Tibet At A Glance Tour

Combine the "must see" sights of Lhasa with historically significant Tsetang, "cradle of Tibetan culture" for an unforgettable 5 day experience.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN LHASA:

Day 2: FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR:

Yumbulagang Palace (2 hours) Tibet's first palace. It's worthy of a visit for those Tibetan history fans. The palace was built for the 1st Tubo King Niechi in the Yalong River Valley. It is also called "the Mosher and Song Holy Hall". It perches on the summit of the Jormo Zhaxi Ceri Mountain on the east bank of the Yarlung River, about five kilometers in the south from the Tradrug County.

Trandruk Monastery (2 hours) Built in the 7th century, the Trandruk Monastery is situated at the east bank of the Yalong River in the south of the Shannan District in Tibet. It is about 5km to the south of Tsetang city, just on the main road to Luotsa County (a border county in the south of Tibet, sharing border with India.)Trandruk Monastery lies on the southern side Mt. Gangpo Ri, on the east bank of the Yarlung River, about 2 kilometers south of Tradrug. You must see the most precious treasure in the monastery - a pearl Thangka (Thangka is a kind of paintings illustrating Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan arts This pearl Thangka is brought here by Princess Wencheng)

Local Restaurant The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 3: FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR:    

Potala Palace (1 hour) Former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. You will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Note: you need to be fit for climbing up the long stairways.

Jokhang Temple (2 hours) Smaller and more manageable than the Potala, this 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly; the Temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century. 

Barkhor Street (2 hours) Built about 1,300 years ago, The Barkhor (pilgrims' circuit) is found in the heart of Lhasa encircling the Jokhang Temple. In the past, it was a designated circumambulation circuit, "a saint's road" in the eyes of Tibetans. Many people call the Barkhor "the window of Tibet" as it exhibits typical Tibetan life. Watch the pilgrims, wearing their local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate them near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.

Kechu Hotel Located near Jokhang Temple,The Kechu hotel and restaurant has a beautiful garden and provides Tibetan and Nepal food.

Day 4: FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR:

Sera Monastery (3 hours) Located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa, The Sera Monastery is a complex of 4 structures; the Great Assembly Hall and three colleges. It was founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey of Sakya Yeshe of Zel Gungtang (1355–1435), a disciple of Tsongkhapa. 'Sera' means wild roses and was called this because the monastery was surrounded by wild roses. One of the three main monasteries of Lhasa, it is here that the monks "famous daily debates" take place. 

Tips Every day (except Mondays) at 15:00, there is a debate about Buddhist doctrines among the monks at Sera Monastery. The debating is held in the grounds and is a necessary way of learning sutras and scriptures. Visitors can watch the debate, but it is advised to keep quiet.

Drepung Monastery (3.5 hours) Drepung Monastery lies in west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered round by the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered as one of the largest monasteries in the six principle monasteries of Gelu Sect in China. Drepung Monastery used to be the living palace of Dalai Lamas before the reconstruction of Potala palace (after the 5th Dalai Lamas was bestowed by Qing emperor Qianlong). The grand Shonton Festival is held in the early part of August every year. That is the busiest day there with crowds of people. It is an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this festival. 

Norbulingka (2.5 hours) Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". Constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama, it later served the whole government administration. It was built by the 7th Dalai Lama and served both administrative and religious purposes.

Lhasa Kitchen Lhasa Kitchen is near the Jokhang Temple. It is decorated by merging Tibetan style with Indian, Nepalese, Chinese and Italian architecture. It serves a variety of styles of food.

Day 5: FINAL DEPARUTRE:

Hotels We Arranged

CITYDELUXEECONOMYTSETANGTsetang HotelTibet Yulong Holiday HotelLHASAXinding HotelShand Bala Hotel

Booking Terms:

Note: A Tibet Travel Permit is required to enter Tibet in addition to a China Visa. The Tibet Tourism Administration has recently indicated that they will tighten the regulations which control the issuance of Tibet Travel Permits. Besides now having to enter Tibet in a group of five people or more of the same nationality, the permit will be issued just 4-5 days before arriving in Lhasa. This means that we are unable to guarantee that a permit to travel will be approved. Also the permit will need to be sent to the place of departure in China for Lhasa by express courier. The additional cost will be 300–400 CNY. Your travel advisor will provide additional information. We apologize for this extra cost. However, it is out of our control.

Nove 1 to Mar 31SuperiorDeluxeEconomySingleSupplement1 person $1999$1819 2-5 person $1420$1210$220/$3256-9 person $1135$980$220/$325Apr 1 to Oct 31    1 Person $2630$2350 2-5 person $1870$1642$350/$2966-9 person $1250$1050$350/$296

PRICE INCLUSIONS: 

Entrance Fees: 

• To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.

Meals: 

• All meals as specified in the itinerary.

If the restaurant indicated is not available on the day, your guide will arrange another restaurant from our list of approved restaurants. Breakfast is usually a western style buffet. We endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Chinese breakfasts is supplied, however there may be occasions when only a Chinese breakfast is available in some remote locations.

Private Transfers: 

• Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in Lhasa, Tsetang/Zedang by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as listed above).
• Your comfort is our priority! Click here to get a description of the vehicles that we use for our tours.

Guide: 

As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available.

Hotels: 

• Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds.
• All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.

Service Charge & Government Taxes:

• Insurance 
• The insurance is China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance.
• Click here to learn more about the insurance coverage and the sum insured.
• Luggage Transfers: 
• Between airports and hotels.

Arrangements: 

• The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

• Personal Expenses: 
• Expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.
• Meals: 
• Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
• Single Room Supplement.