(7000ft) better known by its Tibetan name Khasa is a small settlement clinging to hillside 10km in land from the Friendship bridge across the Bhotekshi river. After the closure of the china/ India boarder from Gangtok, Zangmu has become the major trading post between Tibet & Nepal

(12200ft) known as ‘Kuti’ to Nepalese traders, used to be an important trade post tucked into a fertile valley.

(142000ft) is a military base camp situated at the start of the Tibetan plateau. After passing through the Thongla Pass (164000ft), from where the most panoramic view of the Northen face of the Himalayan ranges unfolds. The best view of Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks can be seen from the road at Gutsuo.

(138000ft) is a new Chinese commune built at the ruins of Xegar Dzong, and is 7 kms from the main road. With a populaton of 3000, its importance lies in the fat that it is the center of this large and remote country and also a base from where expeditions to Mt. Everst and other peaks are launched.

(13100ft) is  situated at the cross roads  from where the roads turns westwards towanrs Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar lake.

(12600ft) is most famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery the seat of Panchen Lama, who is regarded as the re-incarnation of the Buddha of endless enlightenment. Items of interest inside the monastery built in 1447 by the first Dali Lama are the relics of Shakyamuni the hall of Maitreya and a mind boggling collection of Thankas, Frescoes and statues. Xigatse is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, Lying 254 kms west of Lhasa.

Lies 143 km to the southwest of Sigatse. Sakya Monastery is the center of the Shakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, was founded in 1073 by Knochok Gyalpo. During therule of the sakyapas the priest patron relationship between Tibet and china was established. Sakyapa rulers reigned over Tibet for nearly a hundred years from 13th – 14th century. Many of its priceless images, forescos, statues holy sctiptures remaining today date back to the time of its founding.

(13050ft) is a small agricultural town between Lhasa and Shigatse famous for its woolen carpets and the Palkhor choide Chorten among the Lamasery & the fort, this unique structure built in 1414 consists of 5 storied represent ting the five steps to enlightenment, topped by 13 rings which symbolizes the stage of advancement towards Buddha Hood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes and Buddha Shrines, the frescoes showing a strong influence of India. It made the world headlines in 1904 when colonel Young Husband, who led a British expedition to Tibet, defeacted the Tibetan army there.

(14300ft) is a settlement by the shores of Yamdrok Lake. This fresh water lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes, is sweet and non-saline, extending for 6-4 square km. In the shape of the two princers of a large scorpion. During summer it is turquoise green in color. But during winter it has a thick curst of ice over it. It is abundant in fish and migratory birds can be seen it its vicinity. At a mountain pass at of 1600ft, reroute Nagarje one can see even in summer the holy pinpointed glacier.

( 11850ft) was, and still is the religious, cultural, and economic center of Tibet. Places of interest are: Potala Palace the 13 storied 1000 rooms palace of the Dali Lama; the monastery of Drepung and sera, the summer palace of the Dali Lama, Norbulingka and the Jokhang the holiest shrine  of Tibet the circular Barkhor Bazaar with innumerable shops and way side paddlers intermingled with the devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang enfusing the magic that is Tibet. The literal meaning of Lhasa is “ place of gods”. As Tibet’s  political religious and cultural center, it is a city truly blessed by the gods where life is unhurried, its people jovial and yet remaining staunchly independent.

The Potala palace is surely one of the wonder of the world. It rises more than 3000m over the valley floor. This legendary palace, built a top a single hill is synonymous with Tibet. First built in the 70th century, as a fortress by Tibet’s foremost Kong. Songtsen Gompo. It was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by the th Dalai Lama. The Potala was seat and symbol of Dalai Lama unique rule over the temporal and spiritual affairs of Tibet. This 13 storey, 1000 rooms, living quarter of the Dalai Lama’s apartments for regents, tutors. High lamas splendid ceremonial areas, shrine and corridors, Treasuries, cell for monks and servants, granaries and store rooms. The 5th  Dalai Lama Kundung (Chorden) is covered with 3700 gold and the13th Dalai Lama with a ton of gold besides priceless jewels. The palace of Dalai Lamas have now become more a museum than a palace.

The “Jewel Pard as it is know is Tibetan, was built in the 18th century and served as the summer palace of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas. The palace is an interesting mixture or religious and modern elements and aswe walk through to see the main hall, an audience hall, the Dalai lama’s bed room and prayer room and the room for his mother. This colorful garden landscape was the  site of picnic and public gatherings. The palaces are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere of peaceful repose.

Once is was the second largest of all the monastries in Tibet. “sera” Enclosure of Wild rose’ was founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa. At its peak, it housed over7000 monks and was famous for its warrior monks, the “Dob-Doa” we will visit Ngawa Chanting hall and see the remarkable murals in the drezme colleges chanting hall.

Situated in the heart of old lahasa, house which was brought as gift by the Chinese princes Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gompa. Surrounding the Jokhang temple is the bustling Barkhor market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa.

Dreppung linkes 8km west of Lhasa on the main road, then 3km north and steep unpaird road. Its name Drepung means “rice Heap”, was the biggest and the richest of all the monastries in Tibet. This monastery is said to be the largest Monastery in the world, housing over 10000monks and governed 7700 subsidiary monastries and was divided in to four colleges, each with its chanting hall, dormitories, kithchens and offices. It was founded in 1416 by the disiple of Je tshonkhapa, founder of the Yello had Gelukpa sect of  Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and fourth Dalai lama lived and were entombed here. The  entire monastic communities assemble only for special cere monies and festivals. Today, about 400 monks lived there. Approaching Drepung, You will see the Neching Temple, the home of the state oracle the present oracle lives in India

Walk along the Barkhor street that circles the Jolkhan and you are in the heart of the old Lhasa with its narrow streets white- washed stone homes, window framed in black and brightly painted woodwork and almost everyone has got something to sell over there. T surphu (Tuling Churba Gompa), lies northwest of Lhasa, just off the main Lhasa.

(12000ft) is 220 kms south of Lhasa is located in the Yarlung valley. No tour of Tibet is complete with out a visit to Tsedang. This region abounds with important historical landmarks such a Samye, Yumbulkhangm chonggye, mindroling and other. Samy monastery was built in the 8th century by Padmasambhava (lotus born guru), the great disciple of Buddha himself, and is the oldest in Tibet.

Situated about 12kms south of Tsedang, is the first palace built by the Tibetans for their first recorded king Nyatri Tsedpo, who is believed to have descended from heaven. It was destroyed during the cultural revolution and the present structure is and expact replica of the original rebuilt 1982. Lake Namtso (15400ft) also known as “the Heaven Lake”  is the tibet’s largest salt water lake having a surface area of 1940 sq kms. And it is estimated to take approximately 18 days to circumbulate.

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