|
 The word “Himalaya” conjures up images of majestic mountains marching into the distance, casting off glorious panoramas as they go; of stoic porters bearing heavy burdens; and of brave climbers risking all to conquer the loftiest peak in the world, Mount Everest. The Greater Himalayas stand at an average elevation of 20,000 feet, guarding a 1,500-mile arc extending from northeastern Pakistan to northeastern India. The mountain range cuts right through the border between two neighbors – Nepal and Tibet, the countries that sit at the “Roof of the World.”
Nepal was essentially cut off from the outside world during the 100-year reign of the despotic Ranas (1846 to 1951), who forbade entry into their kingdom by all foreigners. The land itself seems “inclined” to enforce the old isolationist policies. Virtually impregnable, these white and formidable mountains tower above everything, barricading this narrow, landlocked country from its neighbor to the north. Tibet is a vast, mysterious land of high plateaus surrounded by massive mountain ranges. Once isolated, with little communication to the outside world, Tibet exists today as an autonomous region of China with modern influences encroaching slowly. Toto Tours invites you to journey with us to these Kingdoms in the Sky, away from the frenetic pace of everyday life, to understand ancient cultures and explore breathtaking landscapes in the shadows of the mighty Himalayas.
• Kathmandu, capital of Nepal
• Mount Everest flight-seeing (optional)
• Patan City
• Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath)*
• Durbar Square *
• Pokhara, old trading route center
• Lhasa, Tibet’s main city
• Potala Palace *
• Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred temple *
• Norbulingka Palace in Lhasa *
• Khumbum Monastery in Gyantse
• Tashilumpho Monastery in Shigatse
* UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 00 - Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Arrange your international flight to leave your home city today, bound for Kathmandu, Nepal, using your preferred airline carriers and routing. Search for flights using the airport code KTM for Kathmandu, and the code LXA for Lhasa, our end city, for your return flights home.
Day 0 - Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Most routes from the USA require two days of travel, and tour services commence tomorrow in Nepal. Let us know if you plan to arrive in Kathmandu today, and we will book an additional night at our group hotel.
Day 1 - Thursday, May 18, 2017
 Please take into account any stopovers or overnight layovers in Asia when booking your flights. You need to be in Kathmandu by the afternoon today. After completing immigration and custom formalities, exit the airport and meet with your representative at the arrival area. After the customary greeting with a *Khada (a traditional ceremonial scarf common in Buddhist culture, it symbolizes purity and compassion), we assist you with a transfer to your hotel and check in to your accommodation. In the late afternoon, we meet for a welcome and collection of documents for the Tibet visa process. Afterwards Toto Tours hosts a cocktail hour with introductions and our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu, 5*
Day 2 - Friday, May 19, 2017
 Those who wish to take a mountain flightseeing adventure to Mt. Everest will have a very early wake-up call this morning. After a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, transfer to the domestic airport for a one-hour flight of breath-taking views of scenic beauty across the world’s highest peaks, including the mighty Everest (weather permitting). Indicate on your reservation form if you wish to take this optional flight and we will add the cost of $225 to your invoice. After the flight, have breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a full-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour. We visit Patan to see the Golden Gate and some of the city’s many ancient temples. In the afternoon, visit the Monkey Temple and Durbar Square in front of the old royal palace in Kathmandu. Also see the Kumari Chowk, home of the young girl considered a Living Goddess and worshipped by Nepali Buddhists and Hindus. Finally experience a rickshaw ride from Durbar Square to Thamel through the old and traditional market of Indrachwok and Ason. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu, 5*
Day 3 - Saturday, May 20, 2017
 We check out of our hotel after breakfast and depart for Pokhara. Our journey covers 128 miles through the Middle Hills countryside, dotted with historic villages and temples along the way. We make plenty of stops to get out and stretch our legs and take photographs of the area. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Fish Tail Lodge, Pokhara, 3*
Day 4 - Sunday, May 21, 2017
 Early this morning we proceed to World Peace Pagoda with a packed breakfast. This massive Buddhist stupa is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake, offering spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara. After breakfast and some free time, we hike down to the shore and embark on a boating tour on the Phewa Lake for an hour. We next visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp, where the Tibetan people produce woolen carpets and handicrafts to sell along the lake. Later in the afternoon, visit Mountain Museum, promoting the understanding of the mountains, its people and culture, flora, fauna and the proud mountaineering history. Overnight in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Fish Tail Lodge, Pokhara, 3*
