Expedition to the East

Starting in Lhasa, discover the famous Potala Palace, watch the monks debate at Sera Monastery, and sip tea on a rooftop overlooking the bustling Barkhor market square. Follow the Nyang River out of Lhasa to a holy lake nestled in an alpine forest. Walk across a floating bridge to a secret island monastery, then head back into the forest and on to the flowering Rongchu Valley. Continue alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo River to an ancient Buddhist temple, an oracle lake, and finally to the historic sites of the mandala-shaped Samye Monastery and Yumbulhakhang Palace.

Highlights

Historic sites of Lhasa
Beautiful countryside scenery
Draksum Lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo river, Mt. Namcha Barwa

Details

10-day trip begins and ends in Lhasa, Tibet
9 nights in hotels and guesthouses
Altitude from 2740-3650m

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa [3658m]

Welcome to Lhasa! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.

Day 2: Lhasa

Visit Drepung Monastery, 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 features 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 3: 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 of 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.

Debating session at Sera

Walking around Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet

Day 4: Lhasa – Draksum Lake – Bayi/Nyingtri [2995m], 480km, 8 hours

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. Walk across a floating bridge to Tsodzong Island to visit Tsodzong Monastery. Then retrace your steps to the highway and continue on to Bayi. Bayi town is the administrative seat of Nyingtri, located about 410km east of Lhasa.

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, 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 – Rawok/Ranwo Tso Lake – Lhegu Glacier [3850m], 150km, 3.5 hours

Continue driving east to Rawok. Once you arrive at Rawok, take a walk around Mani Stone, Chorten Stupa, and a small temple overlooking Rawok Lake. Afterwards, walk along Ranwu Lake, and continue with a 2-3 hour hike up to Lhegu Glacier (31km), one of the most famous glaciers in Tibet. This region offers stunning natural scenic views. Then walk back to Ranwu Lake and stay at Ranwok Guesthouse.

Day 7: Ranwu Lake – Menling [2949m], 428km, 7 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 the supine ogress who represents the Tibetan land. Originally associated with the Nyingmapa tradition of Buddhism, by the 17th century, Buchu Sergyi Lhakang was transformed into a Gelukpa temple. The temple is two stories high, capped by a golden roof, and contains an old statue of Padmasambhava. Today, around eight monks stay at the temple. After visiting the temple, drive to Nang County and visit Lang Dzong Fortress. Then drive to Menling.

Day 8: 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 9: Gyatsa – Lhamo Lhatso Lake – Tsethang [3650m], 190km, 3 hours

Drive to visit the holy Lhamo Lhatso Lake, 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. Afterwards, drive to Tsethang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Visit Yumbulhakhang Palace, known as the first building in Tibet, located on the edge of Tsethang.

Day 10: Tsetang – Samye Monastery – Lhasa Airport: 110km, 2.5 hours

Visit Samye Monastery, 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. Afterwards, head to Lhasa Gongkar Airport. Tour ends.