Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)
Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our Tibetan guide will be greeting you at airport or train station with auspicious white Hada. Then you will be transferred to hotels in Lhasa. The guide will briefly introduce the itineraries and remind you about other dos and dont's for newcomers. To quickly get acclimatized to Tibetan plateau, it’s better to have a good rest in the hotel.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 2: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Our first stop is to visit the Potala Palace, the UNESCO world heritage site and the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Walking slowly along the long stone steps to the White and Red Palaces, you can explore the former residence of Dalai Lama and his meeting room and religious chamber.You can see the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.A bird's-eye view of Lhasa city and Lhasa valley from the top of Potala Palace will take your breath away. After we have lunch and then we will head to holy Jokhang Temple. It's the most sacred Buddhist site in Tibet. Outside the temple,you will witness pious Tibetan pilgrims,young and old, prostrating themselves in front of Jokhang and long lines of Tibetans following the Barkhor circuit. Inside, traveling in dim butter light, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve,perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism. You may reach the top of Jokhang Temple to enjoy the panorama of old Lhasa city and great vista of Potala Palace. Then we may do the kora by circling the Barkhor Street with pilgrims and locals and buy some souvenirs. Never miss the chance to enjoy the tasty sweet tea in local tea house and visit Tromzikhang, the famous farm produce market.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 3: Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
In the morning,you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which was one of the “Great Three” Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge,one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala Palace. In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “Great Three” Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The highlight is the monks’ debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 4: Lhasa to Ganden Monastery
Today we will drive to the Ganden Monastery, about 60 kilometers east of Lhasa and is one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet, founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful view of Kyichu River and as we drive up to Ganden along winding mountain road,tourists can see the far view of splendid monastery complex on the top of the mountain. Later we will visit chapels of Genden Monastery and the tomb of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelupa sect. After touring Ganden Monastery, we will head to visit Tibetan farmer's village nearby.
Optional: If physical condition is fine and weather allows, hike with guide around the Gaden Kora, enjoy the view of wide Kychi valley.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 5: Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung
This is the day of holy Lake Namtso! In the morning, heading north from Lhasa, you’ll pass through the vast prairie in Damxung, where you can see the closest nomads area to Lhasa, with herds of yaks and sheep. Besides, you can also enjoy the view of the Qinghai-Tibet railway against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. While crossing the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Rainges, pause at the renowned Lagenla Pass (5190m) to marvel at the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake from a distance. Descend the road to reach today’s destination, Namtso Lake, one of the ‘Three Holy Lakes’ in Tibet. Upon reaching the lake, you can enjoy your time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. For a panoramic view of Namtso Lake, climb to the top of the hill on Tashi Dor Island, where the circular lake resembles a boundless blue sea surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Marvel at the magical stone pillars and peaks, and explore meditation caves and Buddhist holy sites on the island with your travel guide. After visiting Namtso Lake, you will return to Damxung via the mountain pass.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 6: Damxung to Lhasa via Chimelong Nunnery and Tsurphu Monastery
After breakfast, you will first visit Chimelong Nunnery (Phyirmil Lung Nunnery), the largest nunnery near Lhasa. Roam over the peaceful 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, head to Tsurphu Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet. It is the seat of the Karmapa branch of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism and is also the birthplace of the system of reincarnated living Buddhas in Tibet. Here, you can learn more about the ‘Black Hats', the Karma Kagyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the day, return to Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 7: Departure from Lhasa to your next destination or by train to Mainland China
This is the last day of our tour and we have to get up very early for our transfer to Gonggar airport or train-station for your next destination in Mainland China.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
# Tour Price on Group Size Basis - (Private Trip)
1PAX - USD 2135
2PAX - USD 1240 Per Person
3-4PAX - USD 1075 Per Person
5-6PAX - USD 1035 Per Person
Note:
3* category hotel: Gangyen Hotel in Lhasa.
Note: The package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste. For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@yahoo.de
Important: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Family Treks and Expedition GmbH. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves.
