Travel
to Tibet - one of the most popular tourist destinations in Himalayas
region , known as 'Roof of the world'. The Buddhist monasteries, Dalai
Lama, the Jokhang- a spirtual centre, the Potala - the Traditional Seat
are some of the highlights of visit.
Tibet, one of
the extra ordinary destinations where indeed adventure lurks around every
corner. Its name the "Roof of the world" is not a mere statement.
The valley bottoms of tibet are highter than the highest mountains
elsewhere.
Adventure
on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans-Himalaya drive of over
970-kms, through four mountain passes, promising a panorama of a cultural
and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. The Buddhist monasteries of
Drepung, once the largest; the Jokhang- a spirtual centre, and the awesome
palaces of the dalai lama. Norbulingka or the Summer Palace and the Potala -
the Traditional Seat are some of the highlights of visit.
Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans-Himalayan drive
of over 970-kms, through four mountain passes, promising a panorama of a
cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. The Buddhist
monasteries of Drepung, once the largest; the Jokhang- a spirtual centre,
and the awesome palaces of the dalai lama. Norbulingka or the Summer Palace
and the Potala - the Traditional Seat are some of the highlights of visit.
Tibet has got
the harshest climate in the world. It is cool in summer but freezingly cold
in winter. The average temperature in north Tibet is subzero and winter hits
in October till the coming May or June, July and August are the best time to
visit the area, enjoying warm temperature, intense sunshine, beautiful scene
and festive events.
To get to the
Tibetan capital, Lhasa, foreign travelers usually start from Chengdu in
Sichuan, Xining in Qinghai or Kathmandu in Nepal:
Air:
1) Chengdu, Sichuan to Lhasa Direct daily flights are available between
Chengdu, Sichuan, and Lhasa. You can easily get a ticket through a travel
agency in Chengdu. There is also a comfortable 2-hour flight twice weekly
between Chongqing and Lhasa.
2) Kathmandu to Lhasa From April to November there are 2 flights a week
available between the Nepalese capital and Lhasa. Schedule air services fly
from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and back every Tuesday and Saturdays with
additional flights on Thursdays from July. This flight last a little over
one hour and gives you a panoramic view of the Himalayas. However,
individual travelers can get neither a visa nor an air ticket, which are
only available to members of an organized group.
Road:
1) Xining, Qinghai via Golmud to Lhasa, this bus trip is tough going and
takes a minimum of 2 nights and 3 days along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway.
Although uncomfortable this is still the most popular route for travelers
sticking to land transportation.
2) Kathmandu via Dram (Khasa) to Lhasa As with the Qinghai-Tibet Highway,
the China-Nepal Friendship Highway is a popular route for travelers. This
route brings you close to a number of famous sights, such as Shigatse,
Gyantse, and the Everest Base Camp. It takes 5-7 days of traveling over the
Tibetan Highlands to get to Lhasa via this route. This overland trip also
subjects individual travelers to the same restrictions as access by air from
Nepal.