| Trip Facts: | |
| Tour Name | : TIBET – LHASA & NAMTSO LAKE - 5 Days |
| Entry / Exit | : Fly in / Fly out |
| Grade | : Easy to Adventurous |
| Max Elevation | : 4718m/15478Ft. |
| Accommodation | : Hotel |
| Meal | : Bed & breakfast |
| Transport | : Flight & Private vehicle |
| Tour Days | : 05 |
Trip summary:
Tibet -a land so rich in Culture, tradition and steeped in religion along the far flung unique landscape, also called the roof of the world. Let the age old Tibetan Myths & mysteries cast and enchanted spell that holds an every visitor in thrill and excitement. The tour begins with a comprehensive trip briefing in Kathmandu followed by a sensational trans Himalayan flight to Lhasa that passes over Mt. Everest and many highest peaks of the world (if you join the tour in Kathmandu). This is the only flight fly over Mt. Everest and other highest peaks. In case you wish to start the tour in Lhasa arriving from anywhere in mainland China or taking a new train from Beijing you will be briefed about the tour by your Tibetan Guide
Upon your arrival you will drive to Lhasa, you will be taken on a sightseeing tour to Lhasa visiting major Palaces, monasteries, acclimatizing & to absorb the exoticism of Tibetan heritage & to explore this history – Laden city to its core. You will be also take to visit one of the holy and highest saltwater lake in Tibet, Namtso Lake. You get to explore colorful mosaic of Tibetan arts, crafts, history, culture, custom, tradition, lifestyle and cuisine and you become a witness to a host of indigenous cultures including untamed (Drokpas) nomads en-route driving through highest Plateau on Earth. This is truly the trip of a lifetime with stunning scenery and cultural highlights
What is included in the tour
- Twin sharing accommodation as per the itinerary on bed & breakfast (BB) basis.
- English speaking Tibetan Guide.
- Transportation as per the itinerary by necessary vehicle.
- Monastery entrance fee.
- Tibet Travel permits.
- Emergency mineral water in the vehicle.
- Emergency portable oxygen cylinder in the vehicle.
- Trip briefing by Tibet expert & entertain question.
- Trip Information pack.
- Gift pack (prayer flag or string of flag & paper prayer Lungtha).
What is NOT included in the tour
- Tibet Visa Fee (Acceptable in US$ cash only).
- Any Airfare
- Travel insurance.
- Expenses during any rescue operation.
- Lunch and Dinner
- Alcoholic beverages & bar bills.
- All expenses of personal nature, phone calls, laundry etc.
- Gratuity to staff.
- Services not mentioned herein.
- One hour Trans-Himalaya flight and breath taking aerial view of Everest and other highest peaks.
- Visit of ancient Palace of Dalai Lama, largest structure built in Red hill of Lhasa
- Monk Debating one of the practice in School of Buddhism at Sera Monastery
- The most sacred holy Temple of Tibetan people at Jokhang temple
- Barkhor local market & Norbulinka Palace
- Visit of one of the holy and salt water lake – Namtso Lake
- Exchange Khaga (scarf) with Tibet Guide upon arrival as a part of local culture
- Prayer flag offering ceremony lead by Tibetan Guide
- Great photography opportunity, ensure to bring good Camera.
Outline Itinerary:
|
Days |
Outline Itinerary |
Overnight |
|
01: |
Fly to Gongkar Airport and drive to Lhasa. 3600m65 km/ 1 hr |
Hotel (BB) |
|
02: |
Sightseeing of Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka & Barkhor. |
Hotel (BB) |
|
03: |
Day trip to Namtso Lake 4718m, 500km/ 8hrs |
Hotel (BB) |
|
04: |
Sightseeing tour of Potala Palace & Drepung Monastery |
Hotel (BB) |
|
05: |
Drive to Airport for flight to Kathmandu. 65 km/ 1 hr |
-- |
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01: Fly to Gongkar Airport & drive to Lhasa (3600m/11811ft) 65 km, 1hr:
Your Tibetan guide will be waiting to welcome you at Gongkar Airport. After immigration formalities, you will drive for around 45 minutes to reach the old city, Lhasa (3660 meters). After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest, drink plenty of fluids and most importantly let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude. During afternoon you can go around the hotel area for light walk and sightseeing. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa (BB)
Day 02: Sightseeing Tour of Jokhang Temple, Norbulinka Palace, Barkhor Market & Sera Monastery:
After breakfast you will be briefed about the program and entertain any last minute questions. Then your guide will take you on a tour to Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, and Norbulinka Palace & Sera Monastery respectively.
