Cultural Journey Through Tibet - 8 Days

Highlights

• Learn about Tibetan Buddhism at Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery
• Discover the beauty of Tibet's natural landscapes at Yamdrok Lake
• Experience the local culture with a visit to a Tibetan family's home
• See Mount Everest's north face lit up by the rising sun at the Everest Base Camp

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa & Get Oriented

Welcome to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet! Upon landing at the airport, you'll meet your Tibetan guide and take an hour-long ride along the riverside toward the city center. You'll then check into the hotel and have time to rest and relax. In the coming days, you'll experience what's often considered the most spiritual capital on Earth.

Go for a stroll near the hotel and start exploring. Look for the Islamic mosque, outdoor pool tables, and young monks playing football. You'll likely be tempted to hit the streets with newfound energy, but it's recommended you lay low and spend the first day adjusting to Lhasa's altitude of 11,995 feet (3,656 m).

Today, the Potala Palace is your first stop. This imposing palace was originally built in 641 CE by Songtsen Gampo, founder of the Tibetan Empire. After its reconstruction in 1645, it was used as the winter palace of Dalai Lamas. Located on the Red Mountain overlooking Lhasa city, the complex features the White Palace, which once served as the Tibetan government's office as well as the living quarters of Dalai Lamas, and the Red Palace with crimson-colored walls housing halls, chapels, and shrines.

Later you'll visit the age-old Jokhang Temple, the most sacred and important temple in Tibet by many Tibetans' standards. Also founded during Songtsen Gampo's reign, the temple was enlarged and renovated during the following centuries; now, its architecture features a Tibetan Buddhist style, with influences from China, India, and Nepal. Step into the main hall and its adjacent halls to get a deeper insight into Tibetan Buddhism's Gelug sect.

Then, walk the circular pilgrim route as followers always do at Barkhor Street, located around Jokhang Temple. You'll be able to see a series of small temples and monasteries along the way, as well as four burners with incense burning constantly to please the gods.

Day 3: Learn About Local Religion at Sera Monastery 

After breakfast, you'll tour the charming Norbulingka Park, known as "the Summer Palace of Tibet," as it served as the summer residence of successive Dalai Lamas for almost two centuries. Featuring palace buildings and pavilions nestled among flower gardens and lush greenery, it makes a great place for appreciating traditional Tibetan-style architecture. The park also has an eye-dazzling collection of artifacts: delicate, gold-gilded statues of Buddhist deities, thangka paintings depicting scenes from Buddhist classics, murals in vivid colors, and ceramics dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

Continue to Drepung Monastery, the largest of all Tibetan monasteries. Originally founded in 1416, this monastery, with its numerous palaces and halls built along the mountain slope, is considered one of the great three monasteries of the Gelug School since it housed the residential and governmental palace of successive Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built. Drepung is also known for its academic study, with four great colleges and as many as 10,000 monks in its heyday.

The tour ends at Sera Monastery. Built by a disciple of Tsongkhapa's, this 600-year-old monastery is one of the best places in Tibet to witness the Buddhist scriptures debate sessions, where monks gather in the Debating Courtyard to gain a better understanding of the Buddhist philosophy through debates in the presence of their teachers.

Today, a two-hour drive out of Lhasa will take you to Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. Surrounded by towering mountain ridges, the lake offers some of the best views in the area, including imposing snowcapped peaks, endless turquoise waters, yaks and sheep lazily grazing, and groups of wild birds twittering their wings. Afterward, step into a local residence and visit a Tibetan family to learn about their lifestyle. Your host, dressed in traditional clothing, will warmly welcome you with local delicacies and butter tea, a drink made from tea leaves, yak butter, water, and salt.

Kickstart an exciting day by traveling to the Everest Base Camp with an overland journey to Lhatse, which takes around 3.5 hours. After having lunch in town, drive for around half an hour to the Gyatsola, a mountain pass marking the entry into Qomolangma National Nature Reserve.

Continue the overland journey and arrive at Pangla Pass. Here, you can get out of the car to stretch your legs and take in an unobstructed view of the five highest peaks in the world. The Everest Base Camp is another 1.5 hours' drive away. Check into your lodge upon arrival and enjoy the golden glow of sunset on the snowcapped peaks (if the weather is clear).

Day 6: See Everest at Dawn & Visit Rongbuk Monastery, Return to Shigatse

Get up early in the morning for a breathtaking view of Mount Everest's north face lit up by the rising sun. March, April, and May are the main climbing season on Mount Everest, and if you come during this time of year, you might witness an Everest Base Camp in the middle of the action.

Afterward, visit Rongbuk Monastery. At the northern end of the Rongbuk Valley, this monastery, founded in 1902 by a lama of the Nyingma sect, is one of the highest-elevation monasteries in the world. Today you can still see meditation caves once used by nuns dotting the cliff walls in the backdrop. From here, spot colorful prayer flags, magnificent mountain ridges, and snowy peaks all in one frame. Drive around 5.5 hours to Shigatse.

Day 7: Explore Tashilumpo Monastery, Browse a Market, Transfer to Lhasa

Today, you'll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas. Founded in 1447 by one of the disciples of Tsongkhapa, the monastery was gradually expanded to its current scale, which has over 3,600 chapels and rooms. Within one of its halls stands a bronze Jampa Buddha statue that is the tallest and largest of its kind on Earth and adorned with precious pearls, turquoise, corals, and amber. Roam around the chapels housing thousands of Buddha statues and colorful murals detailing the lifetime of Panchen Lamas to get a deeper insight into the locals' devoted beliefs.

Afterward, proceed to a local market. Weave through the crowd to take in the exotic sights, sounds, and smells. Everything from local specialty food (such as yak butter and highland barley flour) to bronze kitchen utensils to fresh meat and veggies can be found here, providing a great opportunity for you to experience the local lifestyle. A five-hour overland journey in a comfortable private car takes you back to Lhasa.

Day 8: Depart Lhasa

Bid farewell to Tibet today. At the appointed time, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!