History

Tibet has a rich mythological, as well as recorded history.  The country\'s political and religious roots are inextricably bound.  The first written records date from 600 AD when a Tibetan ruler wed both Chinese and Nepali brides who brought Buddhism to Tibet.  During the region of the Mongols (c. 1200), the first Dalai Lama (\"Ocean of Wisdom\") was named and given authority over all of Tibet.  In the 1600s, Potala Palace was built with Lhasa as the administrative and religious center of a unified Tibet. At this time, good relations existed between China (the Manchus) and Tibet, but by 1705, China threatened Tibetan independence. The British were also concerned about territorial control of Central Asia and sought to establish a treaty with the Dalai Lama to secure their control. After the British invasion in 1895, a treaty was established between Tibet and Britain, resulting in Chinese insecurity and tightening of control.  When the Communists took control of China in 1949, incorporation of Tibet was a priority. By 1951, Tibet maintained control of their domestic affairs, but China had a significant military presence; conflict escalated as the Chinese suppressed Tibetan institutions and all things religious.  In the ensuing uprising of 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India.  In 1965, Tibet was established as the Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People\'s Republic of China ruled by Beijing.  By 1976, the subsequent systematic persecution and destruction of religious sites and artifacts reduced the number of monasteries to only ten. Since this time, Chinese control has relaxed somewhat, but 50 years of Chinese occupation continues to desecrate the Tibetan way of life.

The Himalayan mountain range, formed about 80 million years ago when India broke away from a massive proto continent, has effectively blocked moisture from reaching the Tibetan plateau.  This has resulted in the desertification of the once lush and fertile plains.  There are three distinct regions in Tibet: Northern Plateau, Outer Plateau & Southwestern Plateau.

Tibet, the Buddhist kingdom locked away in its mountain vastness on the Himalayas is a unique destination. It’s a land of an Ancient Buddhist Culture, Awesome  Landscapes, Artistic Monasteries , Exotic Cities, Hidden Valleys and Centuries – Old caravan Trails.

Lhasa Tours

This trip to Tibet offers the unique opportunity to visit Lhasa, the epicenter of Tibetan Buddhist religion and rule. Flying from Kathmandu (1,300m) over the spectacular Himalayan mountain chain, we\'ll arrive just outside Lhasa at almost 3,680m. We\'ll spend our first night in Tibet relaxing and acclimatizing to the significant increase in altitude. While in Lhasa, we\'ll tour the labyrinthine halls of the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the Potala Palace, and his summer residence, Norbulingka Palace, the seat of power over the Tibetan Plateau. We\'ll visit the largest monastic university in Tibet at Drepung and walk the kora around Jokhang Monastery with time to barter for goods at Barkhor Market, the heart of both trade and religion in Lhasa. We can travel just beyond the city limits to watch the scriptural debates at Sera Monastery.

Trekking in Tibet

Peak Climbing in Tibet

Expeditions in Tibet

Other Packages in Tibet