Tibet Winter Cultural Excursion

Attractions; Potala palace, Jokhang temple and bustling Bakhor street.

As you begin your first day on the high plateau, it’s common for some travelers to experience mild headaches due to the high altitude. To alleviate this, it is recommended 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 accompany you on an easy visit to Jokhang Temple, located in the heart of Old Lhasa city. This temple holds immense sacredness and is always bustling with devout local pilgrims. Following the temple visit, you will have some free time to explore Bakhor street, which is both a significant devotional circuit and a busy central market in Lhasa. While it used to be a famous local market in the past, it has now transformed into a tourist gift shopping center.

In the afternoon, we will visit the renowned Potala Palace, which is the iconic symbol of Tibet and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. Originally built by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century, it was later reconstructed by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. The palace served as the residence for the Dalai Lama and his government. Though the climb up the long steps can be challenging, it is truly rewarding to leave your footprints in this spiritual palace, which is a testament to God’s compassion and was listed as a world heritage site in 1994. The rest of the day will be dedicated to acclimatizing to the altitude and overcoming jet lag. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Attractions; Drepung monastery and Sera monastery.

In the morning, we will visit 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 the Potala Palace. Despite experiencing various destructions throughout different periods, there are still plenty of things to see. As we navigate through the narrow and winding lanes, we will come across the monks’ apartments, which resemble a typical village setting. This unique experience allows us to immerse ourselves in the monastery’s atmosphere.

Our day will culminate with a visit to Sera Monastery, which was built in the fifteenth century by Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Within Sera, several monastic colleges are home to hundreds of monks from different parts of Tibet. One of the highlights is witnessing the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks, which take place every afternoon except on Sundays.

The rest of the day will be dedicated to acclimatizing to the altitude and alleviating jet lag. Overnight stay in Lhasa.

Attractions; Fertile Yarlung valley-ancient Tibet capital, Samye monastery.

We will begin by driving to the southern part of Tibet, making a stop at Tsedang for lunch. From there, it’s only a 50-kilometer drive to reach Samye Monastery. This significant monastery holds the distinction of being the first-ever Buddhist monastery in Tibet, constructed during the reign of King Trisong Detsen in the 7th century. Despite enduring challenges such as the Cultural Revolution and various periods of destruction, Samye Monastery has managed to survive throughout the centuries.

The monastery is designed in a beautiful mandala style and is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, nestled in a small valley surrounded by villages. Upon arrival, we will visit Samye Tsuglhak Khang and you may have the opportunity to embark on a short hike up Hepu Hill from the monastery. Hepu Hill holds great historical significance, as it was on this hill that Indian Guru Padmasambhava successfully controlled the Bon devils, who had posed obstacles during the construction of Samye Monastery. The devils were punished with a stone rainfall as a result.

Overnight accommodation will be provided at Samye Monastery guest house.

Attractions; Chimpu nunnery, Yogis in the caves, Yumbo Lhakang, Tramduk monastery.

During our drive back to Tsedang, we will make a stop at Chimpu Hermitage. This hermitage is renowned for its several caves where Guru Rinpoche and Khangdo Yeshi Tsogyal, one of Guru’s consorts, meditated in the 7th century. Over the years, it has become a popular destination for retreatants and hermits from various parts of Tibet. Upon reaching the bottom of the hill, we will visit the nunnery before embarking on a hike through the caves. This hike will provide a glimpse into the life of Tibetan yogis, and if you’re fortunate, you may have the opportunity to interact with some of them.

In the afternoon, we will drive back to Tsedang, which holds the distinction of being the cradle of Tibetan civilization and the former capital of Tibet before Lhasa. While in Tsedang, we will visit Yumbu Lhakang, the palace of the first Tibetan king, located just a few kilometers south of the town.

Overnight accommodation will be provided in Tsedang.

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

We will begin our journey by driving upstream alongside the Brahmaputra River towards Gyantse. Along the way, we will pass through various Tibetan towns and villages. As we ascend the Kampa La Pass at an elevation of 4700 meters, we will navigate through a winding road. From the top of the pass, you will be greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the sacred Yamdrok Lake nestled deep within the mountainous valley, its turquoise color adding to its ethereal beauty. We will continue driving alongside the lake for a few kilometers. During the journey, we will make a stop at Karo La (5150 meters) to witness the grandeur of the holy Mount Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier.

The remainder of the day will be spent marveling at the magnificent valleys and charming Tibetan villages that we pass through. Upon arrival in Gyantse, we will visit the Kumbum Stupa and Pelkhor Choede Monastery. The Kumbum Stupa is a magnificent structure with multiple doors, and it holds the distinction of being the largest stupa in Tibet. Not only is it renowned for its architectural beauty, but it is also adorned with ancient sculptures and paintings throughout the inner walls, carrying centuries of history.

Overnight accommodation will be provided in Gyantse.

Attractions; Villages and farms, Tashi Lhunpo monastery.

We will embark on a short drive to Shigatse, enjoying a smooth and well-maintained road along the way. In the morning, we will visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. This monastery was originally constructed 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 come across the tombs of the seven past Panchen Lamas. The bustling cobblestone lanes winding around the aged buildings, which are used as monks’ apartments, create a delightful atmosphere to stroll through.

Overnight accommodation will be provided in Shigatse.

Attractions: Nimo home-made incense factory, Brahmaputra river.

As we drive through the scenic route, passing by several villages, we will make a stop at the Nyimo local home-based incense factory. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness the traditional production process of incense. The locals use primitive water-operated tools to process the incense materials, and each incense stick is meticulously handcrafted. If conditions allow, you may even have the chance to observe the locals making the incense on-site. However, please note that this may not always be available due to local circumstances.

Later in the afternoon, we will arrive in Lhasa. You will have some free time to explore the bustling Bakhor street, where you can shop for gifts to bring back home for your family and friends.

Overnight accommodation will be provided in Lhasa.

Our guide and driver will accompany you to the airport or train station for your departure. It’s time to bid farewell and proceed to your next destination. Before you leave, we kindly request a few moments of your time to provide feedback on our services. You can either complete the feedback form or send us an email. We sincerely appreciate your input. With this, the trip officially comes to an end.