Tibet Unveiled

Day 1 : Lhasa

Transfer to the hotel on arrival and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Take things easy to allow adjustment to the 3,600 m altitude.

Day 2 : Lhasa

Today you will visit the incredible 1,000 roomed Potala Palace that sits atop Red Mountain, 130 metres above the Lhasa Valley. Visit the museum here, and marvel at the wonderful views of the valley below.

Continue to the Sera Monastery and perhaps witness an entertaining and somewhat intriguing monk’s debate where they become very animated as they discuss Buddhist theology, using dramatic gestures and raised voices. Then see the enormous Nie Tang Buddha, carved out of a mountain.

Day 3 : Lhasa

This morning visit the Johkhang Temple, Tibet’s holiest shrine and the spiritual home for almost all Tibetans. Then continue to Norbulingka, a 18th century park and palace complex and Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace, built in 1740 as a retreat and it was closed to commoners until 1959. Norbulingka means either ‘jewel garden’ or ‘precious garden’ it is still a tranquil haven from the noise of the city and a wonderful place to explore.

Day 4 : Lhasa > Tsetang

Leaving Lhasa, today visit the 1,300 year old Samye Monastery, believed to be the oldest Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Continue to Yumbu Lakhang Palace, built by the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo 1,800 years ago. Continue to Tsetang for overnight.

Day 5 : Tsetang > Yamdrok Tso > Gyantse

Today’s journey offers stunning scenery as you travel the Lhasa – Kathmandu Highway, running parallel to the mighty Himalayas. See glorious mountains, beautiful lakes and spectacular glaciers along this memorable drive. Continue to Gyantse and visit the Perkhor Chode Monastery, this monastery precinct is a complex of structures which includes its Kumbum (a multi-storied aggregate of Buddhist chapels), believed to be the largest of such structures in Tibet.

Day 6 : Gyantse > Shigatse

Today discover more impressive mountain scenery today as you continue to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. The golden roof and red walls of this monastery can be seen from several kilometres away, and it houses the world’s largest copper Buddha statue, decorated with an array of valuable gemstones. Continue to Shigatse’s old town to visit a market famous for traditional Tibetan handicrafts.

Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city, sits in the plain at the confluence of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu Rivers, where Tibet’s most fertile land is found.

Day 7 : Shigatse > Lhasa

After breakfast, you will return to Lhasa, stopping on the way at a small village to see how handmade Tibetan incense is produced.

Day 8 : Lhasa

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport or railway station for departure where arrangements end.