Tibet Lhasa Travel: 5 Days Lhasa Cultural Tour Plus Yamdrotso Lake Sightseeing

Day 1 Lhasa Arrival

Pick up service can be arranged at Lhasa train station or Lhasa airport. Once you arrive, our Lhasa local tour guide will meet you at the exit of the train station/airport with a welcome sign. It takes around 1.5 hours from airport and around 20 minutes from Lhasa trains station. Transfer to your hotel in Lhasa city, the rest day is free on your own to adapt to the local altitude.

Day 2 Lhasa

In the morning, our local guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. Today you will visit Lhasa’a cardinal landmark Potala Palace; the highest palace in the world. It well worths visiting for its artistic value, historic purposes, and cultural awareness, has been regarded as the No. 1 must-see attraction in Tibet. It is one of the world culture heritages. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, Thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

You will have lunch at local reataurant with authentic Tibetan food.

Next, head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. 

And then walk along the famous street in Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Finally, you’ll taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house and enjoy a welcome dinner at night.

Drive back to your hotel with private vehicle.

Day 3 Lhasa

The activities for today is Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. Our guide will take you to visit these two prestigious Gelugpa monasteries in Lhasa. Founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416, Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet. Situated at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The highlight is the monk debate held in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan scripture printing house.

You will have a dinner at a suitable time. After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 4 Lhasa

After breakfast, our guide will take you to visit the Yamdrotso Lake. Not long after having breakfast, we will pick you up in the hotel. The travel distance is about 105 kilometers away from Lhasa. On the way, you can have a glimpse of Ngachu Valley in the morning lights, and after pass over the Kamba La Pass (5030m), we will finally arrive at the holy lake Yamdrotso.

Located in the north of the Himalaya Mountains, Yamdrotso Lake is the largest fresh lake in the district with an area of 675 square meters. According to local Tibetan, the lake is the transformation of turquoise earrings scattered by Goddess. You will be stocked by the natural beauty but can’t get a whole view here. If you look it on the map, you will find the lake panorama like a shape of eardrop surrounded by the mountain. The scenery appears different color of blue from different moment in one angle as a dreamland. Looking around, you can also find other scenery. Local animals are walking along the fertile lakeshores and Tibetan villages can be seen in the valleys near Yamdrotso Lake.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Lhasa.

Day 5 Lhasa Departure

Free on your own to explore Lhasa city around your hotel until transfer to Lhasa train station or Lhasa airport for your next destination.

Price Per Person in US Dollars