Experience the ultimate journey of discovery on this 6-day Tibet private tour, which combines the rich cultural heritage of historical sites with the breathtaking natural beauty of Namtso Lake.
Spend ample time exploring Lhasa, the spiritual hub of Tibet. You will marvel at the iconic Potala Palace, witness the devotion of countless pilgrims at Jokhang Temple, and meander through bustling streets adorned with traditional Tibetan crafts and souvenirs. Immerse yourself in the lively debates of the monks at Sera Monastery, a truly unforgettable experience.
Venture out on a full-day relaxation to Namtso Lake, lied in the northwestern region of Lhasa, and be swept away by the captivating natural beauty of crystal-clear blue waters and stunning mountain scenery. As one of the Three Holy Lakes in Tibet and a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhists, Namtso Lake exudes a peaceful and serene atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on any traveler. On the way back, you will have chance to view sky burial and visit Tsurphu Monastery.
Lhasa (4 Days)
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery
Namtso Lake (1 Day)
Namtso Lake
Damxung (1 Day)
Chimelong Village, Tsurphu Monastery
Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region! Upon your arrival at the airport in Lhasa, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Lhasa (100km, about 1.5 hours’ drive) . You can have a good rest to get used to the altitude (3,650m) in your hotel and get ready to explore Lhasa with your guide the next day.
Arrival Ideas: Lhasa is located in the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau and southwestern China. Traveling to Tibet is convenient by air, railway, or road. There are five airports in Tibet, with Lhasa Gonggar Airport being the most popular for flights from Chengdu (which is also popular), Chongqing, Xian, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xining, Shangri-La, and other cities. One international airline even connects Lhasa and Kathmandu. Moreover, travelers can take the train to Lhasa from Xining (21 hours, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway), Lanzhou (24.5 hours), Chongqing (35.5 hours), Chengdu (36.5 hours), Xian (31 hours), Beijing (40.5 hours), Shanghai (47 hours), Guangzhou (52.5 hours), Shigatse (2.5 hours), Nyingzhi (4 hours), and other cities.
Kind Reminds:
1. It is good to avoid altitude sickness by slowing down, keeping warm, drinking water frequently, avoiding showers for the first one or two days, taking it easy, and sleeping well.
2. You should always follow your doctor's advice regarding altitude based on your health condition.
3. Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and are good at dealing with altitude sickness.
Today you will explore Lhasa for its brilliant architectures, culture, and history, then stroll through the famous Barkhor Street with locals and experience the daily kora life of Tibetans.
In the morning, you can walk up to the Potala Palace to explore. Not only is it the landmark of Tibet, but it is also the traditional residence and winter palace of the Dalai Lama (1649-1959). After climbing 365 steps from the gate of the Potala Palace to reach the Red Palace, you will arrive at the highest palace in the world at an altitude of 3,700m, where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Lhasa city. As you explore the principal halls, chapels, and shrines of past Dalai Lamas in the Red Palace, you will be amazed and moved by its remarkable paintings, gorgeous jeweled works, skilled carving, colorful ornamentation, and the mystery stories behind the treasures. Inside the Potala Palace, you will meet many Tibetan pilgrims who come from afar to pray at this sacred site, making it a lifetime destination for them. You can also ask your guide to provide more stories about Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet, who first built the Potala Palace in the 7th century for his marriage to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty.
Please note that the visit order may be adjusted based on the visiting time specified on your Potala Palace ticket. All visitors are required to visit the palace with a tour group and remain inside for one hour. Please be advised that photography is prohibited inside the palace.
After exploring the Potala Palace Museum, move to the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet and a world cultural heritage site. It is said that the Jokhang Monastery is built for King Songtsen Gampo's two brides: Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal Princess Bhrikuti. "Jokhang" means "House of Buddha", it houses the statue of the life-size 12-year-old Sakyamuni which is the treasure of the Buddhism world. That is why Buddhist pilgrims take it as the holiest destination. The time seems to stand still when you watch them pray in front of the temple during the day and night.
Afterward, take a walk on busy Barkhor Street near the Jokhang Monastery, which was a place for Buddhists to do a kora (pilgrim circuit) in ancient times. Nowadays, it has become a thriving local market where you can drink a pot of yak butter tea, dress in Tibetan clothes for photos, and pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.
