Essence Of Lhasa And Nakchi Tour

This tour provides the best Lhasa and the marvelous natural scenery of the Tibetan countryside in a 5-day tour.

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 1: ARRIVE IN LHASA:

Place & Transport: Arrive in Lhasa, Flight not included

Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Lhasa)

Day 2: FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN LHASA:

Place & Transport: Lhasa

Today's Activities: Sera Monastery, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Kechu Hotel

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 monk's "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 on the grounds and is a necessary way of learning sutras and scriptures. Visitors can watch the debate, but it is advised to keep quiet.

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.

Drepung Monastery (3.5 hours): Drepung Monastery lies in the west of Lhasa under Mt. Gambo Utse, clustered around the black mountain, its white grand buildings shining under the sunlight. Built in 1416, it is considered one of the largest monasteries of the six principal monasteries of the 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.

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

Day 3: FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN LHASA:

Place & Transport: Lhasa

Today's Activities: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Steak House Restaurant

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 to climb 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 colorful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.

Steak House Restaurant: Steak House is near the Potala Palace and serves mainly Western and Tibetan cuisine. Surrounded by the alluring landscape, it is a great dining experience while traveling in Tibet.

Day 4: FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN LHASA:

Place & Transport: Lhasa

Today's Activities: Yangpachen, Lake Namtso

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Yangpachen: It is famous for its hot springs and is a nice choice for those who want to closely examine the Tibetan herders (drokpa) and their semi-nomadic lifestyle. Covering an area of about 150,000 square meters, Yambajan, 87 kilometers away from Lhasa, is situated in the basin at the foot of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains to the northwest of Lhasa.

Lake Namtso: Lake Namtso is the second-largest saltwater lake in China. The lake is beautiful with its azure water and surrounding snow-capped peaks. There is a gravel road from Damxung to the lake. In the rainy season, the route can be quite difficult.

Day 5: FINAL DEPARTURE:

Place & Transport: Depart Lhasa, Flight not included

Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Lhasa)

Meals: Breakfast

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 that 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. It is out of our control.

Price Inclusions:

Entrance Fees:

To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.

Meals:

All meals are 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 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 there. 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 are not included in the tour itinerary.

Meals:

Any meals that are not specified in the tour itinerary.

Single Room Supplement.

PRICE PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at an extra charge.

Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.

More people more discounts. Low season, lower price.

For Single Room Supplement prices please contact: Superior/Deluxe/Economy

Nove 1 to Mar 31

Superior

Deluxe

Economy

SGL Supplement