Kosherica Cruies | The Glatt Kosher Cruise and Tour Leader

TIBET & NEPAL

The Region of Tibet, that is spread across the Tibetan plain, from the Silk Road in the north, the Hindu Kush Mountains in the west, and the Himalayas in the south, also dubbed the roof of the world, is a very unique region. Among breathless landscapes, alongside a mountain range, in a vast open space, with lakes and rivers, lives the population of the minority, the Tibetan people. The area of Lhasa is the spiritual center of the unique Tibetan Buddhism which came to be since the Buddhism wandered from India to China and the countries of the east. Lhasa is also the capital of the Tibetan region in China, and the sacred capital of the special Tibetan nation, parts of which are located also in other counties of China, and with parts in India, Nepal and Bhutan. Some of the world's most spectacular monuments are built in Tibet. We invite you to a unique, exciting and thrilling tour.

Itinerary

Days 1-2, Mon-Tue, Tel-Aviv – Beijing

We meet at Ben Gurion airport and board a flight to Beijing. After landing we ride out to Nepal Tiananmen Square, known around the world for its size. This is the central square in Beijing, China's capital. The name means "the gate of heavenly peace", and is names so after the gate that separates the Forbidden City from the outside world. It was built in 1417. In its center is Mao's mausoleum, with his mummified body inside. The square's main recognition outside of China is on account of a few raging protests that were held there, and in specific the ones known as the Tiananmen Square riots, held in 1989. The protests were held by students around China who demanded to arrange democratic reforms in the country. The protests lasted a few weeks and were eventually suppressed by the army. We continue to tour the Temple of Heaven which serves as an amazing architectural landmark from the Ming dynasty era. The site is situated in marvelous gardens.

Day 3, Wed, Beijing – Lhasa-Yarlung Valley-Yumbu lakhand-Tastang

Today we board a flight to the other side of the Tibetan plain to Lhasa, Tibet's capital, which is located high in the mountains, at 3,650 feet. After landing we head to Yarlung valley, the birthplace of the Tibetan culture, which was ruled by the Yarlung king dynasty, believed to have been the descendants of a demon married to a monkey. On the way we stop by to visit Mindroling temple, one of the most important monasteries belonging to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. We continue to tastang and visit Yumbu Kang Palace whihc housed the Yarlung kings.

Day 4, Thurs, Testan-Samye Monestary-Lhasa

After breakfast we cross the yarlung river by ferry to visit samye, the first Tribetan Buddhist monastery. The enormous monastery was built with the characteristic of a Cosmic Mandala. After the visit continue to Lhasa. On the way we stop to observe local houses. Upon arrival a visit to Potala palace that served as the Dali lama's winter home. It is considered the biggest among the Tibetan monestry complex. The Potala is located on a hill that dominates the entire Yarlung valley, and stand out with red and white colors. We also visit the Summer Palace, the dwelling place of the Dali Lama's, for generations to come.

Day 5, Fri, Lhasa

Today we visit the hospital that specializes in Tibetan medicine. We continue on a tour of Jokhang temple, oldest and holiest of Tibet's temples. This temple was built by Songtsan Gambo, who founded Tibet in the 7th century AD. The temple is the biggest ethnographic museum in Tibet. Thousands of pilgrims arrive to this temple by car or by foot, to pray in it, and to dance in circles around it. We will see the market vendors and their stalls, selling holy artifacts. At the end of the tour of the city we return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Nepal Prayer and Shabbat dinner.

Day 6, Sat, Lhasa

After prayer and Shabbat lunch we head out for a walking tour of the surroundings.

Day 7, Sun, Lhasa-Yamdurk lake-Gyanjze

After breakfast we head west towards Gyanjze, which used to be Tibet's third largest city. The city still preserves the old Tibetan scents that have been long lost in other places. We drive alongside Yamdurk Lake, the prettiest of all Tibet's lakes, with its poignant turquoise colors. We climb the Karola Mountain pass, at a height of 5,010 meters. Upon arrival at Gyanjze we have a short city tour, with focus on the markets.

Day 8, Mon, Gyanjze-Shigatse

Today we tour Gyanjze, known for its cotton fields, and we'll visit Palkhor Monastery & Kumbum, with its unique Buddhist architecture. After the tour we head to Shigatse, which sits on a fertile piece of land and is surrounded by tall mountains, parallel to the Himalayas, the dwelling place of the Puncheon Lama, the second most important spiritual figure after the Dali Lama.

