Trip Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Lhasa, meet and greet by our Tibetan guide and transfer to your hotel, rest of the afternoon free for acclimatization as you fly from low land to high altitude.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing including Jokhang temple, the heart of Tibetans religious shrine and observe the people doing the kora every morning. The temple was originally constructed in 7th century and one of the popular icons of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Potala palace once lived Dalai Lama there, one of the major attractions of Lhasa, the main palace got divided into two different portions, the white part and the red part. Originally the palace was constructed by SrongtsenGompo back in 7th century and later they keep adding the part of the complex. Located on top of the hill that overlooks Lhasa town. Listed in the world heritage site by Unesco, the palace is full of chapels, shrines and murals of old days.
Afternoon visit to Norbulinkha, the winter palace of Dalai Lama constructed by 7th Dalai Lama back in 1755. Later addition of chapels, pools and garden by 14th Dalai Lama. This palace is perfect example Tibetan-European architecture with modern living quarters for Dalai Lama with perfect western bathrooms.
Day 03: Lhasa sightseeing including Drepung Monastery, one of the biggest monastery of Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded in 1416 by disciple of Tsongkhapa, JamyangChojey. Located about 5 kms west of the main town, this was a residence for more than 15000 monks until 1960. Monastery is especially famous for its construction with caves, pagodas and temple of JamyangChojey. After completing visit to Drepung monastery continue sightseeing to Sera monastery, one of the biggest schools of gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded in 1419.Sera means “merciful hail”. It is so said to have been so named out of rivalry to its neighbor Drepung. Situated about four kilometers north of Lhasa, on the lower slopes of a range of barren hills named Tatipu, famous for silver ore.
Afternoon visit to Mentisikhing( Tibetan medicine Center): The history of herbal medicine dated back to even 2500 years, having great value in the past days. The main Tibetan medicine institute was founded back in 1916 to do research in Tibetan herbal medicine and give training to produce traditional Tibetan doctors. One of the biggest institute, most of the theory portrayed on a traditional painting as a teaching tool.
Day 04: Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse via YamdrokTso Lake and, observe Yamdroktse and visit Gyantse. After visiting Gyantse drive up to Shalu monastery.Gyantse located in the Nyangchu valley, originally part of the trade route and third biggest town in Tibet. Famous for GyantseKhumbum and Gyantsedzong(fort).GyantseKhumbum is particularly famous for Shakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Khumbum’s six floor houses 77 chapels and almost 10000 murals which is very special to Nepalese influence in Tibetan Buddhism. Gyantse is also famous for Palchor Monastery and ruins of a fort.Overnight in tent near Shalu monastery.
Day 05: Trek from Shalu monastery to Upper Lungsang (4060m.), takes 5-6 hours of walking. The trail passes through Phunup village, Ripu Hermitage and Showa-La pass. The day gives idea how a normal Tibetan family living in the country side. A day to day life of a Tibetans can be observed during the day. Shalu monastery is also the seat of Buton Rimpoche.
Day 06: Trek from Upper Lungsang to Ngor Monastery and continue to Nartang monastery and drive to Shigatse for overnight stay. Ngor is one of the popular villages of the area where people are engaged in farming. Ngor monastery is famous for its mural paintings and collection of its Sanskrit literature. The trek continues to Nartang monastery. After a short visit to Nartang monastery, drive back to Shigatse. Shigatse is the second biggest city of Tibet.Overnight in hotel.
Day 07: Visit Shigatse and drive back to Lhasa. Shigatse is the ancient capital of Tibet for many years until they move capital to Lhasa and very famous for TashiLhumpo monastery, is the headquarters of Panchen Lama. TashiLhumpo monastery is founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama. TashiLhumpo monastery is taken as a perfect example of the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the past time this was a house for more than 4000 monks and famous for its tantric teaching. The monastery is famous for its sutra hall, palace and college.Afternoon drive to Lhasa.Overnight in hotel in Lhasa.
Day 08: Departure from Lhasa. On a proper time, transfer to Gongar international airport for flight to another destination.
