Tibet is regarded as roof of the world as it is the highest region in the world with capital city, Lhasa. Tibet is also known as the land where the Tibetan Buddhism flourished and spread across the world. After Tibet get opened to the world in 1980s, Lhasa become a tourists’ heaven in Tibet. Over the past various years, various monasteries have been constructed which now mark an important place in the history of the country. The visit to the ancient monasteries with the colorful prayer flags and chanting of the holy mantras gives you the pleasure of being spirituality rejuvenated.
The proposed cultural sightseeing tour mainly focus in visiting the famous cultural landmarks of Lhasa. The tour leads you to the Sera Monastery, Norbulinka, Jokhanag Temple, Barkhor square, Drepung Monastery and the famous Potala Palace. The tour also leads you to Gyantse and Shigatse which are the old cities of Tibet that has encounter the various events of the history of the country. Tibet is a perfect place for short holidays an unforgettable experience.
Trip Highlights
Visit to the Potala Palace, home of the divinely Dalai Lama.
Explore various sites that gives you an insightful glimpse of the Tibetan culture.
A chance to witness Tibetan art, culture, custom and tradition.
Get a better insight to the history of the country.
Visit to various monasteries that have been elaborately decorated based on Tibetan art and architecture.
Experience the breathtaking views of holy Yamdrok Lake with the views of mountains from the Kampa La Passs.
Travel to the famous cities of Tibet such as Lhasa, Gyantse and Sigatse.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3660m) – (1 hour drive from Gonggar airport to Lhasa – 93 km)
Day 2: Sightseeing in Lhasa - (Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Square)
Day 3: Sightseeing in Lhasa- (Drepung Monastery and Potala Palace)
Day 4: Drive to Shigatse via Gyantse and explore the sightseeing places en-route
Day 5: Sightseeing of Shigatse and drive to Lhasa
Day 6: Depart Lhasa
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (3660m) – (1 hour drive from Gonggar airport to Lhasa – 93 km)
From Kathmandu it will take around an hour to reach Gonggar airport. The scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa allows you to view the breathtaking Himalayas flying over the country. Upon arrival at the Gonggar Airport you will be received by one of our representative and then transferred to your hotel in Lhasa which might take around an hour drive under normal road condition. 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 fixed program arranged for today.
Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Lhasa - (Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Square)
Breakfast at hotel. An experienced guide will take you on a full day tour.
Sera Monastery:
Sera Monastery is one of the most important monastery of Lhasa. Sera monastery functions using the principle of Gelukpa sect of Buddhism. The monastery also serves as the university for those who are interested in Buddhism. The monastery is situated five km north of central Lhasa and was built in 1419. It was the home for 5000 monks in the days of its highest glory, though the number now is reduced to few hundreds. The best time to visit the monastery is in the morning when the monastery is most active, in the debating courtyard you can see the monks debating from 3 to 4 pm. (not weekends)
Norbulinka:
Norbulinka, is also regarded as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. It lies in a quiet and beautiful garden in the western part of Lhasa. The palace was completed in 1956 and is mostly famous for the well preserved wall paintings and superb mandalas. There is one particular wall painting inside the palace that depicts the history of Tibet and all the Dalai Lamas. The Dalai Lama lived here during his last days in Tibet. The rooms have remained as they were when the Dalai Lama left in 1959. Here you can also see the cars which the Great 13th Dalai Lama imported to Tibet.
Jokhang Temple and Bharkhor square:
Jokhang Temple is the holiest and the most active Buddhist temples in Tibet. It is situated 2 km east of Potala and was built in 647 AD. The temple was built by the greatest of the Tibetan emperor ‘Tsrong Tsang Gampo’ to house the image of Buddha that was brought from Nepal by his Nepalese wife Bhrikuti. However, another image, the Jowa Zakyamuni, was later moved here by the king's other wife (the Chinese Princess Wencheng), and it is this image that gives the Jokhang both its name and spiritual potency: Jokhang means 'chapel of the Jowo'.
Equally interesting is the Bharkhor bazar that circles Jokhang. The medieval atmosphere, the crowd, innumerable shops selling ritual objects, and the never ending pilgrims will take you to its spell.
