Tibet Winter Special Tour

HIGHLIGHTS
* A 12 day excursion to all the legacies of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Namtso Lake, Tsedang, Yarlung, Samye and Drak Yerpa Caves..
* English speaking Local Tibetan Guide
* Comfortable transportation / hotels with Tibetan character wherever possible
* Complete hassle free Chinese (Tibetan) travel documentation

PRICE
Contact us
DATES
Available for private group

Contact us
office@explore-himalaya.com or Fill up the booking form below for more information about this tour

BOOKING FORM Trip Name :  TIBET SPECIAL TOUR * Your Name :   Please enter your name. * E-mail Address :   Please enter your valid email. * Confirm E-mail Address :   Email address mismatched. * Travel Date :   Please enter travel date * How did you know about us :   Travel Agents Search Engines Friends Others Number of People :   Nationality :   Gender :   Date of Birth :   Medical Condition :   Do you have Travel Insurance? :   Are you a Vegetarian? :   Contact Number :   Other Details & Requirements of the Trip :   * Security Check :       Incorrect. Please try again.

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa & Drive to Tsedang
After landing at Gonggar Airport and meeting your Tibetan guide, you drive two hours to Tsedang. The drive is along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. En route, you stop at Nyethang, a temple built sometimes between 1045 and 1050 by Atisa, an Indian Buddhist teacher, who was invited to Tibet by the Kings of Guge, western Tibet in 1042.

 Day 2: In Tsedang –Yarlung Valley and Samye Monastery
Today your adventure trip will take you to the Yarlung valley, which is also known as the Valley of Tombs. Yarlung is considered the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The valley is regarded as the birthplace of Tibetan civilization. It was from Yarlung that the early Tibetan kings unified Tibet in the seventh century. You see the massive burial mounds of these kings in Chongye. Yumbulakang, another major attraction of the area, is perched on a crag like a medieval European castle and is regarded as the oldest building in Tibet. You continue to the west of Tsedang, crossing the Tsangpo River on a boat to Samye Monastery. The Monastery founded in 779 AD, is in a green valley among barren mountains surrounded by a village. After a detailed visit of the monastery, you head back to Tsedang.

Day 3: Tsedang-Lhasa
Today, you drive towards Lhasa via Mindroling Monastery.  Mindroling Monastery is a very worthwhile detour from the Lhasa-Tsedang road between the Samye ferry crossing and Gonggar. It is the largest and along with Dorje Drak, the most important Nyingmapa monastery in central Tibet. After a thorough visit of the monastery, you continue the drive to Lhasa. Upon arrival, check into the Hotel.

 Day 4: Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang Temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Day 5: Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest.
Note: Please do note that the sightseeing program of Days 4 & 5 mentioned in this itinerary is not a fixed program. Though you will be taken to visit all the sites, yet the days may vary.

Day 6: Day excursion to Namtso Lake
Today you will be taken on an excursion to one of the most beautiful places in Tibet, the Namtso Lake.  In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is one among the three holy lakes in Tibet. Namtso Lake is at an altitude of 4720 m. It covers a vast area of about 757 square miles. The crystal-clear water of this lake and the scenic beauty of its surroundings are sure to leave you spellbound. The wide open spaces at the lakeside are dotted with tents of local drokpas (nomad herders). Meeting and interacting with them with the help of Tibetan guide gives you a pleasant experience.

Day 7: Day tour to Ganden and Tsurpu
Today you will be taken to two very famous monasteries, Ganden and Tsurpu. Ganden monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupka (Yellow Hat) sect.  This monastery is the first Gelug monastery in Tibet. It lies 57 km east of Lhasa .Besides its typical Tibetan style, it is three times larger than the Potala Palace. The Tsurpu monastery situated at an altitude of 4300m has a history of 800years. Located high in the tributary of the Tolung Valley, the huge temples and chanting halls of Tsurphu monastery has been rebuilt from the rubble of the Cultural Revolution.

Day 8: Gyantse (3950m)
After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the town of Gyantse. In Gyantse you will visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century. From there you can enjoy the spectacular views of Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large gold-domed Stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. En route you will be escorted to visit Zhalu Monastery founded in 11th century and noted for its 14th century murals which fuse Chinese, Mongol and Nepalese style.

Day 9 Drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m)
After exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an average altitude of 3900m, you find yourself at Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet.
 
Day 10: Drive Shigatse to Lhasa (280km)
After a hearty breakfast you will be taken to explore the local market and the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. After detailed visit of Shigatse you will drive to Lhasa via a shorter route.

Day 11: Day excursion to Drak Yerpa caves
 The Drak Yerpa caves are about an hour’s drive to the north-east of Lhasa. Songtsen Gampo meditated here, as did Padma Sambhava and several of his disciples. The site is strongly associated with Jowo Atisha and the early Kadampa masters.

Day 12 Depart Lhasa
You will be driven to the airport in time to catch your flight home.