When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Tourists may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.
After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. 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.
Insider Tips:
For the new-comers of Tibet, to get acclimatized to the high altitude in Tibet. Having a good sleep in your hotel is a good option. Don not rush to visit attractions inside Lhasa city.
Stay overnight in Lhasa (3-Star Hotel).
Attractions and Activities
Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, and Barkhor Street
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. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.
Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;
Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)
Stay overnight in Lhasa (3-Star Hotel)
Attractions and Activities
The Potala Palace, situated in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, stands as an architectural masterpiece and an emblem of Tibetan culture and Buddhism. This grand edifice, perched atop Marpo Ri (Red Hill), dominates the Lhasa skyline and holds profound significance for Tibetan Buddhists worldwide. Here's an overview of The Potala Palace:
Architecture and Layout:
- The palace complex comprises multiple palatial buildings, chapels, and halls, intricately constructed over different periods.
- It is divided into two main sections: the Red Palace (Potrang Marpo) and the White Palace (Potrang Karpo).
- The Red Palace, featuring striking red and white walls, is dedicated to religious functions, housing numerous chapels, stupas, and sacred relics.
- The White Palace served as the Dalai Lama's secular residence, housing administrative offices, living quarters, and audience halls.
History and Heritage:
- The origins of The Potala Palace trace back to the 7th century when King Songtsen Gampo built the first structure on the site.
- Over the centuries, subsequent rulers, including various Dalai Lamas, expanded and renovated the palace complex, transforming it into the iconic structure seen today.
- It served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama and the political center of Tibet until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India during the Tibetan uprising in 1959.
Cultural and Religious Significance:
- The Potala Palace holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance for Tibetan Buddhists, symbolizing their faith, heritage, and aspirations.
- It houses numerous sacred relics, including statues, thangkas (religious paintings), scriptures, and the tombs of past Dalai Lamas.
- The palace complex is a revered pilgrimage site and a center for Tibetan Buddhist rituals, ceremonies, and festivals.
UNESCO World Heritage Site:
- In 1994, The Potala Palace was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its outstanding universal value and cultural significance.
- It is lauded as an exceptional example of Tibetan Buddhist architecture, art, and religious devotion, representing a unique blend of indigenous and foreign influences.
Attractions and Activities
Lhasa Tour - Dadong Village and Sera Monastery (B, L)
In the morning, you are going to visit Dadong Village, the most beautiful village in Lhasa. Located 25 kilometers southwest of Lhasa downtown, Dadong Village is a well-protected ancient Tibetan village that surrounded by valleys. After arriving, you will visit the Nyimatang Monastery (built in the 11th century), take a light walk in the village, and see what rural life in Lhasa is like. You will also visit a local Tibetan family and enjoy the lunch offered by the family.
In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, which is one of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3-5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house. Inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Attractions and Activities
Attractions and Activities
Lhasa- Shigatse via Gyantse (360km)(B)
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .
Later, we will pass and enjoy the Korola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).In Gyantse, we will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy the Far view of Gyangtse Fortress.
After one and a half hours of driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, we may visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).
Stay overnight in Manasarovar Hotel
Attractions and Activities
Attractions and Activities
Shigatse to Mount Everest Base Camp 350 km(B)
In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch.
After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gaze at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.
Stay overnight at Tent Guest House
Mount Everest Base Camp–Saga (450km)
In the morning, we can enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at lodging area if weather permits; then As we head to saga, you can view of the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m), and Turquoise Lake Peiku tso(4590m). If you are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc.
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen hotel
Saga to Darchen, via Lake Manasarover (450km)
On the way to Darchen, you will have a chance to appreciate the stunning view of the Saga valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, the beautiful grassland and local's villages can also be seen. As we cross the Mayomla Pass(5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi(7694M). Then we are supposed to pass by the holy Lake Manasarover and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt.Kailash, the most holy mountain in Tibet.
stay overnight in Tarchen Chongqing Hotel
Darchen-Drirapuk (driving 7km, Trek 13km)
In the morning, we are supposed to take eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung valley. Then we will meet Yaks and porters at Sarshung village. (the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package) After that, we can begain the trek (Around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu valley and rivers. You can enjoy the both west and north face of mountain Kailash today. Finally, we will visit Drirapuk Monastery.
stay overnight in Guest House
Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk (Trek 24km)
Today, we will trek over Dromala pass(5630m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way you can have a rest in a teahouse. All the way, you can see locals Tibetans prostrating in the Kora path and beautiful Kadoe Lake when walk downhill. We may also visit Zutulpuk Monastery.
Stay overnight in Guest House
Dzutripuk-Darchen (Trek 7km, driving 5km).
On the day three of the kora. you will trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Darchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. We will end the Trek around noon, rest in the lodging place.
(Optional): Taking bath in Lake Manasarova and enjoy hot spring
Stay overnight in Tarchen Chongqing Hotel
Drive from Darchen to Saga via Lake Manasorova
Stay overnight in Saga Xibuyizhan Hotel or Mu Linsen hotel
Drive from Saga to Sakya
Stay overnight in Sakya Yuan Fu Hotel
Sakya to Shigatse (170km)
In the morning, we will visit ancient Sakya town and you can tour Sakya monastery with amzing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues.Then we are abou to drive from Sakya to Shigatse.
Stay overnight in Manasarovar Hotel
We will follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa. On the way, you can stand on the viewing platform to view the vast Yalong River bed and visit Water Mill making Tibetan Incense material (in Summer, if time permits). Drop off at hotel in Lhasa
Stay overnight in Lhasa (3-Star Hotel)
End the tour, Airport drop off(B)
Hotel to airport/train station transfer, end the tour.
(Or Go to Nepal after Tibet Mt.Kailash Tour)
The tour is also available for tourists who start in Lhasa and end in Gyirong border, so if the group has members to exit Tibet to Nepal from Gyirong, we will see them off at the Sino-Nepal border, thus the itinerary from the Day 12 will be done with valuable detour to Gyirong, which will give you one extra destination to Kelong Valley, this destination is considered the most beautiful valley at the foot of Himalaya Mountain Range and attracts many tourists a year.