Day 1: Lhasa arrival
Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting for you at the airport/train station and welcome you and take you back to Lhasa city for check-in. You will see the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa River on the way back. After you arrive the hotel, the rest day is for you to rest and get acclimatized. If you feel well, it's OK to walk around or nearby but it's suggested to take good rest so you can be prepared for the sightseeing next day.
Day 2: Lhasa city tour
Today we will visit the famous Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed for more than 10,000 monks. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Great Fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala. It was known for the high standards of its academic study, and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. And then you also can visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.
Sera Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. We will watch the Monks Debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house and see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha inside the Monastery.
Optional: If you want to, we can arrange the Wencheng Princess Show at night. Price starting from 60 USD.
Day 3: Lhasa city tour
Today we will visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street.
Potala Palace 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.
Jokhang Temple is known as the center of the Tibetan Buddhism, features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, golden sutra streamers. Around the temple, you can see a great many of pilgrims praying in front of the temple. If you want to, we can do kora with local pilgrims.
We will stroll in the old alleys of
Barkhor Street where you can drink the sweet tea, chat with locals and even bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.
Later we will have welcome dinner together with the whole group members.
Day 4: Ganden Monastery
Today we will drive to the
Ganden Monastery in the morning. Founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409, it's one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet. On the way, we will see the beautiful view of Kyichu River and drive all the way up to the mountain, where you will have panorama view of the splendid monastery complex. Afterwards we will visit the chapels of Ganden Monastery and the tomb of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelupa Sect. A visit to the village nearby will be followed as well so we can have a closer look at the real local Tibetan's daily life.
Optional: If weather permitting, you can follow the classic Ganden kora to do an experience trekking.
Day 5: Lhasa departure
Our guide will drop you to the airport/train station based on your departure time. Tour ends.
