11 Days Lhasa EBC Tour with Nyingchi

When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on their way to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and golden burial chortens (stupa tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by Princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different parts of Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10,000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving Workshop near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 pm in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan Handicraft Art Center or Tibetan Traditional Medicine Center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Today, we will drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, we’ll drive over the Gampala Pass (4,790m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar. Besides, you can also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass.

Then we’ll go to the heritage town Gyantse and explore its old street, Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can catch the far view of Gyantse Fortress.

Stay overnight in Gyantse.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. After getting your Alien’s Travel Permit, we will leave Shigatse and then drive to Sakya County to visit the famous Sakya Monastery. Founded in 1073, Sakya Monastery was taken as the principal monastery of the Sakya Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It consists of northern and southern monastery, while the northern monastery was only visible as ruin, the southern monastery was built like a fortress, surrounded by a moat.

Stay overnight in Sakya.

We will set off from Sakya to Rongpuk Monastery via Tingri. During the 4 hours' drive, we will pass the famous Gawu La Pass (5198m) where gives you great view of the top 4 highest peaks in the world. Then we’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp and get closer to Mt. Everest peak. You are lucky enough to catch the sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at tent guesthouse.

In the morning, you can catch the stunning sunrise of Everest peak if weather permits at the lodging area and then pay a visit to Rongbuk Monastery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. You’ll have the chance to take the closest picture of Mt. Everest at the base camp.

Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse. Day5 Shigatse to Lhasa (280km, B)

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. Then we’ll follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa and drop you off at hotel in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. Then we’ll follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa and drop you off at hotel in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, we will drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi along the G318 National Highway. On the way, we’ll drive over the Mila Pass (5013m) to Kongpo Gamda Town.

Then, we will head to the famous Basom Tso Lake. Located 360km east to Lhasa city, Basomtso Lake is at 3500 meters above the sea level. There is a small island in the middle of the lake with Tibetan style temples built upon them.

After visiting Lake Basomtso, we will continue our journey to Bayi Town.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

Today’s tour starts with a trip to the Giant Cypress Nature Reserve. It is 15km southeast of the Bayi Town. The highlight of this Nature Reserve is the King Cypress, which is about 2500 years old. Then, we will drive across the Sekyim la Pass at 4720 meters above the sea level. On the way, you can enjoy the great Namjia Bawa Mountain in the distance.

The final attraction of today’s journey is Lulang Forest, where you can not only see the sea of forests, but also kinds of wild flowers with the addition of dotted wooden fences, wooden houses build by the local herdsmen. Then, drive back to Nyingchi.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

The driver will take you to Nyingchi Airport.

Service end.