Day 03: Kathmandu arrival
Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. You will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After arrival, we will provide a briefing about your trip. If you have any questions or doubts about your trip, they should be asked and clarified at this time. After this we will proceed a half-day sightseeing tour of Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
Starting in the vibrant capital city, Kathmandu, the tour serves as a golden opportunity to embark on an unforgettable journey through the center of the nation. You will get to explore at least five of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the valley itself, including Pashupatinath Temple, Swoyambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and two of the ancient Royal Durbar Squares.
Boudhanath Stupa: This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. With a diameter of over 100 meters, it is among the largest stupas in the world. There are several legends accounting for the stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics, and it is said that this stupa contains the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa.
Pashupatinath Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the most sacred Shiva shrines in South Asia. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva linga enshrined in its main temple. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism, as pilgrims, priests, devotees, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions, and cremation (ghats) intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. An inscription here dates from 477 AD, but it is believed that the shrine may have stood there for 1,000 years or even longer.
In the evening, enjoy leisure time and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04: Mountain Flight, Kathmandu City Sightseeing
In the morning the next day, you will enjoy a mountain flight (Everest flight) (optional USD 200 per person). This is one of the best ways to observe the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan Mountain Range. The flight operates between 6:15 am and 8:30 am. After returning from the mountain flight, you will have breakfast and then start a wonderful sightseeing tour of Kathmandu.
This tour offers a golden opportunity to embark on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant capital city, Kathmandu, where you will explore the remaining of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the valley, Swoyambhunath stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square.
Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. There are temples dedicated to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh, and Vishnu, all actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square, the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use, with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts.
The courtyards of the Royal Palace, with their ornamented windows, columned arcades, shrines, and sunken royal bath, are among the most beautiful in all of
the Kathmandu Valley.
Swoyambhunath Stupa: Located 6.5 kilometers west of Kathmandu, this great temple is situated on the outskirts of Kathmandu. No one actually knows who built it. Many believe that the Lichavis constructed it, while others believe that Emperor Ashoka visited it in the 3rd century. The Swoyambhunath complex consists of a giant stupa, a large ensemble of shrines and temples, and also includes a Tibetan monastery, a museum, and a library.
This site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple from the top of the hill to the east, and a road around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance. The top of the stupa offers a panoramic view of the valley.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu’s top tourist attraction is always bustling with activity. Although a few of the square’s 50-plus monuments date from the 12th century, most are from the time of the Malla Kings. Probably the most famous building here is the Kumari Bahal, richly decorated with beautiful wood carvings,
which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess and a manifestation of the great goddess Durga.
An intriguing piece here is the 17th-century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace, with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the social, religious, and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building.
In the evening, enjoy leisure time and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: Drive to Timure ( 2100M/ 128 km)
Pickup from hotel in Kathmandu in the morning. Then we will drive through small mountain road to the border at Nepalese side. On the way you can enjoy the waterfall, rivers & forest. Overnight at Timure, sasuwa, Nepal.
Day 06: Driver ( 40km) Acclimatisation day ( 2900 M) 2-3 hours hiking in kerung
After breakfast, drive to Kerung, located at the Nepal-Tibet border. Upon arrival at Kerung, you will meet our Tibetan guide at the border. Once there, the necessary immigration paperwork will be completed before continuing the drive into Kerung, which is approximately 20 km from the border.
Kerung is situated at an altitude of around 2,900 meters, and staying here for an additional day will assist with acclimatization to the higher altitude. To help your body adjust, you will embark on a 2-3 hour hike on this day as part of the acclimatisation process.
Day 07: Kerung to Tingri or Lhatse ( 4350M/ 225 km)
We wake up and have breakfast. Today, we will drive uphill to the highest plateau in the world, offering a typical view of the stunning Tibetan landscape. As we cross over Lalungla Pass (5,050m), you’ll experience the sheer feeling of standing on the “roof of the world.” Weather permitting, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panorama of the beautiful Himalayan ranges, which appear dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. From Tingri, you can admire the magnificent Mount Everest (8,848m) in the distance. Overnight stay will be at a hotel.
