On arrival at Gonggar Airport, you will be met by our representative
and transferred to hotel.
[70 Km: 01Hrs]
Check in at hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatization.
Overnight is at Hotel in Lhasa.
Lhasa City in Tibetan language means 'Holy City'. It is the capital of Tibet which dates back to 7th century AD when King Songtsen transferred his capital from Yarlung to Lhasa. The city is located at a height of 3,500 m above sea level in the south central part of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). It is the center of cultural, political and religious activities inTibet. Lhasa Town is also famous for few of the most stunning creations of hand in the entire world like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Lhasa also serves as a home to 31 communities and is the most thrilling city that offers everything from calm corners to bustling markets that beckons tourist from around the world. Lhasa has the most challenging terrain to reach and move around when compared to other parts of China and Tibet, as it has extreme altitude location. Once you reach here, the first look of the city makes you believe that Lhasa has something different, something that makes it special. Lhasa is a city which expects you to know a lot about it before you set out to explore its magical charms. The most important is your fimilarity with its climate and environment. You will be flabbergasted to notice the difference between the day time temperature and night time temperature. The city receives amazing amount of sunshine that keeps the temperature a bit high, but as the sun sets the temperature starts to fall drastically making nights extremely cold. So it is advisable to take woolen clothes as well with you. The best activity that you indulge in might be shopping from the famous Barkhor street. You will get everything that you wish from one single street itself full of shops. Your other shopping attractions could be silver ornaments, Thangka paintings, yak wool and different kinds of handicrafts.
Destinations
Lhasa | Day 1-3 |
---|---|
Trubshi Village | Day 3-4 |
Terdrom | Day 4-5 |
Lhasa | Day 5-6 |
Samye | Day 6-8 |
Gyantse | Day 8-9 |
Shigatse | Day 9-11 |
Sakya | Day 11-12 |
Rongbuk | Day 12-13 |
Kyirong | Day 13-15 |
The best time to visit
Lhasa | May to October |
---|---|
Shigatse | May to October |
Gyantse | May to October |
Kyirong | April to October |
Rongbuk | late April to early June and from September to October |
Sakya | April to October |
Trubshi Village | April to October |
Terdrom | April to October |
Samye | April to October |
On arrival at Gonggar Airport, you will be met by our representative
and transferred to hotel.
[70 Km: 01Hrs]
Check in at hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatization.
Overnight is at Hotel in Lhasa.
Breakfast is at hotel.
Today, you will be visiting
the Potala Palace which dominates
the city of Lhasa, spectacular building, it contains the private quarters of
the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important
chapels.
Potala Palace is the cardinal landmark and a structure
of massive proportion. This symbol of Tibet, an architectural gem built in the
colossal monastic style of Central Tibet by GyelwaNgapa, the fifth Dalai Lama,
in the 17th century, stands 300m above the valley atop the hill called Marpo
Ri. The thousand rooms in Potala date from 1645 when the fifth Dalai Lama began
erecting a palace that would serve as a sacred and administrative centre. It
served many succeeding Dalai Lamas and as one of Tibet‚s most impressive and enduring
monuments, the Chinese Army of Red Guards protected it during the Cultural
Revolution.
In the afternoon, you will visit as well as the Jhokhang Temple, possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there
is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Jokhang Temple is in the heart of old
Lhasa, most sacred temples in Tibet established in 7th century by King
SongtsenGampo, the King who brought Buddhism to Tibet. Tibetans, in general,
consider this temple as the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. The
temple is currently maintained by the Gelug School, but they accept
worshipers from all sects of Buddhism. The temple's architectural style is
a mixture of Indian Vihara design, Tibetan and Nepalese design.
In the
evening, visit Barkhor Bazaar is the
market place where everything is available, also good for people watching.
Tibetans spin prayer wheels and shop as they circumambulation. Good for
shopping everything from trinkets to Tantric ritual objects.
Later, drive back to hotel.
Overnight is
at hotel in Lhasa.
In the morning, you will drive to Trubshi
Village where you can experience the Tibetan countryside life. Trubshi
Village is highly reputed as one of the most beautiful Tibetan villages, which
is also the starting point of Ganden to Samye trek. You may do horse
ride if horses are available (Horse riding is not free, please discuss
the price with local people, Approx US$ 50.00).
You can communicate with the family member and take part
in their daily homework like cooking Tibetan Food, etc.
Overnight
is at Local Farmer’s House
Today you will trek from Trubshi Village to Ganden Monastery(4-5
Hrs) which is situated on the Wangpori mountain with an elevation of 3800m
above sea level and is considered to be one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa
monasteries, founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409. It is very interesting to
go for Lingkor (circuit) around the monastery and tourists can see the Great
Tsongkapa’s meditation cave and the beautiful view of Lhasa valley.
