27th May 2006 marked yet another victory in favor of Americans, after Mr. Michael Jenkins attained glory by summiting 7045 m Mt. Lhakpa Ri. Michael along with his wife, Ms. Elizabeth Hebertson, headed for 24-day Tibet trek to climb Mt. Lhakpa Ri on 9th May 2006. The couple has several triumphs under their belt to boast their supremacy in extreme Himalayan Adventure. One such triumph is the achievement they attained last year after reaching Advance BC at 6300m.

The travel itinerary was exclusively designed to tailor the couple’s desire. After sightseeing Lhasa and Shigatse, they retreated towards mountainous terrains. As they continued climbing towards the summit of the Himalaya, their rock-strewn trails zigzagged through the glaciers making their trails more difficult and adventurous. Unfortunately, Elizabeth had to abort further climb after reaching ABC at 6300 m due to altitude sickness. Michael continued his mission and finally succeeded to reach the summit.

One of the Expedition team from Explore Himalaya encountered the American couple on this trip and had brief exchange of their traveling experiences. The couple during this interaction confessed that just like in their first trek with Explore Himalaya, they are happy and satisfied with this second trek. They further said that as discussed earlier Explore Himalaya has indeed offered them the best arrangement and logistic support. Michael also revealed that next year he would attempt to scale Mt Shishapangma, 8027m peak in Tibet, the 14th highest peak in the world.

We wish this lovely couple all the best for their yet another Himalayan Adventure!

Explore Himalaya recently organized the ‘Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu overland trip’ for the group of 5 persons from Russia. The trip was accompanied by our Executive officer Mr. Samundra Subedi.

Group at Potala Palace

The group drove to Nylam from Kathmandu to commence their trip to Lhasa. Enroute to Lhasa, the group visited different interesting places and monasteries. After visiting Lhasa, the group drove back to Kathmandu just in 3 days stopping in Shightse and Zhangmu.

View from Naylamthungla

Although, there were some hiccups on the way, the group was greatly satisfied and found the tour to be “excellent and memorable one’.

Potala Palace

Here is what they had commented concerning their trip and experience:

“We are very glad for the tourt to Tibet which was organized by Explore Himalaya! All journeys were nice and we like it! We are in Moscow now and full of impressions! Thank you! We’ll keep it in our memory during long time!” – Anna

“Thank you for a wonderful trip to Tibet in July of this year, for help and support. Impressions are very bright and with time do not fade”. Lyudimila

Norbulinka Palace

Karo la Glacier

Yam drok tso Lake

Photos: Lyudimila, Samundra

Tibet Overland Tours

During the recently held fourth meeting of Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee in Lhasa, Tibet, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the representatives of both the respective nations. According to the pact,the Tibetan authorities have agreed to resume the Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service and provide visa to international tourists.The Tibetan authorities have also decided to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in Tibet through media and hoarding boards and allow regular helicopter services from Nepal to Mansoravor Lake area.

Australian travel company ‘Travel Directors’ and Explore Himalaya organized a road trip across the Tibetan plateau for 25 Australian bikers from 18th to 30th May 2010.The bikers  riding on Bullet Enfields hit the road from Lhasa, speeding across Friendship Highway traversing  the Tibetan cities of Gyantse, Shigatse and Shegar. The chief highlight was the bikers ride to Rongbuk(Everest Base Camp). From Rongbuk the team sped down to  Zhangmu and finally from there to Kathmandu.The group was led by Tony Evans from Travel Directors, Australia.3 Nepalese road captains and a support vehicle accompanied the group.

Nepali and Chinese officials have agreed to operate Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights. Nepal Airlines Corporation will start the direct flight to Lhasa, while China Airlines will operate Canton-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights.

The agreement was reached during the Third Joint Tourism Coordination Committee Meeting on November 9. The meeting also decided to promote a joint rafting industry by the private sector of both sides, develop an action plan to establish a trekking route from Lomanthang of Nepal to Mansarovar of Tibet.