| Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Tsethang, and Yarlung Valley Tour |
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Tour Type:
Classical Tour
Duration:
8 days
Cost:
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Our first stop on this incredible classic tour will lead us through the ancient city of Lhasa. This wondrous city is generally regarded as the heart of Tibet and is filled with unparalleled history, culture, and beauty. The Potala Palace dominates the skyline with its powerful and ancient architecture. The numerous temples and monasteries surrounding the city, such as the Jokhang and Drepung, allow travelers to experience Tibetan Buddhism first hand. A visit to these ancient monasteries will leave you with a sense of astonishment for years to come!
First rate accommodation will be provided in the Dhood Gu Hotel, a traditional Tibetan hotel located conveniently close to nearly all major attractions in Lhasa. It is not easy to get bored in Lhasa as there is so much to see and explore. What an incredible experience it will be!
All our traveling will be done in four wheel drive Toyota Land cruisers. Our informative and welcoming guides will lead you through this amazing country of Tibet. Stops will be made along the way in the small towns of Gyantse, Shigatse, and Tsethang. Allow yourself to relax in these extraordinary towns and immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist culture. The last part of our journey is spent exploring the Yarlun Valley, or valley of the tombs. You can learn a lot from these Tibetan people. It will be even easier to enjoy Tibet as nothing but the best Tibetan hotels will be provided for you.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa
After flying a long time to Nepal I am sure you dread another day of flying. However, this remarkable flight last only an hour while crossing the Himalayan range. As you may expect the striking mountain views surround you the entire time. Once you arrive at Gonggar airport, an easy two hour drive will take you to your final destination of the traditional Dhood Gu Hotel. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing and exploring some of the many sights in Lhasa.
Haven't you always dreamed of visiting the ancient Tibetan monasteries? Our knowledgeable English speaking guide will show you everything there is to see in some of these renowned sights. First off we will explore the beautifully preserved Sera Monastery. Many of the pictures you see of Tibet are of these buildings with their white washed walls and golden roofs. To this day several hundred monks live and study in this architecture. The afternoon will be spent exploring the Jokhang temple and Norbulingka. The Norbunglinka is another astounding piece of architecture and was once the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple will provide you one of your first sights of devout Tibetans, as hundreds visit this sacred shrine each day. The central market of Lhasa, the Barkor, surrounds the Jokhang Temple. In these cobbled streets you can experience more Tibetan culture and even purchase some amazing crafts.
Day 3 – Further Exploration of Lhasa
To explore some of the ancient quarters of the Dalai Lama we will visit Potala Palace in the morning. Be prepared for astonishment as this grand palace has been around since before the 17th century. To add even more history and culture we will also visit Drepung Monastery. Once home to over 10,000 monks, the Drepung Monastery is still a beautiful sight to see. Miraculously it was one of the few sights to escape the Cultural revolution without widespread damage.
In the morning we will depart from Lhasa and travel in Land cruisers along the Friendship highway. Numerous passes, such as Khambo La and Kharo La, provide wondrous views of the Himalayan range. A colossal glacier rises nearly straight up from the road as we pas Kharo La. The drive is no daunting task as we pass through many more beautiful Tibetan valleys and quiet villages along the way. Our final destination is the first class Gyantse hotel.
Day 5 – Gyantse to Shigatse then back to Lhasa
We will be given the opportunity of experiencing more wondrous Tibetan culture as we see the Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Expansive views of the valley can be seen from the ancient Dzong fort. The Kumbum is much more than a stupa, as it is surrounded by numerous Tibetan murals and small chapel houses. Even if you are no art connoisseur you will be amazed by these ancient murals and architecture
We continue on with a short drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Not a minute is wasted as we have a full afternoon of exploring the local markets and monasteries. It is very intriguing to see how ancient Tibetan culture compares to the modern day culture we will experience. There are endless amounts of sights, both modern and ancient, to see around this city.
Day 6 – Drive to Tsethang
Today we will through the Gangpo Ri Mountain on the way to Tsethang. Gangpo Ri is the legendary birthplace of the Tibetans, and is highly revered. The day will end in the third largest city of Tibet, Tsethang.
Day 7 – Visit The Valley of the Tombs, Yarlung Valley
This majestic area is widely believed to be the cradle of all of Tibetan civilization. The valley of the tombs is located at the origin of the Tibetan people. You are being given a rare opportunity to explore this majestic site. It was here where both the massive burial grounds and Yumbulakhang. Yumbulakhang is an amazing architectural site perched on a cliff. It is one of the oldest buildings in all of Tibet! You will spend your last night sleeping well back in Tsethang.
Day 8 – Fly back to Kathmandu
This remarkable flight last only an hour while crossing the Himalayan range. As you may expect the striking mountain views surround you the entire time. An amazing way to end a life-changing journey! Come join us in this land of religion and history!
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