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On this specially crafted National Geographic Expeditions journey, take in some of the finest mountain views on Earth as we journey overland across the Tibetan Plateau to the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest. With famed mountaineer Peter Hillary, delve into the fascinating world of mountain lore and Tibetan culture while visiting Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyantse.
September 9 and 10 San Francisco/Beijing, China
Depart for Beijing, arriving the next evening.
Peninsula Palace Hotel
September 11 Beijing/Chengdu/Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa (11,970 feet) this morning, one of the world’s most astonishing mountain flights, crossing the Henduan Range and three of Asia’s greatest rivers, the Salween, the Mekong, and the Yangtze. Drive to the Holy City, scanning the vast countryside for the first sight of the Potala Palace. Later, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner.
Lhasa Hotel
(B,L,D)
September 12 Lhasa
Visit the Potala Palace and explore the grandest of its myriad rooms, the jeweled burial chortens of past Dalai Lamas, statuary, frescoes, and paintings. Also see lovely Jewel Park, where the Dalai Lamas lived in the summer, enjoying an informality impossible in the Potala.
(B,L,D)
September 13 Lhasa
Today, take an excursion to Ganden Monastery, one of the most important monastic sites in Tibet. In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple; and see the Barkhor, Lhasa’s old market.
(B,L,D)
September 14 Lhasa
Visit Tibet’s two greatest monasteries, Drepung and Sera. Drepung once housed 10,000 monks, and Sera almost as many. If you’re lucky, you’ll see and hear the lilting, booming chanting of the sutras or the theatrical debate of the monks. Enjoy a hike in the afternoon.
(B,L,D)
September 15 Lhasa/Gyantse
Drive to Gyantse (12,956 feet) via the turquoise waters of the holy Lake Yamdruk and over two spectacular high passes with hanging glaciers. Weather permitting, take an optional hike from the passes for close-up views of the glaciers.
Gyantse Hotel
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September 16 Gyantse
In the morning, visit the Palkhor Chiode, a monastery complex in which all four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism had temples and small monasteries. The Palkhor Chiode suffered during the Cultural Revolution, but its centerpiece, the Kum Bum, was spared. The Kum Bum is very striking, with a gilded top that glitters in the sun. In the afternoon, we will take an optional hike to some traditional Tibetan villages.
(B,L,D)
September 17 Gyantse/Shigatse
Drive to Shigatse (12,792 feet), where the immense Tashilumpo Monastery is the seat of Tibet’s second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. After a morning hike, visit the monastery complex, a rambling warren of chapels, shrines, and halls linked by mysterious alleyways and steep staircases, and see the kitchen, where tremendous vats of yak butter tea are kept bubbling. Walk back to the hotel through the modern section of Shigatse, stopping to shop in its old market.
Shigatse Hotel
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September 18 Shigatse
Enjoy an excursion to Ngor Monastery, and hike through small Tibetan villages.
Shigatse Hotel
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September 19 Shigatse/Shekar
Drive across the Lakpa Pass (17,121 feet) to the small town of Shekar (14,268 feet). During the 1920s, the first expeditions to nearby Mount Everest stopped here. At sunset, we will walk up to the Crystal Monastery’s lovingly rebuilt temple for spectacular views of the Himalaya.
Shekar Hotel
(B,L,D)
September 20 Everest North Face Base Camp/Shekar
From Shekar cross the 17,000-foot Pang Pass, with superb mountain vistas. Then visit Rongbuk Monastery before continuing to the North Face Base Camp of Everest. Have a chance to marvel at the “great white fang...[protruding] from the very jaws of the Earth,” as the summit of Everest was described by George Leigh Mallory, who pioneered today’s route. Return to Shekar for the night.
(B,L,D)
September 21 Shekar/Shigatse
Starting our return to Lhasa, we drive over the Lakpa Pass to Shigatse.
Shigatse Hotel
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September 22 Shigatse/Lhasa
The last day of the overland journey takes us via a 17,200-foot pass back to Lhasa.
Lhasa Hotel
(B,L,D)
September 23 Lhasa/Beijing
After some final exploration or shopping in Lhasa, take an afternoon flight to Beijing.
Peninsula Palace Hotel
(B,L,D)
September 24 Beijing/San Francisco
Return to San Francisco and connect with your flight home.
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