Tsedang - Lhasa - Shigatse - Gyangtse
 
Locked in its mountain fortress of the Himalaya, Tibet has long exercised a unique hold on the imagination of those both at home and abroad. It was not until recently that few outsiders had laid their eyes on the holy city of Lhasa and the other secrets of Tibet. With the Qinghai-Tibet Railway open last year, come quickly before it develops and changes too much. Taking the weather condition into consideration, this itinerary concentrates on the best months of April to October.

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Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, dropoffs, and daily excursions. 
 
Choose Your Own Dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.
 
Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs. 

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Trip Highlights

• Potala Palace and Barkhor street in Lhasa
• Samye Monastery, Tibet's first monastery
• A visit to a Tibetan hospital to learn about traditional medicine
• Tashilunpo Monastery, the official seat of the Panchen Lama
   

Day 1:  Arrive Tsedang
Arrive in Gonggar Airport and drive 1.5 hours to Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The rest of your day is free for rest and acclimatization. Overnight in Tsedang.
 
Day 2:  Tsedang
After breakfast, begin a full day tour stopping first at Trandruk Temple, one of the first Buddhist Temples built in Tibet. In the afternoon visit the Yumbulakhang Palace – the first palace of Tibet. This castle-like building rises on the spur of a hill, commanding an impressive view of the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley. Overnight in Tsedang. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 3:  Tsedang to Lhasa
After breakfast, drive 5 hours to Lhasa stopping to visit Samye Monastery. Located about 40km to the west of Tsedang across the Yarlung Tsangpo River, it is the very first monastery of Tibet. In the afternoon enjoy a ferry ride across the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Overnight in Lhasa. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 4:  Lhasa
Begin your tour of this “Sacred Place of Buddha” with the golden-roofed Jokhang Monastery – a curious mix of somber darkness, wafting incense and prostrating pilgrims. Visit the Barkhor Street, an astonishing Tibetan style stock exchange and hive of market activity. After lunch visit the Potala Palace, once the center of the Tibetan government and winter residence of the Dalai Lama as well as the most imposing attraction of Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 5:  Lhasa
In the morning, visit Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama.  After lunch wander through Drepung Monastery - the largest in the world, and learn about traditional Tibetan medicine at the Tibetan hospital. Overnight in Lhasa. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6:  Lhasa to Shigatse
After breakfast, depart on a 6 hour drive to Shigatse.  The road will be bumpy, but the view of Yamdrok Lake will be rewarding. Overnight in Shigatse. (All meals)
 
Day 7:  Shigatse to Gyangtse
Visit the Tashilunpo Monastery – the official seat of Panchen Lama, second in importance to the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon drive 2.5 hours to Gyangtse. Overnight in Gyangtse. (All meals)
 
Day 8:  Gyangtse to Lhasa
Visit the Phalkor Monastery that is notable for its superb Kumbum stupa. Drive 6 hours back to Lhasa in the afternoon. Overnight in Lhasa. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 9:  Departure
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast)
 

Our Package Rates Include

• Private airport transfers
• Daily accommodation with breakfast
• Private vehicle transportation for all excursions per itinerary
• Meals as listed in above itinerary
• Services of a local, English-speaking guide for all visits and excursions
• All tours and activities mentioned in the itinerary, including entrance fees
• Tibet Entry Permit

Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Travel within China en route to Tibet (we can arrange this as well)
• China visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips for drivers and guides
• Expenses of a personal nature