Journey to the Roof of the World

Saturday, 14 September 2024

Depart the UK on overnight flight to Kathmandu

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Kathmandu.

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Sunday, 15 September 2024

Arrive in Kathmandu

On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Veloso Tours local guide and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Your guide will give you a short orientation tour to get you used to your local surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure.  

The roofs of the pagodas, the smells from the street stalls and the local people all combine to make Kathmandu a truly intoxicating and evocative city. Formerly three separate kingdoms, Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, these city-states were united during the late 18th century to create modern Nepal but still retain their individual characters. 

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Monday, 16 September 2024

Guided tour of Kathmandu

Enjoy a full day city tour today in the company of your expert Veloso Tours guide. We start at Durbar Square. Some 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, a building richly decorated with beautiful woodcarvings, which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess, a manifestation of the great goddess Durga. Nearby the former Royal Palace is a Mall Dynasty dwelling, once considerably more extensive than today. 

Next we visit Swayambhunath, the most ancient of the Valley’s holy shrines this golden-spired stupa tops a wooded hillock. Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.

In the afternoon, discover Boudhanath Stupa. This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and also one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. 

Then, take a break from the sightseeing and walk around the bustling area surrounding the stupa. There are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and plenty of Newari silversmiths. On the evening, we visit Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites, Pashupatinath.

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Tuesday, 17 September 2024

At leisure

Today is free to explore Kathmandu at your leisure, soaking up the wonderful atmosphere.

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Drive to Pokhara

Today we drive through incredible Himalayan mountain scenery past local villages and steep ravines to arrive to Pokhara. It's a long day and the mountain roads can sometimes be slow, but the views are very rewarding and invigorating. Check in at your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. 

Thursday, 19 September 2024

Trek to Birethanti

You will be collected from your hotel in Pokhara by your guide and taken for a trek briefing in the local Ker and Downey's office. We then continue by road with guide & porters to our trek start point in Nayapul (Approx. 1.5 hours).

Reaching Nayapul, our easy and undulating walk takes us to Sanctuary Lodge, less than one hour. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchre, as it is locally known.

Lunch is at the lodge followed by an optional walk to the village of Birethanti. Or you may choose to spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding river valley.

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Friday, 20 September 2024

Trek to Tomijong

Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave Sanctuary lodge & trek to Ker & Downey's Mala Lodge at 1,395 meters. The lodge is built along the lines of a traditional Nepalese village. Every room has spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains. After lunch at the lodge, we have an option to visit the local village of Tanchok where we visit a local house, now made into a museum. The contents of the house illustrate how the local people live, together with the tools and implements of day to day traditional village life. We might also visit a local school. Overnight at Mala Lodge on a full board basis. Approx trekking time 2-3 hours.

Saturday, 21 September 2024

Return to Pokhara and guided tour

After the Trek from Chandrakot to Lumle we arrive back in Pokhara, where your guide will take you on a tour of the city visiting Davi's Falls, Bindanashini temple, Gupteswor temple, Seti George, the Tibetan Camp and a boat trip on Phewa lake. The rest of the day is at leisure.

 

Sunday, 22 September 2024

Drive to Chitwan National Park

This morning we drive to your chosen lodge for a 3-night stay on full board basis. Royal Chitwan National Park is the first and best protected area in Nepal. It offers protection to an array of mammals such as the one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, sloth bear and wild bison, as well as more than 400 species of birds. The afternoon is at leisure. 

In the evening, we take a traditional Patela boat ride downstream the Rapti River towards the western boundary of the park formed by Himalayan Narayani. As you sail, look out for crocodiles and several Wetland Species, migrants and residents and if lucky get a closer view of the Rhinos wallowing in water.

Disembark at a preselected spot and another short walk gets you to a view point where chairs and a small BBQ are set up. Over chilled sundowners and hot grilled snacks enjoy the sunset and soak in the lovely views.

In the evening enjoy a cultural performance at your Lodge. Centuries old culture of ostensible survivors in Nepal, Tharu Dance is an amazing way of expressing the significance of festivals, farmland and the tradition of united families in the life of Tharus. The cultural performances are organised at the lodge after sunsets. We encourage guests to interact and join them in the performance.

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Monday, 23 September 2024

Jeep safari and canoe ride

Enjoy a morning Jeep safari & an afternoon canoe ride in the National Park.

In-between game drives you have the option of visiting a village visit that takes you to Tharu houses and an opportunity to experience the coexistence of modernity and tradition in the village. You will get a chance to learn and explore while streaming through the pollution free roads, stretches of farmlands and ancestral homes and welcoming locals.

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Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Guided nature walk

This morning enjoy a guided nature walk, a unique highlight of Chitwan. This on-foot safari helps you to be into the shoes of naturalists to explore study and unravel the hidden secret in the woods. The jungle walk offers a great chance of spotting wildlife and is quite adventurous. As per the interest of the guest the nature walks can be longer or shorter. There are well-defined circuits developed after observing the animal movement in different habitats of the park. The nature walks are led by an experienced naturalist and lodge’s local nature guide.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Fly to Kathmandu

Transfer to Bharatpur airport and fly back to Kathmandu. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Thursday, 26 September 2024

Fly to Lhasa

Transfer to the international airport for your flight from Kathmandu to Tibet, one of the most spectacular flights in the world. Your are literally flying over the roof of the world. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Take your time today to acclimatise to the high altitude.

