7 Days Central Tibet Tour of Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lhasa Arrival

   You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650 meters). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude. Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today.

   Accommodation:Lhasa

2. Day 2: Lhasa
   Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street (Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, you will proceed to the Jokhang Temple, which is situated in the center of Lhasa City. Built in the 7th century, the brilliant period of Tubo Kingdom, the Kokhang Temple is the best architectural combination of Tibet, Han ethnic, Nepal and India, as well as also a holy Buddhist temple of worshiping the rare life-size statue of Sakyamuni at age 12th.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Then you will pay a visit to the Barkhor Street, which is considered as “the window of Tibet” as it presents typical Tibetan life. The Barkhor Street is located in the center of Lhasa and embraces the Jokhang Temple.

   After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel

   Accommodation: Lhasa

   

3. Day 3: Lhasa
   Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery (Lunch)

   AM: After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see the best of Tibetan art. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Later in the day you will visit the beautiful landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest. Note: Only a fixed number of visitors are allowed to Potala Palace each day. So the guide will decide the order of sightseeing places.

   Accommodation: Lhasa

   

4. Day 4: Lhasa - Gyantse by Car
   Yamdrok-tso Lake, Karo La (Lunch)

   AM: Traveling by jeep along the Friendship Highway you will cross the Khamba La (4794m). The drive offers you stunning views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and the snowy summit of Nazin Kang Sa (7252m). You continue westwards, over another high pass, the Karo La (5045m), where you are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down, within a few hundred meters of the road.

   Noon: Simple Lunch.

   PM: After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the town of Gyantse.

   Accommodation: Gyantse

   

5. Day 5: Gyantse- Shigatse by Car
   Gyantse Dzong, Gyantse Kumbum (Lunch)

   Before departing from Gyantse, you will be taken for a guided tour to Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a 14th century fort, from where you get amazing views of Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed stupa. It has many small chapels which houses an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. We move on to Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, which is about 90 km away.

   Accommodation: Shigatse

   

6. Day 6: Shigatse – Lhasa by Car
   Tashilhumpo Monastery (Lunch)

   After breakfast, you will be guided to explore the local market and the Tashilhumpo Monastery in Shigatse. Tashilhumpo Monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. After a detailed visit of Shigatse, you will be driven back to Lhasa via a shorter route.

   Accommodation: Lhasa

   

7. Day 7: Lhasa Departure

   You will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home.