Highlights of Himalayan Frontiers

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Himalayan Frontiers. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Highlights of Kathmandu - Lhasa

Kathmandu
Nepal's capital is a fascinating city narrow streets and alleyways, palaces and hidden temples, with a huge diversity of people. The city is centred around Durbar Square, home to the Royal Palace and numerous temples. The alleys leading from the square are filled with shops and bazaars selling an amazing range of products. The Buddhist stupa of Swayambhu, known as the monkey temple, is the oldest holy shrine in the valley and offers spectacular views. Bodhnath Stupa is one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, surrounded by temples. Pashupati is the most famous Hindu temple in Nepal, set on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu

Nepal's capital is a fascinating city narrow streets and alleyways, palaces and hidden temples, with a huge diversity of people. The city is centred around Durbar Square, home to the Royal Palace and numerous temples. The alleys leading from the square are filled with shops and bazaars selling an amazing range of products. The Buddhist stupa of Swayambhu, known as the monkey temple, is the oldest holy shrine in the valley and offers spectacular views. Bodhnath Stupa is one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, surrounded by temples. Pashupati is the most famous Hindu temple in Nepal, set on the banks of the holy Bagmati River.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Valley

Towns of Kathmandu Valley
The towns of the Kathmandu Valley combine the architectural and cultural richness of the capital in a much less developed setting, making for some beautiful and atmospheric locations. Across the Bagmati River 14km east of Kathmandu lies Patan (or Lalitpur), known as the 'City of Beauty', renowned for its Durbar Square with more than 50 temples and shrines. Bhaktapur (or Bhadgaun), known as the ‘City of the Devotees’, is a beautifully preserved medieval town of potters and pagodas. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Valley

Towns of Kathmandu Valley

The towns of the Kathmandu Valley combine the architectural and cultural richness of the capital in a much less developed setting, making for some beautiful and atmospheric locations. Across the Bagmati River 14km east of Kathmandu lies Patan (or Lalitpur), known as the 'City of Beauty', renowned for its Durbar Square with more than 50 temples and shrines. Bhaktapur (or Bhadgaun), known as the ‘City of the Devotees’, is a beautifully preserved medieval town of potters and pagodas.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Valley

Everest
One of the world's classic trekking destinations is in the Khumbu Valley of the eastern Himalayas underneath the towering peak of the world's highest mountain - the incomparable Mount Everest (8848 metres). Located in Sagarmatha National Park, this area comprises several dramatic mountain peaks in addition to Everest, glaciers and deep valleys formed by tributaries of the Dudh Kosi which flows southwards through Lukla (2,800 metres), the base for exploring the park. This is the home of the Sherpa people, with their unique culture based on the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which can be encountered in the town of Namche Bazaar with its Sherpa Museum and Visitor Centre and the famous and sacred monastery at Thyangboche. Trekking options in the park range from moderate introductory trails to the classic trek to Everest base camp and the challenging ascents of mountains like Mera and Island Peak. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sagarmatha National Park

Everest

One of the world's classic trekking destinations is in the Khumbu Valley of the eastern Himalayas underneath the towering peak of the world's highest mountain - the incomparable Mount Everest (8848 metres). Located in Sagarmatha National Park, this area comprises several dramatic mountain peaks in addition to Everest, glaciers and deep valleys formed by tributaries of the Dudh Kosi which flows southwards through Lukla (2,800 metres), the base for exploring the park. This is the home of the Sherpa people, with their unique culture based on the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which can be encountered in the town of Namche Bazaar with its Sherpa Museum and Visitor Centre and the famous and sacred monastery at Thyangboche. Trekking options in the park range from moderate introductory trails to the classic trek to Everest base camp and the challenging ascents of mountains like Mera and Island Peak.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sagarmatha National Park

Annapurnas
The Annapurna Range of the Himalayas Mountains is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal. The area offers spectacular views of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Annapurna I, II and II, Dhaulagiri and the fish-tail peak of Machhapuchhare. It is also a culturally rich region, with mountain villages of a diverse group of Hindu and Buddhist peoples. From a base in the picturesque town of Pokhara, trekking options range from moderate introductory treks to the long circuit around the Annapurnas and a route to the incomparable Annapurna Sanctuary.

Annapurnas

The Annapurna Range of the Himalayas Mountains is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal. The area offers spectacular views of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Annapurna I, II and II, Dhaulagiri and the fish-tail peak of Machhapuchhare. It is also a culturally rich region, with mountain villages of a diverse group of Hindu and Buddhist peoples. From a base in the picturesque town of Pokhara, trekking options range from moderate introductory treks to the long circuit around the Annapurnas and a route to the incomparable Annapurna Sanctuary.

