5-day Tour of Lhasa Essence

Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving at Lhasa[3658m]

Stop At: Potala Palace, No.35 Gongqian Alley, Beijing Middle Road Cheng Guan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Upon arriving at the Lhasa airport or train station, you will be greeted by your Tibetan guide. From the airport to Lhasa city is 68km - an hour's drive will bring you to the holy city of Lhasa. Driving along the Brahmaputra river and Lhasa river, you will not only be amazed by the spectacular plateau scenery but also see flocks of black-necked cranes, wild ducks and many other kind of exotic birds. If you travel to Lhasa by train, expect to arrive in the late afternoon or evening. A 20 minutes drive will deliver you to your hotel in Lhasa city. Be sure to have a good rest to acclimatize to Lhasa's high altitude. Overnight at Lhasa.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Yak hotel

Day 2: Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Potola Palace & Jokhang Temple (B) - Walking tour is arranged today.

Stop At: Jokhang Temple, Chengguan, Lhasa, Tibet, China, 850000
Today is your first day of sightseeing on the high plateau, so we have purposely arranged only to visit Jokhang temple and Potala Palace. Jokhang temple is the most scared shrine in Tibet which was built in 7th century and located at the heart of old town in Lhasa, the circuit around it called Barkhor street, which is a good place to purchase souvenirs. Potala Palace is the worldwide known cardinal landmark of Tibet. The massive structure itself contains a small world within it. Mostly it is renowned as residence of the Dalai Lama lineages (Avalokiteshvara). Both of them are the focal points of pilgrims from entire Tibetan world, multitudinous pilgrims are circumambulating and prostrating in their strong faith. Overnight at Lhasa.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: yak hotel

Day 3: Lhasa City sightseeing, visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery & Norbulingka Summer Palace (B)

Stop At: Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si), Southern Slope of Genpeiwuzi Mountain, Chengguan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Today you will be arranged to visit Drepung, Sera monasteries and Summer Palace - Norbulingka palace. Both Drepung and Sera monasteries are Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect monastic colleges. Drepung monastery was the seat of the Government prior to Potala, it was once the world largest monastery in the history with 10,000 monks hailed from different monasteries all over Tibet. Sera monastery is famous for its Buddhism philosophical debate practice, the clapping sound and aggressive expression of the monks are well worth to see. Norbulingka is the summer palace of Dalai Lama, you can visit the residences of different lineages of the Dalai Lama. The park is crowded with picnickers and traditional activities during the Shoton (Yogurt festival) in August. Overnight at Lhasa.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Lhasa / Ganden Monastery / Drak Yerp/ 170KM, 2hrs (B)

Stop At: Ganden Monastery, Wangori Mountain, Dazi County, Lhasa 850100 China
Morning drive about 60 km eastward to Ganden Monastery, which ranks the first among the six largest monasteries of Gelugpa (Yellow hat sect). In addition to its magnificent architecture and religious importance, there is a extremely fabulous view on top of the Ganden Wangpo Hill, and Kichu valley is behind Ganden monastery, it is strongly suggested to hiking around the monastery and take a bird's-eye view of the valley. Afternoon drive to Drak Yerp where many meditation-caves are.Some of them have hundreds of years of history.You can take your time there.When back to Lhasa, you still have time to shop souvenirs to your family and friends. Overnight at Lhasa.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Yak Hotel

Day 5: Lhasa train station / airport dropping off (B)

Stop At: Lhasa Gonggar Airport International Departure, Gonggar, Shannan, Tibet, China
Morning or other suitable time dropping off at Lhasa airport or train station, end the tour with wishes accomplished.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.