OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH TIBET ODYSSEY


Tour Lasts: 6 nights / 7 days


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  • Itinerary
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Tour Overview

This tour leads us to the most fascinating land in central Tibet. We will explore many monasteries and sacred sites through walking and overland drives across spectacular mountain ranges. We will also visit the homes of local Tibetans and discuss religious customs throughout the trip. By experiencing the wonders and the spiritual challenges experienced by Tibet's pilgrims, we may gain an understanding of why Tibetans draw an equal sign between religion and life.

    Highlights:

  • Wind your way up through the Potala, the holy land and landmark of Tibet.
  • Join the shuffling, murmuring pilgrims around the shrines of the Jokhang, the spiritual heart of Tibet.
  • Let yourself be swept around the Barkhor, Lhasa’s fascinating medieval pilgrim circuit.
  • Enjoy Tibetan tea in Ani Sangkhung Nunnery tea house, explore this most beautiful nunnery of Tibet.
  • A short hiking into Tibet nature nearby Sera, the court of wild rose, and catch the famous debate sessions of the monks in Sera monastery.
  • Enjoy the stunning, turquoise, sky-level lake of Namtso and her lover Nyianchentangula with the 7000m snowy peak.
  • A short kora around the out-of-the-way temple of Reting.
  • A close touch with Tibetan traditional arts and their daily life. Join into them, become one among them, enjoy this new life style thoroughly.

Map

The itinerary map shows not only the route from Lhasa all the way to Mt.Everest, but also shows you how you use different transportation tools.Say for instance from Lhasa Shigatse on the way towards Everest, you sit on the van, or jeep, or mini-bus, but on the way back to Lhasa, you can have one more choice which is take train instead of the same vehicle as on the way towards

Itinerary

1

Day 01 Arrive in Lhasa, get the first impression of Tibetan daily life

Highlights: Hometown of Tibetan apron, spectacular scenery and typical Tibetan villages along the way.

Welcome to Tibet! Today you could go to the "hometown of Tibetan apron". There you could learn how to make Pulu (a weaving wool fabric Tibetan cloth) by locals, you could have a try if you are interested in. And on the way to Lhasa, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages. Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now.

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Day 02 Lhasa highlights escorted tour

Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

Visit Potala, which was constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet and later reconstructed and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Then walk on the Barkhor Street nearby the temple, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

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Day 03 Tibet Nunnery and Monastery

Highlights: Enjoy Tibetan tea in Ani Sangkhung Nunnery tea house, a short hiking into Tibet nature, catch the famous debate sessions of the monks in Sera monastery.

Head past Muslim tea stalls and butcher shops, along part of the Lingkhor pilgrim circuit to the yellow walls of the Ani Sangkhung Nunnery. This small, friendly and active nunnery is the only one within the precincts of the old Tibetan quarter. The site of the nunnery probably dates back to the 7th century, but is housed a monastery until at least the 15th century. The principal image, upstairs on the 2nd floor, is a thousand-armed Chenresing. A small alley to the side of the main chapel heads down to the former meditation chamber of Songtsen Gampo, the 7th-century king of Tibet. The busy nuns run a great teahouse in the courtyard. Then drive to Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there, in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa.

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Day 04 Lhasa/Namtso

Highlights: Fabulous views of Yangpachen, Namtso Lake and Nyianchentangula

Drive about one and half hours to get to Yangpacheng for a short stop for the view. Pass by Damxung town and the 5,150-meter Lhachen La and reach the Nam Tso or Tengri Nor (heaven lake in Mongolian) along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. In clear weather the water is a miraculous shade of turquoise and there are magnificent views of the nearby mountains. When arrival, enjoying the glory of sunset over the lake. By the lake, you can view the peak of Nyianchentangula (7162m). It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. The wide open spaces, dotted with the tents of local nomads are intoxicating. If lucky enough, there is the opportunity to get a peek at the otherwise inaccessible nomadic life at the Changtang, Tibet’s vast northern plateau. You may get the opportunity to stop at the brown or black spider-like tents of nomads.

