DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN LHASA
Whether you arrive in Lhasa by train or by plane, your tour guide will meet you at the train station or at the airport to take you to your hotel and help you get checked in. Along the way into downtown Lhasa from the airport, you will be able to see the Yarlung Tsangpo/Bhamaputra River along the way – the largest and longest river in Tibet. Once you are at your hotel, you will have time to rest and relax to become acclimatized to the higher altitude, or, if you are ready to get started sightseeing, you can visit Potala Square with its different colored fountains and fantastic views of the Potala Palace.
DAY 2 LHASA TOUR – POTALA PLACE, JOHKANG TEMPLE, BARKOR STREET (B)
Today we will start off with the fantastic Potala Palace, which historically served as the winter home of the Dalai Lama. It was first used in the 7th century by the 33rd king of Tibet. The most valuable collections in the Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of the former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
After lunch, we will move on to the Jokhang Temple, which was also founded in the 7th century by the 33rd great king of Tibet to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni as he was at the age of twelve – this is perhaps the most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. Around the temple is Barkhor Street where you can perform the “Kora” (a religious circuit around a sacred building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals. The Barkhor market is also a great place to pick up locally made handicrafts and souvenirs.
DAY 3 LHASA TOUR – DREPUNG AND SERA MONASTERY (B)
This morning we will visit the Drepung Monastery – one of the great three Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, on Tosngkhapa’s main disciples, the Drepung Monastery is home of Ganden Palace, which formerly served as the Dalai Lama’s palace before later moving on to the Potala Palace.
In the afternoon we will move on to see another of the great three of the Gelug monasteries in Tibet – the Sera Monastery. Founded in 1419 by another main disciple of Tsongkhapa, Jamchen Chojey, the main attraction of this monastery is the lively scene of the monks debating Buddhist scriptures in the courtyard behind the monastery in the afternoon.
DAY 4 LHASA – YAMDROK LAKE – KAROLA GLACIER – GYANTSE (KUMBUM MONASTERY) (B)
This morning we’ll take a drive up to the Kampala Pass (elevation 4797 meters) where you’ll have a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. You will want to have your camera at the ready for the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, and the beautiful Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier as seen from the Karola Pass. Later on we’ll be able to visit the Karola Glacier before continuing along the southern Friendship Highway to Gyantse, where you will be able to see the famous Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late in the afternoon we will continue on to Shigatse where we will spend the night.
DAY 5 SHIGATSE – TASHILUNPO MONASTERY – LHASA (B)
We will get an early start today to visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, which was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. After visiting this ancient monastery, one of the most important sites in Tibetan Buddhism, we will head back to Lhasa in the afternoon.
DAY 6 LHASA – NAMTSO LAKE – LHASA (B)
We will leave your hotel early in the morning and it takes about 4 hours to get to Lake Namtso. Along the way there are some places to stop for taking pictures. When we get to the Lake, it is around lunch time and we can enjoy the view to the Lake. about 2 hours leisure time beside the lake, we will drive back to Lhasa around 8 pm. To experience the natural views of Tibet is a dream of many tourists. Today is a great day for witnessing Tibet’s natural beauty. Mountains, grasslands, and the holy Namtso are on order for today. Namtso, one of the famous Tibet tourists’ attractions, is one of the 3 holy lakes in Tibet, playing an important role among Tibetans.
DAY 7 DEPART FROM LHASA
Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to escort you on to the Lhasa airport or train station and help you make sure that you find the right place to board your flight or train for your departure from Lhasa.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✓ All necessary Tibet Travel Permit. (Including Tibet Entry Permit, Alien Travel Permit, Boarder Pass)
✓ Private professional English-Speaking local tour guide
✓ Licensed Vehicle with experienced driver
✓ All Entrance tickets to the sightseeing places listed
✓ Airport (or train) pick up and drop off
✓ Accommodation listed in the itinerary
✓ Breakfast provided by the hotel
✓ Tourists Accident/Casualty Insurance
✓ A container of Oxygen for emergency use
✓ All taxes, fees and handling charges
✓ Lodging and meal allowance to the guide & driver
✓ Reservation fee for visiting Potala Palace
✓ 2 bottles of drinking water per person per day
✓ One Welcome dinner in Lhasa
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✗ Meals not specified in the itinerary (All lunches & dinners)
✗ Flight/Trian tickets in and out of Tibet
✗ Sightseeing places not listed in the itinerary
✗ Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.
✗ Any losses incurred from the force majeure factor like government control, natural disaster etc.
✗ Tips to the guide & driver (Tips is not required but expected)
✗ Single room supplement
