This trip combines the big centers of Tibetan culture: the east Tibetan province Amdo and Central Tibet with Lhasa. You will fly to Lanzhou, the capital of the Chinese province of Gansu, via Beijing. Start your trip to the magnificent monasteries of Labrang and Khumbum. Then it's by train past Kokonor Lake to Golmud.

After traversing the source of the Yangtse river a spectacular landscape awaits you: white gigantic peaks are mirrored in small lakes and on the vast plains tents of the nomads with their yak herds can be seen. A side trip to the holy Lake Namtso, the highest salt lake in Tibet at an altitude of 4,600m follows.

We fly from Kathmandu to Simikot (2,910m) in West Nepal and start the trek. The route leads through a magnificent mountain area, past villages of the Thakuri, along small rivers and across the Nara Lagna Pass. From the 4,580m high pass we can see the vast Tibetan plateau. We will hike to the Nepali/Tibetan border till the village of Sher on the Tibetan side, where a vehicle will pick us up and drive to Taklakot. Geographically we are directly south of Kailash, which Hindus and Buddhists view as the "center of the world". On our way to the holy mountain we will wander along the western shore of Lake Mansarowar and camp. "There are countless beautiful landscapes in the Himalayas, in the Trans-Himalya and in the areas of high Asia. Yet the view from Gosul Gompa cross the lake and the surrounding mountains surpasses everything I have seen", wrote Sven Hedin in "Trans Himalaya" (1909).

Hindus, Buddhists, Jain and Bon followers see 6,714m. high Mt. Kailash as the holiest mountain in the world. It is considered to be the axis of the cosmos, from which four rivers, the Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutlej and the Karnali have their source and flow into the four directions. The ritual circumambulation of the mountain is part of the pilgrimage around Lake Manasarowar. The order is not important. You will start your trip "Trails of Enlightenment" at Lake Manasarowar. Stepping on its shore and taking a bath, or drinking from the water cleans the sins of a hundred rebirths. The trail around the lake is a serene experience in crystal clear environment. In summer, wild geese and Himalayan swans swim on its waters. Six of the eight gompas have been rebuilt. On a rock high above the lake is Gosul Gompa, which offers a splendid view.

After a short visit of Kathmandu you will fly past the ice peaks of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Mt. Everest to Lhasa, the spiritual center of Tibet visited by pilgrims from all parts of the country. Mingling with them you wander around the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest temple. You will visit the mighty Potala Palace perched high above the old city it is the landmark of Lhasa.

 

Then we embark on a journey along the southern route to western Tibet by jeep. Incredible views of the Himalayas and the Trans-Himalayas make up for the long, up to 12-hour drives on rough roads. Enroute we visit Tashilunpo in Shigatse and the Kumbum chorten, rich in murals and statues, in Gyantse.

After a brief exploration of the Tibetan capital, we head towards the holy Mt. Kailash! You visit the Potala (open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays), the monumental palace of the former Tibetan Kings and Dalai Lamas, with its numerous chapels. The view of the holy city from the roofs is unforgettable. Excursion to the Sera and Drepung monasteries which were amidst the largest monastic institutions in the world. The chorten tombs of three Dalai Lamas are sited at Drepung. Sera is one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet.

This is the shortest and the most direct approach to Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar, best suited for those on pilgrimage or for those whose time is limited. We drive via Khasa (Zhangmu) through the southern route to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar and return via the same route back to Kathmandu.

If you are an experienced trekker and in good physical condition, the mountains of Tibet are the right thing for you. Your efforts for example while climbing the Balung Ri, will be rewarded with fantastic views towards Cho Oyu 8,000m.

Five o'clock in the morning, absolute darkness. The only sounds are from our kitchen crew. Time to get up. It is minus 16 Celsius, the altitude is 5,370m. Snow has fallen overnight. When opening the tent, snow enters. It doesn't matter; it is time to dress up, to warm the boots, to have a breakfast and to start. Slowly and always in mind not to consume more oxygen than you can inhale. It is the 17th day of our Tibet tour. From Lhasa via Shigatse and Shegar we travelled to Kharta. During the first days we crossed the 5,200m high Doya La. We wanted to know whether everybody of us has the right physical condition and whether some would get the high altitude, sickness. If you want to climb up to 6,000m or even above, you have to be top fit. The Balung Ri is an "easy" 7,000m high mountain. The air is thin; the winds are icy, so carelessness and over-estimation can be fatal.

First a few days of sightseeing in Lhasa includes the Potala Palace, Jokhang, Sera and Drepung Monasteries. Visiting Ganden Monastery will take a full day. In Gyantse and Shigatse, we will visit the Khumbum Monastery, the former seat of the Panchen Lamas.

On the 8th day, we begin our trekking to the east Everest Base Camp, the Kangshung valley. This region is one of the most remote trekking destinations in central Tibet. The round trip walk of 8 days to the Makalu Base Camp begins at Yuba. The Kangshung Valley absolutely roars with the summer monsoon. The snow that accumulates daily on the peaks start rumbling around noon and continues to fall nastily throughout the night. We retrace to Yuba via the Langma La Pass and the Kharta river, from Yuba we drive to Zhangmu, the Tibetan border into Nepal.

You will fly past the ice peaks of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Mt. Everest to Lhasa, the spiritual center of Tibet visited by pilgrims from all parts of the country.

Mingling with them you wander around the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest temple. You will visit the mighty Potala Palace perched high above the old city, it is the landmark of Lhasa. You will visit other holy sites around Lhasa. A visit of Reting Monastery, nestled on a hill above the Kyicho river and surrounded by a juniper forest.

Botanists have long considered the Namcha Barwa area as one of the most spectacular in the world.

Britain's renowned flower hunters explored here in the early 20th century. Tsethang, at the junction of the Yarlung and Tsangpo rivers, dominates the valleys. It is the usual starting point for pilgrimages to the many holy sites in the area. The Yumbulhakhang is the first castle erected in Tibet.

For those of you who wants to have a taste of Tibet in short time, this is the perfect tour. After arrival in Kathmandu, we do a short sightseeing in and around Kathmandu. Next day we fly straight to Lhasa over the Himalayas. Get your cameras ready as this is the most magnificent flights in the entire globe. Sightseeing around Lhasa, Gyantse, Xigatse, Xegar are the main highlights. We drive back to the Nepal border via Zhangmu and enter Nepal. 

The majestic buildings - temples, palaces and fortresses - seems to be one with the rock on which it stands. Broad stairs lead up to the residence of the Tibetan god kings. It is a trove of immeasurable wealth. The heart of the old city is the Jokhang. Buddhist prayer flags flutter in the wind and juniper fires appease the gods. Mingling with the Tibetan pilgrims you will wander around the Jokhang, Some even prostrate the whole length of the way around the temple. We visit Tsurphu Monastery, head monastery of the Kagyupa sect, as well as Drepung, Sera and Ganden, important monasteries of the Gelugpa and once flourishing centers of Buddhist spirituality.