Tibet Extension 2019

Experience Tibet’s Cultural Beauty
with Amazonia Expeditions

November 17 – 22, 2019 (6 Days / 5 Nights)

By popular demand we are excited to announce an additional extension to our Nepal Trek. Join us on the other side of the Himalayas to the culturally rich and mysterious region of Tibet located in the South West of China. Explore Lhasa, home of the majestic Potala Palace, intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. The adventure continues as we leave the city for the Tibetan countryside. Get a glimpse of otherworldly landscapes, mountains, and the beautiful Glacial Lake at Yamdrok and the Norjing Gang Sang glacier peak. This exciting cultural extension cannot be missed!

This trip is available for $1890 per person, with a 15-traveler limit.

We look forward to guiding you on this adventure! 

Group Size: 15 Traveler Limit

Difficulty: Easy

Interested in joining us for this cultural experience? Let us know here!

Trip Highlights

Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu

Experience the cultural beauty of Lhasa

The highlights of the trip include:

 

  • The majestic Potala Palace – This imposing structure dominates the landscape of Lhasa. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas

  • Jokhang Temple – provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage.

  • The Tashilunpo Monastery – The main seat of Panchen Lama)

  • and more…

Day 1 - November 17

Kathmandu to Lhasa

  • Transfer to Kathmandu airport to board flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gongar airport (11,995 ft), you will be welcomed by our Tibetan crew, experience the first Tibetan hospitalities. Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton

Meals: Breakfast

Day 2 - November 18

Explore Lhasa

  • After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas.
  • Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the center of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - November 19

Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse

  • Depart Lhasa in the early morning taking the friendship highway towards the Khampa la pass (15,500 ft), at the pass we have a short break for stunning views of some major white peaks in the eastern regions of the Himalayas. Descend from the pass down close to shores of the turquoise Yamdrok lake for a nice picnic lunch. After lunch continue our scenic driving to the next pass Karo la (16,568 ft) where we have our first high altitude adventure experience of Norjing Gang Sang glacier peak and some fun with the local high-altitude animal Yaks and their herders, we have our arrival in Gyangtse in the late afternoon. (5 ½ to 6-hour drive).
  • Enjoy a visit to The Palkhor Chode monastery including the Kumbum stupa (the only surviving with such distinctive structure and the thousands of art works) After sightseeing continue to Shigaste for overnight stay.

Accommodation: Tashi Cho Ta Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - November 20

Shigatse & Return to Lhasa

  • After breakfast, we visit the Tashilunpo monastery (the main seat of Panchen Lama) and the local traditional market. In the afternoon depart Shigatse for return back to Lhasa (6 hour drive).
  • Accommodations: Four Points Sheraton

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - November 21

Lhasa to Kathmandu

  • Today, in time transfer to the airport to board flight back to Kathmandu
  • Upon arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Kantipur Temple House

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - November 22

Kathmandu

  • In time transfer to the Kathmandu international airport for international flights.

    Meals: Breakfast

Reserve Your Expedition Today!

Deposit – $500

$1890 per person in double occupancy room

Single room supplement $500

 

Airfare Supplement:

Kathmandu / Lhasa / Kathmandu – Airfare cost is subject to change.

Contact us about this.

 

NOTES:

  • Itinerary subject to changes only if beyond our control
  • Reservation made with a deposit of $500 per person
  • Balance is due by August 1, 2019
  • Payment can be made by credit card on our PayPal site

Cancellation Policy: 50% of cost up to 120 days before departure. Purchase of travel and evacuation insurance is required.  https://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=agentlink&arc=51868&agentlinkasp=yes

This Trip Includes:

  • Double twin room on sharing basis
  • Daily breakfast
  • All ground transportation as detailed in the itinerary using Non – Ac Vehicle
  • Services of local English speaking Tibetan Guide
  • Packed Picnic Lunch at Yamdrok
  • Tibet Visa Fee and travel permit
  • Monument entrances
  • Currently applicable taxes

This Trip DOES NOT Include:

  • Any airfares
  • Any expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, telephone charges etc.
  • Any new tax imposed by the Govt.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Tibet Permit (Visa) – The visit of foreigners in Tibet is strictly regulated by the Chinese Govt. and is directly dependent upon the “political climate” in Tibet. This can change from one day to the next and is therefore impossible to predict. No one can ask and no one is told on what basis the permit to a particular person is given or denied.

Permits are generally granted 10 days prior to travel date. In some cases, they may grant it even 3 – 4 days prior to the date of travel. So, there is no deadline as such. Permit could be granted / denied without any explanation & that we have no control over these issues. In our case permits (visas) will not requested until arrival to Nepal. In the case that a permit is not granted you will be liable for all flight/land cancellations.

Fortunately, the chance for the refusal of Permit is minimal. In the past 5-7 years our local operator has not had any cases of tourists being denied the permit.

Please keep in mind that in some cases, Chinese Govt closes the entry of Tibet to all foreigners due to various reasons. These situations are beyond our control and all the flight / land cancellations will be borne by the client.

We highly recommended the purchase of travel insurance that protects against these types of risks.

Erika

Our time in the jungle was an absolute highlight on our trip to Peru! Truly amazing! …Again, we had the most wonderful time. Almost more than words can say. The jungle and the Tahuayo Lodge hold very special places in our hearts and CAN NOT WAIT to return. Thank you again for offering such an amazing trip.