Then, drive northeast for 100 km to Terdrom hot spring and enjoy a
bath there. Located at 4500 meters above sea level and with a history of 1,400
years, Terdrom Hot Spring is known as “the world’s first hot
spring” and became one of the four holy springs in Tibet as a result of
Padmasambhava’s blessings on it.
Overnight is at hotel in Terdrom.
Drive back to Lhasa. En-route visit Drak Yerpa
meditation cave. It is a mountain said to be in the
shape of Tara's body, who is a Buddha-enlightened being of compassion. The
significance of Drak Yerpa is that it has 108 caves that have
been used by some of Tibet's great lamas and meditators for 3 and 12-year
meditation retreats. Not only have the caves been used in the past, but also
there has been an unbroken continuity of use to this day. The place has a
palpable sense of power. Meditating in the cave may be a powerful experience.
It’s a sense of happiness welling up within, an energetic sense of
peacefulness. After tour
drive back to Lhasa.
Overnight is at hotel in Lhasa.
In the morning drive to Tsedang.
Sightseeing in Tsedang of Yambulakhang
Palace and Tandruk Monastery.
Built in the 2nd century B.C, Yambulakhang Palace
stands on top of a hill on the east bank of the Yalong River in the southeast
of Naidong county. It is situated about 12 kilometers south of Tsedang
and was built by King NyatriTsedpo who is believed to have descended from
heaven. It's the oldest known building in Tibet, and the first building in
Tibet. It is a fortress-like dwelling built on the spur of a hill that commands
an impressive view of the entire fertile valley.
This Monastery blends into the
hillsides and is a worthwhile site to see. It is one of the most important
Nyingmapa monasteries. Parts of it were dynamited during the Cultural
Revolution but most of it has been beautifully restored. At the time of the
1959 revolt against Chinese Communist rule in Central Tibet, there were
approximately 300 monks at Mindroling. The interior holds the statue of its
founder and a throne for its incarnate Lama. The small stupa contains relics of
a recalcitrant monk who died in jail in 1959. In the small chapel to the left
are two good statues of Sakyamuni and Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche).
Drive
to Samye.
Overnight
is at Samye Monastery Hotel.
Morning visit Samye Monastery. Samye
Monastery:
Situated amidst breathtaking
scenery, built in the 8th century, Samye Monastery was the first Buddhist
monastery to be founded in Tibet by King TrisongDetsen of Tibet who sought to revitalize
Buddhism, which had in the 7th century. A unique monastery and village rolled
into one, Samye is a highlight of a visit to Tibet.
Samye is famous for its sacred
mandala design: the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center
of the universe. It is a popular pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists,
some of whom travel on foot for weeks to reach it.
This monastery is designed to
represent the Buddhist Universe and many of the buildings in the courtyard are
cosmological symbols. At the center of the monastery ground is the most
impressive of the monastery buildings, and the center of this is a central
pole, which represents the core of the Universe. The complex originally had 108
buildings (an auspicious number to the Tibetans) and there were 1008 chortens
on the circular wall that rings the monastery.
Then
after visit Chim-puk medication cave.
Chim-puk Hermitage is one of the most well-known meditation
retreats in Tibet.It's said that many prestigious persons like Padmasambhava,
Santiraksita and TrisongDetsen all have been practicing here for many years.
And their hand prints and footprints impressed on the rocks still can be found in
this hermitage. Situated in Shannan area, Chim-puk Hermitage have a very
pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. It' neither too hot in summer nor too
cold in winter. A day trek from Samye Monastery to Chim-puk Hermitage is
extremely popular among tourists and hikers.
Overnight is at Samye Monastery Hotel.
The third most important city
Gyantse is one of the least Chinese influenced towns in Tibet and is worth a
visit for this reason alone.
Yamdrok Lake is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. Around 90 km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northeast. According to local mythology, YamdokYumtso Lake is the transformation of a goddess.
Yamdrok Lake, has a power station that was completed and dedicated in 1996 near the small village of Pai-Ti at the lake western end. This power station is the largest in Tibet.
The lake with an area of 621 square kilometers and the unknown depth is fan-shaped, spreading to the South but narrowing up to the North. The mountainous lake has a dozen of islands, the largest of which is about 3,000 square kilometer. The lake freezes up in winter. Like mountains, lakes are considered sacred by the Tibetan people, the principle being that they are the dwelling places of protective deities and therefore invested with special spiritual powers.
Overnight is at Hotel in Gyanste.
Drive to Shigatse [90 KM – 1.5 Hrs]
Tibet’s second-largest town and the
traditional capital of Tsang province, Shigatse is a modern, sprawling
city, with wide boulevards humming with traffic (even in the pedestrian-only
street). As you drive in across the plains, the site of the Potala-lookalike
Shigatse Dzong, high on a hilltop overlooking the town, will probably fire your
imagination, but the fort is empty and most of what you see dates from a 2007
reconstruction. It is the Tashilhunpo Monastery, to the west of town that is
the real draw. Since the Mongol sponsorship of the Gelugpa order, Shigatse has
been the seat of the Panchen Lama, and this seat was traditionally based in the
monastery.
