8 Days Central Tibet Tour

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8 Days Central Tibet Tour

Overview
Itinerary
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Fact of Trip

Trip Length: 8 Days

Trip outline: Kathmandu- Lhasa-Kathmandu

Activity: Cultural Spiritual Experience

Season: All Year Around

Trip Level: Moderate

Accommodation: Hotel

Transportation: Jeep/Van/ Flight

Highlights:Panoramic aerial view of Himalayan ranges during flight
Guided sightseeing in Tsedang
Scenic overland drive to Xigatse, Gyantse
Guided sightseeing in Lhasa
Visit to historical monasteries
Potala palace, Norbulingka, Jokhang temple
Strolling at Barkhor Street market and wonderful shopping

Central Tibet tour is the most appropriate tour package for the adventure seekers who are bounded by the time limit. Central tour also called adventure tour covers most of the ancient cultural sites of central Tibet including places like Tsedang (Yarlung Tsangpo valley) which is the ancient hub of Tibetan civilization, Samye valley, Gyantse, Shigatse and Lhasa.

Central Tibet tour commences from Kathmandu after you take an hour flight from Kathmandu (1,300 m) Lhasa (3,650m). An hour flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa which is more like Mountain flight offers you the most spectacular Himalayan range in the region. After having landed in Tibet, our representative will receive you and transfer you to hotel where you will get to be acclimatized to that altitude of around (3,500m.). Here in Tibet you will get to explore ancient temples monasteries and palaces beautifully crafted with Buddhist scriptures and arts. Some of the famous places you will visit in Central Tibet tour are Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Streets, stunning Potala Palace, sera and Drepung monasteries, Norbulingka palace i.e. the garden palace or the summer palace and the Nunnery and many other places in Tibet. You will also visit the historical places like Samye valley where Tibet’s first Monastery (Samye) is situated, Gyantse which was the ancient trading hub and Shigatse the second largest city of Tibet. Finally on the Fifth day of the Central Tibet tour you will take a flight back from Lhasa to Kathmandu or if you are interested you can travel back by train across the cold gobi desert.

Day 01: Kathmandu to Lhasa (Gonggar airport) then drive to Tsedang

You will fly from Kathmandu to Gonggar airport, Lhasa. The flight takes about 1 hour & 10 minutes to reach Lhasa. This is probably the most beautiful flight in the World. While flying to Lhasa you can see five tallest mountains and all are 8000m+. Those mountains are Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Cho-Oyu (8188m), Mt. Makalu (8485m) and Mt. Kangchenjunga (8586m). While taking boarding pass, please ask checking counter politely to allocate your seat on left hand side row.

Our Tibetan guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to Tsedang. Afternoon, you will visit Thandruk Monastery. Thandruk Monastery, perhaps is the oldest monastery in Tibet. It is situated on the crowded road side of the main city.

Day 02: Sightseeing tour in Tsedang

Visit Yambulakhang (the first Palace of Tibet) and some massive Tombs of Tibetan King. These tombs are almost 1300 years old. Nine tombs are visible now including the Tomb of King Songtsen Gampo.

After lunch, drive to Samye valley. On the way visit Mindoling Monastery. Mindoling Monastery is located east of the Dranang River of the Dranang River county. The Monastery was built at the end of 10th century and renovated and changed its name in 1677. This is one of the three biggest Monastery of Nyingmapa sect.

After visiting Mindoling Monastery, you will visit Samye Monastery. Samye was, the first Monastery in Tibet, built by King Trisong Detsen. The Monastery put the foundation of Buddhist religion in Tibet. The Monastery is uniquely designed architectural showpiece of Tibet.

Day 03: Drive, Samye to Gyantse (3950 m.)

Immediately after leaving Samye, we have to drive through a long tunnel that goes under the mountain range between Samye and Lhasa valley. The highway then climbs steeply to the Kamba – La with its magnificent views of the turquoise lake Yamdruk Tso. Continue to Gyantse to the Kumbum, Palkor Chode Monastery and fort.

Day 04: Drive, Gyantse to Shigatse (3900 m.)

An hour drive from Gyantse will take you to Shigatse, the city of Tashilumpo Monastery. En route, you will visit Shalu Monastery which is 8 KM off the main High Way. Shalu Monastery was built on 1000 AD. The Monastery has special architectural style combining Han with Tibetan and Nepali style.

After noon visit Tashilungmpu Monastery. The Tashilungpu Monastery was built in 1447 AD which is known as one of the six major Monasteries of Gelukpa Sect. This is the largest Monastery in Tsang area with a total area of 3,00,000 Square meters. The highlight of the monastery is the gilt statue of Meitreya Buddha made of copper with 22.4 meter high. It is considered to be the highest statue in the World. Tashilungpu Monastery is the seat of Panchen Lama.

Day 05: Drive, Shigatse to Lhasa (3650 m.)

Early morning after breakfast, you will set off for Lhasa via the northern High Way. The drive takes about 4 hours to reach Lhasa.

Day 06: Lhasa sightseeing tour

You will visit Potala Palace, Norbulinkha Palace and Barkhor Bazaar Square.

Day 07: Lhasa sightseeing

You will visit Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery today.

Day 08: Departure from Lhasa

You may take a flight back to Kathmandu from Lhasa or take a flight to mainland China (Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Xian etc). Also, you travel to these cities by train from Lhasa.