So What's Next?

Our program officially ended today, but I still have some more time in India. I fly home on August 15, but that does not give me as much time in this beautiful country as one might think…

…because I’m spending the majority of the time somewhere else…

…TIBET!!!

Here’s what I’ll be up to for the next little while:

August 2: I will fly to Delhi on my own.

August 3: I will fly to Kathmandu, Nepal, where I will meet up with the representatives from Unique Path Trekking, who will take me through the formalities of getting a Nepal visa and a Tibet permit.

August 4: I will spend the day touring the city of Kathmandu.

August 5: The guided tour will begin. We will take an early morning scenic drive through the Nepalese countryside to Kodari, which is on the Nepal/Tibet Border. We will take care of some immigration formalities there, then continue the drive to Nyalam, where we will spend the night.

August 6: We will drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world, where the view of the Tibetan landscape will offer the feeling that we’re standing on the roof of the world. We will cross over Lalungla (5,050 meters) from where we will see the breathtaking panorama of the beautiful Himalayan ranges, including Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 meters) and Mt. Zishapagma (8,012 meters). But these are dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibetan plateau. From here, we will enjoy the magnificence of Mt. Everest (8,848 meters). That’s right – I said Mt. Everest!!!

August 7: We will continue the scenic drive, crossing over Gyatchula (5,220 meters), the highest pass en route to Lhasa (capital of Tibet). We will pass Lhatse, from where the road to Mt. Kailash bifurcates to the west.

August 8: In the morning, we will sightsee at the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhmpu Monastery. Then we will drive to Gyantse and visit to the Kumbum Stupa and Phalkor Monastery.

August 9: We will take a picturesque drive, crossing over Karola (5,010 meters), Kambala (4,794 meters), colorful Yamdrok Lake, and the Tibetan lifeline river Brama Putra (a.k.a. Yarlung Tsangpo).

August 10 & 11: We will have two full days of sightseeing in Lhassa, including Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar, Potala Palace, and Drepung and Sera Monasteries.

August 12: In the early morning, we will drive to Gonggar airport for our departure flight to Kathmandu. In the afternoon, I will catch a flight back to Delhi.

August 13: I will fly back to Cochin to repack my bags, get some rest, and prepare for the long journey home.

I can’t wait to tell you all about the trip when I return in a couple weeks! Talk to you then…