THE ESSENTIAL OF TIBET
ESSENTIAL TIBET
After doing the usual tour of the most important monuments in Lhasa - the Potala Palace, Jokhang, universities of Drepung and Sera, we drive to Lake Yamdrok and further on to Gyangte. The next stop is Shigatse and the Tashilhunpo Monastery, finally ending the tour in Rongbuk with superb views of Everest.
Circuit from Lhasa to Everest via Tsetang, Yamdrok & GyantseThis circuit exposes you to authentic Tibetan culture through the pastoral life of people in the Tibetan plateau, living in the shadow of giant peaks such as Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shisha Pangma.
In Lhasa or Gyantse, we visit the great monasteries that have brought grandeur to Tibetan Buddhism. We get to appraise the great masterpieces here, that have been handed down through the centuries. But we will also visit remote places where few people venture, like Ralung, nestled in the heart of the high plateau where one can feel the immensity of Tibet.
- All the cultural essentials of Central Tibet: Potala, Samye, Jokhang, Gyantse, Tashilhunpo etc.
- The view of Everest from the Rongbuk Monastery
- The landscapes of the high Tibetan plateau, the high Himalayan passes and the Turquoise Lake.
- The steep dive from the Friendship Highway at 5000m to Subtropical Nepal.
Gallery
Itinerary
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- Accommodation: Hotel
- Accommodation: Hotel
In the morning we climb up to the great monastic university of Drepung which once housed more than 7000 monks in a maze of chapels, dormitories, and temples. Then in the afternoon, we visit the monastic university of Sera where there are always rhetorical contests and philosophical debates taking place.
- Accommodation: Hotel
We head for the pristine turquoise Yamdrok Lake (4,441m) in the mountains where yaks and sheep graze. We stop for a picnic by the lake, then cross the high Karo La Pass (5,200m). We walk at the foot of the imposing Noijin Kangsang glacier. On the way, we discover the incredible site of the forgotten Ralung Monastery. One or two hours of easy walking and we begin to appreciate the immensity of the Tibetan plateau.
- Accommodation: Hotel
In the morning we visit Gyantse, one of the most beautiful villages in central Tibet, where farmers and breeders meet in a picturesque market. Then we go to the monastery with extraordinary frescoes and the famous 72 chapels-stupa (Kumbum). In the afternoon we drive to Shigatse (1 ½ hr).In the late afternoon, we visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery which is the residence of the Panchen Lama. Then we stroll through the market where we can find some beautiful but fake antiques.
- Accommodation: Hotel
This morning we visit the village of Shalu and then drive to Shegar.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Accommodation: Guest House
Transfer by private vehicle to a small village 20 km from Rongbuk and then we hop on a large electric bus which is mandatory for both ways, to and from Rongbuk.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Accommodation: Hotel
We cross the mighty Brahmaputra River to visit the oasis-monastery of Samye which was built on a mandala base following the instructions of Guru Rinpoche. Then, we move to the Chim Puk troglodyte hermitage, before heading back to Tsetang.
- Accommodation: Hotel
What's included
- night in the hotel 3 * according to the program
- An English Tibetan guide for the entire trip in Tibet
- site visits according to the itinerary
- entrance fees for the sites
- stay in Tibet in BB
- Tibet permit needed
- livraison of permit Tibet during your transit in China.
What's not included
- China visa and stay
- compulsory repatriation insurance
- supplement for high season August and September
- flights and train
- drink, gratuity, and other personal expenses
