Tibet Cultural Tour
| Duration | 9 Days | Accommodation | Hotel / Guesthouse |
| Max Altitude | 4,500m | Best Season | May,June, July, August, September, October |
This remote land, of culture, of wide open spaces, gilt-roofed temples, and intricately decorated monasteries, is dominated by the ancient holy city of Lhasa. An aura of magic, and mystery awaits you, with majestic views of the spectacular Himalayas, which also includes Mount Everest, visible from the Tibetan side.
This tour offers Fly in/ Fly out tour through a circular route from Tsentant to Lhasa of the heart of Tibet. It provides you ample opportunity to explore the Yarlung Tsangpo valley, cradle of the Tibetan civilization. By exploring the yarlung Tsangpo valley with a ferry ride across the Tsangpo river, we reach Samye, the oldest monastery belonging to the Red hat school.
We take on to Yumbhulakhang, the first castle built for a tibetan king, through a fertile agricultural valley and tombs of the Tibetan kings, from the seventh century, then we proceed on the southern route via the Yamdrok tso, the turquoise lake, to Gyangtse and Shigatse. Leaving Shigatse, we take the northern route through the scenic, rugged country side of nomads, culmination, then we visit the mystical city of Lhasa.
Itinerary:
Day 01 |
Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa This trip begins with the breathtaking Trans-Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. A China Southwest Airlines Boeing 757, takes us right across Everest and the main Himalayan range and provides us magnificent mountains views. Upon our arrival at Gongar airport our agent will meet us and we clear customs. Then we start the 2 hour drive by Land cruiser to Tsedang. Afternoon sightseeing tour to Yambu Lhakhang and Cha Duk Monastery. O/N at hotel |
Day 02
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Samye Monastery Visit to Samye Monastery and the valley of the cradle of Tibetan civilization. O/N at hotel. |
Day 03 |
Drive to Gyantse Drive to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake. Later in the afternoon visit Khumbum stupa and Phalkor Monastery. O/N at hotel. |
Day 04 |
Drive to Xigatse Sightseeing tour of Tashilunpo Monastery and the free market of Xigatse. O/N at hotel. |
Day 05 |
Drive to Lhasa Drive to Lhasa via Northern highway and visit Norbulinka Palace. O/N at hotel |
Day 06 |
Sightseeing in Lhasa
Today we'll visit various Buddhist monasteries including Sera Monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet, where several hundred monks live and study within it's whitewashed walls & golden roofs. After lunch, we'll visit the the Jokhang Temple, possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets, the central market of Lhasa. |
Day 07 |
Sightseeing in Lhasa This morning, we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century. After lunch, we'll visit the Drepung Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century, & was once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution. |
Day 08 |
Fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu |
Day 09 |
Kathmandu Departure Day Today we say goodbye, unless you are embarking upon another adventure with us! |