Overnight at Lhasa
Day 3: Sightseeing in Lhasa- (Drepung Monastery and Potala Palace)
Breakfast at hotel. An experienced guide will take you on a full day tour.
Drepung Monastery:
Drepung monastery is one of the important monastery of Lhasa as it functions as one of the three pillars of Tibetan state. The monastery is situated about 8 km to the west of central Lhasa. Drepung monastery was once largest monastery of Tibet', with a population of around 7000 monks. Built in 1416 this was one of the important monasteries belonging to the Gelupa sect of Buddhism. It houses different colleges for the study of Buddhist philosophy and the interesting sight is to see is the debating monks.
Potala Palace:
Potala Palace dominates the Lhasa skyline from every corner. Originally there were buildings from 640 AD but the present Potala palace was built in 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. It has served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas .It is 117 m high, 13 storied and has 1000 rooms. Different sections of the palace houses a great wealth of cultural and art objects of Tibet. Many parts of the palace, now turned to a museum are open for the visitors. Pilgrims and tourists are mostly attracted towards the three storied building, sights of magnificent chapels, golden stupas and prayer halls.
Overnight at Lhasa
Day 4: Drive to Shigatse via Gyantse (Sightseeing En-route)
Breakfast at hotel. You will be driving to Shigatse with an experienced guide.
After an early breakfast you will be taking a long drive of almost 7-8 hours’ drive under normal road condition to Shigatse. On the way you will climb up the Kampa la pass (4700m), from there you can observe the breathtaking sight of the holy Yamdrok Lake with its turquoise color and snowcapped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. The drive further continues to Gyantse. The town was established between the 14th and 15th centuries which later became the main center for Tibet's wool trade with India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim. Nine major monasteries were built in the vicinity of the town. You will be visiting the Kumbun Stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery.
Kumbun Stupa:
The Kumbun Stupa of Gyantse is the city’s foremost attraction. The word Kumbun means 100,000 images which you can see at the chapels of the stupa. The image is a 32m-high chorten, which is marvelously constructed. The stupa consists of white layers trimmed with decorative stripes along with its crown-like golden dome. The interior is also awe-inspiring as seems like an endless series of tiny chapels with fine paintings.
Palkhor Choede Monastery:
Palkhor Choede Monastery is the main monastery in the Nyangchu river valley situated in Gyantse. The monastery is a complex of different structures however is most famous for its 108 chapels in its several floors and the old Dzong or fort. The monastery was believed to have made by Pelden Zangpo. Architecturally, the monastery is a fusion of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture.
You will further drive to Shigate which is the second-largest town of Tibet.
Overnight at hotel at Shigatse.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Tashilhunpo Monastery
Breakfast at hotel. You will be driving to Shigatse with an experienced guide.
Tashilhunpo Monastery:
Tashilhumpo Monastery is one of the famous cultural landmark of Shigatse. It is one of the few monasteries in Tibet which has come through the Cultural Revolution. The monastery is the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet covering 70,000 square meter. The huge golden statue of the Future Buddha is the largest gilded statue in the world.
Later, our representative will escort you back to Lhasa through the northern friendship highway which would take around 6-7 hours from Shigatse to Lhasa. Soon after our arrival our driver will transfer to our hotel in Lhasa.
Overnight at Lhasa.
Day 6: Lhasa/Kathmandu or transfer to airport to fly next destination
Breakfast at hotel.
Our representative shall assist you to travel to airport for your further destination as per your flight schedule. Moreover, if you are planning to get back to Kathmandu we can make the further required arrangements for you in Kathmandu.
We have prepared the trip departure dates in small groups departure for group fun and enjoyment trekking. Our group size start from 2 peoples (Even for solo travelers, we organize single trip on supplement cost of US$- 200 additional) and maximum group size will be 8-10 travelers. But in general, our every date will have small groups of 4- 6 peoples, which is good group size for safe and flexible & comfortable trekking. We have listed our group departure dates based on every season as below.
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Book a trip with us and you get a credit of USD 50 per person for your next trip. With a number of repeated visit with Classic Outdoors the credit amount for the next trip increases.
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