Trip Itinerary
Day 1: 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 2: 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 icon of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Potala palace once lived Dalai Lama there, one of the major attraction 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 a perfect example Tibetan-European architecture with modern living quarters for Dalai Lama with perfect western bathrooms.
Day 3: 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 school 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 Mentisikhang( 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 4: Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdroktso lake, observe Yamdroktse and visit Gyantse. Gyantse located in the Nyangchu valley, originally part of the trade route and third biggest town in Tibet. Famous for Gyantse Khumbum 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. Also famous for Palchor Monastery and ruins of a fort.
Day 5: Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse. Take a short drive from Gyantse to Shigatse and visit Shigatse. 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.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. Famous for its sutra hall, palace and college.
Day 6: Drive from Shigatse to xegar. Xegar also popular by the name Shelkar is Gateway to Everest.This small town houses ShelkarChhode monastery founded in 1266 by a Kagyu lama but later changed its ownership to Gelukpa sect. The hill behind the monastery has some ruins of XegarDzong where the first British expedition to Everest from north face stayed.
Day 7: Drive from Xegar to Everest base camp and return back to Xegar for overnight stay. First spectacular view of Everest and Choyu fromPangla pass. Lunch at Everest base camp in tented camps and drive back to Xegar for overnight stay.
Day 8: Long drive from Xegar to Lhasa and overnight in Lhasa.
Day 9: Visit to Samye monastery and drive back to Lhasa. Samye is the very first monastery built in Tibet dates back to 775 under the patronage of the king TrisongDetsen. Popular monastery of Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Monastery is laid out in the shape of a giant mandala. Very important Tibetan religious center depicting religious art in mural and statue form. The three story wuzi hall is the main attraction of the temple.
Day 10: Visit to heavenly lake Namtso and overnight there. Heavenly lake Namtso considered one of the three holy lakes of Tibet. Famous for its high altitude (4700m) and vast area (about 2000 sqkms). This is the salt lake located in the higher elevation of the world. Sleeping facilities on the tent or small guest house .
Day 11: Drive back to Lhasa and afternoon free doing last minute shopping and preparation for flight or another destination.
Day 12: Departure from Lhasa. Farewell for the forbidden land of the world and move to another destination.
