Day 1-2 --Depart from home. Fly to Los Angeles and on the Bangkok or Singapore.
Day 3-4 --Arrival in KTM where an Earthbound Expeditions employee will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check in. Since ancient times the Kathmandu valley has been an intermingling point for travelers and merchants from Tibet to the north and India to the south. This ideal location and highly fertile soils have left Kathmandu Valley with a plenitude of both Hindu and Buddhist temples as well as the spectacular medieval cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. We'll take a morning tour of the valley to see the key sites such as the classic Newari (the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley) architecture in the medieval city of Bhaktapur, the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath. The afternoon is yours to freely explore the many interesting sites in Kathmandu and Patan.  
Day 05 Tour departure from Kathmandu to Zhangmu (2500 m.) 123 km. Early morning scenic drive to Kodari (Nepal-Tibet border) through the beautiful Nepalese countryside and start short walk (2 hrs) uphill with porter to Zhangmu immigration. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Zhangmu to Xegar (4350 m.) 244 km. Day drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world. The Tibetan landscape here really lets you know why this is called the "roof of the world". Crossing over Nyalamu Pass (3800 m.) and Lalung-La (5050 m.), weather permitting. This is a breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges and plateau. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Xegar to Xigatse (3900 m.) 244 km. Continue scenic drive crossing over Gyatchu-La (5220 m.) the highest pass enroute to Lhasa via Lhatse.  From here the road to Mt. Kailash heads to the west. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Xiagtse to Gyantse (3950 m.) 90 km. Morning sightseeing at the Panchan Lam's Tashi Lumpu Monastery, drive to Gyantse and visit the Kumbum Stupa and Phadkor Monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Gyantse to Lhasa (3650 m.) 261 km. This whole day is filled with breathtaking panoramas. Drive over Karola (5010 m.), Kamba-La (4794 m.), colorfull Yamdrok Lake, and the Tibetan lifeline, the Bramputra River(Yarlunmgtsagpo). Overnight at hotel.
Day 10-11 In Lhasa Two full days sightseeing tour in Lhasa including Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazar, Potala Palace, Drapung and Sera Monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 Lhasa to Kathmandu Early morning drive to Gongar Airport for departure flight to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 Free day in Kathmandu
Day 14&15 Final departure from Kathmandu and arrive home.

All Photos copyright, 1997-2007 - Damian Hodkinson
Copyright - Earthbound Expeditions, USA, 2007. All Rights Reserved