Lhasa

After your arrival in Lhasa airport or train station, your guide is ready to pick you up and drive you to the hotel. It takes about 1 hour to drive from Lhasa Airport or approximately 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station to the downtown. Along the way to downtown Lhasa, the longest Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River with expanding broad surface can be sighted at the first time. After checking in the hotel, you can choose to stay in the room to acclimatize the altitude or you can also go to the Potala Square where you will enjoy a colorful fountain show and get some splendid photos with the photographic background of the majestic Potala Palace.

Potala Palace

Today’s tour takes you to the majestic Potala Palace which was once the winter palace of 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.

Jokhang Temple

In the afternoon, the tour takes you to Jokhang Temple which was built by Tibet King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century. In the temple, you can see the twelve-year-old statue of Buddha Sakyamuni brought by Princess Wencheng as her dowry. Outside, you can see the devoted believers doing the pilgrimage by prostrating in front of the temple.

Barkhor Street

Around the temple lies the Barkhor Street, and this is the place where you can do the Kora (a religious pilgrimage circle of a building, a lake or a mountain) with local believers or you can explore the market to find things you are interested. Besides, you can also taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea houses. The welcome dinner will be arranged accordingly.

Drepung Monastery (Zhebang Si)

Starting off in early morning, today’s tour takes you to visit Drepung Monastery which was founded by Jamyang Choge, one of Tsongkhapa’s main disciples in 1,416 A.D. With approximately 10,000 monks once resided in the monastery, Drepung Monastery was regarded as the largest monastery as well as one of the Great Three Gelug Gompas in Tibet. You can visit the biggest monastery kitchen inside and enjoy the Buddhist sculpture carving workshops nearby Drepung.

Sera Monastery

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery, also a Great Three Gelug Monastery in Tibet. The very interesting activity held in Sera Monastery is the dynamic monk debate from 3: 00p.m. to 5: 00p.m. In addition, you can visit the sizable Tibetan scripture printing houses and appreciate three sand mandalas and the colorful rock painting of Buddha as well.

Yamdrok Yumtso Lake

Today’s trip drives you from Lhasa to Shigatse. After leaving Lhasa, you will first arrive at Gampala Pass (4,790m) from where you make your first impression on Yamdrok-tso (4,400m). The ribbon-shaped lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and you can capture a distant view of holy Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m), the highest mountain near Lhasa.

Karo La Glacier

Later, the tourist bus drives you to pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, you can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass.

Pelkor Chode Monastery

Then, you will be arriving in Gyantse, the third largest city in Tibet (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, you will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum and enjoy a stunning view of Gyangtse Fortress. After one and a half hours’ drive, you will be arriving in Shigatse City, the second largest city in Tibet. Then, you can visit the Barley Mills to witness how the Tibetan barley is ground into flour and enjoy a splendid view of the barley fields (in summer).

Mount Everest Base Camp

Today, you’ll drive over Tsola Pass (4,600m), and Gyatsola Pass (5,248m). At Gawula Pass (5,198m), you can capture a great vista of Himalayas. Then, you’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5,200m) and get closer to Mt.Everest peak.

Rongbuk Monastery

In the morning, you can enjoy the stunning sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then, you will pay a visit to Rongbuk Monastery - the highest monastery in the world. After exploring the anciet Rongbuk Monastery, you will drive back to Shigaste.

Tashilunpo Monastery

In the morning, you will visit the traditional seat of Panchen Lamas - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Tsang. After visiting the monastery, you will follow the Yarlung Valley back to Lhasa. Finally, your tour guide will transfer you back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Lhasa

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you on board.