Explore Eastern Lhasa
We will start the tour in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, where you will see the best sights in Tibet, religious relics and traditional cultural customs of Tibet. You will explore the Potala Palace, which is a great wonder of Tibetan architecture and Jokhang Temple the oldest temple in all Tibet, Drepung Monastery, once the largest university in the world, had been home to over10.000 monks.
Sera Monastery is the best place to find out about Tibetan Buddhist philosophy。Then we will drive to Ganden Monastery, founded by Tsongkhapa in 1409. Drigung Til is one of most important monasteries in the Kagyupa order; it is famous for its sky burial site, Dridum Nunnery offers excellent short hikes and a medicinal hot spring as we pass through grassy mountain passes to Reting monastery. Next we will head to stunning holy Lake Namtso, where we can view the sunrise. Then we will drive back to Lhasa via Yangpachen Hot Spring.
Departure Date: Year-round.
The costs: Contact us for tour price details.
Duration: 8 days and 7 nights.
Day 1:Arrive in Lhasa (3650m).
Settle in to your hotel to relax and adjust to high altitude.
Day 2: Lhasa (Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple).
In the morning, we will visit the Potala Palace, the greatest wonder of Tibet architecture. The Potala built in the mid-7th century by the famous Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The It is 130m and 13 stories high, and commands a view of all Lhasa. The Potala has been residence to the Dalai Lama lineage for hundreds of years. After lunch, we will also visit the Jokhang Temple, the most important temple in Tibet. Every year thousands of pilgrims come to Lhasa from every corner of the Tibetan plateau to visit the Jokhang temple. This temple was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, and is more than 1300years old. From the roof of the Temple, there is a wonderful view of the Potala Palace and the bustling Barkhor.
Day 3: Lhasa (Visit Drepung monastery and Sera monastery).
After breakfast, you will meet your guide in hotel and he or she will lead you to visit one of the three most famous monasteries in Tibet. Drepung Monastery, literally translated as “rice heap”, was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Choje and was once home to as many as 10.000 monks. Ganden Palace was established by the second Dalai Lama; the palace was home to the Dalai Lamas until the fifth Dalai Lama built the Potala. Next we will visit Sera Monastery, where you can watch monks debate Tibet Buddhist philosophy in the debating courtyard.
Day 4: Lhasa—Ganden Monastery---Drigung Til—Tridum 4150m / 210kms / 5 HRS.
In the morning we will drive to Ganden Monastery through small villages; this is the first Gelugpa monastery in Tibet, and was founded in 1409 by the master Tsongkhapa. After visiting the ruined temples we can take the Kora to the monastery, Ganden Kora offers great views of the Kyichu valley. Next we will drive to Drigung Til Monastery, is the most important monastery of the Kagyupa order and has the most active sky burial site in central Tibet. Once in the monastery you can take a Kora up the hill to the main sky burial site, where there are great views of this area. Afterward, we will drive to Tridum Nunnery and spend the night in Tridum Nunnery Guesthouse or in the hotel. At Dridum Nunnery there is a very famous medicinal hot springs, where you can take a Medicinal bath in the valley, if you like.
Day 5: Tridum Nunnery—Reting Monastery 4100m / 200kms / 4 HRS.
In the morning we will pay a visit to Tridum Nunnery which offers great short hikes. Afterward, we will drive to Reting monastery, which stands on a hillside covered with juniper trees. We will pass through high grassy mountain passes to Reting monastery, which dates back to 1056. we can explore the temples and ruins around the monastery. and then, take a Kora to the monastery through the juniper forest, along the way visiting some retreat caves next we will head to Samtenling Nunnery, we will an hour-long walk northeast of Reting. This Nunnery was home to over 240 nuns. We will stay the night in Reting Monastery Guesthouse.
Day 6: Reting Monastery---Namtso Lake 4700m / 175kms / 4 HRS.
Early in the morning we will drive to Heavenly Lake Namtso via Dramshong grassland. Namtso Lake is located in the northwest of Lhasa; is the highest saltwater lake in Tibet, and is one of Tibet’s most beautiful natural sight. It is surrounded by the incredible snow capped mountains of Nyenchen Tanglha range with peaks over 7000m above sea level. At Namtso Lake, you can take a walk beside the Lake and take the short Kora to Tashi Do, following local prilgrims, this will take about 1 hour, and on the way there are lots of small meditation retreats. We will spend the night at Namtso Lake in tent run by Tibet families.
Day 7: Namtso Lake—Yangpachen hot spring—Lhasa 3650m / 250kms / 5 HRS.
We will view the sunrise at Namtso Lake and then drive back to Lhasa via the famous Hot Spring in Yangpachen. Once back in Lhasa take your last opportunity to explore the holy city as much as you can.
Day 8: Depart from Lhasa.
Leave for your next destination by air or train.
Map coming soon...
