KEY FACTS
Main Attractions: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Barkhor Street, Yamdrok Lake, Kumbum Stupa, Tashi Lumpo Monastery.
Duration: 6 days
Maximum Elevation:
Best Time to Visit: mid-March to mid-April
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 1 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 we 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 in Lhasa. 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, relax, enjoy your day and allow some time for acclimatizing.
Sunrise over the houses in Lhasa, Tibet
Day 2 – Lhasa city tour: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
We are visiting the two most important religious sites in Tibet.
The Potala Palace was the seat of the Dalai Lamas since the 7th century. First, the guide will take you to the Chak Pori hill to take photos of the majestic Palace. After that, we will go inside and spend approximately 1.5 – 2 hours there. You will see many of artifacts.
In the afternoon you will have lunch.
If time permits, you can walk around the Potala Palace and joins many Tibetans.
After that, we will walk towards the Jokhang temple. It was built in the 7th century to display the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue of the 12-year-old Buddha at the time bore the enlightenment. The statue was created at the time when historical Buddha lived. It is elaborately decorated with gold, jewels, and precious stones.
After visiting the temple we recommend you walk around Barkhor street.
Potala Palace in Lhasa, UNESCO World Heritage site View on Potala Palace from Jokhang Temple
Day 3 – Lhasa city tour: Drepung and Sera Monasteries
We are visiting the 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.
Sera Monastery in Lhasa Drepung Monastery
Day 4 – Driving from Lhasa to Nyingchi
Today, we will drive to the Nyingtri. The Eastern Part of Tibetan Autonomous Region is often called “Tibetan Switzerland”. The whole journey takes about 7 hours’ driving. You will drive to Nyingtri alongside the picturesque Niyang River, the longest tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. There are some peach flowers for your sightseeing as well. When you pass through Gongbo Gyamada county (in the upper reach of Niyang River), you can also enjoy the clustering peach blossoms along the National Highway 318.
Arrive in Nyingtri and take a good rest in the hotel.
Day 5 – Driving from Nyingchi to Bomi
Today, you are going to drive to Bomi, about 230km away from Bayi Town. The wonderful sightseeing activities come on the road.
Firstly, you will drive about 1.5km out of town to visit the most famous and magical tree in Nyingchi – King Cypress which is 50 meters tall but more than 2,500 years old. Leave King Cypress, you will move to the highlight of today – Gala Village, a typical peach village where the opening ceremonies of several seasons of Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival were held. In the valley of Gala Village, you can see the peach flowers burst into bloom. Combining with the green crops and mountains, these flowers will undoubtedly make you hooked.
On your way to Lulang Forest, take a short stop at Sekyim la Pass and enjoy a distance view of Mt. Namjia Bawa. Then, continue your trip to Lulang Forest, a 15km long and 1km wide narrow valley of wild forests and flowers, grasslands and streams. Lulang, in Tibetan, means “Dragon Valley” or “the place where you won’t be homesick”. On both sides of the valley are lofty green mountains covered by prosperous spruce, pine trees, and brush. At the foot of the mountain are the beautiful meadows and villages. Winding streams flow through among the wooden houses. Wildflowers of different colors dot on the meadows. Look into the distance over the valley are enormous snow-capped mountains. All these sceneries make Lulang a dreamland.
After the sightseeing on Lulang Forest, you will turn to Bomi and pay a happy visit to Peach Blossom Village, another popular site for the peach flowers. Blessed by the Yarlung Zangbo River, the peach flowers grown in this village are in bigger size and exceptionally brilliant. In addition to the stunning flowers, you won’t miss the majestic snow peaks there. It seems that the flowery spring is hugged by the snowy winter.
Accommodate at Bomi.
Day 6 – Driving from Bomi to Basum Tso: Basum Tso lake and Lulang forest
Basum-tso Lake, 3,500 meters above sea level, originates from Nyching Tanglha Mountain and is a dozen kilometers long. Snow-covered mountains, glaciers, and trees are reflected upon the lake’s rippling surface. There are small islands in the middle of the lake with Buddhist temples built upon them.
After the sightseeing in Basum-tso Lake, take a good rest in the hotel.
Day 7 – Basum Tso to Lhasa
We start our journey to Lhasa from Basum Tso. Morning walks around and enjoy your last minutes view. After that, we will continue driving towards Lhasa. Enjoy fantastic views of the “Tibetan Switzerland” on the way.
When we arrive in Lhasa, 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.
Day 8 – 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.
INCLUDED WITH TOUR
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
ADD TO YOUR TOUR
Ranwu Tso and Glaciers
Two days tour from Nyingchi to Ranwu Tso alpine lake in Eastern Tibet. Massive Medui glacier surrounds the lake and reflects in its calm waters. The glacier is always capped by ice and snow.
Samye, the First Buddhist Monastery in Tibet
Add two days tour from Lhasa to Samye view Tsedang. On this tour you will visit Yumbulakhang, the first Fort in Tibet and Samye monastery. Samye complex represents mandala, the model of the Universe. We climb the nearby hill Hepo Ri to take photos of the impressive Samye monastery complex during the sunset.
Yamdrok Lake
You can add one or two days tours to Yamdrok Lake. In one day tour, we will drive to Yamdrok Lake from Lhasa. You will see an impressive view from Gampa La pass (4,794 meters). You can capture the beauty of the lake from the pass. After that, we will drive down to the lake shore.
In two days tour, we will spend one night in hotel by the Yamdrok lake. You will get a chance to witness sunset and sunrise on the lake and a starry night when the weather is clear.
