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Lhasa Gyantse & Shigatse 7-day Tour

Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse are the most visited towns in Central Tibet. Lhasa-the capital city-is the heart and soul of Tibet and the Mecca for Tibetan Buddhist people.  Lhasa, which means "sacred earth" in Tibetan language, used to be the most reclusive city on earth and remain shrouded in mystery and secrecy until early 20th century. Today, Lhasa has gone through vast technological changes but the mystique still exists in the palaces of Dalai Lamas, monasteries and Tibetan quarters. After 3 days touring in and around Lhasa, by then we are properly acclimatized, we drive on the high roads of Tibet Nepal Friendship Highway, crossing several high passes that includes Kamba La (15700 ft) and Karola (16,500 ft) and stop for the nights in the towns of Gyantse and

Shigatse where we visit the major temples and monasteries. The journey along the shores of holy Yamdrok Tso Lake is probably the most memorable in this trip. The vast plains of Tibet and the views of snow capped mountains across are just superb. The road passes through several small picturesque villages where we will have opportunity to catch the glimpse of local lifestyle

While we visit the major cultural and historical sites, we will also take chance to do some small hikes on the pilgrimage path around the monasteries, visit Tibetan families and schools and browse the flea markets.   


 

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa    
Activities:

Arrival in Gonggar Airport of Lhasa. You are met and greeted by our representative and drive to Lhasa City (1hr). Check in hotel and take rest for acclimatization. You will experience mild symptoms of the altitude sickness such as headache, dizziness, disorientation, breathlessness etc but it should go away in a day or two. Please, drink plenty of water and consume liquid food. 


Meals: None

Overnight: 3* standard hotel

 
Day 2: Lhasa    
Activities:

Full day sightseeing of Lhasa, visiting Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace-the principal attraction of Lhasa, Sera Monastery-the last of the three Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa and Norbu Lingkha- the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

If you are hiking enthusiast and if you do not show signs of altitude sickness, Sera Monastery kora (hiking on the pilgrimage path around the monastery) would be worth trying. We will also take chance to attend the debating ceremony of Sera Monks. 

 

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: 3* standard hotel

 
Highlights:
Day 3: Lhasa    
Activities:

Today, we will visit Drepung Monastery-the largest, richest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet and was the power centre of Tibet before the 5th Dalai Lama moved to Potala palace.

At Drepung, we will visit the Ganden Palace, Main Assembly Hall and Colleges of Drepung. (Optional: Hiking enthusiasts can also attempt 1 hr long circuit hiking but you should be fully acclimatized ) ancient Jokhang Temple in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa and the Barkhor Street that forms the pilgrim circuit around the Jokhang Temple.


Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: 3* standard hotel

 
Highlights:
Day 4: Lhasa     Gyantse (13467ft, 176miles, 6 ½ hrs)
Activities:

Today, we drive to Gyantse town which still maintains Tibetan characteristics. The journey involves crossing of two high passes Kamba La (15,700 ft) and Karo La (16,500ft) and the follows the bank of Yamdrok Tso Lake for more than 40 miles. Yamdrok Tso Lake is one of the four holiest lakes of Tibet and has turquoise green water.

As we leave the lakeshore behind, the road climbs to Karo La Mountain (16,500ft), once again offering breathtaking views of the mountain and vast Tibetan plateau. We arrive at Gyantse town late afternoon, perhaps the only major town in Central Tibet which has been able to maintain its Tibetan characteristics. We check in hotel and take rest for the day. 

 

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: 3* Gyantse Hotel or similar

 
Highlights:
Day 5: Gyantse    Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs)
Activities:

After breakfast, we will visit the Pelkor Chode and Kumbum Monastery-the main highlights of Gyantse City. Kumbum Stupa is the landmark of Gyantse and can be spotted from a long distance.

From Gyantse, it is less than 2 hrs drive to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. About 13 miles (20 km) before Shigatse, we take 4 km side trip of Shalu Monastery-the first of the major monasteries to be built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty during Tibet's great revival of Buddhism, and was an important centre of the Sakya tradition.

Upon arrival in Shigatse, we check in hotel and later take a relaxing walk through the Shigatse's Flea market which is a nice bargain place for Tibetan souvenir. 


Overnight: 3* Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

 
Highlights:
Day 6: Shigatse    Lhasa (186miles, 7 hrs)
Activities:

After breakfast, we check out hotel. We visit the famous Tashi lunpo Monastery before we hit the highway for journey back to Lhasa. Tashi lunpo Monastery is the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet and one of the 6 major Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet.

For the return journey, we take the southern friendship highway that runs along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The road is rough and rehabilitation work is going on. Upon arrival in Lhasa, we check in hotel and take rest for the day. 

 

Overnight: 3* Standard hotels.

Meals: Breakfast 

 
Highlights:
Day 7: Lhasa Departure    
Activities:

Free until transfer to Gonggar airport for flight to next destination. Lhasa to Kathmandu or Mainland cities.

End of Tibet side service. 


Meals: Breakfast