On a plateau, high above the firm ground we call home, lives a group of people who the world has been mystified and inspired by for much of our modern history.  It is here, in this spiritual land, that a line of Buddhist masters, known better as Dalai Lamas, have led followers toward clarity, humanity and compassion.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries…

The average trek to Lhasa, Tibet’s provincial capital, is by plane or train; both offer a speeding glance of an ascent up the Himalayas.  We have chosen a different mode of transportation: four-by-four vehicle.  As you slowly journey up, into and through the Himalayas, you will watch not only the scenery change but also the people and the way of life.  Living in this area is a harsh reality for many, but it hasn’t dampened their spirits. Don’t be surprised if they invite you in for a cup of Tibetan tea (complete with yak milk or butter, an interesting taste to say the least.)  It is this kind of cultural compassion and rugged lifestyle that you will be immersed in for the next month. With each day’s climb, you will find yourself putting on an extra layer of clothing, a luxury many locals go without, but rest assured that people will still welcome you with a hot cup of tea.

There is not much hurry…

After your drive up the mountain range – home to the world’s tallest peaks and a source of clean water for over a billion people – you will catch your breath and explore Lhasa for a couple of days. Your drive up will have introduced you to the Tibetan people, and while in Lhasa you will begin to understand where their sincerity and selflessness come from. 

The locals believe that here in Lhasa great spirits and gods once roamed the earth. It is also the home for sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery, which once served as safe refuges for Dalai Lamas who came to meditate and help others achieve inner peace.  While in Lhasa, you may try meditation or browse the streets Then, it will be time to pack up your bags again, hop back in the four-by-four and head for the Mount Everest Base Camp!

“Open your arms to change…”

Mount Everest is just the beginning.  After leaving Lhasa, you will travel across the Tibetan plains for 17 days.  The first three days will take you to Mount Everest, a mountain few foreigners have been able to tame but an area that locals have had a close relationship with for hundreds of years. After your time with the compassionate Tibetan people, the peacefulness of Lhasa and, finally, the enormity of Everest, you will understand why people say Tibet has a power to move you.

When you depart the base camp, you won’t be able to figure out if the chill down your spine is from the brisk mountain wind or the rush of new ideas and experiences.  As you continue your journeyacross the Tibetan plains, you will see the roof of the world go by and soundly fall asleep underneath the stars.  Each day will bring a new natural wonder, such asa three-day trek around MountKailish, revered around the world by four religions, or a quick dip in an array of freshwater lakes.  After you finally make your way back to Lhasa and have your last hearty Tibetan meal, you will board the plane and begin your descent back to sea level.  As you soar over Tibet’s mighty peaks, you will be proud to say you once called Tibet home.

If you have any questions about the Tibet Gap Year program, please e-mail to rick@rusticpathways.com.

Special Note: Scheduled Gap Year programs generally include all breakfasts and about half of the lunches and dinners during the program. Students are responsible for getting to the starting point for their Gap Year program. Internal transportation, all accommodation and included tours, activities, admissions, and fees are included as stipulated in the itinerary. If you have any questions about any of our Gap Year programs, please e-mail our Gap Year Divisional Director, Tim Porter-DeVriese at tim@rusticpathways.com.