Lying in the rain shadow, behind the great wall of the Himalayas is the vast expanse of the Tibetan plateau, the roof of the world. Much of the country is a spectacular arid desert, stretching thousands of kilometres into central Asia . This is a land of wide-open spaces, ancient cultures and mystical Buddhist tradition.
Famed as the Roof of the World, the Tibet autonomous Region of China lies on a plateau at an average elevation of 4000m. It is bounded by the Kunlun Mountains to the north and the Himalayas to the south. Tibet covers an area of 1.2 million sq. km. and has a population of 2.3 million.
Tibet , the very name evokes feelings of awe and mystery. A land of ancient culture, awesome landscapes, artistic monasteries and centuries-old caravan trails. Tibet is a destination out of the ordinary. For centuries Tibet has fascinated mankind. This land beyond the mighty Himalayas on the highest plateau in the world was almost inaccessible to the outside world until recently. This the " Land of Mysteries ", " Forbidden Land " has appealed to explorers, scholars, pilgrims and adventurers hoping to find a "Shangri La".
For centuries Tibet was forbidden to all but a few intrepid travellers as the Tibetans themselves chose to keep the rest of the world out of their country. Until the Chinese invasion in 1951, the nomads, farmers and traders lived a hardy, yet contented life. Religion and the state were inseparable and every aspect of daily life was governed by Buddhist teachings. The Dalai Lama, in exile in India encourages westerners to visit Tibet , as do the Tibetan people. By travelling through Tibet we increase our awareness of the Tibetan situation by experiencing first hand the resilient Tibetan culture and feeling something of the pilgrims spirit, undefinable but imperishable.
Loshar, the Tibetan New Year, is the largest and the longest festival. Sky burials, water burials, stupa burials and cremations are of great interest. Technology, medicine, Buddhist philosophy, astrology, drama and debating form the basis of ibetan science and culture.
The fascination of TIBET and its ever-smiling people have lured travellers for centuries, yet few have been able to make it. Remote and isolated by the most formidable mountain ranges in the World, LHASA - the ultimate Travel destination - is now within your reach.
Adventure on the road is never short on the beautiful Trans-Himalayan drive of over 970-kms, through four mountains passes, promising a panorama of a cultural and scenic diversity unsurpassable anywhere. The Buddhist monasteries of Drepung, once the largest; the Jokhang- a spirtual centre, and the awesome palaces of the Dalai Lama. Norbulingka or the Summer Palace and the Potala - the Traditional Seat are some of the highlights of visit.