Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 95
On our magnificent overland adventure,
we carve an arc across the soaring Tibetan
Plateau from 8th century Samye, the oldest
Buddhist temple in Tibet, to the sheer North
Face of Mt. Everest, where the dazzling
glaciers of the world’s highest peak seem
almost close enough to touch. Along the way,
you’ll find Tibet’s immense magic revealed
in places like the Barkhor market, where we
mingle among pilgrims and swashbuckling
Khampa traders, and in remote fortress-
monasteries where flickering yak-butter
lamps illuminate ancient Buddhist frescoes.
At journey’s end, we cross a high pass to
descend into Nepal and explore the bazaars
of Kathmandu.
Days 1-4 Lhasa, Tibet We join pilgrims who
gather at the altars of the Jokhang, Tibet’s most
sacred temple, and explore the majestic Potala
Palace, once the residence of the Dalai Lamas.
At sprawling Ganden Monastery (13,700'), we’ll
be welcomed in to watch the monks in the
great prayer halls and walk the kora (sacred
circuit). In Lhasa, we witness a traditional
Buddhist festival: Saga Dawa (June departure)
or Shoton (August departure).
Experience Tibet’s mystique from once-forbidden Lhasa, the holy city, to the
snowy ramparts of Everest. PHOTO: HUNG CHUNG CHIH
JON ARNOLD
ORIENT FRANGENBERG
HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore the remote world of the Tibetan
Plateau, with its soaring peaks and
cobalt skies
• Visit the holy lake of Yamdrok Tso, a
pilgrimage site
• Encounter Buddhist pilgrims, Tibetan
farmers, yak-herding nomads
• Walk the kora (sacred circuit) around
spectacularly located monasteries
• View the icy ramparts of the stupendous
North Face of Everest from Rongbuk
Monastery
• Enjoy a traditional Buddhist festival—
Saga Dawa or Shoton—on each departure
• Explore Kathmandu’s bustling bazaars
and gold-roofed temples
DETAILS
• 16-day trip begins in Lhasa, Tibet, and
ends in Kathmandu, Nepal
• 15 nights comfortable hotels and
rustic lodges
• All meals included except 1 lunch and
1 dinner
DATES
Jun 7-22, 2017 Saga Dawa Festival
Aug 19-Sep 3 Shoton Festival
TRIP COST
$6295 (12-14 members)
$6595 (9-11 members)
$6995 (6-8 members)
Single supplement: $890
Internal airfare: $330 (subject to change)
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rugged road travel with light walking,
altitudes between 11,800-16,900 feet
Days 5-12 Tibetan Plateau / Everest Base
Camp From Samye, our journey brings us to
Gyantse, with its mandala-shaped stupa, and
to turquoise Yamdrok Tso, one of Tibet’s three
holy lakes. Shigatse’s gold-topped Tashilhunpo
is a vast and active monastery and pilgrimage
site. After our explorations at this fascinating
place, we head to Rongbuk Monastery (16,500'),
below Everest Base Camp, to gaze upon
mighty Everest, where the legendary British
mountaineers Mallory and Irvine disappeared
into the mists of history.
Days 13-16 Lalung La / Zhangmu, Tibet /
Kathmandu, Nepal Crossing the Lalung
La (16,600'), we feast our eyes on massive
Shishapangma (26,397') piercing the sky, and
then make our descent along the southern flanks
of the Himalaya into Nepal. Our final explorations
in Kathmandu’s bustling city bring us to some
of the city’s treasures including Bodhnath temple
and Durbar Square, with its elaborate architecture.
Depart on Day 16.