6 Days Tibet Culture Tour

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6 Days Tibet Culture Tour

Nov.-Mar. From CNY 4600

Apr.-Oct. From CNY 5500

Explain

1. Based on double occupancy.
2. Comfortable hotels in cities and guesthouses in some remote places.
3. Flight and train are not included.
4. Tour cost is only for reference, please inquire for detailed quotation.
5. The more people, the cheaper cost.

Is this trip for me?
6 days and 5 nightsTrip Length:
Activity:
Season:
Explain>>

In order to make it easier for you to choose the right trip, we have graded our trips with certain Trip Level System from 1 to 4 according to the degree of activities and altitude. We have also suggested the most suitable groups or individuals for each Trip Level.
In the Trip Overview of each itinerary there is also a brief description of what the Trip is like.
Our staffs at the Explore Tibet are always happy to answer any questions you have and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness.
1. Easy
Light walking and hiking that is suitable for all level of fitness, generally altitude range between 3500m/9800ft to 4000m/13000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids and senior groups.

2. Moderate
May included moderate level of hiking, biking, horse riding and maximum altitude of 5000m/16000ft. Hotels and guesthouses accommodation.
Suitable for family with kids bigger than 12 years, individual having average level for fitness.

3. Moderate to Strenuous
May include high altitude hiking up to 6 hours, long hour driving and sometimes overnight at around 5000m/16000ft, require a moderately high level of fitness, camping and basic lodging facility.
Suitable for adult family, individuals physically fit and have experiences of high altitude trekking.

4. Strenuous
May include high altitude trekking and mountaineering, camping and basic lodging facilities, altitude range from 3600m/9800ft to 6000m/19000ft.
Suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.

Trip Level:
Inquiry Tailor-Made

Overview
Itinerary
Before you go
Extra Cares
Trip pictures

Inquiry

This amazing Tibet Culture Tour is a small group tour starts from the holy Lhasa city by appreciating its prominent and world heritage Potala Palace sacred Jokhang temple sprawling Sera and Drepung monastery your arrival to the holy city will be greeted by the lovely blue sky and impressive glimpse of gigantic Potala palace perched on the red hill while during a couple of days acclimation and jet-lag alleviation you will deeply be overwhelmed by visiting numbers of world heritages and supernatural temples bustling street around the Jokhang temple is one of the most devotional streets known as Bakhor it will also extend the way to Gyantse and Shigatse in the west experience the distinct Tibetan culture of western(Tsang) Tibet by driving along the stunning turquoise color lake Yamdrok and blooming Nyenchen Kangsar glacier under the sunny plateau climate you will never waste every single minute by discovering new experiences and wonders on the way to Gyantse and Shigatse. Most importantly you will get a chance to know many new friends among the group and share beautiful stories that enrich your travel in Tibet. On your way back from Shigatse you may take the recently opened express train which will adds different experiences for the Tibet Culture Tour.

Tour Map

Click on the map to enlarge

Day	Trip Outline	Activity	Accommodation
Day 1	Arrival in Lhasa (3680m)	Pick up and transfer to hotel rest at hotel.	Tashi Takgye / Tashi Noda hotel
Day 2	Lhasa sightseeing	Bakhor street Johkang Temple Potala Palace	Tashi Takgye / Tashi Noda hotel
Day 3	Lhasa sightseeing	Sera Monastery Drepung Monastery	Tashi Takgye / Tashi Noda hotel
Day 4	Lhasa-Gyangtse-Shigatse (3900m) 350km approx 7hrs	Yamdrok Lake Karola Glacier Kumbum Stupa	Gesar hotel
Day 5	Shigatse-Lhasa (3680m) 280km approx 6 hrs	Yarlung TsangpoTashi Lhunpo monastery	Tashi Takgye / Tashi Noda hotel
Day 6	Depart from Tibet	Send off to train/airport

If you want to have a single room during the hotel nights or no one else sharing the room with you, then you need to pay the single room supplement fee, please check the single room supplement fee as in the below table;

Months	Cost of single room supplement
Jan - Jun and Sept - Dec	RMB 850
Jul and Aug	RMB 1,000

Fixed Departure Dates

Calender
Departure List

CURRENCY CONVERTER

*Last Updated: 2019.04.03
*Source: Bank of China

Departure Dates	Price(per person) /Status

Tour Cost Included:

