Our representative will pick you up from the airport and take you back to the hotel. Once you freshen up, you can stroll around Lhasa.

Overnight at Lhasa.

You will have breakfast in your hotel. Our guide will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Potala Palace. This is the most famous structure in Tibetan architecture, towering over Lhasa and having more than 1,000 rooms. King Songtsen Gampo was the first to construct the palace in the 7^th century. In the 17^th century, the fifth Dalai Lama reconstructed the current Palace as his residence. Since then, the palace has functioned as both the local Tibetan government’s administrative hub and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. You can witness the incredible collection of exquisite Tibetan paintings, stupas, and eight former Dalai Lama’s burials.

Later, we will have lunch and then visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, the most revered and bustling Buddhist temple in Tibet. It was constructed around 647 AD and is located 2 kilometers east of Potala. The greatest Tibetan monarch, Tsrong Tsang Gampo, built the temple to keep the Buddha image that his Nepalese bride, Bhrikuti, had brought from Nepal. Later, the king’s other wife, the Chinese Princess Wencheng, moved another picture, the Jowa Zakyamuni, in the Jokhang by which this temple got its name where Jokhang means ‘chapel of the Jowo.’ Thousands of pilgrims from around Tibet travel great distances daily to pray here.

We will wrap our day with a visit to Barkhor Market, a fascinating market encircling Jokhang, where one can purchase traditional or religious Tibetan items as souvenirs. You will be attracted to the aura of the sacred atmosphere, the numerous stores offering sacred items, and the never-ending stream of pilgrims.

Overnight at Lhasa.

In the early morning, you will eat a decent breakfast at your hotel; later, our guide will pick you up and take you to two of the three great Gelug monasteries in Tibet, Drepung and Sera Monastery.

Drepung Monastery, built in 1416 by Jamyang Choeje, is located around 8 kilometers west of Lhasa’s city center. Being one of the three pillars supporting the Tibetan state, the Drepung monastery is one of the most significant monasteries in Lhasa.

In the evening, we will visit the Sera monastery, founded by Tsongkapa in 1419. One can witness the Buddha’s brilliant rock painting and the three sand Mandalas. Also, the Tibetan religious literature printing house is worth visiting.

Overnight at Lhasa.

After breakfast, we will follow the Friendship Highway to Gyantse. After crossing Kamba La Pass(4794m), we will witness the tranquil, turquoise-toned Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok-tso Lake is one of Tibet’s holiest, cleanest, and most unpolluted lakes. As our journey continues west, we will encounter Karo La Pass(5045m). We will reach the town named Nangartse, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will drive for hours, and in the afternoon, we will reach Gyantse.

Gyantse is the third largest historical city of Tibet, where we will visit the famous Khumbum Stupa and Pelkhor Chode. Khumbum is home to a massive 35-meter-tall gold-domed stupa and homes with many chapels and frescoes depicting Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibetan, the Khumbum signifies 100,000 pictures.

Then we will visit the Pelkhor Chode monastery, situated in the Nyangchu river valley. Although the monastery has several distinct buildings, its 108 chapels spread across multiple stories and its historic Dzong, or fort, make it the most well-known. The monastery’s architecture blends Tibetan, Han, and Nepalese styles.

Overnight at Gyantse.

After having breakfast, we will leave for Shigatse, the second-largest town in Tibet. We will stop by two places: Gyantse Fortress and Shalu Monastery. Gyantse Fortress is one of the finest dzongs and was built in 1390. Shalu Monastery, a small monastery, is about 14 miles south of Shigatse. Chetsun Sherab Jungnay founded it in 1040, and for many years afterward, it was renowned as a hub of academic study and psychic arts instruction.

Once we reach Shigatse, we will visit Tashilimphu Monastery, established in 1447 and regarded as the highest monastery in the Gelukpa lineage. Due to its long history as the official residence of Panchen Lamas, the monastery is well-liked by pilgrims. The monastery is an intriguing, expansive blend of halls, chapels, and other buildings built in the classic Tibetan monastic architecture. You can view the enormous statue of Future Buddha, which is 26.2 meters in height and 11.5 meters in width. It is adorned with priceless pearls, turquoise, coral, and amber. It is the most enormous statue of its type on the planet.

Overnight at Shigatse.

Today, after breakfast, we will visit the Tsedang, a historically rich town at 3100m above sea level. This place is home to some of the most significant and ancient Tibetan cultural monuments. Once we reach Tsedang, we will visit the Yambu Lakhang Palace, first built for a Tibetan monarch on a steep mountaintop. Here in this Palace, we can view the ancient artifacts and learn more about Tibetan Buddhism’s culture and history. While inside the Palace, we might be astounded by the sound of monks chanting and the view of witnessing Yarlung Valley from the Yambu Lakhang’s summit.

Later, we will drive towards Chonje Valley to view the King’s Tombs. This burial place offers a unique viewpoint on the region’s religious and historical development.

Overnight at Tsedang.

After breakfast at Tsedang, we will drive towards Samye Monastery. We will first cross the Yarlung Tsangpo River on a boat and then travel in trucks and tractors. The monastery holds great religious and historical significance as it was the first monastery in Tibet and the birthplace of Buddhism. A trip to Samye is essential to any journey across central Tibet.

Later, we will drive back to Tsedang to visit the Tandruk Monastery, one of the first Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. King Songtsan Gampo built this monastery during his rule in 641 A.D. Eventually, it became King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng’s Shannan winter residence. The pearled Tangka, “Avalokitesvara at his rest,” is the most notable of all the artifacts and relics housed at this monastery.

Overnight at Tsedang.

After having breakfast, you will be transferred to the Gonggar airport to catch the flight to your home or any other destination.