Renee

Our trip was INCREDIBLE. The lodge was great, the food was amazing, and the staff were all so friendly. We loved our stays at the B&B, the main lodge, and the ARC.

Tia & Paula

It was incredible and a trip of a lifetime Paul! My sister Paula and I had an amazing time and loved everything — your facilities and staff are top notch and I want to come back with my husband and daughters!!

What Our Guests

Have to Say…

Erika

Our time in the jungle was an absolute highlight on our trip to Peru! Truly amazing! …Again, we had the most wonderful time. Almost more than words can say. The jungle and the Tahuayo Lodge hold very special places in our hearts and CAN NOT WAIT to return. Thank you again for offering such an amazing trip.

Renee

Our trip was INCREDIBLE. The lodge was great, the food was amazing, and the staff were all so friendly. We loved our stays at the B&B, the main lodge, and the ARC.

Tia & Paula

It was incredible and a trip of a lifetime Paul! My sister Paula and I had an amazing time and loved everything — your facilities and staff are top notch and I want to come back with my husband and daughters!!

Estefani Mishel Maytahuari

Mishel got her degree in tourism from Nauta Institute in 2016. After working as a guide with other companies, Mishel came to study with Amazonia Expeditions as a training guide in 2023. Mishel was promoted to head guide in 2025.

Leyner Arian Ijuma

Leyner got his degree as a tour guide in 2010 at the Nauta Institute and came to work at Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. He has biological field work experience from supporting Nicholas Gardner of the University of Florida who he helped study the adaptations of birds in seasonally flooded igapo forests. Birding is one of Leyner's strongest skills.

Julio Pacaya

Julio finished his studies as a tour guide at the Nauta Institute in 2016 and came to work as a training guide with Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. Nature photography and birding are among Julio's strongest skills. Julio is fluent in English and French, as well as his native tongue of Spanish.

Claudio Huayllahua Sánchez

Claudio was born and grew up in El Chino Village on the Tahuayo River. He studied primary school in El Chino and continued his education in Iquitos, earning a technical degree from SENATI Institute. He started working for Amazonia Expeditions in 2014 as a field research assistant with several biologists and as an assistant guide. Claudio was promoted to head guide in 2017 and is our camping and jungle survival specialist.

Hersog Chavez Yuyarima

Hersog first got the idea of becoming a guide after watching the tourist boats going by his village every day. He was fascinated that tourists would come to see his home and he loved the way that the guides he saw did their work. He knew that someday he wanted to be just like them. Hersog studied at technical school for 3 years leaning the basics of guiding. After graduating, Hersog worked as a guide for several years working with Peruvian tourists, later coming to work for Amazonia in 2017. Hersog was promoted to head guide in 2019. He has worked as a field research assistant in the study of the elusive pygmy marmoset. Hersog is known for his sharp eyes and his unique stories about the jungle.

Lander Juan Peña Ramirez

Lander was born in the remote jungle community of Santa Victoria. His boyhood dream was to become to best jungle guide in the Amazon. Lander studied at a local institute for several years where he learned basic English and the foundations of the being a tour guide. Later he worked for several years at other jungle loges as a guide, honing his skills as a survival camping guide. Lander came to work for Amazonia Expeditions in 2017 and along with a strong interest in birding and fishing is also one of our lead camping and survival guides.

Aladino Jr. Hidalgo

Aladino was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River and attended school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. During this period, Aladino worked with his father as a trailblazer, assisting primate researchers who came to study at a local field station. Afterwards, he moved to Lima where he worked for several years while studying guiding & English. Upon returning in 2019, he was hired by Amazonia as a field assistant and actively supported researchers studying giant river otters, pygmy marmosets, and various bird species. He then joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was later promoted to head guide in 2022.

Jhony Hidalgo

Jhony was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. He attended primary school in his home village and high school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. Jhony later pursued further studies in Iquitos, where he obtained a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. After graduating, he worked at the Amazon Rescue Center in Iquitos (CREA), guiding visitors to the center. In 2021 he joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2023.

Sila Hidalgo

Sila was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. She attended primary school in Diamante village and high school in the community of “El Chino” on the Tahuayo River. Her family moved to El Chino so Sila could attend high school, as it was the closest village offering secondary education. Later, Sila joined our Angels (AoA) scholarship program to further her education in Iquitos, where she earned a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. She completed her internship at Tahuayo Lodge. After graduating, Sila began her career with Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2022.

Welister Perez

Welister grew up in the small community of Padre Cocha just outside of Iquitos City. He lived there for most of his life, and later worked at several jungle lodges before starting at Amazonia Expeditions. Welister has proven himself as both a talented jungle man and team player with an eagle eye for spotting wildlife. After several months of training with Amazonia he was promoted to a head guiding position in 2017.

Javier Anibal Alván Arévalo

Javier has worked at the Amazonia Expeditions lodges for 10 years, starting as a young teenager as an assistant in building repair, then moving up to motorboat pilot, then camping assistant and assistant guide, and after passing his guide exams with high grades was promoted to head guide in 2014. Javier is also our Canopy Zipline specialist and has taken professional certification classes in Costa Rica. Javier is also a fishing specialist and is beloved by families with children.