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Friday, 27 September 2024

Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery

We start today with a tour of the Potala Palace, the defining symbol of Lhasa and Tibet. The winter home to ten Dalai Lama's, the huge 17th century structure is one of the most poignant on the planet, telling the story of life here before the Dali Lama was forced to flee to India. The roof terraces house the former residences of the Dalai Lama and afford sweeping views of the city.

We then visit Norbu Linka or Treasure Garden, the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas, a quiet and beautiful garden in the western part of Lhasa. Its construction was started by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755, and finished during the reign of the 13thand 14th Dalai Lamas in the 20th century. It is a huge well-kept garden, where you can walk around and enjoy the beauty of high altitude flora, and visit three palaces. The most interesting is the 14th Dalai Lama’s palace, where the murals of the audience hall depict events of Tibetan history, and his living quarters show his fascination with Western inventions. He escaped from this palace to India on March 10, 1959.

After an included lunch we conclude the day at the Sera Monastery, arriving in time for a guided tour, before the monks take to the courtyard for their afternoon debating sessions. Watching them express themselves so spectacularly, even without understanding the language, is a memorable experience. 

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Saturday, 28 September 2024

Optional excursions in Lhasa

Today is free for you to explore Lhasa at your leisure, or take an optional excursion to visit the Jokhang Temple, founded in the 642 AD by Tibet’s first Buddhist king with the help of his Chinese and Nepali wives.

Or visit Ani Tsankhung Nunnery and printing house, a nunnery where more than one hundred Buddhist nuns live today. It was built on a site used for meditation by Tibet’s first Buddhist king, Songtsen Gampo. The nunnery was originally built in the 15th century and later enlarged in the 20th century. The nuns make a humble living by making handicrafts and printing religious texts in the old traditional fashion with wooden blocks.

Sunday, 29 September 2024

Drive to Shigatse

We depart from Lhasa on our adventure across the Tibetan Plateau to Kathmandu, a journey you will never forget. The drive today is long, yet scenic across the Khamba la, Kora La (passes), along the shores of Lake Yamdrok Tso. Once an important trading town, Gyantse retains the feel of Old Tibet.

We visit Gyantse’s Monastery – Pelkor Chode. The main temple of Pelkor Chode, the Tsuklakhang was built 1418– 1425 AC by the 2nd prince of Gyantse. It was an eclectic academy with 16 dralsang (colleges) belonging variously to Sakya, Butonpa, Geluk and Kagyu schools. All the dralsang buildings have been destroyed, however the main assembly hall was preserved along with its remarkable (15th images and Murals). The top chamber is decorated with fantastic mandalas in Sakya tradition.

We continue our drive to Shigatse which stands at the confluence of Nyangchu and Brahmaputra Rivers. Shigatse is Tibet’s 2nd largest city. In Shigatse, we visit Tashilumpo Monastery which was founded in 1447 by a nephew and disciple of Tsongkhapa who was retroactively named the first Dalai Lama. Overnight in Shigatse on a bed and breakfast basis.

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Monday, 30 September 2024

Overland to Shegar

We continue our journey across the roof of the world towards Shegar via Sakya town. Sakya is the principal seat of Sakya School and as such played dominant role in the political and religious history of Tibet in the 13th and 14th century.

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Tuesday, 01 October 2024

Drive to Rombuk

After leaving Shegar, we will turn off the friendship highway for a stunning drive through Qomolangma National Park to reach the tiny Rombuk Gompa at 5000m.  In the afternoon time we will descend into the Rombuk valley and Everest will jump quickly into the view, which would be first chance to catch a glimpse of this inspiring mountain.

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Wednesday, 02 October 2024

Everest base camp view point

Today we drive to a special viewing point which gives magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse, Cho yu and many mountains. Stand in wonder at the world's highest mountain. We continue to Lower Kyrong via Paiko Tso Lake.

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Thursday, 03 October 2024

Drive to Trishuli

Today we will continue our drive towards the Nepal & Tibetan border at the end of your journey across the roof of the world. Kyrong or Gyirong Port (Rasuwa Port on Nepal side) is located some 160 km from Kathmandu and about 820 Km from Lhasa.

At the border, you walk across the Friendship Bridge that connects Nepal and Tibet. Then after necessary immigration formalities in Nepal part, we continue our journey towards Trishuli. The road connecting the border and Trishuli town is adventurous and expect a bumpy ride.

Friday, 04 October 2024

Drive to Kathmandu

We drive to Kathmandu where your will be transferred to your chosen hotel for your final night in the Himalayas. rest of the day at leisure to relax after your incredible adventure.

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Saturday, 05 October 2024

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for your daytime flight back to the UK.