– All necessary travel permits to Tibet;
– Entrance ticket fees for all the sight spots listed in the itinerary;
– Vehicle and guide entrances for the Everest Natural Reserve;
– Private transportation in Tibet with experienced local Tibetan driver: Ranging from 4WD land cruiser to minibus depending on the group size and trip route (car gasoline is included) See vehicle photos here;
– Private guide: English speaking local Tibetan guide;
– Lodging: Comfortable class hotel: Tashi Takgye hotel / Tashi Noda hotel in Lhasa and Gesar hotel in Shigatse;
– Free shuttle bus Pick-up and send-off services at the beginning/end of the tour(Check shuttle bus frequency below);
– Train tickets from Shigatse to Lhasa on Day 5;
– Bottle water;
– A mobile with local SIM card for the group(it can received international call and text messages also);
– Oxygen: One big Oxygen tank in the car (4L or 7L);
– Meals: only breakfast is included ;
– Lodging and meals for guide and drivers;
– First aid kit;

Tour Cost Excluded:

-Travel insurance covers trip cancellation and emergency evacuation (recommended to buy from your home country before you leave);
– Expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages laundry phone call etc.);
– Chinese visa or Tibet Group Visa;
– International and domestic flight/train tickets.(Note: we accept flights and train tickets bookings in advance please check the updated cost and tickets availability with our travel consultant);
– Meals – lunches and dinners averagely a meal in Tibet cost around USD5 per person;
– Gratuities for the guide and driver.

DAY 01. ARRIVAL IN LHASA BY AIR OR TRAIN AND MEET WITH OTHER TRAVELERS
A short flight to Tibet from Kathmandu or mainland China gives you a panoramic view of the snowy Himalayan ranges while the long train ride over the high plateau crossing the mighty Tanggula Mountains gets you to Lhasa through the stunning scenery along the route. On your arrival in Lhasa whether train station or airport your guide will be there to greet you and transfer you to your pre-booked hotel in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. The 60km trip from the airport in Gonggar County takes around an hour using the recently-built Airport Expressway while the 25km drive from the railway station across the river takes around 30 minutes. At your hotel you can check in and meet the other members of your group. For the rest of the day you can rest and take it easy to allow your body to acclimatize to the higher altitude of Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 02. LHASA ESCORTED TOUR
Attractions: Potala Palace Jokhang Temple and the bustling Barkhor Street.
As today is the first full day on the high-altitude plateau you may feel a little headache or nausea from the symptoms of altitude sickness. This is common for travelers to Tibet and normally subsides after a day or two of rest and hydration as the body adjusts.

The morning starts with a trip to the Old Lhasa city where we will visit the sacred Jokhang Temple. The most holy temple in Tibet Jokhang has been a major pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years and is always busy with pilgrims. After touring the inside of the temple you will be able to walk around Barkhor Street the devotional kora route around the temple and the biggest market area in Lhasa Old City.

In the afternoon we will tackle the steps up the Red Hill to visit the Potala Palace the most iconic landmark in Tibet which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. First constructed in the 7^th century by the famous Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo the modern palace buildings were built over the original fortress in the 17^th century as the new home and seat of government of the Dalai Lama. The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore the streets.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 03. LHASA TOUR
Attractions: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.
The second full day in Lhasa starts with a visit to the Drepung Monastery which used to be the largest monastery in the world housing more than 10000 monks and lamas. The original residence of the Dalai Lama before the construction of the Potala Palace Drepung Monastery has been damaged several times over the years but the narrow twisting lanes between the monastic residences are still a thrilling place to explore.

After the tour of Drepung we will travel to Sera Monastery in the afternoon located a few kilometers north of the Jokhang Temple. Built in the15th century by a disciple of Tsongkhapa Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi the monastery holds a number of monastic colleges with several hundred monks from across Tibet in residence. The best attraction of the monastery for tourists is the famous philosophical and theological debates of the monks which happens in the debating courtyard every afternoon except Sunday
Stay overnight in Lhasa.

DAY 4: LHASA (3656m) – GYANTSE (3977m) – SHIGATSE (3845m) 356km 7hrs.
Attractions: Yamdrok Lake Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier Gyantse Kumbum Stupa and Pelkor Chode monastery.
Today we start to drive southwest through the zigzag road that climbs up to the Gampa La pass (4794m) from where you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of holy Lake Yamdrok with its turquoise waters and the snow-capped Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. We continue to drive alongside the lake for a few kilometers to get us to the lunch stop at Nagartse.

The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages that we pass through. En route to Shigatse we will stop at Karo La (5150m) to see the holy Mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. On arrival in Gyantse we will visit the famous Kumbum stupa in the Pelkor Chode Monastery. This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet and is not only well known for its architecture but also for its old sculptures and paintings that are all around its inner walls. In the late afternoon we will drive to Shigatse (3845m) which is only 90km.
Stay overnight in Shigatse.

