Deep Explore to Tibet Nature and off-the-beaten-track Temple

This tour leads us to the most fascinating land in central Tibet. We will explore many monasteries and sacred sites through walking and overland drives across spectacular mountain ranges. We will also visit the homes of local Tibetans and discuss religious customs throughout the trip. By experiencing the wonders and the spiritual challenges experienced by Tibet's pilgrims, we may gain an understanding of why Tibetans draw an equal sign between religion and life.

Highlights:

1.     Wind your way up through the Potala, the holy land and landmark of Tibet.

2.     Join the shuffling, murmuring pilgrims around the shrines of the Jokhang, the spiritual heart of Tibet.

3.     Let yourself be swept around the Barkhor, Lhasa’s fascinating medieval pilgrim circuit.

4.     Enjoy Tibetan tea in Ani Sangkhung Nunnery tea house, explore this most beautiful nunnery of Tibet.

5.     A short hiking into Tibet nature nearby Sera, the court of wild rose, and catch the famous debate sessions of the monks in Sera monastery.

6.     Enjoy the stunning, turquoise, sky-level lake of Namtso and her lover Nyianchentangula with the 7000m snowy peak.

7.     Bird watching in Yarlung Zangbo Valley Black-necked Crane Natural Reserve.

8.     A short kora around the out-of-the-way temple of Reting.

Day 01 Arrive in Lhasa, get the first impression of Tibetan daily life

Highlights: Hometown of Tibetan apron, spectacular scenery and typical Tibetan villages along the way.

Welcome to Tibet! Today you could go to the “hometown of Tibetan apron”. There you could learn how to make Pulu (a weaving wool fabric Tibetan cloth) by locals, you could have a try if you are interested in. And on the way to Lhasa, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages. Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now.

Woman who is weaving Pulu

Day 02 Lhasa highlights escorted tour

Highlights: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

Visit Potala, which was constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet and later reconstructed and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where innumerable pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Then walk on the Barkhor Street nearby the temple, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Potala Palace

Day 03 Tibet Nunnery and Monastery

Highlights: enjoy Tibetan tea in Ani Sangkhung Nunnery tea house, a short hiking into Tibet nature, catch the famous debate sessions of the monks in Sera monastery.

Head past Muslim tea stalls and butcher shops, along part of the Lingkhor pilgrim circuit to the yellow walls of the Ani Sangkhung Nunnery. This small, friendly and active nunnery is the only one within the precincts of the old Tibetan quarter. The site of the nunnery probably dates back to the 7th century, but is housed a monastery until at least the 15th century. The principal image, upstairs on the 2nd floor, is a thousand-armed Chenresing. A small alley to the side of the main chapel heads down to the former meditation chamber of Songtsen Gampo, the 7th-century king of Tibet. The busy nuns run a great teahouse in the courtyard. Then drive to Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there, in the afternoon, visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa.

Debate session in Sera

Day 04 Lhasa/Namtso

Highlights: Fabulous views of Yangpachen, Namtso Lake and Nyianchentangula

Drive about one and half hours to get to Yangpacheng for a short stop for the view. Pass by Damxung town and the 5,150-meter Lhachen La and reach the Nam Tso or Tengri Nor (heaven lake in Mongolian) along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. In clear weather the water is a miraculous shade of turquoise and there are magnificent views of the nearby mountains. When arrival, enjoying the glory of sunset over the lake. By the lake, you can view the peak of Nyianchentangula (7162m). It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. The wide open spaces, dotted with the tents of local nomads are intoxicating. If lucky enough, there is the opportunity to get a peek at the otherwise inaccessible nomadic life at the Changtang, Tibet’s vast northern plateau. You may get the opportunity to stop at the brown or black spider-like tents of nomads.

Namtso Lake

Day 05 Namtso/Reting Monastery

Highlights: sunrise of Namtso Lake, a short kora in Reting Monastery

After shot the amazing view of sunrise of the lake, we continue to Reting Monastery, which sprawled gracefully across the flank of a juniper-clad hill in the Rong-chu Valley. The monastery is still graced by surrounding juniper forest, said to have spouted from the hairs of its founder. A 40-minute kora leads around the monastery, passing several stone carving, a series of eight chortens and an active sky-burial site. But for the sky-burial place, you just can have a view in a far distance, since it is not allow others to see except the friends and relatives of the death. Camping near the monastery and enjoy the clean and clear starry sky in Tibet.

Reting Monastery

Day 06 Reting/Lhasa

Highlights: Yarlung Zangbo Valley Black-necked Crane Natural Reserve

Drive forward to Yarlung Zangbo Valley Black-necked Crane Natural Reserve in the morning. The Black-necked Crane is the only one of the world's 15 crane species that inhabits high altitude wetlands, with the species limited to the Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau and adjacent areas. Have a short hiking alone the river and you may get the opportunity to have a close touch with the rare black-necked carne if lucky. Afternoon drive back to Lhasa.

Black-necked Crane

Day 07 Finish this unforgettable tour

Highlights: Souvenir shopping and scenery on the way

Free morning for shopping, buy some souvenirs for your families and friends. After lunch, departure transfer to see off, tour services end and Tibet welcome you back forever.

Back to top                Enquiry