Description
Tibet Cultural Tour offers one of the most unique cultures in the world, Tibetan culture always catches worldwide attentions. There are unique Tibetan Buddhism, devout pilgrims, distinct life style, countless historical legends and stories. All cultural Tour in Tibet links with religious sites where Tibetans observes and practices traditional way of simple life interwoven with Buddhism.
Tibet Cultural Tour begins with fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and extends to Gyantse and Xigatse. The biggest Drepung monastery, Norbulinlka Palace, Potala palace, Kumbum pagoda, Tashilumpo monastery, Barkhor Street is the major attraction of our tour. The trip is also highlighted by the majestic snow-covered peaks and unique overland landscapes.
What to Expect?
Enjoy the sightseeing tour to various cultural, historical, natural world heritage sites of Lhasa including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, barkhor Street and also visit the biggest Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka Palace, Kumbum pagoda, Tashilumpo monastery along with the majestic snow-capped peaks and unique overland landscapes accompanying the Tibet Cultural Tour.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Kathmandu – Lhasa – Tsedang
Fly for about an hour over the panoramic Himalayan Region to the capital of Tibet Lhasa at an elevation of 3,650 meters situated on the bank of Kyichu River. Land on Gonggar Airport then drive for an hour to Tsedang. Acclimatize in hotel. O/N at hotel.
Day 02: Sighseeing tour in Tsedang
Today we visit the religious place like Yambulakhang Palace, Tandruk Monastery and Samye Monastery. The five-storied Yambulakhang palace is supposed to be the earliest building in Tibet constructed on top of a hill and it has an astonishing sight from any direction with views of the intact province. Five km south of Tsedang, Tandruk Monastery is widely believed to be the first Buddhist chapel ever constrcuted in the Tibet. It was built during the reigns of Songtsen Gampo and later underwent large scale reconstruction post its conversion into Gelukpa monastery. Samye Monastery, is the first monastery in Tibet. Founded in 775 by King Trisong Detsen, Samye is famed not just for its pivotal history but for its unique mandala design: the main hall, or Utse, represents Mt Meru, the centre of the universe, while the outer temples represent the oceans, continents, subcontinents and other features of the Buddhist cosmology. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Lhasa to Gyantse
Today we drive for Gyantse (3,950m) which is 325 km from Lhasa and might take about 5 to 6 hours. We pass via Karo La Pass and Yamdrok Lake. The scenery between Yamfrok Lake and the glacier is truly spectacular. As you go around the lakeshore to stop in Nangartse, you see snow peaked mountains contrasted with blue sky and turquoise waters, yaks and Tibetans. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Gyantse to Shigatse
After breakfast we head for Shigatse (3,900m) which is 95 km from Gyantse and might take about 2 to 3 hours. We encounter the beautiful Shalu Monastery on the way to Shigatse. The monastery is very popular for its murals and paintings that you can find inside the chapels and assembly hall and this is the only monastery that consists both Tibetan and Han arts inside the monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Shigatse to Lhasa
Early in the morning we pay visit to Panchen Lama’s Tashilhunpo Monastery founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, is a historic and culturally important monastery in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking tulku lineage in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Later we drive back to Lhasa enjoying the dramatic landscape of Tibet. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Sightseeing in Lhasa
On the sixth day of Tibet Cultural Tour, we observe the famous place of Lhasa like Potala Palace, Norbulinka Palace and Tibet Museum. The Potala Palace situated in the Red Hill by the side of the Lhasa River is a treasure house where you can see precious arts and learn Tibetan arts, crafts and tasty cuisines. Norbulingka Palace located on the west of Lhasa is a short distance to the southwest of Potala Palace. It is regarded as the summer palace of Dalai Lama and it’s well preserved murals, superb mandalas and frescoes are fascinating sights not to be missed. It is the largest garden, with the best scenery and the most historical sites in Tibet. Tibet Museum is located in the southeast corner of Norbulingka and covers an area of 23,508 square meters. The museum building is a pioneering institution in the history of the region. The complex is a wonderful combination of Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07: Excursion in Lhasa
After breakfast we continue our tour at Lhasa visiting Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and Sera and Drepung Monasteries. The Jokhang temple is located in Central Lhasa and is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. It is four-storey timber complex with a golden top. The Jokhang Temple is surrounded by the Barkhor Street which comprises a series of circular streets that encompass numerous merchants and vendors offering a wide variety of local Tibetan arts, crafts and tasty cuisines. The Sera Monastery is situated 5 km north to Lhasa. The magnificent monastery covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). Its main buildings are the Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). The Drepung Monastery lies 8 kilometers west of Lhasa and is largest Monastery in the Tibet that occupies over 10,000 of Monks. The ground of Monastery is organized on the caves and temples for Jamyang Qoigyi, together with two magnificent white pagodas. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Lhasa to Kathmandu
Your Tibet Cultural Tour terminates today, so after breakfast drive for Gonggar airport and catch your flight for onward destination.
Cost Includes:
- Transportation bus /jeep as per group size.
- Tibet travel permit.
- English speaking Tibetan guide.
- Accommodation on twin sharing room basis.
- Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per our itinerary.
- Daily breakfast.
- Hotel-airport-hotel transfer.
Cost Excludes:
- Client and travel insurance.
- Lunch and dinner.
- Personal expenses such as a drink, tips& etc.
- Nepal re- entry visa fee (If coming to Nepal)
Trip Note
During the trip; weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factor, that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered. We will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!
