Tibet Tour
Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse
Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa by train or air and spend the rest of the day relaxing and
getting acclimatized to the high altitudes.
Day 2: Lhasa
Situated in a wide, mountain-fringed valley on the north bank of the Kyichu
River, Lhasa (elevation 3700m) is a rapidly expanding city with a population
of over 540,000.
 An
important settlement for well over a thousand years, Lhasa was originally
called Rasa, but was renamed by King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century
when he moved his capital here from the Yarlung Valley. Following the
collapse of the Yarlung dynasty two centuries later, power dispersed among
local chieftains and the city lost its pre-eminence. It was not until the
seventeenth century, with the installation of the Fifth Dalai Lama as ruler
by the Mongolian emperor, Gushri Khan, that Lhasa once again became the seat
of government.
This morning we visit the Dalai Lama’s Potala
Palace. Afternoon sightseeing at Jokhang Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist
buildings in Tibet and a remarkable combination of Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese
and Han Chinese architectural styles. No visit to Jokhang Temple is complete
without checking out the Barkor Street bazaar outside the temple. (B/L)
Day 3: Lhasa
Morning visit to the Dalai Lama's summer residence Norbulinka. This
afternoon we tour grand Sera Monastery, where lively debates held Monday to
Saturday from 3 to 5 pm between resident monks often draw a large audience.
(B/L)
Day 4: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse
 
Following breakfast, we drive along the Southern Route to Gyantse
(265km). Highlights of the scenic drive include Kambaba Pass (4700 metres/15416
feet above sea level) and the holy lake Yamdrok Yumtso. Every summer throngs
of Tibetan pilgrims come to the lake to pray for blessings by the lake
fairy. Afternoon sightseeing in Gyantse takes in the Fortress of Gyantse
Dzong and Pelkhor Choede. We continue on to Shigatse (90km) in late
afternoon arriving at the second largest city in Tibet around dinnertime.
(B/L/D)
 Day
5: Shigatse - Lhasa
This morning we visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the religious and administrative
headquarters of the Panchen Lama - paramount leader of the Yellow Sect of
Tibetan Buddhism. Return to Lhasa via better paved Northern Route (295km).
Vast pastureland, barren mountain slopes, snow-capped peaks, blue skies,
white clouds, scanty population, and ubiquitous prayer flags - these images
combine to conjure a sense of solitude and mystery. (B/L)
Day 6: Departing Lhasa
Transfer to the airport or train station to continue on to your next
destination. (B)
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