Today you will enjoy the culture tour of Lhasa via a visit to two of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, the Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.
In the morning, drive about 35min (12km) to visit Drepung Monastery which was the largest Tibetan monastery (Gelug Sect, Yellow Hat) in Lhasa. It used to be Dalai Lama’s palace before he moved to the Potala Palace in the 17th century. Now it is famous for Drepung Shoton Festival held each August, people come to offer yogurt to the monks who finished the 100 days’ meditation while enjoying the grandest Buddha (thangka) unfolding ceremony. Besides the unique architecture and amazing buildings, you can watch monks debating in Tibetan Buddhism vibrant and active with expansive gestures, clapping, and stamping. After Drepung Temple, you will have about a 2-hour Tibetan culture tour, which includes an introduction, Tibetan incense making, and block printing.
In the afternoon, drive another 40min (14km) to visit Sera Monastery. Step on one of the most beautiful monastery compounds, and its white stone roads and walkways makes you feel almost Mediterranean. The highlight of Sera Monastery is watch the monks’ debate at around 15:00 - 17:00 (except Sundays). It is an interesting form of debate, you can see one monk, the questioner, standing while the answerer or group of answerers, sitting. The standing monk will ask question and slap his palms and stomp, each action has its special meaning, such as activating wisdom, and are not meant to be aggressive.
After that, be escorted back to your hotel in Lhasa.
This morning, drive approximately 280 km from Lhasa to Namtso Lake. Along the way, stop to view Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain Range (7,162m), one of the holiest mountains in Tibet. You may spot Tibetan yaks and sheep, and if lucky, wild animals like kiangs (wild donkeys), pikas, hares, and foxes. After crossing Laken La Pass (5,190m), you will arrive at Namtso Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world.
Namtso Lake is one of the most beautiful and sacred lakes in Tibetan Buddhism. Considered the residence of a Tibetan goddess, the lake is one of Tibet's three holy lakes and attracts many Buddhists and pilgrims. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands, Namtso Lake (the highest saltwater lake in China) offers a breathtaking landscape. The crystal-clear waters change color throughout the day, from deep blue to turquoise. Photograph the colors of the lake, Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain to the south, and Tibetan nomads. According to legend, the lake is the mountain's wife, and they are inseparable companions.
Explore Tashi Dor Island, the lake's largest island, hike the area, visit monasteries, and revel in the peaceful atmosphere. (Note: For environmental protection, lakeshore guesthouses are closed.) After visiting the holy lake, return to Damxung for accommodation.
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and take you to Chimelong Village to visit the small temple. Roam over the peaceful small nunnery and get an idea of different Buddhist studies in Tibet, you may also spot a sky burial site in the distance. The sky burial is an ancient ritual of funeral practice in which a human corpse is placed on a mountaintop to decompose while exposed to the elements and to be eaten by scavenging animals.
Later, drive to explore Tsurphu Monastery. Lying deep in the valley, Tsurphu Monastery is located 76 kilometers from Lhasa at an altitude of 4,500 meters. Dating back to the 11th century (over 800-year-old), it is a gompa that served as the traditional seat of the Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Every year, during the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the 4th Tibetan month (around May), people come to celebrate the Saga Dawa festival by performing ritual cham dancing and unfurling a great Thangka on the platform across the river from the monastery. Tsurphu Monastery is the place where the living Buddha reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism began. Now it is also the residence of the current living Buddha Karmapa, the reincarnated lama of the Kyigyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
After the tour, drive back to Lhasa.
It is time to end your 6-day Tibet Lhasa tour. You will have some free time in Lhasa and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or train to your next destination.
Extension Ideas: If you prefer to travel longer in Tibet, you can extend your trip to other highlighted parts of Tibet, including Shigatse, Gyantse, Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash.
Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!
What’s Included?
What’s Excluded?
Scenic56196548232
Destination(s): Tibet
Date of Experience: May 28, 2024
Tour Customized by: Kayla
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Singapore
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Date of Experience: May 27, 2024
Tour Customized by: Amy
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(Based on a private tour for two people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people.)
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