SHR008-1: Tibet Classic tour

Introduction:

Tibet is one of the world's most extraordinary destination and there is adventure indeed lurking around almost each and every corner. Lhasa The capital lies high in the arid wilderness of the Tibetan mountains, it's name the "Roof of the World" is no idle statement. The valley bottoms of Tibet are higher than the highest mountains elsewhere . It's snow covered plateaux are the highest in the world , and apart from the Everest , which Tibetans see from 'the other side', many mountains are over 15000 feet.

Tibet Classic tour

This tour is for finding a way in Tibet, to have a better understanding of Tibetan culture, legacy and sightseeing.

Day1: Arrive in Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa, our tour guide will meet you at the airport, then drive to Lhasa city and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon for acclimating take a rest in the hotel.

Day2: Sightseeing in Lhasa city

Begin a visit of Lhasa city, located in the southern part of the Tibetan high plateau at an altitude of 3650m above sea level. Visit the Potala Palace in the morning, the Palace perched upon Marpo Ri hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, which is the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. In 637, Songtsen Gampo built this palace on the hill, that was used as a meditation retreat by him, and fulfilling numerous functions, the Potala was first as the residence of the Dalai Lama and his large staff. In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang Temple, one of Tibet's holiest shrines, originally built in 647 A.D. in celebration of the marriage of the Tang Princess Wencheng and the King Songtsen Gampo. The walk in the Bakhor Street, encircle the circular street of the Jokhang Temple for about 500m, served as a circumambulation circuit and a shopping center as well.

Day3: Lhasa – visit Big Three Monasteries and Norbulinka

Continue the visit in Lhasa. Visit the Drepung Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Sera Monastery, these three monasteries are collectively called as Big Three Monasteries. The monastery was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family and later enlarged by the 5^th Dalai Lama, who took charge of the power over major religious and political issues in Tibet. The 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Dalai Lama once stayed here. Then visit Norbulinka, in Tibetan means beautiful garden, it is the annual vacation home for the 7^th to the 14^th Dalai Lama, who would move here from the Potala Palace to this summer palace.

Day4: Lhasa - Gyantse

Driver 4-5 hours from Lhasa to Gyantse (altitude of 4019m), 245km south-west of Lhasa, a small town for its original Tibetan style. on the way you will stop and visit Yamdroktso Lake and Kaorla glacier, Yamdroktso is one of the four holy lakes of Tibet, and legend has it that if the lake ever disappears, it will mark the end of Tibet. Arrive in Gyantse.

Day5: Gyantse visit kumbum monastery – Shigatse

Visit Kumbum Monastery, founded in 1583 by the Third Dalai Lama, "Kumbum" means 100,000 enlightening bodies of the Buddha. Kumbum has four monastic colleges, at present, there are 400 monks, the majority of the Kumbum monks have been Tibetans from Amdo. The Kumbum monastery is brief indeed a repository of Tibetan culture and art whit various sculptures, statues and religious artifacts. Then drive 1-2 hours to Shigatse (altitude of 3881m), the second largest city of Tibet, also an important monastery town. Visit Shalu monastery on the way, the Monastery was built in the year 1000, its architecture with  features of completely Chinese Yuan Dynasty's temple, mixed feature of Tibetan and Han. Arrive in Shigatse at dusk.

Day6: Shigatse, visit Tashilungpo monastery – Lhasa

Visit Tashilungpo Monastery, the biggest Gelupa monastery in the Tsang region of Tibet. It was formerly built in 1447 and continuously expanded by the successive Panchen Lamas. The most amazing image in this monastery is the statue of the giant Maitreya (Future Buddha), stands 26 meters in height and 275 Kg of solid gold. Drive 273 Km for about 4-5 hours to return to Lhasa.

Day7: Leave Lhasa

Check out of the hotel and transfer to airport back home.