Day 5 - Monday, May 22, 2017
 After an early breakfast, we return to Kathmandu, stopping along the way at different locations than we did on the outbound journey. Upon arrival, we check back into our hotel for a free evening. There will be time tonight to go out and see some of the sites you may have missed or wish to revisit. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu, 5*
Day 6 - Tuesday, May 23, 2017
 This morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Lhasa, Tibet. Our Tibetan guide will meet our group at Lhasa’s Gongkar Airport. After immigration formalities, we make the 45-minute drive from the airport to the old city. After checking in at our hotel, there are no planned activities so our bodies can acclimate to the very high altitude of Tibet. Rest, take it easy, and drink plenty of fluids. You can go around the hotel area for light walking and sightseeing. Overnight in Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel , Lhasa, 4+*
Day 7 - Wednesday, May 24, 2017
 After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the Jokhang temple, Sera Monastery and the Barkhor market depending upon the local conditions. Jokhang Temple is a 7th-century geomantic temple and the most sacred temple of all Tibet. Just a short drive from Lhasa, Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 and was home at one time to 5,000 to 6,000 monks. Returning to the city center, we visit the teeming Barkhor Market (Bazaar) to see Tibetan handicraft items and Buddhist artifacts. Overnight in Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel, Lhasa, 4+*
Day 8 - Thursday, May 25, 2017
 This morning visit Potala Palace, the imposing 13-story structure housing 10,000 shrines and over 1000 rooms. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. Afterwards, we drive along the scenic Friendship Highway, getting spectacular views from several high mountain passes, to Yamdrok Lake and finally Gyantse. Here we will visit the 14th century Pelkhor Chode Temple and Stupa and visit Khumbum Monastery, with vast array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Overnight in Gyantse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Yeti Hotel, Gyantse, 3*
Day 9 - Friday, May 26, 2017
 This morning, we depart Gyantse and drive to Shigatse. Visit Tashilumpho Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. It has 39 chapels, including the huge Maitreya Chapel coated in gold. Afterwards, enjoy strolling through the local marketplace for sightseeing and bargain hunting. Overnight in Shigatse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Tashi Choten Hotel, Shigatse, 3*
Day 10 - Saturday, May 27, 2017
 Today we drive back to Lhasa, taking a different route through the mountains than the one we took on the outbound trip. Once in Lhasa, we recheck into our hotel, and the evening is free to relax or explore a little more on your own. Overnight in Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel, Lhasa, 4+*
Day 11 - Sunday, May 28, 2017
After breakfast, check out of our hotel and transfer to the Lhasa Airport for onward flights home. Let us know if you would like to book an additional night at our hotel in Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast
|
|
• 10 nights hotel accommodations:
3 nights at Dwarika's Hotel in Kathmandu;
2 nights at Fish Tail Lodge in Pokhara;
1 night at Yeti Hotel in Gyantse;
1 night at Tashi Choten Hotel in Shigatse;
3 nights at Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel in Lhasa
• Hotel transfers;
• Economy-class airfare from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet;
• Full-board for all meals during the tour;
• Ground transportation in climate controlled motorcoach;
• Sightseeing activities and entrances as listed in the itinerary;
• This is a fully guided and escorted tour.
• International airfare to Kathmandu, Nepal (KTX) and returning from Lhasa (LSA);
• Visa fees totaling US$235 currently (to be paid in Kathmandu);
• Ground transportation for sightseeing on your own (taxis, local guides, etc.);
• Meals and optional activities not specifically listed in the itinerary;
• Camera fees; alcoholic beverages; insurance; laundry, telephone calls, faxes, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
• Tips to drivers and guides and other conveyance attendants are not included; tipping guidelines for our group tips will be provided prior to departure.
Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu
 Winner of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Heritage Award, Dwarika's Hotel is inspired by Kathmandu Valley’s rich cultural heritage. It features an outdoor pool and 4 food and beverage options.
Featuring an extensive collection of artefacts from the 13th century, Dwarika's Hotel is modelled after the palaces of Newar Kings.
 The air-conditioned rooms, which are equipped with a satellite TV and seating area. Private bathroom comes with a bathtub, shower and free toiletries. Recreation facilities available include massage services and a spa.
Guests can choose to dine at Krishnarpan, which specialises in local cuisine. The hotel also serves Japanese dishes at Mako’s and Continental dishes at Toran. Local and international drinks can be ordered from Fusion Bar.
Fish Tail Lodge, Pokhara
 Situated on a peninsula with the Fewa Lake on one side and a forest-covered hill on the other, Fish Tail Lodge offers spectacular views all round making it a unique lake resort.
