Tour Duration: 6 day(s)
Group Size: 2 - 10 people
Specialty Categories: Archeology/History Ecotourism
Season: March - December
Airfare Included: No
This route offers the epitome of Tibet with some of the most impressive visions: snow-capped mountains and holy lakes, splendid monasteries and palaces, original villages and unsophisticated people. With the better road conditions and accommodations along the way, it is now the most popular route.
Lhasa, literally meaning "Holy-Land", is the heart and soul of Tibet, has history of more than 1,300 years. It rose to prominence as an important center of administrative power in the 7th century AD, when Songtsen Gampo, a local ruler in the Yarlung Valley, continued the task of unifying Tibet. Songtsen Gampo moved his capital to Lhasa and built a palace on the site that is now occupied by the Potala.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa. The guide will meet you at Konggar Airport, and transfer you to Lhasa city with about 1 1/2 hours driving (100km). On the way, you'll get greeted by Nie Tang Buddha a Buddha image engraved in the mountain face. After arrive in Lhasa, rest and acclimatize. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 2: Lhasa. The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Its towering image already appearing on various occasions, but your first sight of the Potala will still be an awe-inspiring moment. It takes at least a good 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.
Some 2km to the east of the Potala is the most revered religious structure in Tibet Jokhang Temple. Bustling with worshipers and redolent with mystery, the Jokhang is an unrivaled experience. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor Lhasa's most interesting pilgrimage circuit. This area of the Old Town is both the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the main commercial district for Tibetans. Overnight in Lhasa. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Lhasa. About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung, once world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant thing, an easy break from the solemn ambiance inside the halls and chapels. At the plat roof of hillside, you can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
Drepung is one of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other is Sera. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debating" in Sera is very famous. Overnight in Lhasa. Includes: (B).
Day 4: Lhasa - Nyching. Today we will drive to Nyching 420km to Lhasa. On the way, the eminent snow mountain and greenly forest full of your eyes. The Tibetans accommodate in the lodges and farmhouses along the mountains and valleys. The Kadin Valley, a waterfall named Tianfo will show you how sweet the water in Nyching. Batsom Lake a Jade like lake, we will over night by the heavenly lake. Camps in a tent near the lake, picnic with the Tibetans and woody lodge. Over night in Batsom. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Bayi - Lunang - Lhasa. Today we will pass by the Bayi Town center of Nyching. Drive to Lunang forest sea, the flourishing trees, skywave water, one of the eight biggest forests of China. After the sightseeing of forest, a small town will be worth to visit. You will find the farm Tibetan life style in this town. Afternoon drive back Lhasa. Over night in Lhasa. Includes: (B).
Day 6: Lhasa - Chengdu. Pack your luggage and get ready for leaving. The guide will transfer you to the airport, and help you board the plane. Say goodbye to Tibet and fly out. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Price Includes:
- Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary;
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner;
- Personal Guide and Driver + Private car/ van for Private Transfer and sightseeing;
- Hotels (twin share bases) as listed in the itinerary;
- Domestic flights (economy class) or trains as listed in the itinerary;
- Domestic airport taxes;
- Service Charge and Government Taxes;
- Luggage Transfers between airports and hotels.
Price Excludes:
-Entry or Exit China International transportation;
- Visa Fees;
- Excess Baggage Charges;
- Personal Expenses;
- Single Room Supplement;
- Gratuities, Tips to guides or drivers.