Day 08: Tingri to shigatse ( 3950m/ 300km) via Everest base camp
Early in the morning at 04:45 AM, we begin our tour to Everest Base Camp, driving through spectacular mountain passes, including Gyatso La Pass (5,200m) and Tsola Pass (4,500m), passing through some beautiful Tibetan villages along the way. Upon arrival, we visit the historic Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world. Afterward, we embark on a hike to Everest Base Camp, where you can witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Mount Everest up close. After returning from Base Camp, we rejoin the group and continue with a sightseeing tour of the Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Overnight stay will be in Shigatse.
Day 09: Shigarse to Lhasa (3650m) Via Gyantse
After breakfast, we have some morning sightseeing at the Panchen Lama Tashilhupu Monastery. Then, we drive through the biggest Agricultural field of Gyantse and visit the Kumbum Stupa Palkchoe Monastery. We have a total of 90km of driving Gyantse. After Gyantse continue to drive Lhasa.
It is a full day of picturesque scenery as we drive along along the turquoise Lake Yamadrok, crossing over Kampala Pass (4784m) and the Brahma Putra River (Yarlung Tsangpo). We drive a total of around 260km after Gyantse.
Overnight at hotel in Lhasa.
Day 10: Lhasa Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing tour of Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, Drepung, the biggest monastic university of Tibet & Nechung Monastery, temple of the State oracle of Tibet. There are many fascinating sights to see in Lhasa, and this is just the beginning.
Overnight in Lhasa
Day 11: Lhasa to Bejing
Early in the morning drive to Gongaar airport and take a flight to the capital of China, Beijing. Beijing is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends rich history with modernity. It’s known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and Tiananmen Square.
The city features a mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, bustling markets, and a diverse culinary scene. As a cultural hub, Beijing is home to numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters, reflecting both its ancient heritage and its role as a global city. With a population exceeding 21 million, it offers a dynamic atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the world.
Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jet lag.
Day 12: Bejing
Start today’s tour from the Temple of Heaven, where you can see or join the locals to do morning exercise, and then take about 2 hours drive to see the magnificent Great Wall (Mutianyu section, with a cable car up and down). Walking on the venerable ramparts, you will marvel at the unbelievable constructions and appealing landscape surrounding it.
Day 13: Highlights of Bejing
In the morning, the guide will pick you up to start today’s tour from Tiananmen Square, and then to the Forbidden City which is used to be the emperor’s home for around 600 years. When getting out from the royal palace, enjoy Chinese lunch at a local restaurant and then continue the tour to Hutong where you can take a rickshaw and learn about the daily life of ordinary people in the city. Transfer to the airport at the evening.
Tiananmen Square: It is one of the largest city squares in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise every day.
The Forbidden City: It is located in the center of Beijing, used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years, it is the grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China.
Rickshaw Hutong Tour: The old narrow paths with lots of courtyard homes where common people are living, they are like villages within megalopolis, through the hutongs’ teeming maze of alleyways, and you will see the old houses and learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens.
Day 14: Highlights of Istanbul
After we arrive at Istambul International Airport, we will have a small tour of Istanbul City. We start our day with a hotel breakfast and at 8am we start a tour to the centre of Istanbul. An Istanbul highlights tour typically covers the city’s most iconic landmarks and cultural sites. Key stops often include:
Hagia Sophia: This stunning architectural marvel has served as a cathedral and mosque and is now a museum, showcasing Byzantine mosaics and Islamic art.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): Famous for its striking blue tiles and six minarets, this mosque is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture.
Topkapi Palace: Once the residence of Ottoman sultans, this vast palace complex features beautiful courtyards, exquisite artifacts, and breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.
Grand Bazaar: One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, it offers a labyrinth of shops selling everything from spices to textiles.
Basilica Cistern: An ancient underground water reservoir with impressive columns and a mystical atmosphere.
Spice Bazaar: A vibrant market filled with aromatic spices, teas, and sweets, providing a sensory experience of Turkish culture.
In the afternoon we take a flight back to Malta.
