Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Tour

Your tour starts with your arrival in Lhasa today. There are two ways to arrive Lhasa-one is via Nepal and another via mainland China. If you choose to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa you will have 1 hour 10 minutes Trans-Himalayan flight which is considered one of the most beautiful air route in the world that takes you over the Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8536m) and other Himalayan peaks. If you are coming via mainland China, you might fly from any major cities or take the world’s highest train route to reach Lhasa. You will be received by our Tibetan guide at the airport/train station. Approximately 1.5 hours’ drive along 93 km road, from the airport/train station, you will reach Lhasa. It’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude. Overnight at hotel in Lhasa. 

Foremost, our tour begins with a visit to Sera Monastery with an experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts. This is a preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting rhythm builds up while touring Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to Barkhor Markets can be quite a alter from other visits as you roam around the city testing every details around the stalls and you may purchase some goods that displays Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa. 

Today your visit to Potala palace and Drepung monastery will bestow invaluable insights. From the Mar Po Ri Hill where the Potala Palace, the 17th century great monumental structure stands, you can get an awesome view of entire city. Potala Palace, an immense structure, its interior space being in excess of 130,000 square meters has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Your next visit will be to Drepung Monastery, a residence of Dalai Lama before Potala Palace which was built in 14th century and used to shelter around 10,000 monks some time ago. Tibetans’ immensely believe and respect this monastery. 

Following Friendship Highway, while driving past Khamba La (4794 m), you will have a break to appreciate majestic views of Yamdrok-Tso Lake, a lake deep blue in color and Nazin Kang Sang glacier standing proud at 7252m. Ahead to westwards, you come across another Karo La pass at 5045m. Glance through the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down into the road. After hours of driving for 261 km, you enter town of Gyantse where you will see beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages.

Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong is a historical fort built in the 14th century and overlooks a mesmerizing view of entire Gyantse and surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has large gold domed 35m high chorten(stupa ) and houses with several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. Kubum means 100,000 images in Tibetan. After enjoying and exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Shalu monastery built with Han, Tibetan and Indian style architecture is about one and half hour away from Gyantse on the way to Shigatse. After a brief observation of the monastery you drive further to Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery is the major attraction of Shigatse being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet. 

Today long and continue drive back to Lhasa. You also have option to drive Nepal by one overnight stay on the way. You also have option to reach Everest Base Camp. 

Drop you either Gongar airport or Lhasa train station. End your trip