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5

Day 05 Namtso/Reting Monastery

Highlights: sunrise of Namtso Lake, a short kora in Reting Monastery

After shot the amazing view of sunrise of the lake, we continue to Reting Monastery, which sprawled gracefully across the flank of a juniper-clad hill in the Rong-chu Valley. The monastery is still graced by surrounding juniper forest, said to have spouted from the hairs of its founder. A 40-minute kora leads around the monastery, passing several stone carving, a series of eight chortens and an active sky-burial site. But for the sky-burial place, you just can have a view in a far distance, since it is not allow others to see except the friends and relatives of the death. Camping near the monastery and enjoy the clean and clear starry sky in Tibet.

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Day 06 Reting/Lhasa

Highlights: beautiful view along the way back Lhasa and have a close touch with locals

Drive back to Lhasa today, before return to Lhasa, you could have a closed touch with Tibetan locals, visit their house, have a chat with them, see how they turn the yak dung into a good fuel, or how they gather in the harvest, different season different activities.

7

Day 07 Finish this unforgettable tour

Highlights: Souvenir shopping and scenery on the way

Free morning for shopping, buy some souvenirs for your families and friends. After lunch, departure transfer to the airport and say good-bye to Tibet.

Tour Images

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Reviews

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Nicole

Thank you and your team for a wonderful tour setup

Dear Janet, I would like to thank you and your team for a wonderful tour setup. Begging with your professionalism, warm support and willingness to make our group tour successful one.And great thanks to Dhargye our tour guide who took care of whole group and especially myself during a night of vomiting. He and Mr. Namla- the driver were superb. I will send you some photos separately. Feel free to use them on your company's website. Am happy to give references as required.

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Hans

Everything was very well organised by ATT,Tks

Dear Janet,We are safe and sound home and are looking back at a very impressive trip to Tibet and Zhangye. We have between us some 3000 pictures – some quite stunning. Yesterday the four of us expressed what an unforgettable trip this has been. We want to share our appreciation for the way the trip has been organised. Like clockwork. All guides appearing at the right time and place. Everything was very well organised. It was a bit double for us when we were in Lanzhou hearing about the earthquake creating havoc in Nepal, but not leaving Tibet unaffected either. Thank you again for a trip to be remembered for a long time.

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Jana Midriakova

Thank you for the amazing trip we had in Tibet!

Dear Nancy,I feel embarrased that I am answering only now but another couple of weeks of travelling and the beginning of the next semester at the university made me really busy. However, me and Olaf wanted to thank you for the amazing trip we had in Tibet! The organization was simply excellent, thank you for a very quick and informative communication from your side. Many thanks go also to our guide, Danluo as well as to our driver; both of them acted very professionally and kindly towards us. It was really great that our guide was of the Tibetan origin, providing us with a unique cultural insight and first-hand information. His English language skills were just perfect and the communication with him very pleasant.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

These Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between you, the client, and us, Access Tibet Tour (hereafter referred to as "ATT"). In booking a tour, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, which affect your right to legal recourse, and specify the laws, forum, and jurisdiction governing this agreement; please be sure to carefully read this section, and make sure you understand your rights and obligations, as well as the rights and obligations of ATT.

These terms and conditions will be restated in the Tour Contract which will be sent to you after confirmation of all reservations and arrangements. The tour contract will also include any terms and conditions specific to your tour, and will require re-confirmation of your agreement upon receipt.

Following is important information about the tour contract that will be sent to you before your Tibet tour officially begins.

*** Important information about the Tour Contract:

Upon receiving the contract, it is important to respond as quickly as possible. If there are items you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we may come to a consensus. If you agree to the terms and conditions of the contract, please sign your name and date, and send us a copy of the signed contract by either email or fax. If you do not have access to a scanner or fax machine, you will be required to give written confirmation that you accept the contract (by email, or other means) and herein agree to complete the contract signing upon your arrival in Lhasa. However, if you fail to respond to this contract (neither contacting the tour advisor nor signing the contract), we will consider that, by purchasing the tour, you fully agree to and accept all terms and conditions listed in the contract, and ATT shall not be responsible for any consequences hereof caused due to your negligence.

