Itinerary
Day 1: Lhasa Arrival
Pass By: Lhasa, Lhasa, Tibet
Your private driver and guide will be ready for you when you arrive in Lhasa. Sit back in a comfortable vehicle, leave the hassles to your guide, and enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel.
Good to know:
It's better to arrive in Lhasa in the morning. Then you will have more time to acclimatize to the altitude and preempt altitude sickness.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel with special oxygen supplies, Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa (with a luxury oxygen spa) or InterContinental Lhasa Paradise (with oxygen supplied directly to the rooms each day from 10pm6am) is recommended.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at InterContinental Lhasa Paradise,a 5-star hotel.
Day 2: Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street (B,L)
Stop At: Potala Palace, No.35 Gongqian Alley, Beijing Middle Road Cheng Guan District, Lhasa 850000 China
Potala means Buddhist shrine. The Potala Palace was built as a gift for the fiance of the Tibetan King Songtsen Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty. Later, it became known as the Winter Palace for the Dalai Lamas.
The Potala Palace houses incredible antiques including eight Dalai Lamas' holy stupas. The most exquisite stupa is the 5th Dalai Lama's, which comprises 3,721 kilograms of gold, 52 tons of silver, and over 15,000 jewels and pearls.
The Potala Palace is composed of a white palace and a red palace. The white palace is used for working and the red palace is for religious purposes.
People mix milk with sugar and honey and coat the Potala Palace with this mixture. These ingredients make the walls stay bright and stable.
Jokhang Temple:It houses a golden statue of a life-sized Sakyamuni, which was taken there by Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty. This statue is considered to be Sakyamuni himself, so the Jokhang Temple is the most holy temple to Buddhists.
Activities:
Visit the Jokhang Temple in the morning. You will find a lot of devoted pilgrims prostrating themselves near the front gate. The Jokhang Temple Square is also an interesting place. You can write down your wish and hang your prayer flags on the tall praying pillar.
Barkhor Street is like a backstreet around the Jokhang Temple. Walk clockwise and join the local people's kora (circle for religion). There are many interesting shops in the street.
The Potala Palace is built on a mountain and before entering the palace you will need to climb about 360 steps. This is your third day in Tibet so you should be ready to do it.
Once you get into the palace, you will be surprised by the exquisite wall paintings and glorious chambers. Listen carefully as your guide is going to explain a lot of Buddhist culture.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at InterContinental Lhasa Paradise,a 5-star hotel.
Day 3: Norbulingka - Sera Monastery - Drepung Monastery(B,L)
Stop At: Norbulingka Institute, P.O Sidhpur, Dharamsala 176057 India
Norbulingka
Like the royal Summer Palace in Beijing, Norbulingka was known as the Summer Palace for the Dalai Lamas in Tibet, but now it is a beautiful public park.
There are lots of plants, so we recommend you start your day from there as there is more oxygen, which will help you to get used to the altitude.
Sera Monastery
Debating is a way of learning Buddhist teachings. Sera Monastery opens its doors to the public when the debates are in session so you will have the chance to watch the monks in debate. The monks' debate is held at 3:30pm every day except for Sundays.
Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery is built on the hillside and there are many Buddhist rock paintings on the hill.
Activities
Enjoy an unhurried Western breakfast, such as bread, hot coffee, and salad. In the morning, you will visit Norbulingka, stroll in the park, and get used to the altitude.
Later, you will be driven for about 15 minutes to Drepung Monastery where you will climb the stairs up to the hill and visit the delicate temples. If you are lucky, you will hear the monks chanting together, which sounds just like singing.
Have lunch in a local restaurant and choose Tibetan food, Western food, or even spicy Sichuan food. Your tour guide will help you to order.
In the afternoon, you'll watch monks debating over age-old scripts in a courtyard of Sera Monastery. When debating, the monks will do a lot of gesturing. Enjoy their dance and guess what it means.
General rules for visiting temples in Tibet:
Cameras are not allowed in the temples or in the debate field, but taking photos with a cell phone is acceptable.
When entering a temple, please take off your hat and sunglasses to show respect. Your shoulders should be covered and you should not wear shorts.
Walk clockwise when visiting Barkhor Street.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at InterContinental Lhasa Paradise,a 5-star hotel.
Day 4: Lhasa Departure (B)
Stop At: Lhasa, Lhasa, Tibet
Today is free for you until to be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to next destination or back to your home.
Service ends !
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.