VISITS: LHASA ► GYANTSE ► SHIGATSE		DOWNLOAD TRIP DOSSIER ►
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: The Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Palcho Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Mountain Scenery This trip is perfect for those wanting to see some of Tibetan life outside of Lhasa but who do not have time for a full jeep adventure through Tibet. The highlights of LHASA are covered including the astonishing Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple, the most scared shrine for Tibetans. Continue to GYANTSE and SHIGATSE seeing some stunning scenery including mountains, glaciers and lakes as well as passing by numerous small villages. The two cities themselves contain some of Tibet’s most impressive sights. The trip returns to Lhasa to finish. All this and more... see full details below.

		Below you will find a detailed, day by day itinerary for this tour and under that a list of inclusions and exclusions. Please remember:     ✔︎  THIS TOUR CAN START ON ANY DATE APRIL TO DECEMBER   ✔︎  THIS TOUR CAN BE TAILORED TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS   ✔︎  THIS IS A PRIVATE TOUR - NOT A GROUP TOUR   ✔︎  THIS TOUR IS GUARANTEED TO RUN

Arrival in Lhasa with a warm welcome from your guide and driver who will transfer you to the hotel. Lhasa, at a quite manageable altitude of 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), is a unique city and a real highlight. The setting, history, architecture, people and contrasts all make for a very special travel experience. Free time to relax and adjust to the altitude or start exploring the city.

♨ Meals included: None Today.

OVERNIGHT DHOOD GU HOTEL  ✭ ✭ ✭ Great Location in the heart of the Old City and only a minute’s walk from Barkhor Square. Lovely Tibetan decoration and Potala views from the roof

Today first head 5 km out of Lhasa to Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet located on Gambo Utse mountain. Founded in 1416, it was the principal seat of learning for the Gelugpa school and at its height was thought to contain up to 10,000 monks (now there are 300). About 10 minutes walk from Drepung is Nechung Chok which was the residence of the State Oracle of Tibet. This small monastery was also evocatively known as the ”Demon Fortress of the Oracle King.”

After lunch (own arrangement) visit the Jokhang Temple constructed in 642 AD and considered the most sacred and important temple in all Tibet. It is located at one end of Barkhor Square, a fascinating meeting point for pilgrims from all over the region making for an intense atmosphere infused with incense and devotion. Surrounding the temple is the Barkhor Kora, a 1 km circular walk for pilgrims and locals as well as a fascinating market selling all the goods a pilgrim might need on their travels.

♨ Meals included: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT DHOOD GU HOTEL  ✭ ✭ ✭ Great Location in the heart of the Old City and only a minute’s walk from Barkhor Square. Lovely Tibetan decoration and Potala views from the roof.

Today you visit one of the architectural highlights of China - if not the world - the vast Potala Palace, former residence of Dalai Lamas. Building started in 1645 and has been added to over the centuries. It is 13 stories high and contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. You will see some of the meeting rooms as well as the extraordinary chapels with their vast gold and jewel encrusted shrines to previous Dalai Lamas - the chapel of the 5th Dalai Lama has a stupa coated in 3,727kg of gold and 18,680 precious stones. The Potala dominates Lhasa and the views from the palace stretch out across the city to the surrounding mountains.

Continue to Sera Monastery, spread over 28 acres at the base of Pubuchok mountain and built in 1419. The highlights are the great assembly hall and some of the colleges located within the complex with their wealth of architectural features and shrines.

♨ Meals included: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT DHOOD GU HOTEL  ✭ ✭ ✭ Great Location in the heart of the Old City and only a minute’s walk from Barkhor Square. Lovely Tibetan decoration and Potala views from the roof.

► DAY 4 - LHASA TO GYANTSE

KAMBALA PASS, BEAUTIFUL YAMDROK LAKE & THE NORJING GANGSANG GLACIER

Today we journey to Gyantse, 230 km south of Lhasa. The city is soon left behind as the road winds up the 4,780 meter (15,680 foot) Kambala pass colorfully strewn with prayer flags fluttering in the wind. See spectacular views in all directions before the road descends to the beautiful, 72 km long Yamdrok lake with its dramatic backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Follow the lake shore before heading back into the hills passing the Norjing Gangsang Glacier, where we can stop for photos.

Continue along the road stopping at villages and scenic spots before reaching Gyantse (3,977 meters / 13,050 feet), Tibet’s third largest city. Free time to explore the city and if you have the energy the walk up the Dzong (fortress) that dominates the skyline is well recommended for both views and acclimatization.