Reservations and Payments

We suggest you book your Tibet tour at least 45 days before your arrival date, especially during the peak season of August and September. Below is our reservation policy.

a. If the booking is made at least two months (60 days) prior to your arrival in Lhasa, a deposit of 30% of the total tour price, plus transportation fees (for flights, train), is required to secure your reservation upon confirmation of your tour.

b. If the booking is made less than two months (60 days), but more than 15 days, prior to your arrival in Lhasa, a deposit of 50% of the total tour price, plus transportation fees (for flights, train), is required to secure your reservation upon confirmation of your tour.

c. If the booking is made less than 15 days prior to your arrival in Lhasa, you are required to pay the tour price in full, plus transportation fees (for flights, train).

For information on how to make payments, please click here.

Every effort has been made to provide correct pricing information. We reserve the right to correct errors.

Alteration, Cancellations and Refunds

Alteration

It is permitted to modify your itinerary twice, without penalty, after booking and confirmation of your tour. For further changes, we will charge a $20 (USD) surcharge per alteration. Additionally, changes requested too close to the date of the tour may not be workable.

Cancellation

You may cancel your confirmed booking by written request. If cancellation is requested after your tour has been confirmed, or if you fail to pay the full cost of the tour within the specified time, you will be liable to pay a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees are as follows:

- If cancellation occurs more than 30 days prior to the start of your tour, you forfeit $100 (USD) of your deposit. We will refund the rest of your deposit within 30 days (note: most travel agencies retain the full deposit).

- If cancellation occurs less than 30 days, but more than 7 days, prior to the start of your scheduled tour, you forfeit 30% of the cost of your tour.

- If cancellation occurs less than 7 days prior to the start of your scheduled tour, you forfeit 50% of the cost of your tour.

- If you fail to appear at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice, you forfeit 100% of the cost of your tour.

- If, during the course of your tour, you decide to cancel the rest of your tour for reasons outside of ATT's control, you will not be refunded any fees or expenses that you have already paid. If you wish to book further activities or destinations, you will be required to pay the extra costs.

** The date of notification of cancellation will be considered the date on which notification is received at our premises in writing (by either email or fax).

Refunds

- If you have already paid your deposit, and cancel your tour at least 30 days before the start of your tour, we will refund your deposit, minus the $100 (USD) cancellation fee.

Passports, Visas and Tibet Travel Permits

Foreign citizens traveling in China are required to have both a valid passport and a valid Chinese visa; ATT is not responsible for providing either document. You should contact the appropriate consular office to apply for a Chinese visa. If necessary, and if the deposit for your tour has already been payed in full, ATT can provide an invitation letter to help you apply for your Chinese visa.

In order to travel to Tibet, special entry permits are required. Please carefully read our information on Tibet travel permits.

Responsibility

According to the policies of the government of Tibet, diplomats, journalists, and government officials are obliged to travel to Tibet only by arrangement of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Government of Tibet. Access Tibet Tour is not permitted to arrange travel services for these categories of people. If any member of your party belongs to one of these categories, please contact the Foreign Affairs Office of the Government of Tibet directly. If, upon your arrival, we discover that any member of your party belongs to one of these categories, we are obliged to send you back immediately, or transfer you to the Foreign Affairs Office.

