> DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1:Arrive at Lhasa (3660m)
You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650 meters). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude.
Note: There is no program arranged for today.
Day 2: Sight seeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage.
You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see the best of Tibetan art . The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues.
You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest.
Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala Palace each day, the guide will decide upon the order of sightseeing places.
Day 4: Drive 261 km from Lhasa - Gyantse (3950m)
Traveling by jeep along the Friendship Highway you cross the Khamba La (4794m). the drive offers you stunning views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). You continue westwards, over another high pass, the Karo La (5045m), where you are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down, within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the town of Gyantse.
Day 5: Drive 90 km from Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m)
Before departing from Gyantse, you will be taken for a guided tour to Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a 14th century fort, from where you get amazing views of Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa. It has many small chapels which houses an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We move on to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, which is about 90 km away.
Day 6: Drive (280 km) from Shigatse – Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be guided to explore the local market and the Tashilhumpo Monastery in Shigatse. Tashilhumpo Monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. After a detailed visit of Shigatse, you will be driven back to Lhasa via a shorter route.
Day 7: Depart Lhasa
You will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home. |
