Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa [3658m]
Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.
Day 2: Lhasa
In the morning, visit the Potala Palace, the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. The Potala is 13 stories high and holds countless treasures in its many rooms. Built in 637 AD, the Potala has been home to the Dalai Lama lineage for more than a thousand years. Also visit the Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in all of Tibet. From the rooftop you will see pilgrims from all over Tibet prostrating in front to the Jowo Buddha statue inside the monastery. Afterwards, walk through the Barkhor, a famous shopping street filled with goods and souvenirs from Tibet, Nepal, and India. Spend some time drinking sweet tea in a traditional tea house located on a rooftop overlooking the bustling Barkhor.
Day 3: Lhasa
Visit Drepung, one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa. Drepung is located just outside Lhasa on Gambo Utse Mountain. Once home to as many as 10,000 monks, the enormous monastic complex is the site of many prayer halls, dormitories, and temples. Just below the monastery is the Nechung temple, the former home of the state oracle. Afterwards, visit Sera monastery, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard. If you enjoy hiking, walk the hour-long circumambulation path around the monastery complex.
Day 4. Lhasa – Draksum Lake – Bayi [2995m] 480km, 8hours
Drive from Lhasa to Bayi, crossing over Mila Pass (5100m), and passing by the scenery along the Nyang River. In the afternoon visit Draksum Tso, a holy lake surrounded by green, forested mountains and snow capped peaks. The site is known for its spiritual connection to a semi-mythical ruler of the Kham region and Guru Rinpoche. Walking across a floating bridge to Tsodzong Island, visit Tsodzong Monastery. Then retrace the way to the highway and continue on to Bayi.
Day 5: Bayi – Serchen-la Pass – Lunang Forest – Pomi [2743m], 250km, 6 hours
Visit Cypress Park and then head to Pomi. On the way you will pass Serchen-la Pass, from where you can catch good views of Mt. Namche Barwa (7756m) and Gyala Pelri. After Serkhym-la the road descends through gorgeous alpine valleys lined with rhododendron bushes into the Rong-chu valley. Drive through the Lunang Forest in the valley and on to Pomi.
Day 6: Pomi – Menling [2949m], 308km, 5 hours
Drive on a narrow road along the Yarlung Tsangpo River and through a rocky forested gorge to Buchu Sergyi Lhakang. Buchu Sergyi Lhakang is the most ancient Buddhist temple in Kongpo and one of four border-taming temples (Tadul Lhakang) built by King Songtsan Gampo in the seventh century. It was constructed according to geomantic theory and serves to pin down the right elbow of Supine ogress who represents the Tibetan land. Originally the temple was associated with the Nyingmapa tradition of Buddhism. However, by the 17th century, Buchu Sergyi Lhakang was transformed into Gelukpa temple. The temple is two stories high, capped by a golden roof and containing an old statue of Padmasambhava. Today, around eight monks stay at the temple. After visiting the temple, drive to Nang country and visit Lang Dzong Fortress. Then drive to Menling.
Day 7: Menling – Gyatsa (Gyaca) [3200m] 241km, 4 hours
Drive along the Yarlung Tsangpo River to Lhola village, a small Tibetan village with little outside influence. Explore the village and then continue on to Gyatsa.
Day 8. Gyatsa – Lhamo Lhatso Lake – Tsethang [3650m], 190km, 3 hours
Drive to visit holy lake Lhamo Lhatso, a small, oval ‘Oracle Lake’ where senior Tibetan monks seek visions to assist in the discovery of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations. Other pilgrims also come to seek visions. It is considered to be the most sacred lake in Tibet and is also known as “The Life-Spirit Lake of the Goddess Palden Lhamo,” the principal spiritual protector of Tibet.
Day 9. Tsetang – Samye Monastery – Yumbulhakhang Palace – Lhasa [3658], 250km, 5 hours
Visit Samye Monastery, which is widely believed to be the first monastery in Tibet with a history of over 1,200 years. The monastery grounds are laid out in the shape of a mandala and represent an ideal universe as described in Buddhist scriptures. Then visit Yumbulhakhang Palace, the first building ever constructed in Tibet. Afterwards, head back to Lhasa.
Note: Add an optional extra day to your itinerary to take an incredible hike up to the Chimpu meditation caves above Samye Monastery.
Day 10: Depart from Lhasa
Say goodbye to Tibet!
Itineraries are subject to change without notice.