Day 9, Tue, Shigatse-Shegar

After breakfast we visit Tashihunpu Temple, where the penceon Lama sits. Then we visit Sakya Temple, the birth place of the Sakya System, which for a short while was the main stream in the Tibetan Buddhism (the 13th and 14th centuries). We continue to Lhatse way, rising to a height of 5,200 meters. From the pass we take in the beautiful moon shaped landscapes of the Tibetan plain.

Day 10, Wed, Shegar-Everest-Tingri

Today we drive towards Mt. Everest via the dry Tingri Toban. Along the ride we can view the Himalaya mountain range. The high peaks of Gojal, Langtang, Everest and Makalu. We reach base camp, from where all the climbers start their expedition to the top of the world's highest peak. Towards evening we continue driving to Tingri.

Day 11, Thurs, Tingri-Nyalam-Zhangmu

After breakfast we drive towards the town of Nyalam, and down into Bhote Kosi, a green river that splits the Himalaya. During the monsoon the walls of the river turn into flowing waterfalls. We continue driving, and walking a bit, towards Zhangmu, a small Tibetan village laying near the border with Nepal.

Day 12, Fri, Zhangmu-Kathmandu

Today we drive to Kodari bridge, on the Tibet-Nepal border. After clearing customs we continue to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. Upon arriving in the hotel we get ready for Shabbat. Prayers and Shabbat meal follow.

Day 13, Sat, Kathmandu

After prayers and Shabbat meal we head out for a stroll through the streets of this interesting old city of Nepal Kathmandu, and thamel, Israelis favorite street.

Day 14, Sun, Kathmandu-Monkey Temple-Nagarkot

Very early this morning one can take a paid flight over the Himalayan peaks, and Mt Everest, weather permitting. After breakfast we head out to Swayambhunath – Monkey temple, which overlooks the valley, dated back over 2000 years. Continue to Patan, a city that preserves the ancient Nepalese culture with amazing scenery of the Kathmandu valley. We will also visit some of the local villages. While walking through the narrow streets, time seems to stand still. We will be impressed by the style of life that the locals chose for themselves, living and conducting their trade on the streets. Towards evening transfer to a hotel in Nagarkot.

Day 15, Mon, Nagarkot-Bhaktapur-Kathmandu

We watch the sunrise over the Himalayas (weather permitting), then continue to tour Bhaktapur, city of believers, a city with many Buddhist temples built with amazing architecture. We continue to Budhanat Stupa, the largest Buddhist center in Nepal. We stroll through the stores of the exiled Tibetans around it. Afterwards transfer to the airport and board a flight to Delhi, India.

Day 16, Tue, Delhi-Tel Aviv

After breakfast we head to the airport for a flight to Israel.

Price Includes

International & Domestic Flights
Registration fee, airport and security taxes, fuel surcharges as of 01.01.09
Kosher half-board + supplies for preparing sandwiches for lunch
River cruises and elephant ride
First and/or good Tourist Class hotels Comfortable, air-conditioned touring coach
Tours and entrance fees according to the tour plan
Observant, experienced guide from the staff of Shai Bar Ilan

Price Excludes

Tips for local service providers ($130) to be paid abroad
Visa $120
Personal expenses
Travel Insurance
Shows and nights out not included in the tour plan
Tips for Israeli Guide ($3 per person per day is recommended)

Important To Know
* Changes may occur in the execution of the tour plan. We will make every effort to visit every place in the tour plan.
* Days of departure and return are included in the number of days of the tour. It’s important to arrange insurance for 15 full days.
* We have no control over airline seating or actual delivery of special meals ordered, change in flight times or delays. Responsibility for this is upon the airline alone.

Insurance
We urge all passengers to purchase travel and cancellation insurance immediately upon registration for the tour. This ensures a refund of expenses in case of cancellation due to emergency, illness or bereavement.

Date And Prices

Start date	End Date	Days	Price	Single supplement	Comments
07/26/2010	08/10/2010	16	4990 $	930 $

Terms

* Cancellation for any reason more than 30 working days prior to departure: $47 per passenger registration fee only
* Cancellation for any reason 14-29 working days prior to departure: $500 + $47 per passenger registration fee
* Cancellation for any reason 7-13 working days prior to departure: $1,000 + $47 per passenger registration fee
* Cancellation for any reason less than 6 working days prior to departure: The entire cost of the tour + all expenses per passenger
* Fridays, Shabbat and Holidays (including Chol Hamoed in Israel), and Sundays and Public Holidays abroad are not considered working days. If flight tickets have already been issued and/or any other services have already been purchased (visas, etc.) their costs will be added to the cancellation penalties mentioned above.

IMPORTANT: YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS BEYOND YOUR RETURN DATE