The responsibility of ATT and its affiliated companies is strictly limited. As a tour operator, ATT organizes, promotes, and sells tour programs consisting of travel services including surface, air, and water transportation, sightseeing excursions, and cruise/hotel accommodations which ATT purchases or reserves from various suppliers. ATT does not own or operate any of these Suppliers. The Suppliers providing travel services for ATT’s tour programs are independent contractors, and are not agents or employees of ATT. As such, ATT is not responsible for any negligent or willful act, or failure to act, of any supplier or third party. Some tours include visits to shops and merchants. ATT is not responsible for any purchases you make during your trip, whether that merchant is part of the scheduled itinerary or not. By utilizing the travel services of the Suppliers, you agree hold responsible such Suppliers for any accident, injury, property damage, or personal loss incurred by you or to those traveling with you, and that neither ATT nor any representative of ATT shall be liable.

Without limitation, ATT is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from—but not limited to—acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for the failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time, sanitation problems, lack of medical care, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of ATT.

ATT reserves the right to correct promotional or pricing errors at any time, or to increase the program price in the event of cost increases due to changes in airfares, cruise fares, currency fluctuations, park fee increases, taxes, or fuel surcharges. ATT reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour or to cancel or alter the tour without notice, in which event your sole remedy shall be a prorated refund for any remaining portions of the trip. Hotels and other accommodations are subject to change.

Due to the unique geographical conditions in Tibet, it may be necessary to alter your tour itinerary in case of road collapse, road construction, military or government injunction, etc. If any extra cost is incurred in such cases, passengers will be responsible to pay the extra costs incurred.

Air Arrangements

Any penalties resulting from flight changes made at your request after flights are booked will be your responsibility. If you cancel your trip after receiving your tickets, you must return your tickets to ATT before your refund (if applicable) is processed.

Air routings are subject to availability. Routings cannot be guaranteed, and are subject to change at any time. ATT is not responsible if an airline cancels or delays a flight. If that occurs, you should work with the airline to ensure you arrive at your destination. ATT will not provide any refund for portions of trips missed due to canceled or delayed flights. If an air schedule requires an overnight stay in a gateway city, ATT can assist with hotel reservations; however, if a flight requires a layover, overnights are at your expense.

Medical Issues

You must advise us in writing, at or prior to booking, of any physical, emotional or mental condition which may require professional attention during the trip or may require the use of special equipment. If you fail to disclose any such conditions, ATT may refuse to allow you to participate in the tour, and you will forfeit the cost of the tour; in such event we shall have no liability, financial or otherwise.

If you have any of these conditions, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items related to your condition. If any such condition arises after the trip is booked, you must advise us in writing immediately. Failure to advise us shall release ATT and all professional personnel from any liability related to such condition or its treatment.

If you require a wheelchair, you must provide your own small, collapsible wheelchair. Certain features, and certain trips, are not wheelchair-accessible. We cannot guarantee any wheelchair assistance or accessibility in international destinations. ATT reserves the right to decline any trip participant whose condition, in our opinion, may affect the health, safety or enjoyment of other participants.

ATT is not responsible for the costs of any medical treatment you may require during the trip. Under no circumstances is ATT responsible for the quality of medical care, or lack thereof, you may receive while on the trip.


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** For help on making an on-line inquiry, there are two ways: LiveChat at the right bottom, and Skype on the right of page

We may also be contacted by the following means:

- By e-mail at info@accesstibettour.com (copy this email address and send an email to us) 

- Via Skype for real-time assistance: "accesstibettour.com". but you can just click on Skype on the right side of the page

- By snail mail at the following postal address: 
ROOM 8110, Lhasa Chaoyang Grand Hotel, NO. 81 BEIJING WEST ROAD, LHASA CITY, 
850000, TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION, CHINA

- By phone, to one of our Travel Advisors at Access Tibet Tour's Chengdu Sales and Marketing Division, at the following phone number: (86)28-86183638 (4 lines)

- By fax at: (86)28-87562424


Important Notes:

  1. We do not SELL travel permits. We can not provide "permit-only" service. If you do not book a tour with us, we can not help you acquire a permit.
  2. By booking a trip, you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.
  3. This form is provided for inquiry only, not for booking. No payment is required at this time. Travel consultation is provided free-of-charge.
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