Day 01 : Arrival in Lhasa by flight from Kathmandu
Upon arrival at Lhasa airport, you will be greeted by our local guide and driver, transfer to hotel in Lhasa, upon arrival at hotel, check in the hotel and relax, rest for the rest of the day, acclimatize, we may take a short walk around the Barkhor old town area.
Over night at hotel
Day 02 : Lhasa Sightseeing
Breakfast at the hotel.
Guided tour to Drepung monstery, the summer palace and the Sera monastery /
Today, we will visit the Dreprung Monastery which is about 8 km west of Lhasa. Dreprung Monastery was once the world’s largest monastery with a population about 10,000 monks. Dreprung was founded in 1416 and in 1530 and the 2nd Dalai Lama established the palace that was home to the Dalai Lamas until the 5th built the Potala. Today, there are around 500 monks in residence and 40% of the Monastery has been destroyed.
Visit the Sera Monastery which is around 5km north of central Lhasa. It was along with Dreprung one of Lhasa's 2 great Gelugpa monasteries. It was built in 1419 by one of the eight disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Ge-lug-pa Sect. It covers an area of 114,964 square meters, the structure is imposing, picturesque in disorder, and splendid in green and gold. It is a typical of Tibetan architecture.
Also visit the Norbulingka Palace which was developed as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas since mid-18th century.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Lhasa Sightseeing
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning, provide sightseeing of Potala Palace and the Jokhang temple and Barkhor street. Potala Palace, fort of 13-storeys which dominates the whole city, was set up in the 7th century during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo and covers an area of 41 hectares. The 13-storeys main building, 115,703 metres in height, consists of the White and Red palaces with 1,000 rooms, such as bedrooms, scripture rooms, stupas, and rooms for the monks. It is the headquarters of the Dalai Lamas , and has been the home of each of the successive Dalai Lamas. It is a treasure house of traditional Tibetan culture.
Visit the Jokhang Temple in the heart of the old part of the town. It was built in the mid-seventh Century. It was founded by Queen Bhrikuti on a site deemed by Queen Wencheng to be the principal geomatic power-place in Tibet.
It is at Barkhor Street that most people fall in love with Lhasa. The Barkhor circuits runs through the heart of the old city where life has changed little over the centuries. The whole circuit is lined with stalls selling everything a Tibetan or visiting tourist could possibly need.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04 : Day trip to Ganden monastery
Drive Lhasa to Ganden monastery, touring the monastery the main seat of Tsong Khapa master who founded the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddism back in the 14th century. This Ganden monastery is one of the 6 major Gelukpa monasteries in Tibet. After visiting this monastery we have an optional 3 to 4 hrs trek crossing Ganden ridge to Trup Shi village where we can visit a local Tibetan family, then meet our driver and drive back to Lhasa or we do a 40 minutes scenic walk around the monastery ( the Kora ) and then drive to Lhasa, over night stay in Lhasa. We will be back in Lhasa reasonably early in the afternoon and will allow some time for us to wander around in the old town before leaving Lhasa the next day.
Over night at hotel
Day 05 : Lhasa / Kathmandu
Transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu
*Note: For detailed itinerary description contact us.