Overview
This trip is the extension based on our Lhasa experience tour program by adding an extra day to visit Namtso Lake or optional Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. The tour will start from Lhasa, with visiting all the main monuments there. During these days, you will also gain the sufficient time to get more acclimations for the high altitude, which must be very helpful when you are later driving out of Lhasa for lake’s view, because the altitude of the both lakes is all around 1,000 meters higher than Lhasa. The tour is giving you the alternatives for the lake’s visit on the adding day, one is Namtso Lake and another is Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. Each of the lake could be easily visited in a day back-and-forth from Lhasa. None of them is better than other, the two lakes have many similarities, the similar driving distance from Lhasa, the similar altitude, and both the lakes are two of three holy lakes in Tibet, so the decision depends on which one you personally are interested in and desire to visit.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Lhasa (D)
Day 02 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 03 Lhasa Sightseeing (B)
Day 04 Excursion at Namtso Lake (or optional Yamdrok Yumtso Lake)
Day 05 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: Excursion at Namtso Lake (or optional Yamdrok Yumtso Lake)
Option 1: Excursion at Namtso Lake
Take about 4 hours and 252km drive to Namtso Lake through Yampachen grassland with the landscapes of the terrestrial heat and hot springs. Means the ‘Heavenly Lake’ in Tibetan language, Namtso Lake is the largest lake in Tibet and also the highest saltwater lake on the earth. Excursion at the lake side, step on Tashi peninsula for a small monastery, enjoy the beautiful crystal-clear blue lake and backdrop of magnificent Nyainchen Tanglha range. Return to Lhasa in the late afternoon.
Option 2: Excursion at Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Morning drive 162km to Nakhartse, the southwest of Lhasa, where is the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake located. You will pass by Chuchui and Gangpa La Pass (4,990m). At this Pass, the indescribably beautiful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake will first come into the eyesight. Standing at 4,441 meters above the sea level, Yamdrok Yumtso is one of three sacred lakes in Tibet. Excursion at the long lake side, visit such turquoise lake surrounded by Mt. Nyinchenkhasa, Mt. Chetungsu and Mt. Changsamlhamo. Visit the villages and local Tibetans nearby the lake. Return to Lhasa in the late afternoon.
Day 05: Lhasa Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport or the train station according to the schedule.
Experiences & Activities
- Short Tibet tour with the glimpse of its cultures and natures
- Visit the symbolic focus of Potala Palace and other historical sites of Lhasa
- Excursion at one of scared lakes of Tibet, either Namtso Lake or Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
- Walk Lhasa’s Koras with the devout pilgrims at Barkhor circuit
