7 Days Authentic Experiences of Tibetan Nature & Culture Tour

Arrive in Lhasa today, upon arrival, be greeted by local guide at airport/train station and be presented with traditional Tibetan White Scarf to wish you good luck! After group photo at airport, transfer back to hotel, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages on the way. Your first afternoon, take it easy to acclimate.

After checking into the hotel, have a visit to the Barkhor Street, the central square in Old Lhasa. The Barkhor surrounds the Jokhang Temple which for Tibetans is their most sacred temple. At all hours, but especially in the morning and evening, pilgrims are doing kora (circumambulations) around the Jokhang. For the hundreds of people walking around the Jokhang, it is as much a religious as a social practice. It is a time to meet with neighbors and hear the latest news as well as to say prayers. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes.

After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, the pre 1959 residence and administrative home of the various Dalai Lamas. It is a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. It is visible from any distance, with the golden roof shinning in the sun.

In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures have numerous individual temples within it dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.

In the morning have a tour for Drepung Monastery, the ever largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.

Then drive to Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there, in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa.

After fully explore Lhasa, you'll have a chance to get lost in the endless Tibetan landscape while you take a short hike along the turquoise waters of Lake Yamdrok, one of the four holy lakes in Tibet. This dazzling lake is normally first seen from the summit of the Kamba-la (4700m). The lake lies several hundred metres below the road, and it is shaped like a coiling scorpion. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangstsang (7191m).

Afterwards pass by the 5,010 m high Karo-la Glaciers and the Simi La forward to Gyantse (3,950m). You will be invited to explore a Tibetan village on the road side, even into a local Tibetan home, where you can witness their traditional way of life, and chat with them over an unending glass of yak butter tea, where you will get a chance to experience how local Tibetans express their faith when you are brought to a local place of worship. The secret world of a Tibetan’s life untarnished by the media, will come into full perspective.

Then continue your way to Gyantse, you can enjoy Ningjinkangsang Snow Mountain and Karola Glacier from a distance on the way as well. Upon arrival in Gyantse, the hometown of Tibetan rug, explore its famous carpet. After dinner, a short hiking to Gyantse Dzong, shot the sunset there, it is worth the stiff climb to its upper limits. There is amazing views of Gyantse, the monastery compound at the end of town and the surrounding Nyang-chu Valley.

Begin this morning with a visit to Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse.

Then drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. It is a good place to hang out, explore every possible trail there, e.g. the nearby monasteries, its famous free market, etc., or you could enjoy a beer in the Tenzin Hotel while gazing across at the ruins of the Shigatse Dzong fort. Tashilumpo Monastery is also a highlight of Tibet and is Shigatse’s foremost attraction. As the holy seat of the Panchen Lama, it is essentially a walled town with cobbled and twisting lanes that revolve around a magnificent monastery.

Have a worthwhile detour to Nyemo County on the way drive back to Lhasa. It is a wonderful area for hiking, and it’s famous for the unique talent in traditional Tibetan handicraft, especially in Tibetan joss stick making, Tibetan paper-making and Tibetan wood block carving. Today you could have an artistic feast and see how the locals make them in Tibetan traditional way.

Then back to Lhasa along Yarlung Tsangpo River, be wrapped again in the endless vistas of the Tibetan plateau.

Our guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.