Ganden Monastery – Samye Monastery Tour

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:

Jokhang Temple , Barkhor Street , Potala Palace , Ganden Monastery , Sera Monastery , Tibet Museum , Drepung Monastery , Trandruk Monastery , Samye Monastery , Yungbu Lakhang

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa:

Our local guide will greet you at the airport or the railway station and present you with a Hada (presenting Hada is a special ceremony of Tibetan for greeting their guests). Then we will set out for the Holy City – Lhasa, which is 3658 meters above sea level. You could take a rest and adapt yourself to the plateau environment after we arrive at our hotel.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 2: Potala Palace – Jokhang Temple – Barkhor Street:

We will visit the highest ancient castle-style architectural complex above sea level – Potala Palace (1 hour). It was the residence of the Tibetan Dalai Lamas, as well as the political, educational, and religious center of Tibet. It was built in the 7th century during the reign of Songtsen Gampo. Potala Palace is composed of the White Palace and the Red Palace.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Jokhang Temple, which is widely accepted as the spiritual center of Tibet. The precious Statue of 12-year Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) was brought to Tibet by a Princess of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery.

There are also exquisite murals that present the history and culture of Tibet collected in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble at Barkhor Street (half an hour), which around the Jokhang Temple. There, we could experience the traditional culture and daily life of Tibetans.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: B

Day 3: Drepung Monastery – Sera Monastery – Tibet Museum:

In the morning, we will visit Drepung Monastery – one of the three great monasteries of the Gelug Sect. It is also the largest monastery in the world. There were more than 10000 Buddhists in the monastery in its heyday.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to Sera Monastery – one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa. It is noted for its Buddhist scripture debating. Sera means wild rose in Tibetan. It is said that this land was covered with wild roses before the construction of Sera Monastery. Then we will visit the Tibet Museum, where we can learn more history and culture of Tibet.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: B

Day 4: Lhasa – Ganden Monastery – Heybu Village:

We can rent a yak to carry our supplies and necessities. We will leave Lhasa for Ganden Monastery in the morning. In the afternoon, we will start our trek. It will be a hard day since it is our first trekking day. We will trek into the remote mountains after we take the last overview of Lhasa. Three hours later, we will arrive in Heybu Village.

Accommodation: Guesthouse or Tent Meals: B

Day 5: Heybu Village - Sukara Bealock - Camp Site:

We will set out from Heybu Village in the morning and climb over Sukara Bealock with an altitude of 5250 meters. Then we will camp at the foot of the mountain. Our campsite is a meadow by a river, which has an amazing sunset landscape.

Accommodation: Tent Meals: B

Day 6: Camp Site – Chitula Bealock - Camp Site:

We will set out from our campsite in the morning and climb over the Chitula Bealock with an altitude of 5228 meters. It will take us about three hours to climb to the top of the peak. Then we will camp at the foot of the mountain. We can camp at the campsite of the Tibetan graziers – a grassland with a stream that flows through. We can also trek one more hour to our next campsite, a place with numerous azalea trees. We can chat around the campfire and enjoy the twinkling stars in the sky.

Accommodation: Tent Meals: B

Day 7: Camp Site – Changda Village – Nyuonggo Village – Samye Monastery:

We will start our trek along the river valley. The road today is relatively wide and flat compared to the roads of the other two days. We could even enjoy the amazing river landscapes. Two hours later, we will arrive in Changda Village. Then we will make our way to Samye Monastery by tractor.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Meals: B

Day 8: Samye Monastery – Tsedang:

We will visit Samye Monastery in the morning. In the afternoon, we will drive to Tsedang – the location of the administrative office of Shannan Prefecture.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: B

Day 9: Yumbu Lakhang – Trundruk Monastery – Tombs of Tibetan Kings (120 km):

In the morning, we will pay a visit to the first palace of Tibet – Yumbu Lakhang, with a history of 2100 years. It is said that it was built for the first Tibetan king by the followers of Bon in the 2nd century B.C. Songtsen Gampo moved his capital to Lhasa, and Yumbu Lakhang became his Summer Palace in the 7th century.

Then we will make a visit to Trundruk Monastery – the first Buddhist monastery in the history of Tibet. It is rich in historical and cultural relics.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Tombs of Tibetan Kings. It is the largest well-preserved tomb of the Tibetan Kings in Tibet.

Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel Meals: B

Day 10: Leave Tibet:

We will transfer you to the airport or the railway station.

Accommodation: None Meals: B

=================

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

Transfers between airport/train station, hotels, and Scenic Spots while the whole sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide.

Guide:

English-speaking local tour guide, your kind friend in Tibet

Entrance fees are listed in the itinerary

Accommodation:

3 to 4-star hotel in Lhasa, according to your request, a guesthouse or a tent in other areas, according to the specific condition

Travel Permits:

All Tibet traveling permits

Travel Insurance

PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

Transportation to and from Tibet

Meals

Single Room Supplement

Personal Expenses like beverages, mini bar, laundry, telephone cost, etc

Tips for the driver and tour guide as your wish.

Notes for Your Tibet Tours

Before you go

Permits:

Passport, Tibet Entry Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit, Military Allowance.

Health Care:

Tourists should take care of their bodies before you enter into Tibet. People who have caught a severe cold, respiratory system diseases, heart diseases, hypertension, or asthma are not advised to travel to Tibet.

Personal Belongings:

Portable and practical. Forbidden objects and dangerous goods are banned. A flashlight is rather needed since sometimes you have to set off early in the morning and back to your hotel till late at night.

You should also bring some daily necessities with you since the accommodation conditions might be pretty poor. The Multifunctional Cross-shaped Knife could be used to peel the fruits, open the drinks, and open canned food.

Enough Cash:

There are only a few banks in Lhasa and Shigatse, such as the Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China, due to the limited conditions.

Thus, tourists are advised to take enough cash instead of a credit card. You can exchange for cash in such banks, but foreign currency exchange service is only offered by the Bank of China and a few hotels. It’s not convenient to withdraw money in other areas of Tibet, and even only cash can be accepted.

While on travel

High Altitude Sickness:

The high altitude sickness is a normal phenomenon on plateau, and you shouldn’t be too worried about it. Generally, these symptoms would disappear in one or two days after you adapt to the plateau environment. You should sleep enough and drink a lot of water. During the adjustment period, you should not engage in any violent activities; appropriate clothes should be worn to protect yourself from the cold.

Political Issues:

Political issues are very sensitive in Tibet. It is not advisable to discuss the Tibet issue with the local Tibetans.

Not Do in Photography: You should also realize that not all Tibetans would like to be photographed, especially the Tibetan women. You’d better ask for their permission before you take pictures.

Traditions and Customs:

The tour guide will detail the folk customs and taboos of Tibetan nationality and the Hui nationality, which we couldn’t violate.