DAY 5: SHIGATSE – LHASA BY 12:05 TRAIN FROM SHIGATSE 248-271km 3 hrs.
Attractions: Tashilhunpo monastery.
Today we will visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning. The Tashilhunpo Monastery was built by the 1st Dalai Lama Gedun Drup in 1447 and later became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineage. There you will see the tombs of 7 passed Panchen Lamas and it is a real pleasure to pass through the busy cobbled lanes twisting around the aged buildings that are used as monks apartments. After the monastery tour we will go for lunch together and enjoy a short walk with our tour guide around the local Shigatse markets. Today we have two possible options based on the group size and transportation situation. We can drive back to Lhasa or take the express train along the new Lhasa-Shigatse Railway.

If it is the train a local guide will arrange a taxi to the Shigatse train station which is less than 15 minutes’ drive. You will board the train which departs at 12:05 and arrives in Lhasa at 14:40. You can enjoy the 2 hours and 35 minutes train ride on this recently opened railway line. You will be picked up by our guide and driver from the train station in Lhasa and transported to your hotel.

If you drive then our driver will meet you and our guide at the hotel for the drive back to Lhasa. The drive back along the famous northern Friendship Highway takes around 6 hours from Shigatse to Lhasa. Soon after your arrival our driver will transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
(Please be prepared for either of the above two possible options for transiting back to Lhasa and we will try our best to make it as simple and convenient as possible).

DAY 6: LHASA TRAIN STATION OR AIRPORT SEND OFF.
After a hearty breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for the trip to the train station or airport for your travel out of Tibet. It is time to say goodbye and continue on to the next destination in your plans. Before you leave we would appreciate you completing our short evaluation survey either on the feedback form or by sending us an email.

Tour Cost Includes:

Tour Cost Excludes:

Important information for cultural tours in Tibet.

· Best Season to Travel

For anyone traveling with a love of the different cultures you can find around the globe a trip to visit some of the most important sites in Tibet’s Buddhist culture is an awesome opportunity. One of the main tours that can be done throughout the year with no problems regarding snow and rain this is one of the best ways to get a personal introduction to the unique culture of Tibet and its ancient inhabitants.While this tour is best done from April to October when the weather is at its best for touring on the high-altitude plateau it is not a must. Even the months from November to March are good for this trip as you will be traveling around Lhasa then out on the road as far as Shigatse. With little in the way of snow in these areas of Tibet you are highly unlikely to get caught out and even the monsoon rains cannot dull the sparkle of this unique chance to get to see the most spectacular of Tibet’s culture.

· Best part of the Tour

Sometimes the best part of the tour is the part you least expect it to be. For many people the best part of any trip is the travel. In some traveler’s opinions the best part of this particular trip is the view of the Sacred Lake Yamdrok from the top of the Gampala Pass. For others it can be the stunning experience of the Potala Palace and the Jokhang temple in Lhasa. However for many tourists traveling this tour it has been said that the best experience of the tour is the visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery the seat of the Panchen Lama in Tibet. Built in the 15^th century by the First Dalai Lama the monastery houses the tombs of seven previous Panchen Lama incarnations and the cobbled lanes and ancient buildings are a pleasure to walk among.

· Unique Tour Attractions

Tibet has a wealth of unique attractions and it can be said that every attraction is unique since even the monasteries differ in style form and tradition across the plateau. One of the most unique aspects of this cultural trip is the visit to the Jokhang temple and the chance to view the 2500 year-old Jowo Rinpoche the statue of Gautama Buddha that was brought to Tibet in the 7rh century from the Tang Dynasty of China.The Potala Palace is the most iconic symbol of Tibet and is a unique building constructed as both monastic apartments and government offices. The palace is renowned for its Red and White Palaces and part of the original fortress from the 7^th century still remains inside the grounds. The Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar Glacier is one of the most unique glaciers in Tibet and maybe in the world. Flowing down from the side of one of the holiest mountains close to Lhasa the glacier shines pristine white in the bright sunshine and is one of the most intact and undamaged glaciers in Tibet from global warming and the bottled water industry. No matter what method of travel you use to get to Tibet this unique tour gives you the chance to ride the famous Tibet Trains. The last days of the tour see you traveling back from Shigatse to Lhasa by train along the Lhasa-Shigatse extension line of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway. If there is one way you are guaranteed to learn more about Tibetan culture it is with a load of locals on a closed train. Tibetans love to chat with tourists and you will be able to spend a good few hours talking with the local Tibetan people.

