Duration: 3 Nights/ 4 Days
Tibet – Shangri-La, the land of snows, the roof of the world. A land of ancient Buddhist culture, awesome landscape, and artistic monasteries and centuries old caravan trails. Tibet is a destination out of ordinary. Tibet covers an area of 1228400 sq. km and has a population of 3.03 million.
DAY 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa Gongkar Airport. (3660m)
You will arrive at Gongkar Airport and meet your Tibetan guide for Lhasa Tour. After immigration formalities take a 50 minutes drive along 45km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. An route to viewing the Yarlong Tsangpo river (Bhamaputra River) is the one of the biggest or longest river in Tibet. After arrive in Lhasa it’s advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa’s altitude.
After breakfast visit Drepung Monastery and after lunch, visit Sera Monastery.
The Drepung Monastery is Situated at the foot of the Mountain Gambo Utse, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the western suburb of Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism. It is considered one of the ‘Three Great Monasteries’ the other two are the Ganden Monastery and the Sera Monastery. Covering an area of 250,000 square meters (299,007 square yards), it held 7,700 monks in total and possessed 141 fazendas and 540 pastures in its heyday, and is the largest-scale monastery among the ones of the same kind. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given the name ‘Drepung Monastery’ which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice.
The Sera Monastery at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City. It is one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. The monastery is magnificent and covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). Its main buildings are the Tsokchan Hall, Dratsang(college) and Kamtsan (dormitory). Scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals can be found in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here and these employ a style distinctive from those at Lhasa’s other famous monasteries.
After breakfast, visit Potala Palace and after lunch visit Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Market.
The Potala Palace was first and foremost the residence of the Dalai Lama and his large staff. In addition, it was the seat of Tibetan government, where all ceremonies of state were held; it housed a school for religious training of monks and administrators; and it was one of Tibet’s major pilgrimage destinations because of the tombs of past Dalai Lamas.
The Jokhang Temple, home of the most venerated statue in Tibet. The Jokhang, also called the Tsuklakang, is the first Buddhist temple in Tibet, located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa. It was built during the reign of king Songsten Gampo (605?-650 CE) to celebrate his marriage with Chinese Tang Dynasty princess Wencheng, who was a Buddhist. The temple was called the Tsulag Khang or ‘House of Wisdom’ but it is now known as the Jokhang which means the ‘House of the Buddha’.
Barkhor Street is Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the Tibetan people are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, this street is also a must-see place for the tourists. Barkhor Street is a place full of religious atmosphere and a world of exotic articles. If you have been attracted by it, you should go there. Believe your eyes, and you will get a lot of surprise there.
DAY 04: Drive to Gongkar Airport and Fly back to your destination
Say Goodbye to your Tibetan Guide and Driver. End of your Lhasa Tour.
Day-1 - DAY 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa Gongkar Airport. (3660m)
Day-2 - DAY 02: Full day Sightseeing in Lhasa: Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
Day-3 - DAY 03: Full day sightseeing: Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple , Barkhor Street
Day-4 - DAY 04: Drive to Gongkar Airport and Fly back to your destination(Kathmandu)