Tibetan Discovery Tour

Tibet is fascinating; its ancient culture and stark beauty are waiting to be explored.

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 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 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.

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 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. 

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 AT 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 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.

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: LHASA TO SHIGATSE TOUR:

Place & Transport: Lhasa to Shigatse

Today's Activities: Yomdrok Lake, Our guide and driver will escort you from Lhasa to Shigatse, The Palgor Chorten

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

Yomdrok Lake (2 hours): Dotted with a dozen islands and abundant in natural resources, Lake Yamdrok has the highest power station in the world, and is also the largest habitat for water birds in Tibet, attracting countless swans and gulls every summer.

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.

The Palgor Chorten (1.5 hours): Pelkhor Choede (Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 270 kilometers (168 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.

Day 5: SHIGATSE TO LHASA TOUR:

Place & Transport: Shigatse to Lhasa

Today's Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery, Our guide and driver will escort you from Shigatse to Lhasa

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

Tashilunpo Monastery (2 hours): Tashilhunpo Monastery was founded in 1447 by Gyalwa Gendun Drup (1st Dalai Lama) and is a historically and culturally important monastery. Its name means "heap of glory" or "all fortune and happiness gathered here". Painted in red and white, the buildings in the kloster stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. Tashilunpo Kloster represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit.5 story temple which contains a 26 meters (86ft) sitting statue of the Maitreya Buddha (Jamba Chyenmu) inside the grounds of the monastery. The statue was cast from 6,700 ounces of gold and over 115,000 kg of copper, making it the biggest copper Buddhist statue in the world.

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 6: FINAL DEPARUTRE:

Place & Transport: Depart Lhasa, Flight not included

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

Meals: Breakfast

TOUR PRICE PER PERSON:

Nov 1 to Mar 31SuperiorDeluxeEconomySgl Compliment1 person$1979$1919$1899 2-5 person$1039$999$969$288/$247/$2276-9 person$749$709$699$288/$247/$227Apr 1 to Oct 31SuperiorDeluxeEconomySgl Compliment1 person$2259$2249$2099 2-5 person$1199$1189$1069$421/$413/$2666-9 person$969$959$895$421/$413/$266

HOTELS WE ARRANGE:

CITYSUPERIORDELUXEECONOMYLHASABrahmaputra Grand Hotel

ShangBaLa HotelSHIGATSE

Shigatse HotelShigatse HotelLHASABrahmaputra Grand HotelXinding HotelShangBaLa Hotel

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.

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.

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.

• Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in Lhasa, Shigatse 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Insurance 
• The insurance is China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance.
• Click here to learn more about the insurance coverage and the sum insured.

• Between airports and hotels.

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

• International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China.
• USA-CHINA/CHINA-USA China Highlights has negotiated special discount fares (restrictions apply) for selected flights operated by Air China from major US and China gateways. 
• We are able to offer these special deals to confirmed customers. Discount US to China Flights, China Entry Visa Fees. Excess Baggage Charges. 
• Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. 
• Total weight of carryon baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The size may not exceed 20x40x 55cm. More
• 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.