Tibet and Nepal - ASIAN EXPERIENCE TOURS

NEPAL

KATHMANDU. Capital of Nepal and situated in a fertile valley. Kathmandu has always evoked mystique amongst travellers. Ancient temples, exotic festivals and the blending of the Hindu and Buddhist religions all complemented with the mighty Himalayas as a backdrop. A walk down the narrow, cobbled streets with overhanging balconies and delicately wrought carved windows is like taking a stroll back through time.

DAMAN. Small village situated on a ridge and provides panoramic views of the Himalayas.

LHASA. Lhasa is the heart and soul of Tibet and for centuries was the abode of the Dalai Lamas. It's dominated by the Potola which is a vast palace/fortress rising above the city and was the home of the Dalai Lama. The Jokhang is the spiritual heart of the city and many prostrating pilgrims are to be found here. Encircling the Jokhang is the Barkhor which is the holiest of Lhasa's devotional circumambulation circuits. Other sights include the Norbulinga ( summer palace of the Dalai Lama ) and the important monasteries of Sera and Drepung.

GYANTSE. This small town is located in the Nyangchu valley. Its main attraction is the Gyantse Kumbum which is the largest Chorten in Tibet. A Chorten ( also called a Stupa ) is a "Spiritual Monument" which represents the Buddha's body, speech and mind and is filled with relics and holy objects. Other attractions include the Pelkor Chode monastery and the Gyantse Dzong ( fortress ).

SHIGATSE. This is the second largest town in Tibet and the district Capital of the Tsang region. There are many sights including the Shigatse Dzong, Tashilhunpo monastery ( home of the Panchen Lama ) and the bright and colourful Tibetan market.

LHATSE. This small town serves the many isolated communities and villages nearby.

SHEGAR. Small village which is the starting point for the road to the Mt Everest Base Camp.

MT EVEREST BASE CAMP. There are 2 base camps on opposite sides of Mt Everest...to the south in Nepal ( 5360m or 17590ft ) and to the north in Tibet ( 5545m or 18192ft ). These camps are rudimentary sites used by mountaineers during their ascents and descents.

TINGRI. This small village is located in a broad, sweeping plain and provides magnificent views of the Himalays including Mt Everest. There are various names for Mt Everest - in Tibet it's called Qomolangma ( "Goddess Mother of the Universe" ) and in Nepal it's called Sagarmatha. The English name comes from the chief surveyor of India - Sir George Everest. Tingri is a base for the many expeditions to Everest and other peaks.

ZHANGMU. Located 10 km from the "Friendship Bridge" ( Tibet/Nepal border ). This town contains a mixture of Tibetans, Chinese and Nepalese. The ascent to Zhangmu provides and amazing change in vegetation and scenery.....the lush, green scenery of Nepal is left behind and the stark, barren landscape of the Tibetan Plateau begins.