Tibet Discovery Tours

Welcome to the roof of the world! You will be pick up at the airport or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. En route, enjoy the breathtaking view along the Yarlong Tsangpo River. Tibetan features can be seen along the way, including Big Buddha engravings on the hill near the road, colorful prayer flags and friendly Tibetan people.
After arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and acclimatize yourself to this high altitude city at the top of the world.

Tips of today:
1. Go for some walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival;
2. You’d better not have bath;
3. Drink more water, and have some fruit;
4. Have a good rest.

After breakfast, you will firstly visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the most holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.

Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!

Tips of today:
1. Obey Buddhist manners and talk appropriately.
2. Feel free to ask tour guide questions about Buddhism or else;
3. Don’t forget take your sun glasses and suncream.

The overwhelming Potala Palace is your first stop. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet’s pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.

Today you will be transferred from Lhasa to Gyantse (6.5-hour drive). En route, you’ll stop to see Yamdrok Lake, one of three most famous holy lakes in Tibet. For Tibetans, it is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and the home of the “wrathful deities”. The scenery of turquoise blue water in the lake with the reflection of surrounding snow-capped mountains is awesome. After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Pelkor Monastery to admire fancy frescoes, statues and sculptures. Overnight at Gyantse.

Tips of today:
1. Wear warm clothes to prevent from cold and wild;
2. The road condition from Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Lake is good;
3. Feel free to ask your driver to stop so you can stretch your legs or take some pictures.

After breakfast, you will drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (2.5 hours). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest one of its kind on earth, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. Then proceed to a lively market to experience the distinctive local life.

Tips of today:
1. The road condition is quite good, with a wide paved road;
2. The altitude in Gyantse is above 3900m while Shigatse is roughly 3860m. As this is relatively high altitude, be sure to pace yourself and take breaks when you feel it is necessary;
3. You will spend roughly 3 hours at Tashilumpo Monastery, so be sure to bring snacks and water.

Enjoy the Tibetan-style Farewell Dinner Today you’ll drive back to Lhasa (5 hours) along the legendary Yaluzangbu River, the mother river of Tibet. Along the journey, you will view fantastic landscape of the valley and snow mountain, and get the special feeling of traveling in the wilderness, far from modern civilization.

After a rest in Lhasa, you’ll have a Tibetan-style farewell dinner in a typical Tibetan restaurant, with traditional Tibetan songs and dances.

Tip of today: You may get to Lhasa in the early afternoon, you can just go for a walk around Barkhor Street, or Potala Square, or do some shopping of souvenirs.

Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.