A white yak at Namtso Lake in Lhasa
Many travelers to Tibet desire to plan their own itineraries and explore one aspect of Tibetan culture. Whether you are interested in learning professional photography, studying the unique tradition of Tibetan medicine, or cycling overland to Nepal, we can help put together a perfect trip for you.
Does a particular aspect of Tibetan culture fascinate you? SnowLion Tours arranges specialized tours that let you explore whatever interests you most. Choose from the following, or design your own.
Traditional Tibetan festivals showcase the unique traits of Tibetan culture. Various Tibetan festivals take place throughout the year, including the Tibetan New Year Festival (Losar), the Butter Lamp Festival, Horse Racing Festivals, and the Yogurt Festival. If you are interested in attending a traditional festival, please consult our 2013 calendar for dates and descriptions of these events.
Tradition has it that Tibet is the land of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and the Tibetan people are his descendants. Buddhism has long been a part of the Tibetan way of life. Come with us to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and its origins, teachings, and practice. Listen to lectures given by monks, visit monasteries of all kinds, participate in religious festivals, watch monks and nuns debate, learn about Tibet’s sacred Buddhist arts, and meditate on mountaintops.
The ancient tradition of Tibetan medicine takes into account the dynamics of the mind, body, and spirit. When treating illness, Tibetan doctors prescribe natural medicines, physical therapies, and behavior and dietary modifications. Join us in learning about traditional Tibetan medicine. Visit traditional hospitals, medical factories, medical colleges, and museums. Talk with medical scholars, meet with Tibetan doctors, watch monks bless medicine, and receive a full workup on your health.
The environment in Tibet is unlike any other in the world. Pure rivers flow from Himalayan glaciers and snow peaks, plunging into verdant valleys. Unique flowers grow on the shores of high-altitude lakes. Wild animals graze on the grasslands of dozens of nature reserves across the plateau. Join us in exploring the unique geology, nature, and wildlife in Tibet. Camp in fields of flowers, swim in natural hot springs, ride horses along the shores of holy lakes, and look for herds of Tibetan antelope galloping across the fields.
Tibet is the ultimate overlander’s paradise and the cream of ‘off the beaten track’ travel. There is nowhere else in the world where mountain bikers are able to cycle alongside 8000m-plus peaks and conquer 5000m-plus mountain passes – almost daily. Overlanding makes it possible to discover unique insights about the traditional Tibetan way of life outside the cities. Contact us for more information about cycling Tibet solo or with a partner or small group.
Join us on an exhilarating cross-country train tour. Starting in Beijing, visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. Then board the train to Xi’an, the home of the Terracotta Army. Next, head to Xining. Visit Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake, and the Tibetan Medical Museum. Finally, take the last leg of the railway to Lhasa and watch the pristine, high-altitude scenery float by your cabin window. Once in the Tibetan capital, visit the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and other historic sites. More…
For those interested in an intimate, service-learning experience in Tibet, try volunteering. Teach English at a primary school in a nomadic area or spend some time helping fix up an orphanage. Opportunities abound for those who are willing to donate their time and kindness. Let us know your availability and interests and we’ll be happy to set you up with a local charity or service project. More…
For more than a thousand years, Tibetan artists have played a key role in the cultural life of Tibet and defined a visual style which is distinctly Tibetan. Join us in learning about the traditional and contemporary forms of art in Tibet. Visit monasteries, artist workshops, thangka studios, rock carving villages, carpet weaving nomad camps, and modern art galleries. Interview artists, learn from monks how to decipher religious paintings, and try your hand at making traditional crafts.
