An Introduction Places of interest Tour Itineraries

Tibet is harsh and primordial. Guarded by high passes and blessed by wispy prayer flags, it is often painted as a Shangri-La of cliff-hanging monasteries and a culture locked in eternal mysticism. A century ago, a visit to Tibet took stamina, nerve and a good deal of luck. Isolated by formidable geographic barriers and guarded by its government, Lhasa, the capital, was truly a forbidden city. Few Westerners met the challenge, but the tales they returned with tantalized the imagination of the world. Tibet was the epitome of all that was magical, mysterious and unknown. Today, with the opening up of air and land routes from Nepal, travelers have plenty of opportunities to gain first-hand insight into the myriad sights and sounds of this exotic and ancient land, and to lose themselves in the rich Tibetan culture, architecture, landscape and religion. The spirit of adventure, however, still remains. Hidden behind the Himalaya and rising nearly five kilometers above sea level, Tibet is a land unlike any other, a magical realm of vast open spaces, clear light and pure colour, dominated by an intensely blue sky.Tibet has been devoutly Buddhist since the 8th century, merging influences from Indian Buddhism, Tantra and the indigenous religion call Bon into a complex synthesis of beliefs.

Tibetan Buddhism has inspired centuries of splendid art and architecture, serving as the cornerstone of Tibet’s unique and highly developed culture. Visits to Buddhist monasteries and temples are an integral part of any journey to Tibet.

Travel in Tibet, though not always easy, rewards visitors with glimpses of a land and life like no other. The best time to be here is summer (April through November) when the temperatures are the mildest and skies the clearest blue. However, it is always advisable to carry extra layers of warm clothing for the trip. There is easy access from Kathmandu either by air that takes you over the Himalaya or a breathtaking overland route that retraces the old caravan trails. Fish-Tail Tours and Travels presents you a whole range of packages to suit every taste and budget to make your trip both affordable and memorable.

Lhasa : This capital city of Tibet boasts of sights and sounds of an ancient civilization lost in time. While the outskirts of Lhasa are crowded with concrete high-rises, fancy department stores and wide boulevards, the core of the old town remains practically untouched. Peaceful streets are lined by traditional whitewashed houses and filled with Tibetans dressed in the distinctive costumes of many regions: swaggering Khampa men, wide-eyed nomad families in sheepskins and apple-cheeked Amdo girls with their 108 braids adorned with huge lumps of turquoise, coral and amber. The Potala Palace, so frequently associated with Lhasa, is a majestic fairy-tale fortress. Seat of the Dalai Lamas, the palace contains a 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 religious statues.

The Jokhang Temple is Tibet’s most sacred monastery, its spiritual center and the heart of Lhasa. The 7th century complex houses several shrines among which is that of the Jowo Shakyamuni, a gilded image of Lord Buddha, which is the most revered in the entire plateau. Surrounding the Jokhang is the ancient flagstoned pilgrims’ path known as the Barkhor. This is also the city’s major promenade, a place where friends chat and young couples flirt as well as one of the biggest bazaars in Tibet - selling almost everything from Buddhist scriptures to cosmetics. The Barkhor is therefore an endlessly fascinating mix of devotion, gossip and commerce. Norbulingka, which means "the jewelled garden", is located on the outskirts of the city and consists of 360,000 sq. m of wooded greenery and three palaces. It once used to be the summer retreat of the Dalai Lamas. The Drepung Monastery lies about 10 km from the city. Built in 1416, it is the largest in Tibet. Its numerous Buddhist statues, ancient scriptures, scroll paintings and other cultural relics will keep you fascinated. The Sera Monastery, about 5 km north of Lhasa, is another important centre of Buddhist learning. Built in 1419, its most remarkable image is a nine-meter image of Maitreya (the Future Buddha). About 45 km east of Lhasa is the Ganden Monastery. The highlight of this monastery is its pilgrimage route which is the most spectacular of central Tibet’s monastery circuits. The walk takes one hour and is filled with an assortment of nature-formed objects and man-made shrines.