Lhasa
Lhasa Lhasa is the religious, cultural and economic centre of Tibet. Its most imposing feature is the Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century and the symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. Built between the 7th and 17th centuries, the palace resides atop Red Mountain and comprises over 1,000 rooms across its 13 stories, though only 15 are accessible to tourists. The complex includes the White Palace, which includes the throne of the Dalai Lama and his personal apartments, and the Red Palace, which contains chapels and stupa tombs of previous Dalai Lamas. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace, is located on the bank of the river 2km from the Potala Palace. The 18th century garden palace is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. The Jokhang Temple Monastery in the centre of Lhasa's old town is the most sacred temple in Tibet, attracting pilgrims from all across the country. It includes the Jowo Rimpoche, a gilded statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, and is surrounded by the Barkhor, an 800m flagstone pathway which is walked by pilgrims and houses Lhasa's main bazaar. Other sites of interest in the city include Drepung and Sera Monasteries, the latter renowned for the daily philosophical debates by the resident monks. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

Lhasa

Lhasa is the religious, cultural and economic centre of Tibet. Its most imposing feature is the Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century and the symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. Built between the 7th and 17th centuries, the palace resides atop Red Mountain and comprises over 1,000 rooms across its 13 stories, though only 15 are accessible to tourists. The complex includes the White Palace, which includes the throne of the Dalai Lama and his personal apartments, and the Red Palace, which contains chapels and stupa tombs of previous Dalai Lamas. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace, is located on the bank of the river 2km from the Potala Palace. The 18th century garden palace is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. The Jokhang Temple Monastery in the centre of Lhasa's old town is the most sacred temple in Tibet, attracting pilgrims from all across the country. It includes the Jowo Rimpoche, a gilded statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, and is surrounded by the Barkhor, an 800m flagstone pathway which is walked by pilgrims and houses Lhasa's main bazaar. Other sites of interest in the city include Drepung and Sera Monasteries, the latter renowned for the daily philosophical debates by the resident monks.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

Namtso Lake
Located north of Lhasa, Namtso Lake is the largest and one of the holiest in Tibet, attracting pilgrims who spend weeks circumnavigating it (80km long by 30km wide). The lake is located at 4,718 metres and is towered over by the Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range, with several peaks over 7,000 metres. There are numerous Buddhist temples around the lake, including some remarkable rock shrines.

Shigatse
Shigatse Shigatse is Tibet's second largest town, situated at 3,900 metres near the confluence of the Ngang and Yarlung Tsangpo rivers. The Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the great centres of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery survived the Cultural Revolution intact and contains numerous impressive chapels and prayer halls, as well as a giant statue of Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya containing 280kg of gold and an ornate tomb which is the final resting-place of the fourth Panchen Lama.

Shigatse

Shigatse is Tibet's second largest town, situated at 3,900 metres near the confluence of the Ngang and Yarlung Tsangpo rivers. The Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the great centres of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery survived the Cultural Revolution intact and contains numerous impressive chapels and prayer halls, as well as a giant statue of Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya containing 280kg of gold and an ornate tomb which is the final resting-place of the fourth Panchen Lama.

Everest Base Camp (North Face)
Everest Base Camp (North Face) A drive and trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides spectacular views of the north face of Everest and the neighbouring Himalayan peaks. From the Friendship Highway just after Shegar, a dirt road takes you 85km to Rongphu, over the Pang La pass at 5,120 metres which offers a superb panoramic view of the peaks of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang and Makalu. The monastery at Rongphu (4900m) provides a stunning view of the north face of Everest as its colour changes with sunset. From here you can trek or take a pony cart to base camp, where there are great close up views of the Everest, a small hill decorated with hundreds of colourful prayer flags and a memorial to Mallory and Irvine's climb in 1924.

Everest Base Camp (North Face)

A drive and trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides spectacular views of the north face of Everest and the neighbouring Himalayan peaks. From the Friendship Highway just after Shegar, a dirt road takes you 85km to Rongphu, over the Pang La pass at 5,120 metres which offers a superb panoramic view of the peaks of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang and Makalu. The monastery at Rongphu (4900m) provides a stunning view of the north face of Everest as its colour changes with sunset. From here you can trek or take a pony cart to base camp, where there are great close up views of the Everest, a small hill decorated with hundreds of colourful prayer flags and a memorial to Mallory and Irvine's climb in 1924.

Friendship Highway
The Friendship Highway links Lhasa in Tibet with Kathmandu in Nepal across the spectacular mountain scenery of the Himalayas. Driving south from Lhasa, you cross the Kamba La (4794m) mountain pass, with superb views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River behind and the scorpion-shaped turquoise lake of Yamdrok Tso ahead. After following the lake shoreline, you pass Karo La (5010m), close to a hanging glacier near the summit, and then Simi La before reaching the town of Gyantse, home to the Pelke Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa. The route continues through high altitude plateaus and mountain passes past Shigatse and Shegar and through Gyatso La (5220m) to Tingre. Reaching the Nepal border, the views of the Himalayan peaks are magnificent at Lalung La (5000m) and Tong La (5100m) including Shishapangma, the only mountain in Tibet over 8,000 metres. Descending to Zhangmu, the border is crossed at the Friendship Bridge, followed by a short journey to Kathmandu.

Friendship Highway

The Friendship Highway links Lhasa in Tibet with Kathmandu in Nepal across the spectacular mountain scenery of the Himalayas. Driving south from Lhasa, you cross the Kamba La (4794m) mountain pass, with superb views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River behind and the scorpion-shaped turquoise lake of Yamdrok Tso ahead. After following the lake shoreline, you pass Karo La (5010m), close to a hanging glacier near the summit, and then Simi La before reaching the town of Gyantse, home to the Pelke Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa. The route continues through high altitude plateaus and mountain passes past Shigatse and Shegar and through Gyatso La (5220m) to Tingre. Reaching the Nepal border, the views of the Himalayan peaks are magnificent at Lalung La (5000m) and Tong La (5100m) including Shishapangma, the only mountain in Tibet over 8,000 metres. Descending to Zhangmu, the border is crossed at the Friendship Bridge, followed by a short journey to Kathmandu.