6 Days Cultural Excursion

Today is the your first day on the high plateau and some of you may have little headache which is very common for travelers because of the high altitude, so drinking enough water and mild activity during the first few days is recommendable. In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the centre of the Old Lhasa city. Jokhang temple is one of the most sacred temples in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since from early days. After that you have time to walk around the Bakhor street which is one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa. During the old days it is the most famous local market but now it is changed into 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, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in 7th century and later in 17th century rebuilt by 5th Dalai Lama. Since then it was home to the Dalai Lama and his government. Walking though the long steps is quite challenging but it is worthwhile to leave your footprints in the spiritual palace on God’s compassion which listed in the world heritage in 1994. Continue acclimatizing and alleviating jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today we will visit Drepung Monastery in the morning. It is one of the world's largest monasteries that houses more than 10,000 monks. It was  the resident of the Dalai Lama prior to Potala Palace. Destructions were taken place in different time but still you have lots of things to see. Walking through numbers of narrow and twisted lanes through the monks’ apartments which are more like a typical village. The amazing day will be ended with a visit to the Sera Monastery. It was 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 homes of several hundred monks from different parts of Tibet. The famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks are happening everyday in the afternoon except Sunday. Continue acclimatizing and alleviating jet lag rest of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

Today we start to drive towards south west. Along the zigzag road climbing up the Kampa la pass (4700m), you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdrok lake with its turquoise color with snow capped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. Then we continue driving along the lake for a few kilometers to the lunch stop at Nagar tse. The rest of the day will be spent in enjoying many magnificent valleys and exquisite Tibetan villages while we pass through, en route we will stop at Karo la (5150m) to see the holy mount Nyenchen Kangsar glacier. Arriving at Gyantse to visit Kumbum stupa and Palkhor Choede monastery. This magnificent multi-door structure is the largest stupa in Tibet, and it is not only well known for its architecture but also its old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls. Late afternoon we will drive to Shigatse which is only 90km. Overnight in Shigatse.

Today we will visit the Tashu Lhunpo monastery in the morning, Tashi Lhunpo monastery was built by the 1st Dalai Lama-Gedun Drup in 1447 and later it became the seat of the Panchen Lama lineages. From there you will see tombs of 7 passed Pachen Lamas lineages and it is a real pleasure to pass through the busy coobled lanes twisting around the aged buildings that used as monks apartments. And then we will drive back to Lhasa in the afternoon, along the northern friendship highway, the road cuts through numbers of villages and en route we will stop at Nyimo local home based incense factory, they use primitive water operated tools to process incense materials and each incense sticks are purely hand made, and you may see locals making it on the spot. After that we will arrive in Lhasa later in the afternoon and you have some time to explore around the Bakhor to shop gifts for your families and friends at home. Overnight in Lhasa.