Overview: Travel to the must visited sites in Tibet, including Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery then head to the peak of the world – Mt.Everest for a lifetime sightseeing and unique camping experience at the Mt.Everest Base.
You are warmly welcome to Tibet by saying Tashi Delek at the Train station/airport by our professional employee and send you to reserved hotel in Lhasa. After checking in, the rest of the day is for you to acclimate to the high altitude and weather of Lhasa. Avoid strenuous physical activities during this first day since that may cause high altitude sickness.
Guide Tips: 1) avoid vigorous activities but do take some leisurely walks in the city to acclimatize to the air and high altitude of Lhasa city (altitude of 3600m); 2) do not drink liquor in the arrival day, instead plenty of water and fruits are recommended.
Morning visit to the famous Potala palace and explore the grandest of this myriad chapels. As the symbol of Tibet, it was built in 641 AD and was the winter palace of Dalai Lama who is Tibet's pope. Impressive Tibetan architecture, huge golden Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted pilgrims all make it a must-visit.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Every day, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek here from long distances to worship. Finally, walk the special circular pilgrimage route as local followers always do at Barkhor Street.
After breakfast, we start today tour with a morning visit to the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas and also the largest Tibetan garden – Norbulingka Park. The luxuriant trees and flowers, cool ponds and comfortable palaces make Norbulingka the best place for a summer retreat. Then drive about 5km westward to the Drepung and the Sera. If we are very lucky,we may even come acrossSera Monastery’s Monks debiting which was held in the courtyard at around 3;00-5:30 in the afternoon.
A morning drive about about 1.5 hours, you will arrive at the famous holy Yamdrok Lake, where Passing by the green farmland of Nyangchu Valley, one of the "Three Holiest Lakes" in Tibet. Then we will move westwards to the second biggest city Shigatse, where spiritually hosted by Pamchan Lama. On the way, you can enjoy a far view of Karo-la Glacier of 4960m. And in Gyantse, there are two famous monasteries could not be missed: Kubum monastery and Tashilunpo monastery, one of the six great Gelukpa institutions and was founded in 1447 by a disciple of Tsongkapa, containing the world's largest gilded copper image (26m high) of future god Jampa.
Tips: 1) pack some food and drinks for today's long drive; 2) wear suitable clothes, headgear, and glasses to protect yourself from the strong sunlight, wind and possible cold.
Before spending about 4 hours to drive back to Lhasa from Shigatse, we will visit the largest Monastery in west Tibet, Then drive along the Friend-ship Highway back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa
Get up early to catch the beautiful sunrise over the stunning landscape around Everest. The morning sunlight shining on the highest peak of the world makes it appear like a golden pyramid. On clear days, you also have a chance to witness the God-given sight of “flag clouds”.
After watching the sunrise, you will take the eco-bus to Everest Base Camp (EBC), located about 8km from Rongbuk Monastery. EBC is the most important base for mountaineers planning to climb even further to the top of Mount Everest. Take a closer view of Mount Everest from the Base’s elevated sightseeing platform with its many colorful Buddhist prayer flags waving in the breeze to witness the clear face of giant Mount Everest in all of its glory.
At the end of this visit return to the Rongbuk area and drive back to Lhatse County along the road you arrived on. After arrival at the day’s destination, check into your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest and explore on your own.
Wake up in the peaceful atmosphere of Lhatse and after breakfast head for a visit to the famous ancestral monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism - Sakya Monastery. Sakya, in Tibetan, means “gray and white earth”, So you will see here many temples and walls painted in gray and white. Sakya Monastery is also known as the “Second Dunhuang” because of its rich collection of arts and historical relics, including more than 24,000 Buddhist books, 3,000 Thangkas, and many Buddha statues, porcelains, wall paintings, etc.
We will then leave Lhatse and drive about 3 hours to Shigatse where you will have lunch and a short rest. Then another drive of about 5 hours on a well-maintained highway back to Lhasa.
Today is free relax for you until your tour guide and driver will help to drop you at the Lhasa airport, end the service
Transportation cost covers all the domestic airfare of economy class with airport tax, train tickets between the cities as the itinerary specified.
Transfer between airports, railway station, hotels and scenic spots for sightseeing around the cities that are specified by the itinerary with private air conditioned vehicle with driver and English-speaking guide. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.
All entrance fees to the scenic spots listed in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by private tour guides depends on the real-time local circumstances wheather are beyond the control of Access China Travel. We will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.
All normal meals as the itinerary specified: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner in local restaurant. Breakfasts are served in hotel, breakfasts have Chinese or Western style for your option; Lunches are served in carefully selected quality local Chinese restaurants with best service, your lunches will be ordered by your guide catering to your preferences within normal standard. Dinners as the itinerary specified will be also served in local Chinese restaurants. The meal quotation is normalized. If you have any special request about meals, like vegetarian, famous rare dishes, Indian food or more, please inform us in advance. For the unspecified dinners, you will have dinner on your own. Feel free to ask your local guide for suggestions or recommendation.
Normal sightseeing activities as the itinerary listed will be escorted with English-speaking guide. The English-speaking guide and driver in each city are with you throughout the entire itinerary around that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
Hotel service criterion: two adults share on one standard twin/double-bed room; solo traveler who want to occupy one twin/double-bed room assigned is required for extra single supplement rate. A single room is available on prior request at an additional cost; if a recommended hotel unavailable, it will be replaced by one of the same class. All hotels as the itinerary listed serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
The tour cost includes the planning, handling, booking, operation and communication charges.