♨ Meals included: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT GYANTSE HOTEL  ✭ ✭ ✭ The best hotel in Gyantse although as with anywhere in Tibet you do need to remember where you are and that this town is very remote.

► DAY 5 - GYANTSE TO SHIGATSE

PALCHO MONASTERY & KUMBUM & VAST TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY & MARKET

This morning visit Gyantse’s main monastery, the Palcho or Pelkhor Choede in Tibetan. The sprawling monastery complex dates back to the 9th century. It is most famous for the Kumbum, a 32 meter high 9 floored shrine which contains 108 unique chapels and is the largest of its kind in Tibet.

It is a 100 km drive to Shigatse at (3,840 meters / 12,600 feet) where we visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama and has since been the traditional seat of the “Tashi” or Panchen Lama. The monastery is fascinating as is the walk around the Kora which stretches up the hillside behind the monastery offering superb views of the complex and Shigatse itself. We also visit the local market.

♨ Meals included: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT SHIGATSE HOTEL  ✭ ✭ ✭ The best available option in Shigatse, clean (for Tibet) and safe with a reasonable breakfast making this the best option for the 1 night stay here.

► DAY 6 - SHIGATSE TO LHASA

LEISURELY DRIVE BACK TO LHASA WITH TIME TO STOP ALONG THE WAY

Today there is plenty of time to drive back to Lhasa stopping for photos and short walks as and when you wish. Free time to walk around the old town, souvenir shop, visit more temples or just relax!

♨ Meals included: Hotel Breakfast.

OVERNIGHT DHOOD GU HOTEL  ✭ ✭ ✭ Great Location in the heart of the Old City and only a minute’s walk from Barkhor Square. Lovely Tibetan decoration and Potala views from the roof.

► DAY 7 - DEPART LHASA

A SAD FAREWELL TO THIS EXTRAORDINARY & UNIQUE CITY

Free time until a transfer to your onward transport out of Lhasa. We believe, like so many, you will have come under Tibet’s magical spell!

♨ Meals included: Hotel breakfast.

END OF SERVICES

✈ International flight tickets are NOT included in this itinerary but we CAN arrange these for you.

✔︎  Your own private car or minibus outside of Lhasa with driver and guide (lodging and food for the guide and driver is included in the price).

✔︎  3 nights Lhasa - Dhood Gu 3* (standard room with breakfast)
✔︎  1 night Gyantse - Gyantse Hotel 3* (best available) (standard room with breakfast)
✔︎  1 night Shigatse - Shigatse Hotel 3* (best available) (standard room with breakfast)
✔︎  1 night Lhasa - Dhood Gu 3* (standard room with breakfast)

The hotels used for this trip are from our hand picked selection and all are excellent for their class. We also offer upgraded hotels in most locations. If you would like to explore additional hotel options please CLICK HERE and let us know of any changes you wish to make.

✔︎  Lhasa - Airport or Train Station to Hotel
✔︎  Lhasa - Hotel to Airport or Train Station
✔︎  Outside of Lhasa - Your own car or minibus and driver for transfers as per the itinerary

✔︎  Lhasa - Full day private tour to Drepung Monastery, Nechung residence, the Jokhang temple and Kora and Barkhor Square.
✔︎  Lhasa - Full day private tour to the Potala Palace and Sera Monastery.
✔︎  Lhasa - Full day private tour to Ganden Monastery with time to hike in the surrounding hills.
✔︎  Lhasa to Gyantse - Visit to Yamdrok Lake & Norjing Gangsang Glacier on the way to Gyantse.
✔︎  Gyantse - Visit to the Pelkhor Choede Monastery and Khumbum.
✔︎  Shigatse - Visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery and Kora.

✔︎  Meals - As indicated in the itinerary.
✔︎  Tibet Travel Permit needed to travel in this province.
✔︎  Back up oxygen cylinder outside of Lhasa in case of altitude issues (extremely rare this ever needs to be used!)
✔︎  Support - Emergency numbers and contacts for each destination.
✔︎  Guidebook - Our exclusive Trip Guidebook personalised to your trip.
✔︎  Financial Peace of Mind - All monies paid to us are legally protected under UK law.

All our tours come with our exclusive, 150+ page Trip Guidebook customised to your trip and packed full of information about China and the destinations you will be visiting including emergency numbers and a multitude of travel tips