8 Days Nyingchi Shigatse Namtso Tour

B-- Breakfast    L-- Lunch    D-- Dinner

• Day 1 Arrive in Nyingchi

     

  After your arrival in Nyingchi, your local tour guide will greet you to escort you to your vehicle for a visit to the Sekyim la Pass (elevation 4720 meters) with its splendid views of the great Mt. Namjia Bawa (peak elevation 7700 meters) in the distance. After that, we will drive on to explore the bushy Lulang Forest (elevation 3700 meters) with its typical highland meadow strip of dense bushes, spruce trees and pines. After we have had plenty of time for photographs of the fluffy white clouds, the snow-capped mountains, the endless pines and the quiet pastures, we will drive back to Bayi Town to spend the night.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Nyingchi

• Day 2 Nyingchi – Basumtso - Lhasa

     

  Today we will drive back to the holy city of Lhasa alongside the beautiful Niyang River, which is the longest tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, with spectacular scenery all along the way. We will be able to make stop to the Basumtso Lake - which is a stunning highland lake lying 90 kilometers west of Kongpo Gymdo County. This holy lake is beautified by its surrounding landscapes from green & forested mountains to snow capped peaks, and is connected to the semi-mythical ruler of the Kham region and Guru Rinpoche.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

• Day 3 Lhasa City Sightseeing - Potala Palace - Jokhang Temple - Barkhor Street

     

  After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the incredible Potala Palace – the highest palace in the world. As we climb to the entrance gate, you will have a spectacular view over all of Lhasa. After exploring the numerous interesting chapels and learning about the traditional culture and history of the palace and the city, we will move on to the spiritually significant Jokhang Temple, one of the most important temples in Tibetan Buddhism. To see the “real” Lhasa, we’ll stroll through Barkhor Street with its thriving local market where you can pick up some local Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian handicrafts and souvenirs.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

• Day 4 Traditional Handicraft Art Center Experience - Sera Monastery Debates

     

  Today features visits to 2 of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism – the Drepung and Sera Monasteries. Drepung Monastery is located on the hillside west of Lhasa – at one time the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks living there. A pleasant walk up the hill leads to the solemn ambience inside the monastery’s many halls and chapels. After Drepung, we will move on to the Sera Monastery. The main highlight of the Sera Monastery is watching the crowd of monks debating inside the shady courtyard behind the main temple. Every day except Sunday, hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups and practice their debating skills – a very impressive sight to behold, as the monks are very animated as they debate the various attributes of Buddhist scriptures.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

• Day 5 Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake – Karola Glacier – Gyantse (Kumbum Monastery) – Shigatse

     

  This morning we’ll take a drive up to the Kampala Pass (elevation 4797 meters) where you’ll have a glimpse of Yamdrok Lake down below as well as spectacular views of the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. You will want to have your camera at the ready for the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake, which is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet, and the beautiful Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar glacier as seen from the Karol la Pass. Later on we’ll be able to visit the Karola Glacier before continuing along the southern Friendship Highway to Gyantse, where you will be able to see the famous Gyantse Kumbum, one of the most stunning architectural wonders in Tibet. Late in the afternoon we will continue on to Shigatse, the location of the Tashilunpo Monastery.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Shigatse

• Day 6 Shigatse - Tashilunpo Monastery – Lhasa

     

  We will get an early start today to visit the Tashilunpo Monastery, which was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama. After visiting this ancient monastery, one of the most important sites in Tibetan Buddhism, then we will head back to Lhasa.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

• Day 7 Lhasa - Namtso Lake – Lhasa (500 kilometers, 10-hour drive time)

     

  We will leave your hotel early in the morning and it takes about 4 hours to get to Lake Namtso. Along the way there are some places to stop for taking pictures. When we get to the Lake, it is around lunch time and we can enjoy the view to the Lake. about 2 hours leisure time beside the lake, we will drive back to Lhasa around 8 pm. To experience the natural views of Tibet is a dream of many tourists. Today is a great day for witnessing Tibet’s natural beauty. Mountains, grasslands, and the holy Namtso are on order for today. Namtso, one of the famous Tibet tourists’ attractions, is one of the 3 holy lakes in Tibet, playing an important role among Tibetans.

  Accommodation: Overnight in Lhasa

• Day 8 Transfer to Lhasa Airport – Departure from Lhasa

     

  Your day will be free until we pick you up to take you on the 90-minute drive to the Lhasa airport for your departing flight.

  Accommodation: None