trips

Starting Point

Hotel Marshyangdi
Thamel
Kathmandu
Nepal
Phone: 4700105, 4700022
Fax: + 977 1 4701008

Joining Point Instructions 

There is no airport bus service available at Tribhuvan, Kathmandu's International Airport so it's a matter of taking a taxi. This is very easy. There are two pre-paid taxi booths inside the terminal, one on each side as you exit the baggage claim area. They have fixed rates of NPR300 to anywhere in the Thamel area from 6am-8pm and NPR500 from 8pm-6am. If you wish to to entertain the masses you can step outside into the frantic ranks of drivers, touts and hangers on. Bargaining is the order of the day here and if you are good you may be able to get a taxi for NPR200, a massive saving of around 80 cents. It's a 20 to 50 minute journey depending on the time of day and the traffic levels.

Our Joining Point Hotel 

Situated in the heart of Thamel, Kathmandu?s mecca for tourists, Hotel Marshyangdi has been providing world-class accommodation to visitors since 1990. The meandering streets of Thamel, its variety of restaurants and stores, pulsing night life and easy access to major tourist sites and the airport make it a convenient place to stay.

Normal check in time at the hotel is after 12:00.

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Finishing Point

Hotel Marshyangdi
Thamel
Kathmandu
Nepal
Phone: 4700105, 4700022
Fax: + 977 1 4701008

Finishing Point Instructions 

A taxi to the airport will cost about NPR400 from 6am-8pm and NRP500 from 8pm-6am. Hotel reception or your leader can help you organise a taxi. Normal check out time is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

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Group Size

Maximum of 16 travellers per group

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Physical Rating - Moderate

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. This may be treks of up to 6 hours per day in steep terrain, or extended bike rides of more than one day. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

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Accommodation

Monasteries/guesthouses (14 nts).

Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share.

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Meals

While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Generally, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Please check the 'meal inclusions' section below for details of meals included.

Allow USD $200 for meals not included.

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Local Payment

There are no local payments on this trip.

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Single Supplement

A single supplement fee is not available on this trip.

Single travellers will be paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. 

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Included

This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.

Orientation walk - Kathmandu
Entrance to Everest National Park - Mt Everest
Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Potala Palace - Lhasa
Sera Monastery - Lhasa

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Not Included

International Flights
 

Optional Activities

Day trip to Ganden Monastery, Lhasa - CNY90
Summer Palace, Lhasa - CNY60
Drepung Monastery, Lhasa - CNY60
Norbulingka (Summer Palace), Lhasa - CNY60
Pelkor Chode Monastery, Gyantse - CNY40
Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse - CNY55
Rongphu Monastery, Rongphu - CNY140
Dhurbur Square, Kathmandu - US$4
Swayabunath, Kathmandu - US$1

We list the following optional activities for your information. This is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by your tour operator/agent nor included in price of this trip. If you do any of them, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with your tour operator/agent.

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Transport

Plane, private bus, local bus, walking.

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What to Take

We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack (whichever you find easiest to carry). A good size daypack is also essential.

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Health & Safety

For vaccinations please visit the MDtravelhealth website. 

Sun:
It is very important that you wear sun block, even on a cloudy day when it feels cool as we are near the equator and the sun is very strong. A sunburn can turn a pleasant trip into a painful trip.

Hydration
Even when days are cool please be sure to drink a minimum of two litres of water and refrain from drinking to many diuretics, as while when travelling outdoors the breeze can dehydrate you quickly as well as the heat.

Diarrhoea:
It is normal for people travelling overseas to get an upset stomach due to a change of climate and food. Please make sure that you wash your hands and stay away from street food.You will be required to complete a participation form on day 1 of the trip. 

Participation Form

You may be required to complete a participation form on day 1 of the trip.
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Live to Xplore Country Guides

China Country Guide

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Weather & Climate

China Country Guide 

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Important Info

Please note | that during Chinas national holidays (please refer to the Country Information on China for dates) it is peak travel season for Chinese Nationals. Although these are fascinating and exciting times to travel in China, please be aware your group could experience transport delays, larger crowds at tourist attractions and our normal itineraries may change slightly. If clockwork organisation is important to you we advise to book outside of these weeks.

Our boat trip on the Yangzi river through the famous Three Gorges is one that raises everyone's expectations. The Gorges are spectacular, but some words of warning are necessary.

The Yangzi river region is one of the most industrially developed areas in China, and we travel on Chinese boats rather than luxury tourist vessels. We like to call it a river trip, rather than a wilderness cruise! The Chinese authorities oversee the travel of all boats on the Yangzi, and we've found that predictability of service is not high on their list of priorities. We do everything we can to ensure the quality of our river trip, but some things are outside our control. We use a range of different boats, depending on availability. All boats are of a good basic standard which comply with our required safety standards , though the size and age of boat varies from trip to trip. As the departure times of the boats are subject to frequent change this can mean that we need to make some changes to our itinerary (including on rare occasions spending 1 less night on the boat) and at times we've been unable to see all three gorges in daylight. Any changes made will be done with the aim of giving you the best possible Yangzi experience but we'd like to forewarn you of the possibililty. Your leader will update you of any changes made to the Yangzi river section of the trip at your group meeting.

Due to the excessive heat in the summer months (June-August), the Great Wall excursion may be altered to provide a shorter, less strenuous trek. Your leader will advise you of any changes at the group meeting.

Sometimes the Monastery accommodation is not available during certain times of the year when there are many pilgrims. We will find comfortable alternative accommodation. 

Disclaimer | The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and tour operator/agent. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. This tour is run by Intrepid Travel.

Travel insurance |  is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader.

Visas | Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself.


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