Destinations: Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, Shigatse, Lhasa
This is the Classic tour itinerary to visit Lhasa and Everest Base camp. If you are not used to the high altitude, then this is one of the best itineraries that cover the all the Lhasa main tourist sites like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor street, Drepung and sera monastery with Gyantse Kumbum and Shigatse Tashi Lhunpho monastery.
Tourists can see much natural scenery like beautiful sacred Lake Yamdrok tso and karo glacier with beautiful views of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world from Everest Base Camp.
Highlights:
- Potala Palace: Winter palace of the Dalai Lama
- Jokhang Temple: Spiritual Center for Buddhists in Tibet
- Sera Monastery: One of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, the hot attraction is monks debate.
-Drepung Monstery: Drepung used to be a seat of central government until the 5th Dalai Lama built Potala Palace.
-Yamdrok-tso: One of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet
-Tashilunpo Monastery: the seat of Tibet's second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.
-Mt. Everest: The highest mountain in the world.
After arriving in Lhasa, local tour guide will welcome you at the airport/train station, then transfer the guests to the hotel. Acclimatize the high altitude in the hotel.
The tour will begin from UNESCO World Heritage site - Potala Palace, which is also the winter palace of Dalai Lama. It's situated at 12,139 feet above sea level. It's a 13-story high building that contains over 1,000 rooms, various statues, stupas, murals and artifacts. Then continue to Jokhang Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. Next to the temple there is Bakhor Street, filled with pilgrims and street vendors, selling traditional Tibetan items such as prayer wheels and jewelry.
In the morning, tourists are going to visit Drepung monastery which was one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala palace. Afternoon, Sera Monastery---It was one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419. The highlight is the Monks debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.
Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse. Admire the Gampala pass (4790 m) on the way, and get a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m), which is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains. Then continue to drive west towards Gyantse. In Gyantse, tourists will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half hour's drive, clients will arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet.
Drive to Lhatse where tourists can take lunch. Then drive to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough, tourists can view the Mt. Everest in the distance on the way back down. After 4 to 6 hours, arrive at Rongbuk monastery, but on the way there, clients will pass Pang la Pass, one of the highest passes in Tibet at 5050m. From that pass, enjoy view all of the five highest peaks in the world.
In the morning, you can see the sunrise of Everest Peak if weather permits at the lodging area. Then we will visit the Rongbu Monastery - the unique highest monastery with nuns and monks living together. Finally, we will drive back to Shigatse.
Today, explore Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama, built in 1447. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha - the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in the world and a tomb of all the Panchen Lama, containing jewels and gold. In the afternoon, you will drive back to Lhasa, which will take around 6 hours.
Transfer clients to the airport or train station.