This adventurous 5-day Lhasa tour combines the landmark Buddhist attractions in and around Lhasa with an action-packed day trek across a number of off-the-beaten Buddhist hermitages in the suburbs of Lhasa. For tourists who have a tight schedule yet are keen to explore Tibetan monasteries and challenge the scenic trek on Tibetan Plateau, this would be a perfect choice for you.
Day 1 :
Arrive in Lhasa
<p>When you arrive in Lhasa either by train or flight, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.</p><p></p><p>After arriving in Lhasa, you can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude. If you feel to go out, then you can go to the Potala Square, where you will enjoy the fountain with different colors and get amazing photos of the Potala and around.</p>
<p>Today's tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.</p><p></p><p>Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang Temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.</p><p></p><p>Besides, we can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; the welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly.</p>
<p>In the morning , you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.</p><p></p><p>In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.</p>
<p>In the morning, we drive to cliff-side Pabonka Palace 15km from city center, and visit the holy cave where Songtsen Gampo the 33rd Tibetan king used to meditate.</p><p></p><p>From here, we start the day trek; hike for 30 minutes northeast up to Tashi Chöling Hermitage passing through a distance view of sky-burial place but tourists are not allowed to visit and take photos.</p><p></p><p>After short break at Tashi Choling, hike continuously for about 40 minutes, ascending 300m by alternative trails to a cliff side hermitage called Tagden Ritro, where you enjoy clear spring water, birds singings and gorgeous panoramic view of Lhasa city and we can enjoy the lunch box here.</p><p></p><p>From here no more ascent, slide descending towards Sera Ütse hermitage another 40minutes walk, the panoramic view of Lhasa is wider and wider. And finally, trek further for over an hour more to Purbu Jog Monastery via Raka Drak hermitage. Through this section of hiking, you can see a spectacular scenery of both Nyangra and Thokde valley.</p><p></p><p>After visiting Purbu Jog this small beautiful monastery, you will be picked up by your driver near by the monastery and finish your hike.</p>
Day 5 :
Departure from Lhasa
<p>The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.</p>
