Enjoy this multi-day tour and explore Tibet through some of its impressive sights: Potala Palaces, Jokhang temples, Drepung and Sera monastery, snow-capped mountains of Nyenchen Thanglha and holy lakes Yamdrok, real Tibetan villages and nomads. Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world with the altitude of about 3600 meters and prides the world-highest salt lake Namtso. You will also visit the mystical Buddhist monasteries of the Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse, Tashilhunpho monastery in Shigatse.
Lhasa Gongar International Airport is about 70km from the downtown, and it takes about 1.5 hours for a car transfer between airport and hotel. Considering the distance and language barrier, Tibet Vista provides free transfer service from/to airport. Upon your arrival at airport, our Tibetan local pick-up guide will hold a board with your name and wait for you at the exit, he will escort you to the transfer car, accompany you to the hotel, and assist you with hotel check-in. When tour ends, our guide will pick you up at hotel and escort you to the airport. Airport Pick-up Schedules: Pick up tourists at 10:00 am; 13:30 pm; 17:00 pm Airport Drop-off Schedules: Pick up tourists at 06:30 am; 08:00 am; 12:00 pm If your flight time is not within our transfer schedule, feel free to contact our travel consultant, we will do our best to arrange the most proper transfer service for you. Besides the airport transfer, Tibet Vista also provides unlimited free transfer between hotel and Lhasa Railway Station according to your arrival/departure time. Please kindly note: if passengers are less than 3 per transfer, we may use publish transportation like public airport bus or Taxi instead of using our shuttle service.
Upon arrival, our Tibetan guide will greet you at the airport or train station. You'll then be transferred to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. Along the way, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhasa River, and the typical Tibetan villages. After arriving at the hotel, take some time to rest and acclimate to the high altitude. It's helpful to take it easy for the first few days and remember to stay hydrated by drinking water. Please note that there will be no sightseeing scheduled for today.
Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple.
Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market. Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly.
In the morning, you are going to visit Dadong Village, the most beautiful village in Lhasa. Located 25 kilometers southwest of Lhasa downtown, Dadong Village is a well-protected ancient Tibetan village that surrounded by valleys. After arriving, you will visit the Nyimatang Monastery (built in the 11th century), take a light walk in the village, and see what rural life in Lhasa is like. You will also visit a local Tibetan family and enjoy the lunch offered by the family. We will go to Dadong Village instead of Drepung Monastery.
In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse .On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and you will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m) .The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance you can have spectacular views of Holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa .
Later, we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside; At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass; Then, we will arrive in Gyantse, historically Tibet's third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse).
After getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where you can have lunch. After that, we will pass Tsola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula Pass(5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gazt at the Mt. Everest peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.
In the morning, you can see the sunrise appear on the top of Mt Everest, and have a full view of the magnificent Mount which stands like a snow-capped pyramid in front of you at Rongpuk, the vantage point for watching Mt. Everest. Then drive back to Shigatse.
You will start your day by heading to the Tashilunpo Monastery, which is the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama. Afterwards, you will be driven 175 miles (280km) back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley through Friendship Highway. It takes about 6 hours.
In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Lake Namtso, one of the four holy lakes of Tibet and also the highest saline lake in the world. On the way, you can see snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountain Ranges and lots of nomads and their tent with grazing yak and sheep densely-populated on the flourishing grassland (in summer). Besides, you can enjoy the view of the Sky-Road Railway with snow mountain background; while standing at the famous Lagenla Pass(5190m), you can view the stunning vista of holy Namtso Lake. Then we can enjoy our time doing a leisurely trek around Tashi Dor Island and along the lakeshore. Drive back to Damxung. (For environment protection, the Lakeshore guesthouses were close by the government.) Stay overnight in Damxung.
There are five holy islets inside Lake Namsto, which are said to be the incarnation of the Five Buddhas. Among them, "Tashi Island " is the largest one that offers a full panoramic view of Lake Namsto.
After breakfast, you will take an off-road vehicle and a tourist shuttle bus to the Stone Elephant Gate, which is located on the northern shore of Namtso Lake and is considered the most breathtaking site of the lake region. The journey covers about 50 kilometers. The Stone Elephant Gate is a naturally formed rock that resembles a giant elephant, with its long trunk extending into the clear lake, as if devoutly drinking water. Under the azure sky, the snow-capped mountains are reflected in the mirror-like lake, complementing the drifting white clouds and creating a dreamlike, ethereal scene. Prayer flags flutter in the wind, and the sunlight shimmers on the lake like scattered gold, pure and peaceful. After exploring the Stone Elephant Gate, you will begin your return journey to Lhasa in the afternoon. The way back is mostly along well-paved highway, with a stop for lunch along the wa
Congratulations, you have complete the 15 days long journey more than 2000kms. If you want to stay longer and book another tour in Tibet, or want us to assist to arrange airport/railway drop-off servicef, please contact us.
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If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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