A short flight into Tibet offers a panorama of the snowy Himalayan ranges and snow covered Tibetan plateau. If you take the train to Tibet it emerges onto the high plateau by crossing the mighty Tanggula pass (5076m) getting you to Lhasa with beautiful sceneries along the route. On your arrival at the Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Train Station you will be greeted by our Tibetan guide and driver and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa city. From the airport to Lhasa is about 60km and it takes less than an hour along the recently built highway. From the train station it is only 25km and it takes about half an hour. Check into the hotel and take it easy for the rest of the day to acclimatize and alleviate any jet lag.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 02. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR
Attractions: Jokhang Temple and bustling Barkhor Street and Sera Monastery.
Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have a little headache which is very common for travelers at high altitudes so drinking enough water and only mild activity on the first few days is recommended.
In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang Temple is one of the most sacred temples in Tibet and it has always been busy with earnest local pilgrims since the early days. After that you have time to walk around Barkhor Street which is one of the most devotional pilgrimage circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa. During the old days it was the most famous local market in Tibet but now it has changed to become a tourist gift shopping center.
The amazing day will end with a visit to the Sera Monastery. It was built in the 15th century by the Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi who was a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa the founder of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. The major monastic colleges in Sera are home to several hundred monks from different parts of Tibet. The famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks happen in the afternoon every day except Sunday. Continue to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag for the rest of the day.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 03. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR.
Attractions: Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery.
Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace the cardinal landmark of Tibet and a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was first built by the 33rd King of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and later rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking up the long steps is quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your foot steps in the spiritual palace of the God of Compassion. The palace was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage lists in 1994.
In the afternoon we will visit the Drepung Monastery once the world’s largest monastery which once housed more than 10000 monks. It was the official residence of the Dalai Lama prior to the completion of the Potala Palace and has seen severe damage taken over the centuries. However you still have lots of things to see and walking through the huge numbers of narrow and twisted lanes through the monks’ apartments is thrilling. Continue to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag for the rest of the day.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
DAY 04. LHASA AIRPOR/TRAIN STATION SEND OFF.
Today our guide and driver will send you to the airport or train station and it is time to say your goodbyes and depart for your next destination. Before your departure we will appreciate it if you can spend a short time to evaluate our services either by filling out the feedback form or simply sending us an email.
Tour Cost Excludes:
– Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation(recommended);
– Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages laundry phone call etc.);
– Chinese visa or Tibet Group Visa;
– International and domestic flight/train.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance please check the updated cost and ticket availability with your travel consultant);
– Meals – lunches and dinners (Averagely a meal in Tibet cost USD5 per person);
– Gratuities for the guide and driver: