6 Days Lhasa Sightseeing and Namtso Lake
Prices from $950
Our guide will greet you at the Lhasa Gonggar airport or the train station. After that, you will head to your hotel in Lhasa, where you will spend the first three days. While there, you will enjoy some of the best cultural and historical places in the capital in Tibet, and acclimatize before heading to the Namtso lake. Namtso is the world’s highest salt lake. It is surrounded by snow-peaked mountains and offers fantastic views. On the way back, you can soak in the Yangpachen hot spring to warm up and relax.
KEY FACTS
Main Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Barkhor Street, Namtso Lake, Yangpachen hotspring
Duration: 6 days
Cost: Prices start from $950
Maximum Elevation: 4,700 m/ 15,470 ft
Best Time to Travel: June through October
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival in Lhasa
You arrive at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or the train station. The airport is 62 km/ 39 miles away from the city, and it takes approximately one hour to get to the hotel from there. On the way to Lhasa, you will enjoy beautiful views of the mountains. The train station is located in Lhasa, and you will only need a short transfer to the hotel.
Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have some free time to spend in Lhasa. Our guides will be happy to advise you on what you can do with your time in Lhasa. Remember, that Lhasa is located at 3,650 meters/ 12,000 ft above sea level and you will need some time to acclimatize.
After you check in the hotel, you are welcome to explore the city, visit nearby temples, do some shopping, try delicious Tibetan food in one of the local restaurants, or just take a rest.
Walking around Barkhor Street can be an excellent choice for your first day in Lhasa. You will join crowds of pilgrims, local Tibetans, and monks circumambulating the Jokhang Temple.
Most importantly, on your first day in Tibet, be sure to relax, enjoy your day and allow some time for acclimatizing. Namtso lake is located at 4,700 meters/ 15,470 ft above the sea level. That’s why you need to spend a couple of days at the lower elevation before going towards the lake.
Day 2 – Lhasa city tour: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
This tour visits the two most important religious sites in Tibet.
The Potala Palace was the seat of the Dalai Lamas since the 17th century. First, the guide will take you to the Chak Pori Hill to take photos of the majestic Palace. We will then go inside and spend approximately 1.5 – 2 hours there. While there, you will see many of its most famous artifacts.
There will be free time for lunch after visiting the Potala Palace.
Time permitting, you can walk around the Potala Palace and join many of the local Tibetans.
Next, we will walk towards the Jokhang Temple. It was built in the 7th century to display the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue – the statue of the 12-year-old Buddha before his enlightenment. The statue was created at the time when the historical Buddha lived. It is elaborately decorated with gold, jewels, and precious stones.
After visiting the temple, we recommend taking a walk around Barkhor Street.
More information about the Potala Palace andJokhang Temple
Day 3 – Lhasa city tour: Drepung and Sera Monasteries
We are visiting two most important monasteries in the capital.
First, we will visit Drepung monastery which once was the biggest monastery in the world with over 10,000 monks living there. It was the residence of Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built.
We have lunch after the visit.
In the afternoon we are visiting Sera Monastery. It was founded by Tsongkhapa’s disciple in the 15th century. Nowadays it is famous for monks debate that you can witness. Debates are a very important part of learning and understanding Buddhism. Monks gather in the courtyard in the shade of trees to refine their knowledge.
Day 4 – Driving to Namtso Lake
Today we are driving to the largest saltwater lake in Tibet. Namtso lake is situated in a stunning place, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. After visiting the lake, we will drive to the nearby town of Damshung where we will stay overnight.
Day 5 – Returning to Lhasa
In the morning, we will head back to Lhasa.
On the way, we will make a stop at the Yangpachen Hotsprings.
Day 6 – Lhasa to Airport/Train station
Please prepare in advance for your departure. It takes approximately one hour to drive to the airport and around thirty minutes to reach the train station. We will arrive at the airport three hours before your departure flight if you are traveling to Nepal and two hours before any domestic flight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
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