Highlights of Tibet - 8 day tour

Lhasa. Arrive at Lhasa Gongkar Airport where you will receive a warm Tibetan welcome by our representative at the airport. Transfer to Lhasa (approx 70kms), soaking up the wonderful mountain scenery en route. Check into your hotel and spend the remains of the day at leisure, to acclimatize.
Overnight: Lhasa

Today enjoy a guided tour of the autonomous region's capital. Visit the 15th century Drepung Monastery, which was formerly one of the largest monasteries in Tibet, once housing 10,000 monks and bustling Barkhor Street. Continue on to explore the Sera Monastery which is still a working retreat, 600 years after its foundation as a main teaching monastery, and it's one of the three great Gelukpa 'universities' once housing more than 5500 monks.
Overnight: Lhasa  |  Breakfast

On another full day of sightseeing in the fabled city of Lhasa, visit to the beautiful Potala Palace - the dominant landmark of Lhasa, towering 117 meters above the city below. Construction started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. This immense building is a masterpiece in design, 13 stories high with walls 3 meters thick, containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues, it was both the residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former Heads of state. The entire building is made of stone and wood and covers an area of 130,000 square meters. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories.

The highlight of the day is a visit to Jokhang Temple, the most sacred and important temple in Tibet and also the most captivating. There is an electric atmosphere at the temple as crowds of pilgrims travel around the chapels, praying and prostrating themselves. Then continue on to Norbulinka monastery - the Dalai Lama's summer palace which was completed in 1783 under the Eighth Dalai Lama. Set in beautiful grounds with fountains, chapels and pools, Norbulinka is located on the outskirts of Lhasa and it is from here that the present Dalai Lama fled in the 1950's.
Overnight: Lhasa  |  Breakfast

Lhasa (via Yamdrok Tso Lake) - Gyantse. After breakfast depart Lhasa and journey to Gyantse. En route visit the Drolma Lhakang Temple, which is associated with the Buddhist teachings of Atisha (a revered Bengali scholar). You'll also stop at the elevated view point of Kampa La to soak up the incredible views of the spectacular scorpion shaped Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok is one of Tibet's three sacred lakes and according to local mythology, it is the transformation of a goddess. At over 72kms in length, with electric blue water and surrounded by snow capped mountains, it's an incredible sight to behold. Continuing your journey, drive alongside Yamdrok lake for about an hour to reach Gyantse. Upon arrival spend the remains of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Gyantse  |  Breakfast

Gyantse - Shigatse. Today after breakfast, visit Kumbum and Pelku Chode, two of the prime sightseeing spots in Gyantse. The giant, gold domed Kumbum stupa was founded in 1427 by a Gyantse prince, it has 9 floors and contains 77 chapels. Pelku Chode is the Monastery inside the same compound of Kumbum. Bidding farewell to Gyantse you'll drive on to Shigatse, Tibet's second most important city.
Overnight: Shigatse  |  Breakfast

Shigatse - Tsedang. After breakfast enjoy a tour of Tashilunpo Monastery, which is the largest Yellow Hat sect monastery in Tibet and the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilunpo contains chortens, temples and the Panchen Lamas palace, and at its peak it was home to 4,000 monks. The monastery is a striking red, white and black Tibetan structure with a golden roof. Within the monastery there is a 5 story temple, which contains a 26 meter high sitting statue of the Maitreya Buddha, cast from 6,700 ounces of gold and over 115,000 kg of copper, making it the biggest copper Buddhist statue in the world. After the sightseeing and strolling around the free market, journey to Tsedang.
Overnight: Tsedang  |  Breakfast

Tsedang - Lhasa. This morning visit Samye Monastery which was founded in the 8th century during the reign of King Trisong Detsen, with the help of the Indian Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita, whom the king had invited to Tibet to help spread Buddhism. The first Tibetan monks were ordained here after examination, and are referred to as the Seven Examined Men. Over the centuries Samye has been associated with various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and today Tibetans of all traditions come to worship here.

Continue on to explore Yumbulakhang, the oldest palace in Tibet. It was believed that King Nyatri Tsenpo descended from heaven to build this palace in 2nd century BC and myths says it is the founding of Tibetan civilization. Yumbulakhang is constructed at the perfect crest of the hill divided into three different components; the tower, the chapel and monk's quarters.

Not far from Yumbulakhang is Tandruk Monastery, situated at the road side. It’s said that renowned figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Padmasambhava and Milariba, had practiced Buddhism nearby after it was built and the remaining relics are sacred land for the devotees. After a tour of the monastery travel back to Lhasa.
Overnight: Lhasa  |  Breakfast