The Jokhang Temple | Lhasa | Tibet
Save %
FROM: USD $0 pp

Discover the highlights of Tibet - the rooftop of the world, locked away in its Himalayan fortress! Discover enchanting Lhasa - home to the famous Potala Palace and Jokhang Monastery, the spectacular Yam Drok Lake, Gyantse’s Kumbum, Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse and Yumbulakhang, the oldest palace in Tibet.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Reviews

Trip Highlights

Tsedang - Discover Yumbulakhang, the oldest palace in Tibet
Yam Drok Lake - Take in spectacular views of this beautiful sacred lake, surrounded by snow capped mountains
Shigatse - Explore the striking Tashilunpo Monastery, seat of Panchen Lama and stroll around the free market of Shigatse.
Lhasa - Marvel at the iconic Potala Palace and visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, Drepung, Sera and Norbulinka Monasteries
Gyantse - See Khumbum Stupa, the largest chorten of its kind in Tibet, and visit Pelku Chode monastery

Included

Breakfast daily
Arrival and departure airport transfer on day 1 and day 8
Private chauffeur driven vehicles
Entrance fees to all included sites
7 nights - standard accommodation
Guided sightseeing in Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsedang
English speaking local guide during scheduled sightseeing
Tibet travel permit. Note: Tibetan travel permits are only issued from mainland China ie Beijing or Chengdu or from Kathmandu in Nepal, therefore prior to travelling to Lhasa you will need to spend a minimum of two days in one of these cities in order for us to arrange the permit for you

Not Included

International flights and visa.
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Itinerary

Day 1

Lhasa

Lhasa. Arrive at Lhasa Gongkar Airport where you will receive a warm Tibetan welcome by our representative at the airport. Transfer to Lhasa (approx 70kms), soaking up the wonderful mountain scenery en route. Check into your hotel and spend the remains of the day at leisure, to acclimatise.
Overnight: Lhasa

Day 2

Drepung & Sera Monastery

Today enjoy a guided tour of the autonomous region's capital. Visit the 15th century Drepung Monastery, which was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Tibet, once housing 10,000 monks and bustling Barkhor Street. Continue on to explore the Sera Monastery which is still a working retreat, 600 years after its foundation as a main teaching monastery, and it's one of the three great Gelukpa 'universities' once housing more than 5500 monks.
Overnight: Lhasa  |  Breakfast

Day 3

Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple

On another full day of sightseeing in the fabled city of Lhasa, visit to the beautiful Potala Palace - the dominant landmark of Lhasa, towering 117 meters above the city below. Construction started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. This immense building is a masterpiece in design, 13 storeys high with walls 3 meters thick, containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues, it was both the residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former Heads of state. The entire building is made of stone and wood and covers an area of 130,000 square meters. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories.

The highlight of the day is a visit to Jokhang Temple, the most sacred and important temple in Tibet and also the most captivating. There is an electric atmosphere at the temple as crowds of pilgrims travel around the chapels, praying and prostrating themselves. Then continue on to Norbulinka monastery - the Dalai Lama's summer palace which was completed in 1783 under the Eighth Dalai Lama. Set in beautiful grounds with fountains, chapels and pools, Norbulinka is located on the outskirts of Lhasa and it is from here that the present Dalai Lama fled in the 1950's.
Overnight: Lhasa  |  Breakfast

Day 4

Yamdrok Tso Lake

Lhasa (via Yamdrok Tso Lake) - Gyantse. After breakfast depart Lhasa and journey to Gyantse. En route visit the Drolma Lhakang Temple, which is associated with the Buddhist teachings of Atisha (a revered Bengali scholar). You'll also stop at the elevated view point of Kampa La to soak up the incredible views of the spectacular scorpion shaped Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok is one of Tibet's three sacred lakes and according to local mythology, it is the transformation of a goddess. At over 72kms in length, with electric blue water and surrounded by snow capped mountains, it's an incredible sight to behold. Continuing your journey, drive alongside Yamdrok lake for about an hour to reach Gyantse. Upon arrival spend the remains of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Gyantse  |  Breakfast