Jokhang Temple: This temple is a seventh-century geomantic temple at the heart of Lhasa is the most sacred temple of all Tibet. It is considered to be a Power Place in all Tibet. Queen Bhrikuti, a Nepalese princess married to King Songtsen Gampo founded Jokhang Temple and in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti the main gate of the temple faces west towards Nepal. The most impressive structure of the Jokhang Temple is the many chapels surrounding the temple.
Barkhor Market (Bazaar): The most popular Barkhor Market (Bazaar) is a square where Tibetan handicraft items, Buddhist artifacts, carpets, paintings etc. are all in sale for your delight. At the end of the day your guide will escort you back to your hotel. Lhasa offers variety of Restaurant for both Lunch and Dinners.
Norbulinka Palace: This Palace is also called the “Jewel Park”, is a large open area about four kilometers to the west of Lhasa, and referred to as the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Its official name now is the People’s Park. Kelsang Gyatso, the Seventh Dalai Lama, was the first Dalai Lama to make use of this rural park. He came here not only to rest but to bathe in a curative spring to treat his legs. Since the time of the Eight Dalai Lama, the park has been used as a summer palace, retreat and recreation area for the successive Dalai Lamas. Most of the main buildings were constructed during this century by the Thirteenth and the Fourteenth Dalai Lamas. Construction begun under the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso in 1775. It is the first building one encounters in the eastern section of the Norbulinka is the Kelsang Palace – name after the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kelsang Gyatso.
Sera Monastery: This monastery is approx. 5km drive away from Lhasa. Sera Monastery was founded in 1419. It sits in the prettiest and most charming atmosphere at the base of Mount Purbuchok. Sera Monastery used to be an important center for learning where in the past approx. 5,000 to 6,000 monks resided. Currently about 550 monks are supposed to be living there. The important structures inside the monastery include Coqen Hall, (the main assembly hall), three Zhacangs (Buddhist colleges) and twenty-nine Khangtsens (monk dormitories).The most intriguing feature here is the nine-meter image of Maitraya which was erected in 1419; here one can also witness the practicing of debate among the monks, who pitch their knowledge against each other.
After detail visit you will drive to hotel. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa (BB)
Day 03: Day trip to Namtso Lake (4718m/15478ft), 8 hrs:
After breakfast you will drive to one of the beautiful lake, Namtso Lake. It is located in the northwest of Lhasa is the highest saltwater lake in the world with an altitude of 4718m. It covers an area of 1920 square kilometer, with 70 km in length for east to west and 30km in width from south to north. In Tibetan, Namtso means Heavenly Lake, so it is also considered one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, together with Yamdrok Lake and Lake Mansarovar. Namtso is the paradise of nature, providing tourists a land for spiritual refreshment and hiking around and a wonderful palace for photo taking, especially in summer time. After awesome experience you will be drive back to Lhasa. Tibetan Guide will organise a prayer flag ceremony as a part of local culture for good fortune for the entire guest and their family. O/N at Hotel in Lhasa (BB)
Note: Offer "Lungta" and prayers flag (printed prayers for the peace and good health/happiness) together with your Tibetan Guide. Offering Lungta in high passes and temple is believed to bring good fortune and long life in Tibetan culture.
Day 04: Sightseeing Tour of Potala Palace & Drepung Monastery:
After breakfast you will be briefed about the day’s program. Then your guide will take you on a tour to majestic Potala palace & Drepung Monastery respectively.
Potala Palace: This Palace is also known as the “winter palace”. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. It is a 13th storied complex monument rising to a height of above 117m which houses 10,000 shrines and over 200,000 images and about 1000 rooms.As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Due to tourist traffic, only one hour is allowed to visit Potala.
Drepung Monastery: This Monastery is 8 km west of Lhasa. One of the three great Gelukpa Monasteries near Lhasa, the other two being Sera and Ganden. Until the occupation it served like its two sister monasteries as centre for learning and monastic training to which monks from all over Tibet would come to spend as long as 15 years methodically studying and debating the meaning of the Buddhist scriptures. For centuries it existed as a small monastic township housing thousands of fully ordained monks and other functionaries. It was founded in 1416 by Jam yang Chöje Tashi Palden, a disciple of Tsong Khapa.
After detail visit you will drive to Hotel. O/N at hotel in Lhasa (BB)
Day 05: Drive to airport for final departure, 65km, 1 hr:
After breakfast your guide will drive you to airport for final departure.
