Tibet Classic Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa

Welcome to Tibet – the roof of the world
Today arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet, transfer to hotel. Stay at the hotel for adapting to the high altitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days and try to drink some water.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at 4*Snow Heaven International Grand Hotel

Day 2: Lhasa (B)

Potala Palace – a landmark of Lhasa, Jokhang, and Barkhor Street
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures, and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at 4*Snow Heaven International Grand Hotel

Day 3: Lhasa (B)

Panoramic view over Potala, Norbulingka, Debate in Sera
In the morning visit Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, which was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from here you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterward visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. It is also one of the six master monasteries of the Gelugpa. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You have the opportunity to experience the famous monks’ “Buddhism scriptures debates”. Public religious debates are part of the education of monks.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at 4*Snow Heaven International Grand Hotel

Day4: Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse (B)

Karo La Pass and Glacier, holy lake Yamdrok, Palkhor with Pagoda Kumbum
Drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4,441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On arriving, visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the 15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-story stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameter contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Afterward drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second-largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang.

362 km
6 hours 28 minutes
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at 4*Mulunlazong Hotel

Day5: Shigatse – Lhasa (B)

Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse, traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense
In the morning visit, Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa. On the way visit traditional manufacture for Tibetan incense in small-town Tunba by the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

273 km
4 hours 58 minutes
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at 4*Snow Heaven International Grand Hotel

Day 6: Leave Tibet (B)

Travel to next destination
Today transfer to the airport or railway station, leave Tibet.