An excellent excursion from Lhasa is the circuit that takes in the towns of Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsetang. Fine highways and stunning scenery en route make this a superb trip. The Tashilhumpo Monastery at Shigatse; the Kumbum Stupa, Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort in Gyantse; and the Valley of the Kings, Yumbu Lagang Palace and the Tandruk Monastery in Tsetang are worth visiting.

Xegar : This is a check post on the Lhasa route. The Shakya Monastery here is the oldest and most important Bon Po monasteries in Tibet.

Zhangmu : Popularly referred by the Nepalese as Khasa, Zhangmu is an ancient trading post near the Friendship Bridge on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Tibet Tour

TOUR - FTT-C01 : LHASA STOPOVER
( 3 Nights / 4 Days)

This is the shortest possible trip to Lhasa and its cultural and art treasure flying over the mighty Himalayan ranges.
Departure every Saturday. Fly in / fly out.

TOUR FTT-C02 : LHASA LYRIC
( 4 Nights / 5 Days)

This package offers 3 days in Lhasa which is spent in viewing all the important palaces and monasteries.
Departure every Tuesday. Fly in / fly out.

TOUR FTT-C03 : TIBETAN RHAPSODY
( 7 Nights / 8 Days)

Lhasa 3 nights, Gyantse 1 night, Shigatse 1 night, Xegar 1 night, Zhangmu 1 night.
We take a spectacular flight over the Himalayas to Lhasa. After 3 days of cultural tours in Lhasa we return overland to Nepal. Towns and villages along the road from Lhasa offer visitors a first-hand experience of the immense spirituality of the land.Departure every Saturday. Fly in / return overland.

TOUR-FTT-C04 : FLY TO LHASA & OVERLAND TO NEPAL
( 7 Nights / 8 Days )

TOUR FTT-C05: KAILASH PILGRIMAGE TOUR
( 14 Nights / 15 Days )

Day 01: Drive Kathmandu (1,303 m.) to Kodari. Trek 8 km. to Zhangmu (2,220m).Overnight at Chusang/Nyalam in camp.
Day 02 Drive from Nyalam to Mela (4,000m) via. Menhating and Tongla pass (4,990m). Overnight in camp.
Day 03: Drive from Mela to Saga (4,840m) crossing the river "Yarling Tsangpo" by ferry.From Saga drive to Tsongpa(4,500m) and                   break camp in between Paryang(4,540m) and Tsongpa. Overnight in camp.Day 04: Drive further towards Mayumla Pass                   (4,900m) and stay for overnight near the river bank. Overnight in camp.
Day 05 :    Cross the Mayumla Pass and drive to Lake Mansarover(4,520m) Overnight in camp.
Day 06: Day free for rest ,Purification bath in the Holy Lake etc.Overnight in camp.
Day 07: Drive to Darchen(4,700m).Overnight at hotel in Darchen or in tents.
Day 08: Start trek around Mt. Kailash (6,656 m.). Ovenight in tents.
Day 09: Trek and cross the Dormala pass (5,600 m.). Overnight in tents.
Day 10: Trek and return to Darchen. Overnight in tents.
Day 11: Start return journey by driving upto Samsang. Overnight in tents.
Day 12: Drive from Samsang to Tsongpa. Overnight in tents.
Day 13: Drive from Tsongpf to Saga or Mala. Overnight in tents.
Day 14: Drive from Saga or Mala to Nyalam. Overnight in tents.
Day 15: Trek 8 kms to Kadari and drive to Kathmandu.

TOUR-FTT-C06 : TIBET ENCOUNTER
( 7 Nights / 8 Days )

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Kodari, Drive to Zhangmu. O/N at hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Tingri. O/N at hotel.
Day 03: Drive to Xigatse. O/N at hotel.
Day 04: Tour of Tashilunpo monastery and Xigatse free market. Drive to Gyantse. Tour of Phalkor monastery & Kummbum stupa.
Day 05: Drive to Lhasa. Check into hotel.
Day 06: Tour of Drepung & Jokhang monastery and Barkhor Market.
Day 07: Tour of Potala Palace, Sera monastery and Norbulinkha.
Day 08: Drive to Gonggar airport, fly to Kathmandu or to Chengdu for onward journey to China.