Overview
This trip designed almost one week duration for those people who has short schedule for Tibet tour, but still want to have a little visits outside of Lhasa. The tour covers Lhasa and Shigatse, two cultural parts of the heart of Tibet and Tsang. Besides the activities in Lhasa, you will drive out totally two days to visit Shigatse, the second largest town of Tibet TAR and its symbolic construction of Tashilumpo Monastery. You will pass by Gyantse, explore this tiny but typical Tibetan town, the devotional Tibetan pilgrims and the green farmland scenery surrounded. Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda will be also no missed. The one of the most important highlights is Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, you will enjoy its breathtaking beauties merges with the snow-capped mountains and Karola Glaciers along the 30km lake shores. Although the tour is short, it is actually lax for day by day activities, which gives you sufficient time to gain the knowledge of every highlights and photography time along the way; when you return to Lhasa from Shigatse, it even leaves you some spare time for more free explorations in Lhasa.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Lhasa (D)
Day 02 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 03 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 04 Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Day 05 Back to Lhasa (B)
Day 06 Lhasa Departure (B)
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Lhasa (D)
Upon arrived at Lhasa Gongga Airport or the Lhasa Train Station, our local guide and driver will pick you up there and then drive to Lhasa downtown and check in the hotel located at Barkhor quarter. Rest time is free for altitude acclimation. Dinner will be served as the welcome dinner, with Tibetan food during Tibetan singing and dancing performances.
Day 02: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit the Potala Palace, the world's highest construction. With the 13 stories and 119 meters in height, Potala Palace is composed by the two parts of the White Palace and the Red Palace with the different functions. The White one is used for Dalai Lamas’ living, working and studying. The Red one consists mainly of various chapels and stupas. In the afternoon, visit Jokhang Monastery, which is located in the heart of Lhasa’s old section of Barkhor. Built in seventh century, Jokhang Monastery is the oldest monastery and is the earliest timber construction in Tibet. It is also the spiritual focus for the Tibetans, where you can see the most devotional pilgrims and worships from morning till dark. Encircling of the Jokhang, here is Barkhor Street, the pilgrims are walking around the temple for centuries already. Leisure walk around this crowding medieval street to witness the local lifestyle.
Day 03: Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit Norbulingka, literally means “Jewel Garden”, was the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. The palaces are shaded by the flourish and green trees, the murals on the main hall’s walls show a long history here. Later visit Drepung Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Gelugpa sect. in Tibet. Built in 1416, Drepung Monastery gains the name of “Heap of Rice” due to its white structure appearance. Then visit Sera Monastery, one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa. Except the treasures and well-preserved original murals in the monastery, you will also have a great chance to view the heated scriptural debates of the monks.
Day 04: Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake & Gyantse
Drive out of Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake and Gyantse. At 4,990m Gangpa La Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake will come into the eyesight, the Karola Glaciers (5,030m) takes on later. At Gyantse, visit Pelkhor Chode and Kumbum Pagoda, a remarkable monastery coexisting three Tibetan Buddhism sects of Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa. With extra 1.5 hours driving, we arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet, explore the town and the interesting local market.
Day 05: Back to Lhasa (B)
Morning visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lhama. It has an impressive scale and retains the highest gilded bronze statue of Champa Buddha in the world. Later we drive back to Lhasa via the northern route. Rest time in Lhasa is free leisure.
Day 06: Lhasa Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport or the train station according to the schedule.
