Departures: Every Saturday/Thursday
EX - Kathmandu/Chengdu/Beijing/Kunming
Best Season: March - November
We begin our tour by exploring Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. It is here as per legend the ogress & the monkey mated & the Tibetan race began. The whole region is culturally & historically very rich & boast of early historical monuments such as the Samye Monastery, the first monastic institution built in early 7th century.
Yumbulakhang, the first palace built for a Tibetan king; Samye Chimpu, a cave complex & once a retreat for Guru Rinpoche. We continue to Lhasa visiting Mindroling Monastery en route.
Lhasa, the forbidden city is the heart & soul of Tibet for centuries & is still a city of wonders. The majestic Potala palace dominates the Lhasa skyline & is the residence of the Dalai Lamas. Jokhang, the central cathedral is the spiritual heart of Lhasa & is its most sacred temple. Encircling the Jokhang Temple is the bustling & fascinating Barkhor market & the devotional pilgrim circumambulation circuit. Other attractions include visits to Sera & Drepung Monastery, Tibet's great monastic universities & Norbulinka, the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama.
Day 01: Arrive Lhasa. Transfer to Tsedang. Check into hotel.
Walking tour of Tibetan part of the town.
Day 02: Explore Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, the cradle of Tibetan civilization - visit Samye
Monastery & Yumbulakhang.
Day 03: Drive to Lhasa. En route visit Mindroling Monastery. Check into hotel.
Visit Jokhang Temple & the Barkhor Market.
Day 04: Guided sightseeing tour Potala, the Winter palace of the Dalai Lame & Drepung & Nechung Monastery.
Day 05: AM- Guided sightseeing tour of Sera Monastery & Ramoche Tsuglakhang.
Day 06: After early morning breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight to Kathmandu/Chengdu/Beijing.