We will drive to Lhasa along Yarlung Zangbo River and Lhasa River and enjoy the Tibetan style dwellings on our way. Then we will take a rest and adapt ourselves to the plateau environment after we arrived at our hotel.
We will make a visit to the highest ancient castle style architectural complex above the sea level – Potala Palace in the morning. It was the residence of the Tibetan Dalai Lamas, as well as the political, educational and religious center of Tibet.
In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Jokhang Temple which was widely accepted as the spiritual center of Tibet. The precious Statue of 12-year Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) brought to Tibet by Princess of Chinese Tang Dynasty and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble at Barkhor Street which around the Jokhang Temple. It is a free market and a famous circumambulation in Tibet.
In the morning, we will make a visit to the largest monastery of Gelug Sect – Drepung Monastery. It was the residence of Dalai Lamas before the construction of Potala Palace. In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery which was noted for its Buddhism scripture debating. Then we will tour to the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas – Norbu Lingka.
The whole journey is 360 km and the highest altitude is about 5100 meters. We will make our way to the largest city in Tsang – Shigatse, via Yamdrok Lake, Karo-la Glacier and Manla Reservoir (which was praised as Little Yamdrok Lake). We can also take an overview of Zongshan Castles and make a visit to Palkhor Monastery in Gyantse.
Saga is an important transfer station in Ngari Prefecture. We can taken an overview of Mt. Gosainthan and Mt. Everest and enjoy the amazing natural landscapes on our way.
Payam is a small town with rich Tibetan flavor on the grassland. You can enjoy the Tibetan dwellings and characteristic folk clothes. It presents you an idyllic landscape with flocks and herds. Then we will make our way to Lake Manasarovar, a famous holy lake in Tibet.
Mapam Yumtso means undefeatable jade lake in Tibetan. It is one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world with an altitude of 4587 meters. It is also one of the most highly respected holy lakes in Tibet. A large quantity of pilgrims would circumambulate around the lake every year. Then we will drive to Taqen after we appreciate the landscapes of Mapam Yumtso in the morning.
We will drive to Saga after we enjoy the majestic beauty of the sunrise of Mt. Kailash in the morning.
We will make a visit to the jade holy lake – Peggu Co and enjoy its natural landscape.
We will drive to Xegar after we make a visit to Rongbuk Monastery and Mt. Everest Base Camp.
We will make a visit to Sakya Monastery – the main monastery of Sakya Sect. It has a history of more than 900 years and is rich in cultural relics, among which the Buddhism scriptures are most noted.
We will pay a visit to the residence of Panchen Lamas – Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning. Then we will back to Lhasa along Yarlung Zangbo River Valley.
We will transfer you to the airport or the railway station.