DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LHASA
When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel .An route to view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river.
After arriving in Lhasa ,you can take a rest and acclimatize to plateau environment. If you feel to go out, then you can go to the Potala square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.
DAY 2 LHASA CITY SIGHTSEEING – POTALA PALACE – JOKHANG TEMPLE – BARKHOR STREET (B)
Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the only most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism. Around the temple is Barkhor street where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, in the meantime you can buy souvenirs.
DAY 3 LHASA CITY SIGHTSEEING – SERA MONASTERY – DREPUNG MONASTERY (B)
In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace used to be Dalai lama’s palace in the Drepung before he moved to the Potala palace.
In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.
DAY 4 LHASA – DRAK YERPA – GANDEN – LHASA (B)
In the morning, you are going to Drak Yerpa which is one of the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism. It is located on a hillside in the Yerpa Valley, some 30 km northeast of Lhasa. This ruggedly beautiful site is riddled with more than 80 meditation caves, some thought to be pristine Buddhism.So,you have to trek to visit entire chapels and meditation caves.
In the afternoon, we drive to Ganden Monastery which is one of the “Three Great” Gelugpa monasteries,founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409. It is very interesting to trek Lingkor(circle) around the monastery and you can also see the crack of rock, magically made by Great Tsongkapa and his meditation cave with the beautiful view of Lhasa valley.
DAY 5 DEPART FROM LHASA (B)
Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.
Tips of Today: 1) please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel; 2) If your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.
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
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