Tsethang Adventure

Starting in the Tibetan capital, explore the countless rooms of the grand Potala Palace, receive a blessing from the Jowo Buddha at the holy Jokhang Temple, and barter with locals at the lively Barkhor market. On the edges of the Lhasa Valley, visit the famous Drepung Monastery and watch monks debate at Sera Monastery. Drive to Gangpo Ri Mountain, the mythical birthplace of the Tibetan race, and then on to Samye, the oldest monastery in Tibet. Add an optional extra day to hike up to the Chimpu meditation caves above Samye’s mandala-shaped monastery grounds. Before returning to Lhasa, visit Yumbulhakhang Palace, the first structure ever built in Tibet, and take in sweeping views of the valley below.

• Historic sites of Lhasa
• Beautiful countryside scenery
• Samye & Yumbulhakhang Palace

Details

• 6-day trip begins and ends in Lhasa, Tibet
• 5 nights in hotels and guesthouses
• Altitude from 3000-3700m

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa [3658m]

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

Day 2: 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, this enormous monastic complex contains 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. If time allows, you can also visit Ramoche, a small monastery located in the city center. Explore the alleys of the Tibetan quarter and visit traditional workshops and handicraft stores.

The view of Lhasa city from Drepung Monastery

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.

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Day 4: Lhasa – Mindroling Monastery – Samye Monastery [3650m], 190km, 3 hours

Drive over Gangpo Ri Mountain on the way to Samye. Gangpo Ri is known as the birthplace of the Tibetan race and is highly revered. On the way, visit Mindroling Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingmapa school in Tibet. It was founded by Rigzin Terdak Lingpa in 1676 and means “Place of Perfect Emancipation.” Afterwards, drive to 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, representing an ideal universe as described in Buddhist scriptures. The day will end in the third largest city of Tibet, Tsethang, with great views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River along the way.

Red Stupa in Samye Monastery

Day 5: Samye – Chimphu Hermitage Hike (2-3 hours one way) – Tsethang

Chimphu Hermitage is a mountain retreat above Samye, revered as the sacred place of Guru Rinpoche’s speech. This is where he taught the Twenty-Five Disciples and where numerous disciples had profound realizations. Today, there are a hundred or more yogis, both men and women, living there in retreat. As we hike through Chimphu, there are many opportunities to meet them and make personal offerings. It’s about a 3-hour hike one way. The day ends at Tsethang, the third largest city in Tibet.

Day 6: Tsethang – Yumbulhakhang Palace – Lhasa Airport, 150km, 3 hours

Visit Yumbulhakhang Palace, the first palace ever constructed in Tibet. Afterwards, drive to Lhasa Gongga Airport. Say goodbye to Tibet!

Itineraries are subject to change without notice.