Each air-conditioned room is equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, minibar, seating area and wardrobe. Shower facilities, free toiletries and bathrobe are included in an en suite bathroom.  Guests can sample a variety of Nepali, Chinese and Indian cuisine at the on-site restaurant. Drinks can be enjoyed at Cozy Bar, or opt for Fireplace, which is an ideal place to unwind with an exotic drink after a busy day.
Yeti Hotel, Gyantse
 Yeti Hotel is a newly refurbished hotel with a Tibetan cultural theme with warm friendly ambience. It is conveniently located within 5 minutes walking distance to the Gyantse Old Town, about 10 minutes walk to the majestic Palkhor Choede Monastery and about 5 minutes walk to the Gyantse Dzong (Fortress). With a cosy and pleasant environment, creative design, unique and elegant decoration, the hotel offers high quality services of accommodation, catering and entertainment.
Tashi Choten Hotel, Shigatse
 Tashi Choten Hotel is located in commercial area of Shigatse city, close to Tashilhunpo Monastery and Zongshan Ruins. It is a Tibet style hotel for traveling, business and dinning. Tashi Choten Hotels offers many classes of room, including standard room, deluxe single room, and deluxe suite. There are multiple choices for dinning, including Chinese restaurant, Tibetan restaurant and Western restaurant. Tashi Choten Hotels also has pleasant service, such as laundry service, medical service, currency exchange, etc
Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel, Lhasa
 Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at InterContinental Lhasa Paradise. Offering a restaurant, InterContinental Lhasa Paradise is located in Lhasa. Free WiFi access is available. Each room here will provide you with a TV, air conditioning and a minibar. Complete with a refrigerator, the dining area also has an electric kettle. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with a bath and a hairdryer. Extras include satellite channels.
 At InterContinental Lhasa Paradise you will find a 24-hour front desk, a garden and a bar. Other facilities offered at the property include meeting facilities, a tour desk and luggage storage.
The hotel is 7 km from Potala Palace, 9.4 km from Norbulingka and 9.4 km from 14th Dalai Lama's Palace.
Entry Requirements
For U.S. Citizens a valid passport and separate visas for each country are required for this tour and for stays of up to 60 days.
NEPAL: Nepal offers visa on arrival facility. You need to have a valid passport and one passport-size photo with a light background is required (Immigration Department has not specified the size of the passport-size photo). Visa can be obtained only through payment of cash and the cost for a 15 days visa is USD $25 per person. Current price – subject to change.
TIBET: Visas to Tibet must be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal for those travelers entering Tibet through Nepal. Chinese visas obtained overseas are NOT valid for entry into Tibet through Nepal. You will need a valid passport and one passport-size photo with a light background for your visa. We will all obtain our Tibet visas while we are in Nepal. The cost of the Tibet visa is USD $210. Current price – subject to change.
Immunizations & Health
No immunizations are currently required for travel to Nepal or Tibet, but it is wise to have your inoculations up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?
Exit Requirements
There is currently no separate departure tax required of visitors leaving Tibet other than that included with the cost of your airline ticket. If you are only transferring through an airport in mainland China, you do not need to obtain an additional visa for China. If you are planning to stop in mainland China on the way home, you simply need to produce your complete itinerary when obtaining the Tibet visa, and your visa will be created to allow mainland China entry from Tibet. Do not obtain a mainland China visa before departure as it will be invalidated by the Tibet visa process in Kathmandu.
What to Bring
During this tour we will be traveling to many far-flung destinations. In order to avoid having to lug around several huge pieces of heavy luggage, try to pack clothing which can be worn repeatedly or put together in mix-’n’-match fashion. In May, Nepal can range in daily temperatures from lows around 60 at night to nearly 80 during the day. With the higher elevation, Tibet will be much cooler, by almost 20 degrees, ranging between 40 and 60 degrees. Extreme variations are always a possibility, so please pack accordingly! Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry at home.
Money Matters
Nepal: Currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of NPR1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25 and 10 paisa.
Tibet: Currency is the Yuan (CNY). All notes and coins have Western numerals, so they are easy to identify. The largest note is 100 Yuan; other notes are Y50, Y20, Y10, Y5, Y2, Y1, Y.50, Y.20, and Y.10. Coins are called fen and there are 5f, 2f and 1f dominations.
Liabilities/Disclaimers
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours & Happy Gay Travel does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants. Toto Tours & Happy Gay Travel is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.
We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Nepal & Tibet.
|
|
