8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Small Group Tour-Yaso Trip: Asia Tours, China Tours, Indochina Tours, Tailor-Made Trip-Yaso Trip

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Destinations： Lhasa、、、Shigatse

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Features Day by Day Itinerary Price Description Travel Tips Comment Tour Map

Features

An exhilarating journey to Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the largest cities in Tibet, plus a scenic road trip via Tibetan nomad-inhabited region to sacred Namtso Lake(4,718m), the world’s highest saline lake; the 8-day Tibet tour will give feast your eyes with the best alpine view of central Tibet and leave you awful lots of chances to sample distinct local culture and customs in various regions of Tibet.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day

Arrive in Lhasa(3650m)

Barkhor Street in Lhasa

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.

Day

Lhasa tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street (B, D)

The Potala Palace in Lhasa Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Barkhor Street in Lhasa

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

Attractions and Activities

Must-GoThe Potala Palace in Lhasa 8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Small Group Tour

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.

Day

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

Day

Lhasa- Shigatse via Gyantse 360 km(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 Shigatse

Day

Shigatse to Lhasa 280 km(B)

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery; you can see the well preserved largest statue of Jampa (future god) in the world. The monastery itself is abiding place for the successive Penchen LamasThen. Then we are expected to follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa, and the guide will get you transferred to your hotels.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day

Lhasa to Namtso Lake and drive back to Damxung (B)

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland (in summer). Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Lagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake.

Then we can enjoy our time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. Drive back to Damxung. (For environment protection, the Lakeshore guesthouses were close by the government.)

Stay overnight in Damxung.

Day

Damxung to Lhasa via Chimelong Nunnery and Tsurphu Monastery (B)

After breakfast, we will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery). Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site (Tibet funeral site) in the distance.

Then, we can go to Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats’, the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. In the summertime (June to September), we can also go for a ‘Linka outing’ (Tibetan-style picnic) in the small village at the foot of the hill of Tsurphu Monastery.

Finally, we will drive back to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today’s Cultural Tips: Sky burial is a funeral practice commonly seen in Tibet. The corpse will be disposed of and later devoured by vultures. In Tibetan Buddhism, sky burial is believed to represent their wishes to go to heaven. Only family members of the dead can attend the funeral.

Day

Depart from Lhasa (B)

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.

Related Tours

Price Description

Price Included 8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Small Group Tour

Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;

Meals as listed in the itinerary;

Hotels as listed in the itinerary;

Private English-speaking tour guide;

Private vehicle for transfers; sightseeing with skilled driver;

Service charge; government taxes;

Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;

Domestic high speed train tickets;

Price Excluded 8 Days Central Tibet and Namtso Small Group Tour

Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;

Chinese visa fees;

Excess baggage charged by Airlines;

Single room supplement;

Tips to guides and drivers;

Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;

Personal travel accident insurance;

All optional programs.

Travel Tips

Transfer Service between Hotels and Airport/ Train Station

Lhasa Gongar International Airport is about 70km from the downtown, and it takes about 1.5 hours for a car transfer between airport and hotel. Considering the distance and language barrier, Tibet Vista provides free transfer service from/to airport.

Upon your arrival at airport, our Tibetan local pick-up guide will hold a board with your name and wait for you at the exit, he will escort you to the transfer car, accompany you to the hotel, and assist you with hotel check-in. When tour ends, our guide will pick you up at hotel and escort you to the airport.

Airport Pick-up Schedules: Pick up tourists at 10:00 am; 13:30 pm; 17:00 pm

Airport Drop-off Schedules: Pick up tourists at 06:30 am; 08:00 am; 12:00 pm

If your flight time is not within our transfer schedule, feel free to contact our travel consultant, we will do our best to arrange the most proper transfer service for you.

Besides the airport transfer, Tibet Vista also provides unlimited free transfer between hotel and Lhasa Railway Station according to your arrival/departure time.

Please kindly note: if passengers are less than 3 per transfer, we may use publish transportation like public airport bus or Taxi instead of using our shuttle service.

Travel Tips for 8-day Central Tibet Namtso Tour

1. How far is it from Lhasa to Shigatse?

The distance from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse is around 362km. It takes around 7:20hrs by road. Traveling by tour vehicle is the only option if you want to get closer to some of the best highland and Buddhist attractions along the way.

2. What attractions can I enjoy from Lhasa to Shigatse?

On day 4, you will be standing at the lofty Kampala (Gampala) Pass (4999m) and admiring the jaw-dropping vista of turquoise Lake Yamdrok, with majestic snow-blanketed Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the background.

After that, you can closely explore the Karola Glacier right beside the highway. Then continue to visit Manla Dam and hang Tibetan prayer flags at Simila Pass. Next, you may visit the Pelkor Monastery in Gyantse and climb the Nepali-style Gyantse Kumbum to view the awe-inspiring Gyantse Fortress.

3. Do I have to be concerned about altitude change for visiting Lake Namtso?

There is no need to worry about that. Our expertly-designed itinerary allows you to have proper acclimatization before you venture out exploring the lofty passes and attractions with high altitude.

The oxygen supply like oxygen cylinder, portable oxygen inhaler, is equipped in our tour vehicle. And our attentive group leader will closely follow your health and give time treatment when needed.

The highest place you will reach for Namtso tour is Nagenla Pass (5190m). You stay there briefly for some photos and descend to the lakeshore of Lake Namtso (4718m).

4. Can I spend the night at Lake Namtso?

To protect the serene Lake Namtso, the guesthouse of Namtso has remained closed since late 2017. After you finish visiting the lake and Tashi Dor Island, you will be transferred to Damxung (4200m) (62km east to Namtso, 1h30min drive). The much lower altitude and better lodging facilities compared to the guesthouse at Namtso will bring you a sound sleep.

5. Is the Yampachen Spring worth enjoying?

Yes, why not. Though it looks more like an open-air swimming pool with spring water, the mineral-rich spring does offer you a great chance to soothe your nerves and clean the soul. Don’t forget to bring your swimming suit.

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Features

Day by Day Itinerary

Related Tours

Price Description

Travel Tips

Transfer Service between Hotels and Airport/ Train Station

Airport Pick-up Schedules: Pick up tourists at 10:00 am; 13:30 pm; 17:00 pm

Airport Drop-off Schedules: Pick up tourists at 06:30 am; 08:00 am; 12:00 pm

Travel Tips for 8-day Central Tibet Namtso Tour

Comment

Customize Your Own Trip

Last Month		Next Month
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29	30	31	01	02	03	04
05	06	07	08	09	10	11
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02	03	04	05	06	07	08