6 Days Tibet Culture Tour

Attractions: Potala Palace Jokhang Temple and the bustling Barkhor Street. 

As today is the first full day on the high-altitude plateau you may feel a little headache or nausea from the symptoms of altitude sickness. This is common for travelers to Tibet and normally subsides after a day or two of rest and hydration as the body adjusts. The morning starts with a trip to the Old Lhasa city where we will visit the sacred Jokhang Temple. The most holy temple in Tibet Jokhang has been a major pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years and is always busy with pilgrims. After touring the inside of the temple you will be able to walk around Barkhor Street the devotional kora route around the temple and the biggest market area in Lhasa Old City. In the afternoon we will tackle the steps up the Red Hill to visit the Potala Palace the most iconic landmark in Tibet which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. First constructed in the 7^th century by the famous Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo the modern palace buildings were built over the original fortress in the 17^th century as the new home and seat of government of the Dalai Lama. The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore the streets. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

The second full day in Lhasa starts with a visit to the Drepung Monastery which used to be the largest monastery in the world housing more than 10000 monks and lamas. The original residence of the Dalai Lama before the construction of the Potala Palace Drepung Monastery has been damaged several times over the years but the narrow twisting lanes between the monastic residences are still a thrilling place to explore. After the tour of Drepung, we will travel to Sera Monastery in the afternoon located a few kilometers north of the Jokhang Temple. Built in the 15th century by a disciple of Tsongkhapa Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi the monastery holds a number of monastic colleges with several hundred monks from across Tibet in residence. The best attraction of the monastery for tourists is the famous philosophical and theological debates of the monks which happen in the debating courtyard every afternoon except Sunday Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions: Yamdrok Lake Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier Gyantse Kumbum Stupa and Pelkor Chode monastery.

Today we start to drive southwest through the zigzag road that climbs up to the Gampa La pass (4794m) from where you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of holy Lake Yamdrok with its turquoise waters and the snow-capped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. We continue to drive alongside the lake for a few kilometers to get us to the lunch stop at Nagartse. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that we pass through. En route to Shigatse, we will stop at Karo La (5150m) to see the holy Mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. On arrival in Gyantse, we will visit the famous Kumbum stupa in the Pelkor Chode Monastery. This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet and is not only well known for its architecture but also for its old sculptures and paintings that are all around its inner walls. In the late afternoon, we will drive to Shigatse (3845m) which is only 90km. Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Attractions: Tashilhunpo monastery.

Today we will visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning. The Tashilhunpo Monastery was built by the 1st Dalai Lama Gedun Drup in 1447 and later became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineage. There you will see the tombs of 7 passed Panchen Lamas and it is a real pleasure to pass through the busy cobbled lanes twisting around the aged buildings that are used as monks' apartments. After the monastery tour, we will go for lunch together and enjoy a short walk with our tour guide around the local Shigatse markets. Today we have two possible options based on the group size and transportation situation. We can drive back to Lhasa or take the express train along the new Lhasa-Shigatse Railway. If it is the train a local guide will arrange a taxi to the Shigatse train station which is less than 15 minutes’ drive. You will board the train which departs at 12:05 and arrives in Lhasa at 14:40. You can enjoy the 2 hours and 35 minutes train ride on this recently opened railway line. You will be picked up by our guide and driver from the train station in Lhasa and transported to your hotel. If you drive then our driver will meet you and our guide at the hotel for the drive back to Lhasa. The drive back along the famous northern Friendship Highway takes around 6 hours from Shigatse to Lhasa. Soon after your arrival, our driver will transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa. Stay overnight in Lhasa. (Please be prepared for either of the above two possible options for transiting back to Lhasa and we will try our best to make it as simple and convenient as possible).

After a hearty breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for the trip to the train station or airport for your travel out of Tibet. It is time to say goodbye and continue on to the next destination in your plans. Before you leave we would appreciate you completing our short evaluation survey either on the feedback form or by sending us an email.