6 Days Private Tour of Lhasa – Gyangtse – Shigatse – Lhasa

Tour Type: Private tour, any parts of the itinerary can be customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals: 5 western buffet breakfasts, 4 lunches

Highlights:
Go on a pilgrimage to ancient Tibetan temples with breaks to natural marvels.
Visit Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet, to imagine the life of Dalai Lamas.
Observe lamas’ exuberant debating on Buddhist doctrines in Sera Monastery.
Revel in a landscape woven with meadow and sacred Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.
Visit a local family to gain insights into Tibetan daily life.

Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa
Upon your arrival, your local guide will expect you outside the Arrival Hall of the airport and transfer you to the downtown hotel.

Day 2 Lhasa
Your one week Tibet tours will start from the Drepung Monastery, the world’s largest gompa or Tibetan Buddhist compound.Continue to the Norbulingka Park, Tibet’s biggest and most beautiful artificial garden that used to be the summer retreat of successive Dalai Lamas. The next stop is the Sera Monastery. Like Drepung, it is equally renowned and belongs to the Gelug Sect, also called Yellow Hat Sect as the disciples wear yellow monk hats. Sera at first glance will amaze you with a dense but somehow not crowded layout. Thangkas, murals, tens of thousands of Buddha statues and more make it a kaleidoscopic world to explore. Our main goal here is to witness the interesting Monastic Debates on Buddhist scriptures (not available on Sunday).

Day 3 Lhasa
Potala Palace, a jewel in human civilization and Lhasa’s cardinal landmark, awaits you with its imposing splendor! After lunch, we will visit the Jokhang Temple, which was also from the Tang Dynasty.Then walk along the bazaar of Barkhor Street to find more ancient buildings, local snacks, and traditional handicrafts and experience buzzing local life.

Day 4 Lhasa – Gyangtse – Shigatse
We will drive you to Gyangtse today. En route, pay a visit to a local family.Continue the trip to the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, or the “Swan Lake” in local language, the largest inland lake at the north foot of the Himalayas and one of the most sacred in Tibetan hearts.

Day 5 Shigatse – Lhasa
After breakfast, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest of its kind in Shigatse and also one of the four grandest of the Gelug Sect because successive Panchen Lamas practiced here.

Day 6 Departure from Lhasa
Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home and conclude the tour. Have a nice trip! If you want to explore Tibet for more, just reach out to have this itinerary extended or tailored to your needs and interests.