· Altitude Changes of Tour

The tour may not take you to the tops of the highest mountains but nor does it take you to the lowest valleys. This is a short tour that does have some high changes in altitude along the route. Starting in Lhasa you will have a couple of days of exploring to get used to the higher altitude before heading out on the road. The first of the high points you will pass by is at the Gampala Pass at 4794 meters above sea level. Then you will drop down to ride alongside Lake Yamdrok at 4441 meters. On the road to Gyantse (3977m) you will pass by the Karola Glacier at 5150 meters and drop down even further from Gyantse to Shigatse at 3845 meters. A little up and down as the latter part of the tour you will reach altitudes above 5000 meters albeit briefly. However you will sleep at lower altitudes which is the recommendation when traveling to extreme altitude regions.

Different altitudes of Tibet’s Cultural Attractions

6 days tibetan culture day-Explore Tibet

· Top Hotels

Lhasa has a wide range of hotels you can stay in for your tour from the best five-star luxury palaces to the cheapest and most basic (for Lhasa) guesthouses in the city. Luxury hotels include the Four Points by Sheraton the Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise the Manasarovar Grand Hotel the St. Regis Lhasa Resort and the Brahmaputra Grand Hotel. You can also choose from such three-star hotels as the Lhasa Yak Hotel or the Lhasa Shangbala Hotel or stay in friendly guesthouses for less including the House of Shambhala the Yabshi Phunkhang Heritage Hotel and many others.Shigatse also has a good range of hotels for your trip. There are no five-star hotels but you have a good selection of hotels around 3-4 star as well as plenty of local guesthouses. The hotels in Shigatse you can stay in include the Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel the Shigatse Yak Hotel (yes there is a Yak Hotel in several cities in Tibet as it is a popular name) and the aptly-named Shigatse hotel to name a few.

· Tour Popularity

A unique tour the Cultural Tour of Tibet’s major centers of the unique Buddhist culture is a specialized tour that gives interested travelers an insight into this amazing people. More the kind of tour that suits people that are not all about selfies and rushing around attractions this exciting and interesting tour makes up around 13% of travelers to Tibet.

Group Tours in 2019 (January - October)

Rest assured you are in good hands when you travel with Explore Tibet. As the first group tour operator on the Tibetan Plateau we’ve accumulated tons of valuable experience leading tours over the years. Your safety and travel experience is paramount to us and we have constantly refined our practices to ensure our customers have the smoothest and most comfortable journey possible. At Explore Tibet we are not just your tour guides drivers and travel consultants but we are also your friends and hosts. We understand that you may be unused to this new environment so we have taken these extra precautions at no extra cost to you. Every tour group is equipped with: 1. First Aid Kit Besides a fully equipped kit in every vehicle all of our tour guides have received First Aid Kit training from Aerie Backcountry Medicine and are Wilderness Medicine Essentials Course certified. First Aid in Tibet by Explore Tibet

2. Oxygen Cylinder All our cars are equipped with an oxygen cylinder (4L to 7L) for group use and if the oxygen runs out our guide will refill the cylinder either in Lhasa or Shigatse. Oxygen tank provided by Explore Tibet

3. Bottled Waters As Tibet has a dry and sunny climate staying hydrated is very important. But since tap water in Tibet is not safe for consumption we provide bottled mineral water for all of our groups. Drinking water in Tibet

4. Mobile Phone with Local SIM Card When we say 24-hour service we mean it. Every tour group comes with a dedicated mobile phone with all of our contact information already loaded and a local SIM card so you can reach us at any time. Mobile and local SIM in Tibet

5. Specially Designed Explore Tibet Lhasa Map Our itineraries hit the right balance of arranged activities and free time. To make the most of your free time we’ve prepared a specially designed handy Lhasa guide and map with our recommendations of what to eat and see. Tibet Lhasa Map by Explore Tibet

And there are more surprises and extra services from Explore Tibet that will enrich your Tibet tour with full of wonders and excitement please check with your Trip Advisor what are other extra services that only Explore Tibet can provide.

Free Airport Shuttle Bus:

In order to make it more convenient for our clients, we have arranged two shuttle buses a day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. So when you are purchasing the flight tickets, please take the shuttle bus timing into consideration. Of course, if you don’t want to wait for the shuttle bus, we can arrange a private airport pick-up and transfer for you, this service costs USD60 per time.

Shuttle bus pick-up time at the beginning of the tour:
1st shuttle bus departs from the airport at 12:30 2nd shuttle bus departs from the airport at 16:00

Shuttle bus transfer time at the end of the tour:
1st shuttle bus departs from the hotel at 7:30am 2nd shuttle bus departs from the hotel at 11:00am

Note:
If you miss the free shuttle bus because of your flight delay or cancellation, then you will have to pay for the private airport pick-up, which costs USD60 per time. Also, please make sure to update your tour consultant about your new flight schedule.

Train station pick-up is totally for free, but sometimes you may need to wait for other travelers’ arrival around the same time.

Frequently asked questions and Answers

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