23 MEET MOUNT EVEREST For mountain lovers, there is no better place in the world than the Himalayas. You might be surprised but it is possible to reach Mount Everest Base Camp by car. Gaze up at the world’s highest peak in all its glory! Did Tibet differ from what you expected? The awe-inspiring Himalayan landscapes were just as expected. Absolutely beautiful. I was a bit shocked at how large, modern and Chinese the capital of Lhasa has become. Generally, the Chinese influence in Tibet is quite extensive and while this is impressive with regard to the infrastructure, it is also sad to see how much this has interfered with Tibetan culture. It is an educational experience, particularly when you see how compassionate and generous the Tibetan people remain to be. What was the main highlight for you? From a cultural point of view, I would say that the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple are in a league of their own, although all the monasteries we visited were impressive. The landscapes are simply divine and driving through Tibet is a magnificent experience. The view of the Mount Everest range from Old Tingri particularly stands out. What is the one hidden gem you would send an Enchanting Travels guest to? A walk behind the Tashilhunpo Monastery to Shigatse Dzong in the early morning. This provides a special, spiritual atmosphere and great views of the city. What was your most enchanting experience? I was impressed with the guides and just how much interaction was possible with them. We learned a lot from our guide including some - albeit sad - personal stories. We only use Tibetan guides, and the ones we met were all friendly and knowledgeable with good manners. They provide you with an excellent opportunity to establish a personal connection and also take care of all the bureaucratic paperwork! How authentic is a vacation in Tibet? Tibet offers a unique and authentic experience - but a mixed one between traditional Tibetan culture and modern Chinese culture. Tibetan culture is most authentic in the old parts of the main cities of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, as well as in the small villages. If you have never witnessed modern Chinese culture then this is also impressive with regard to the infrastructure, but it is also somewhat scary and futuristic. There are excellent road conditions, rail connectivity at such heights, as well as quality vehicles and wonderful WIFI. What was your favourite hotel? There were actually two favourites! I loved Lingtsang Boutique in Lhasa as it’s in a great location, offering lovely views from the rooftop, and provides excellent quality in a heritage atmosphere. I also enjoyed Qomo Langzong in Shigatse, with its impressive lobby and the unique experience in the stargazer rooms, as well as the wonderful views of Shigatse dzong from the restaurant. Tell us about some of the food and cuisine you tried? Famous in this region, I tried yak meat in all its variants (in stew, fried, and as a burger). For a non-vegetarian, I found this quite nice. Unfortunately, I could not get myself to try the famous Yak butter tea., which is the favourite drink of the Tibetans. TRUE TIBET Our Enchanting Travels expert Sebastian Erckel shares his initial impressions of Tibet.