Day 1: Your personal tour guide will greet you either at the Gongkar Airport or at the Lhasa Railway Station. The distance from the airport to downtown Lhasa is around 70 kilometers, which typically takes about one and a half hours by car. The distance from the train station to the city center is only 25 kilometers, approximately a 30-minute drive. After your arrival, the guide will offer you detailed and essential instructions regarding the tour arrangements in Lhasa. We will arrange your accommodation at the Three Stars Hotel or any other hotel according to your preference.
Day 2: Today marks your first day on the high plateau, and it's common for some of you to experience a headache due to the high altitude. To help you adapt, make sure to drink an ample amount of water and refrain from strenuous physical activities during the initial few days. In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to visit the Jokhang Temple, which is the core of the holy city of Lhasa. The Jokhang Temple is one of the most sacred and significant temples in Tibet, always bustling with devout local pilgrims. Subsequently, you will have the opportunity to stroll around the Bakhor Street. It is not only a highly devotional circuit but also the most congested central market in Lhasa. In the past, it was a renowned local market, but now it has transformed into a popular tourist gift shopping destination. You will surely be deeply impressed by the large crowds of local pilgrims performing full-body prostrations in front of the temple, especially during the winter season. In the afternoon, you will visit the Potala Palace, the most prominent landmark of Tibet and a remarkable masterpiece of Tibetan architecture. It was initially constructed by the 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and was later rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Since then, it served as the residence of the Dalai Lama and his administrative center. Although climbing the long flight of steps can be quite arduous, it is truly rewarding to leave your footprints in this spiritual palace, which is listed as a World Heritage Site and is a symbol of God's compassion. We will again arrange your accommodation at the Three Stars Hotel or the hotel of your choice.
Day 3: This morning, we will visit the Drepung and Sera Monasteries. The Drepung Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the world, with a population of over 10,000 monks. It was the former residence of the Dalai Lama before the move to the Potala Palace. Despite having endured some periods of destruction, it still retains its charm and grandeur. You can wander through numerous narrow and winding lanes within the monks' living quarters, which give the impression of a traditional Tibetan village. The day will conclude with a visit to the Sera Monastery. It was founded in the 15th century by Jamchen choji Sakya Yeshi, a disciple of Tsongka pa. The monastic colleges within Sera are home to several hundred monks from various regions of Tibet. The famous Buddhist philosophical debates among the monks take place every afternoon, except on Sundays. Spend the remainder of the day continuing to acclimate to the high altitude and recovering from jet lag. We will arrange your accommodation at the Three Stars Hotel or another hotel as per your request.
Day 4: In the morning, we will drive for approximately one and a half hours to reach the Ganden Monastery, which is situated about 70 kilometers to the east of Lhasa. The Ganden Monastery was established in 1409 by Tsongkhapa, a highly respected reformer of the Gelugpa order. It was the first Gelugpa monastery and has remained the principal seat of this major Buddhist order ever since. If you have limited time in Lhasa, the Ganden Monastery is an excellent option for a visit. You will ascend the Ngarong Lhaka, located south of Ganden, from where you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the braided Kyi-chu Valley. Along the way, there are usually a large number of pilgrims offering prayer flags, rubbing holy rocks, and performing prostrations. Then, we will embark on an approximately 4-hour hike from Ganden to Drubshi village, providing you with a unique opportunity to experience the authentic Tibetan village lifestyle. The Drubshi village has a rich history spanning over 700 years, dating back to the time when Tsongkapa founded the Ganden Monastery. This charming village allows you to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture and engage in various activities such as trekking and horseback riding. You can also visit a local farmer's house and sample homemade barley beer, butter tea, and other traditional local delicacies to get a taste of the daily life of a Tibetan family. We will conclude the day by transporting you back to your hotel in Lhasa.
Day 5: The tour comes to an end. Your tour guide will make arrangements for your transportation to either the Gongkar Airport or the Lhasa Railway Station (Libu Station).
