13 Days Holy Lhamo Lhatso Trekking

Attractions; Potala palace, Jokhang Temple, and bustling Bakhor Street. Today is your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have a little headache which is very common for travelers by the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity on the first few days is important. In the morning, our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of Old Lhasa City.   Jokhang temple is the most sacred temple in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit the temple you have time to walk around Bakhor Street which is one of the most devotional circuits. As well a crowded central market of Lhasa for a long time, in the early days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed into a tourist gift shopping Centre. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo first built it in the 7^th century and later in the 17^th century, rebuilt by the 5^th Dalai Lama then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Continues to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions; Drepung monastery and Sera monastery. Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning, once the world's largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace, destructions were taken place at different times but still. You have lots of things to see, walking through a number of narrow and twisted lanes through the monks' apartments is more like a typical village. The amazing day will end with a visit to the Sera Monastery that is built in the fifteenth century by the Jamchen Choji Sakya Yeshi. Who is a disciple of Tsongka pa, a few different monastic colleges in Sera are home to several hundred monks from different parts of Tibet, and the famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening every day in the afternoon except Sunday. Continues to acclimatize and alleviate jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Attractions: Yarlung and Chongye Valley. After breakfast, we are driving to Tsetang which is located in the southeast of Lhasa. Crossing the only tunnel of Lhasa lengths 1.4km we will see the Yarlung Valley and River. Driving from the airport towards the city gives you perfect views of the Yarlung River where also there is a ferry called Samye Ferry where before the road was constructed pilgrims use to take the boat to Samye monastery. This ferry is so popular that still many tourists use to sit on the ferry and visit the monastery in order to get a taste of the local ferry. However, we will straight drive to Tsetang (reputed as the cradle of the Tibetan civilization).  Chongye is the birthplace of the 5^th Dalai Lama (1617-1682). Overnight hotel.

Attractions: Samye monastery and Yumbulakhang. Samye is the first monastery in Tibet during the time of King Trisong Ditsen, in the 8^th century. Containing more than 1200yrs of history shaped like a mandala structure located 50km away from the west of Tsetang. This monastery is the only one at that time that contains the three atoms of Buddha. After lunch, drive back to the city and then take the Chongye Valley and make a left turn to visit Yumbulakhang. Is a castle made during the time of 1^st king Nyatri Tsenpo. Moreover, at the time of the 33^rd King Songtsen Gampo, he used this castle as his winter palace. Located on a hill and prayer flags surrounded every side of the fortress. Drive back to Tsetang. Overnight hotel.

Attraction: Densatil monastery and Woka Hydropower station. Today we drive to Zangri crossing the city bridge and visit the Phagdru Kagyu monastery called Densatil located on the Phagdru Mountain which is one of the four main sub-branches of Kagy order. Then in the noontime. We will drive downstream and see the Woka Hydropower station and from there we need to drive 20km upwards to a hill. Woka or Olka Taktse Dzong village is situated on that hill, once we get to the village we need to arrange all the necessary things for our trek. Overnight guesthouse.

Attraction: Choelung temple and Chusang temple. Our trekking starts from the village via Choelung village, hiking on the winding mountain path through small valleys. After Choeong temple we will continue our trek for 30mins lead us to the Chusang temple. Tsongkhapa once stayed in this temple while spreading Buddhist teachings of the Yellow Hat order. Camping.

Attraction: Gyeluo pass (5550m), Azalea trees, and Nayu Valley. Breakfast in early in the morning we will watch the sunrise appearing from the summit of the Gyelou Pass snow mountain. Beginning trek along the chattering brook makes us quite hard yet so adventurous. And Azalea trees are growing everywhere on our journey. The environment gives us a feeling of peacefulness and harmony in the Nayu Valley. We will trek until the campsite in this valley.

Attraction: Mountain and landscapes. Our trek starts from Nayu Valley, uphill first for some kilometers and then we are heading down along the mountain ridge. Most of the road is quite gentle and smooth so we don’t have to worry a lot about the road. However, we will see on the right side of the Lung Pass (5180m) and snow-capped mountains. In the meantime, you can also do some Yoga if you like, as the place is so quiet. Hiking down the lower reaches of Dagu valley, lead us to the campsite. Our camping is near a village. Overnight camping.

Attraction: The oracle lake is called Lhamo Lhatso. Today our final trekking day is to follow the valley until Oracle Lake. Lhamo Lhatso literally means Lhamo means for goddess or fairy and Lhatso means lake for the goddess or fairy. This lake surrounded by high and snowcapped mountains. The lake situates in the core of the mountains regarding the lake, it is protected by the oracle called Palden Lhamo (goddess). This is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet where so many pilgrims are also visiting every year. Overnight camping.

Attraction: Chokhorgyal temple (4500m). Our final destination is Tsojiu by crossing the Chokhorgyal temple which is founded in 1509 by the 2^nd Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso (1476-1542), and inside we will see the footprints of the second Dalai Lama. This monastery is also used by the Dalai lamas and regents when they come to visit the lake. Hiking for 8 hours takes us to the last destination, Tsojiu. Overnight guesthouse.

Attraction: Gyatsa town. After breakfast we are driving back to Tsetang via Gyatsa, it’s a town nearest to the lake and every permit is checked there both for the entry and exit for the oracle lake. However, we are driving back to Tsetang. Overnight Tsetang.

Drive straight to the airport from Tsetang that is 90km way. Fly out of Tibet and ends your trip.