To the Roof of the World

A Photo Cultural Journey with photographer

Lewis Kemper

On the Roof of the World. Locked away for centuries, Tibet has always held a unique place in the human imagination, conjuring an unearthly realm beyond our reach. We begin our photography journey of Tibet with four wonderful days in the magical environs of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, its skyline dominated by the majestic ramparts of the Potala Palace.

Leaving Lhasa we photograph the turquoise waters of Yamdruk Lake on our way to Gyantse to explore the Kumbum chörten. Continuing via Shigatse and the monastery at Tashilhunpo (home of the Panchen Lamas) we reach the North face of Everest in time to see the setting sun light up the mountain. We will spend the full moon night at the base of Everest before ending our tour in the colorful bustle of Kathmandu.

Outline Itinerary – 2011

Day 1, September 24: DEPART USA

Day 2, September 25: ARRIVE CHENGDU
You will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel.

Day 3, September 26: TO LHASA
In the morning, our group will take the sunrise flight from Chengdu to Gongkar, home to Tibet’s international airport. If the weather is clear, this sunrise flight from Chengdu to Tibet will offer magical panoramic mountain views, including the 24,783’ Minya Konka and the mighty Namche Barwa, 25, 439’. Upon arrival at Gongkar, we will be met and transferred to our hotel in Lhasa.

Day 4, September 27: EXPLORING LHASA
The goal of many intrepid travelers and explorers, the “forbidden city” of Lhasa will reveal its unique character and many mysteries as we visit many of its most significant historical and cultural sites. Today’s itinerary includes visits to two of the area’s most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, Drepung and Nechung.

Days 5, 6 & 7, September 28, 29 & 30: EXPLORING LHASA
We have three additionla days to explore and photograph in and around Lhasa. Looming over Lhasa and the Kyi-chu Valley is the monumental Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lamas. A visit to this amazing historical site is certainly a highlight of any trip to Tibet, and today we will explore the many chapels, halls and tombs of the Red Palace. In addition to the Potala, we will also visit Sera Monastery, located to the north of Lhasa, which is perhaps most famous for the renowned and always lively sessions which take place in the Debating Courtyard. We will make a pilgrimage to the Jokhang, Tibet’s most sacred religious temple. The roof of the Jokhang, with its wonderful golden gables and carvings, offers a magnificent view of the Potala. The Barkhor, the maze-like warren of shops and stalls that surrounds the Jokhang, will beckon us to join the Tibetans who travel here to pay homage to the Jokhang as they circumambulate the sacred shrine.

Day 8, October 1: TO SHIGATSE
We leave Lhasa, driving along the Tsangpo River to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, and home to Tashilhunpo monastery, residence of the Panchen Lamas. Here we partake in the annual Tashilhunpo Cham Festival.

Day 9 October 2: SHIGATSE – FESTIVAL
We have the full day to observe and photograph the Cham dances (masked dance drama) and the brightly clothed pilgrims that flock to the festival from different parts of Tibet.

Day 10, October 3: EXCURSION TO GYANTSE
Today we visit and photograph the monastery of Pelkor Chöde, home to one of Tibet’s most indelible sites, the Kumbum (the Temple of the Hundred Thousand Buddhas).

Day 11, October 4: TO SHEGAR
This is a travel day, as we leave the hustle and bustle of Shigatse and head out across the starkly beautiful Tibetan Plateau towards our destination, the town of Shegar.

Day 12, October 5: TO RONGBUK & EVEREST
A pre-dawn departure brings to Pang La, a 17,000 ft high pass offering a panoramic view of the Himalaya, in time for sunrise photography. Descending down from the pass we reach the one-of-a-kind destination: base camp at the north face of the mighty Everest, at 29,017’ the world’s tallest mountain peak. As we adjust to the elevation of base camp (16,700’), we will have the opportunity to explore the photogenic Rongbuk Monastery and catch the last rays of the setting sun on Everest.

Day 13, October 6: TO ZHANGMU
After sunrise on Everest, we leave the majestic north face of behind as we head to Nepal. We begin the precipitous drop in elevation, 9,000’ in total, as we reach the frontier town of Zhangmu, elevation 7,500’.

Day 14, October 7: TO KATHMANDU
We rise in the morning, with porters and baggage in tow, as we clear customs and cross the Friendship Bridge into Nepal. We then drive to legendary Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, where we will visit Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka and the bazaars of old Kathmandu. Tonight we will enjoy a splendid Farewell Dinner.

Day 15, October 8: DEPART KATHMANDU
We will be transferred to Kathmandu’s airport for flights to our respective Asian transit cities for connecting return flights to the USA.

Day 16, October 9: RETURN TO USA
You depart your Asian transit city, arriving in the USA the same day.

Lewis Kemper

Lewis Kemper has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and its park lands for over 29 years specializing in nature and outdoor photography. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide.

Lewis teaches photography for many organizations including Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Workshops, Lepp Institute and BetterPhoto.com. He is the author of The Yosemite Photographer's Handbook, and The Yellowstone Photographer's Handbook. His work has been published in numerous books including publications by The Sierra Club, The National Geographic Society, Little Brown, APA Insight Guides, Sequoia Communications, Prentice Hall, Hyperion Books, Companion Press, Cachuma Press. Currently Lewis is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer and PC Photo magazines.

Lewis photographs in color using 35mm and 4 x 5 cameras. He has been named to Canon USA’s elite group of photographers, The Explorers of Light. Canon USA has selected 62 photographers to represent Canon and its photographic products.

For more on Lewis, please visit his website.

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.

"Lewis was excellent. I was a beginner photographer and I got all the help I needed."
- Wendy G, OH

Potala Palace at night
Photo: Lewis Kemper

Photo: Lewis Kemper

Maitreya Buddha
Photo: Lewis Kemper

Photo: Lewis Kemper

Traditional Tibetan drum
Photo: Lewis Kemper

Prayer flags
Photo: Lewis Kemper

North face of Everest
Photo: Lewis Kemper