This MINI trip is ideal for those wanting to see the highlights of Tibet and Lhasa. It is meant rather, for those with less time. You fly all the way across the Himalaya to Lhasa, where you have plenty of time to visit the main sights in and around the town including the Potala Palace, the Norbulingka (the Dalai Lama’s summer palace) and the Jorkhang Temple which contains Jowo Shakyamuni, the most holy statue to all Tibetan Buddhists. You also visit the major monasteries in the Lhasa Valley including Samye, Drepung and Sera. You visit the towns and monasteries in both Gyantse and Shigatse and then have a spectacular drive across the Tibetan Plateau with great views of Everest from the north side and Shishapangma, the only 8,000m mountain situated totally in Tibet. Finally, you fly across the azure skies over the Himalaya and over a spectacular gorge on your way back to Nepal and Kathmandu. You can also drive back from Lhasa to Kathmandu if you should like a change.
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Day 02 – 04: Enjoy sightseeing tour of Potala & Norbulinka Palace, Drepung & Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Bazaar.
Day 05: Fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu.
NOTE: Depending on the road condition, we may have to use the Land Cruiser. If Land Cruiser is used while driving, the supplement cost clients have to pay this amount directly on the spot.
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Early in the morning, you are transferred to the airport to board the plane for the flight over the Himalaya to Lhasa. If the weather is clear there are wonderful views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks en route. On arrival at Gonggar airport (which is 90 km. from Lhasa), you meet your vehicle and drive east along the broad Yarlung Tsangpo valley to Tsedang (3400m.). After checking in to your hotel, you drive south to see the reputed oldest building in Tibet, the Yumbu Lakhang, a beautiful castle-like dwelling and monastery, dramatically perched on a spur looking out over the fertile valley below. If time permits you may be able to visit a small monastery close to Tsedang, or an interesting carpet factory where you can see the whole process of carpet making. Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 02 – 04: Enjoy sightseeing tour of Potala & Norbulinka Palace, Drepung & Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Bazaar.
One of the highlights is the visit to the symbol of Tibet; the Potala Palace set high on Red Hill, the winter home of the Dalai Lama until 1959. The most sacred temple in Lhasa is the Lokhang, where people come from all over Tibet to visit and pray in this spiritual heart of the country. It was used as a military kitchen during the Cultural Revolution but has now been beautifully restored, with many priceless thangkas and statues adorning the chapels, and magnificent gilded roofs.
Another great treasure is the Norbulingka – the old summer palace of the Dalai Lama, which his is alleged to have preferred to the Potala as the rat population was less!
Now you visit Jorkhang temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship every day. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Surrounding the Jorkhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Street which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Around the Barkhor there are numerous stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts: brightly colored boots and fur-lined hats, silver and turquoise jewellery, rosaries, prayer flags and charms, as well as beautiful Tibetan carpets and all manner of ordinary household wares.
Next, you visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419, and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild roses”. Today, there are still 200 lamas who live here. On the other hand, Drepung monastery is the world’s largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 05: Fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu.
The flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu takes one hour and during your flight, you can see Yarlung Tsangpo River, Yamdrok Tso (Lake), Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m.), Mount Makalu (8,463m.) and Mount Everest (8,848m.). But the visibility depends on the weather conditions. Your Tibet Tour ends on your arrival at Kathmandu Airport.
Should you have more time, Higher Limits Trek & Expeditions has numerous programs to further entertain you on your holidays which come once in a lifetime. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to let us know, we shall be glad to help you.
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