt track, but generally good road conditions
• Highlights: crossing Friendship Bridge at border of Tibet-Nepal; Bhaktapur ancient city (UNESCO site)
• Overnight Bhaktapur (hotel)
*Day08: Bhaktapur / Kathmandu valley (drive 1hr)
• Highlights: monkey temple, Kathmandu durbar square, Patan durbar square
• Overnight in Kathmandu (hotel)
Day09: Kathmandu/ Pokhara
• Highlights: Fishtail peak, Fewa Lake
• Overnight in Pokhara (resort, with shower)
Day10: Pokhara Free
• Highlights: Paragliding, cycling, mountain flight, etc. (fare at your own expense)
• Overnight in Pokhara (resort, with shower)
Day11: Pokhara ---Kathmandu – Free & Easy
• Overnight in Thamel (hotel)
Day12: Depart Kathmandu
• Airport send-off for your flight back to ChengDu