Palkhor Monastery: Located about 100 km east of Shigatse, the unique PalkhorMonstery, also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. It is reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas and is famous for its architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. Palkhor Monastery enjoys a high status in Tibetan Buddhism history because it houses three sects, Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa together. It was built in collaboration with the Newari architects and Tibetan artists.
Kumbum: The spectacular Bodhi stupa, or Kumbum in Tibetan was built in 1412 and completed 10 years later. Deemed as the symbol of the monastery, the spectacular "stupa" consists of hundreds of chapels in layers, housing about a hundred thousand images of various icons. The elegant structure is worth visiting. The famous Kumbum pagoda, built in collaboration with Newari artists from Nepal and Tibetan artists, also stands in the same courtyard with nine stories, 108 doors and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The Stupa rises over four symmetrical floors and is surmounted by a gold dome. The dome rises like a crown over four sets of eyes that gaze serenely out in the cardinal directions of the compass. .Kumbum means 10,000 images. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images, either sculptured or painted, this is the reason for its name "100,000 Image Pagoda".
Overnight is at Hotel in Shigatse.
In the morning, visit is one of the Six Big Monasteries of
Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. Also called the Heap of Glory, it
is located at the foot of Drolmari (Tara's Mountain), Shigatse. Founded by the
First Dailai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth
and successive Panchen Lamas. Covering an area of nearly 300,000 square
met ers (3,229,279 sq. ft.), the main structures found here are The Maitreya
Chapel, The Panchen Lama's Palace and The Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo is the
seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the
monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.
Explore the market in the evening.
Overnight
is at hotel in Shigatse.
This morning Sakya
and visit Sakya Monastery.
Sakya Monastery
was built in 1073 by Khon Khonchog Gyalpo. It is located in the city of Sakya, in
the Tibetan region of Tsang, about one hundred miles north of the border
between Tibet and Nepal. The region is unique for its gray (kya) earth (sa),
hence the name Sakya. From 1073 until 1959, this monastery served as the seat
of the Sakya Order and of the Sakya Trizins who are the spiritual leaders of
the order.
Sakya Monastery
was built at an auspicious location prophesied by the great Indian master
Atisha, who foresaw that emanations of Mahakala, Manjushri, Vajrapani, and
Avalokiteshvara would take birth at this place and perform great activities for
the benefit of the Dharma and all beings.
Overnight at Hotel in Sakya.
After that, we will pass sola Pass(4600M), and Gyatsola
Pass(5248M). Shortly after we enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve,
tourists can enjoy the panorama of Himalaya at Gawula
Pass (5198m).Then we drive along the New zigzag road to Everest
Base Camp(5200m). You can get closer to gazt at the Mt. Everest
peak. The sunset of golden Everest peak if time and
weather permits at the lodging area.
Stay overnight at Rongbuk.
In the morning, you can appreciate the sunrise of
Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area and then
visit the - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living
together. Later, we can visit the Everest Base Camp and take
pictures of Mt. Everest at the closes distance in EBC.
After that, we can drive from EBC to Kyirong border. On the
way, tourists can enjoy breathtaking view of Mt. Shishapangma and
the Pekutso Lake. After passing the GhungtangLhamo(5236M),
we will arrive in Kyirong in late afternoon.
Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Kyirong
Morning Hike to Kepu Village which is just near the kyirongtwon,
less than 1km, crosing the deep suspension bridge, then arrived the Kepu
village. hike insie the village about 3-4km, then arrvive the point of
Nepal-Tibet border. along the way, enjoy the local's village and farmland views
together with the snow capped mountains if weather permits.
Then hike to Nitsunvillahe.Nitsun is the best spot to enjoy natural landscapes including icy peaks, sunrise and sunset because of its elevated land and wide vision. From this position and view, the snow mountains and glaciers seem more splendid and charming. The snow-capped Mt. Qumugula stands before your very eyes clearly across the western valley, snowy ridges stretch for miles and stone peaks stand in stalwart figure.
In the afternoon, drive from Kyirong town to Border, China Custom, 24km.
Stay overnight in the guesthouse in Kyirong
Our Tibetan guide will assist you to exit
China via Gyirong border.
Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa
Shigatse
Shigatse
Shigatse
Shigatse
Shigatse
Kyirong
Kyirong
Kyirong
Kyirong
Kyirong
Rongbuk
Rongbuk
Rongbuk
Sakya
Sakya
Trubshi Village
Terdrom
Terdrom
Samye
Samye
Samye
Gyantse
Gyantse
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