Tibet Cultural Excursion Tour

Attractions: Jokhang Temple, Bakhor Street, and Potala Palace.

As you adjust to the high altitude of the plateau, you may experience a slight headache, which is common among travelers. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and engage in light activities during the initial days. In the morning, our guide will meet you at the hotel, and you will begin with a relaxed visit to Jokhang Temple, located in the heart of the Old Lhasa city. This temple holds immense sacredness in Tibet and is always bustling with devoted local pilgrims. Following the temple visit, you will have time to explore Bakhor Street, a central market in Lhasa known for its devotionally significant circuit. While it used to be a famous local market, it has now transformed into a center for tourist gift shopping.

In the afternoon, we will proceed to the renowned Potala Palace, a paramount landmark and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Originally constructed in the 7th century by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo, it was later rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. The palace served as the residence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government. Although ascending the long steps can be challenging, the experience is worthwhile as you leave your footprints in this spiritually significant palace, known for its compassion and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The remainder of the day will be dedicated to further acclimatization and easing any lingering jet lag. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Attractions; Drepung monastery and Sera monastery.

In the morning, we will explore Drepung Monastery, which is one of the largest monasteries in the world and once served as the residence of the Dalai Lama before the construction of Potala Palace. Despite past instances of destruction, there are still numerous fascinating sights to behold. As you wander through the monastery, you will navigate narrow and winding lanes that resemble a typical village, passing by the monks’ living quarters. The monastery houses over 10,000 monks, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

The day concludes with a visit to Sera Monastery, founded in the 15th century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Within Sera Monastery, several monastic colleges are home to hundreds of monks from different regions of Tibet. One of the monastery’s notable features is the daily Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks, which take place in the afternoon (excluding Sundays).

For the remainder of the day, you will continue to acclimate to the altitude and alleviate any remaining jet lag. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Attractions; Yamdrok lake, Mt.Nyechen Kangsar glacier, Gyantse Kubum stupa and Pelkhor Choede monastery.

Our first attraction of the day is the stunning Yamdrok Lake, situated at an altitude of 3600m. As we ascend the Kampa La Pass (4700m) along a zigzag road, you will be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the holy lake. Its turquoise waters contrast beautifully with the snow-capped Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. Continuing our drive, we will follow the lakeshore for a few kilometers until we reach Nagar Tse, where we will stop for lunch. Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to witness magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages along our route.

En route, we will make a stop at Karo La (5150m) to marvel at the sacred Mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. The natural beauty of this glacier is truly awe-inspiring. Upon reaching Gyantse, we will visit the renowned Kumbum Stupa and Pelkhor Choede Monastery. The Kumbum Stupa is a magnificent structure with multiple doors, making it the largest stupa in Tibet. Its architectural brilliance is complemented by the ancient sculptures and paintings adorning its inner walls.

In the late afternoon, we will drive to Shigatse, which is only 90 km away. Shigatse is a city renowned for its historical and cultural significance. Overnight stay in Shigatse.

Attractions; Tashi Lhunpo monastery, Nimo home-made incense factory, Brahmaputra river.

In the morning, our first stop is the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. This sacred monastery was initially built in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, Gedun Drup, and later became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages. As you explore the monastery, you will have the opportunity to see the tombs of the seven previous Panchen Lamas. The bustling cobbled lanes winding around the ancient buildings, which serve as monks’ apartments, create an enchanting atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we will begin our journey back to Lhasa, following the northern friendship highway. As we drive, we will pass through various villages along the route. During the journey, we will make a stop at the Nyimo Local Home-Based Incense Factory. Here, you will witness the traditional production of incense, as locals utilize primitive water-operated tools to process incense materials. Each incense stick is meticulously handcrafted, and you may even have the opportunity to observe the locals making them on the spot.

Later in the afternoon, we will arrive back in Lhasa. You will have some free time to explore the bustling Bakhor Street, where you can shop for gifts to bring back for your loved ones. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Our guide and driver will accompany you to the airport or train station for your departure. It is time to bid farewell and continue your journey to your next destination. Before you leave, we kindly request that you take a moment to provide feedback on our services by either filling out the feedback form or sending us an email. Your evaluation is highly appreciated as it helps us enhance our services. With that, the trip officially comes to an end.