Day 5

Gyantse

Gyantse - Shigatse. Today after breakfast, visit Kumbum and Pelku Chode, two of the prime sightseeing spots in Gyantse. The giant, gold domed Kumbum stupa was founded in 1427 by a Gyantse prince, it has 9 floors and contains 77 chapels. Pelku Chode is the Monastery inside the same compound of Kumbum. Bidding farewell to Gyantse you'll drive on to Shigatse, Tibet's second most important city.
Overnight: Shigatse  |  Breakfast

Day 6

Shigatse

Shigatse - Tsedang. After breakfast enjoy a tour of Tashilunpo Monastery, which is the largest Yellow Hat sect monastery in Tibet and the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilunpo contains chortens, temples and the Panchen Lamas palace, and at its peak it was home to 4,000 monks. The monastery is a striking red, white and black Tibetan structure with a golden roof. Within the monastery there is a 5 story temple, which contains a 26 meter high sitting statue of the Maitreya Buddha, cast from 6,700 ounces of gold and over 115,000 kg of copper, making it the biggest copper Buddhist statue in the world. After the sightseeing and strolling around the free market, journey to Tsedang.
Overnight: Tsedang  |  Breakfast

Day 7

Yumbulakhang Palace

Tsedang - Lhasa. This morning visit Samye Monastery which was founded in the 8th century during the reign of King Trisong Detsen, with the help of the Indian Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita, whom the king had invited to Tibet to help spread Buddhism. The first Tibetan monks were ordained here after examination, and are referred to as the Seven Examined Men. Over the centuries Samye has been associated with various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and today Tibetans of all traditions come to worship here.

Continue on to explore Yumbulakhang, the oldest palace in Tibet. It was believed that King Nyatri Tsenpo descended from heaven to build this palace in 2nd century BC and myths says it is the founding of Tibetan civilization. Yumbulakhang is constructed at the perfect crest of the hill divided into three different components; the tower, the chapel and monk's quarters.

Not far from Yumbulakhang is Tandruk Monastery, situated at the road side. It’s said that renowned figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Padmasambhava and Milariba, had practiced Buddhism nearby after it was built and the remaining relics are sacred land for the devotees. After a tour of the monastery travel back to Lhasa.
Overnight: Lhasa  |  Breakfast

Day 8

Lhasa

After breakfast transfer to Gongkar Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast

Local conditions

Accommodation used is modest in standard and not rated by the usual star category system. Travel in Tibet can be hampered by bad roads, many of which are unsealed. The high altitude can create discomfort for travellers who may have pre-existing conditions affecting their circulatory, respiratory or cardiac system. If you fall into one of these categories, please seek medical advice before booking. Other considerations for undertaking this holiday include the packing of adequately warm clothing, comfortable shoes and more.

Prices & Dates

Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The 'Single Room' price is applicable when a single room is required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.

Read More

Reviews

Hi Charlie,

I had a great time, thanks. It was such a good tour. The guides were very helpful and the hotels were very nice indeed. I did fill out the assessment form and gave very positive feedback.

So thanks for a great trip. I may be in touch again next year for my next Asian tour.

Mark Langer • Submitted 04 Sep 2013

Overall the trip was excellent and it showed us how Kathmandu and Lhasa cannot really be explored to the depth we experienced with the guides. A special thanks to our Tibet guide whose knowledge was outstanding as he managed to explain all questions we had. A truly memorable holiday

Natalie Heaney • Submitted 17 Apr 2012

The guide in Tibet was excellent! very knowledgeable - worth his weight in gold!

Kathy • Submitted 17 Apr 2012

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Lhasa
Ends
Lhasa
Departs
Any day from Apr to Oct
Hotel Rating
Standard, Superior or Deluxe
Tour Guide
Yes - for all included sightseeing
Meals
Breakfast: 7
Visiting
Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Tsedang
Countries
The magnificent Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of Tibet
Fort on top of a hill in Gyantse
Fort on top of a hill in Gyantse
Palace sitting on top of a hill, looking over the Tibetan town of Shigatse

Hi Charlie,

I had a great time, thanks. It was such a good tour. The guides were very helpful and the hotels were very nice indeed. I did fill out the assessment form and gave very positive feedback.

So thanks for a great trip. I may be in touch again next year for my next Asian tour.

Mark Langer
OTG000622Highlights of Tibet - 8 daysFar EastTailor-madeFar EastfalseTibethttps://www.onthegotours.com/Tibet/Highlights-of-Tibet-8-dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/GatewayToTibetItinerary4GroupTourChina-55161245332075_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgPrivate_Tours