TIBET TOUR

Day 1: ARRIVE LHASA
Transfer to your hotel in Lhasa, a city where the rich traditional Tibetan culture blends with the modern developments introduced by the Chinese. (D)

Day 2: LHASA

Today’s sightseeing includes visits to the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Bazaar and Potala Palace. The sacred Jokhang Temple, where each day scores of faithful worshippers prostrate themselves in devotion, is the most sacred of Lhasa’s sites and is the centerpiece of the old Tibetan city. The Jokhang Temple was originally built the first Songsten Gampo, to house the Buddha images brought to his court by his Chinese and Nepalese wives. Its oldest part dates back to the 7th century AD.
The colourful Barkhor Bazaar presents a lively scene with crowded market stalls selling all manner of handicrafts and religious articles – ornate prayer wheels, embroidered tankas and Buddhist rubbings. The market draws local Tibetan and Chinese residents alike as well as the proud nomads of eastern Tibet distinguished by their colourful garments and hair braids plaited with red yarn. The towering Potala Palace, with its red and white hues, is considered the crowning glory of Lhasa. An architectural wonder, this spectacular edifice with a gold roof cann be seen for miles, rising high above the town to more than 900 feet above the valley floor. The Potala Palace was the centre of political and religious power for the Dalai Lamas. (B/L)

Day 3: LHASA
Enjoy another full day of sightseeing in Lhasa, including the holy monasteries of Drepung and Sera. Drepung was the largest and richest monastery in Tibet and housed the Nechung, the State Oracle. Founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa, at one time it had more than 10,000 monks and governed 700 subsidiary monasteries. This monastery was divided into four tantric colleges which, at the highest level, specialized in different branches of knowledge. Each had its own chanting hall, dormitories, kitchens and offices. Today, approximately 400 monks and novices live here and their orchards help sustain the monastery.

The Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 on the northern edge of Lhasa by one of Tsongkhapa’s eight disciples and became famous for its tantric teachings. The warrior monks of Sera, the dob-dobs, were admired as athletes, but also feared. A central lane and fairly simple layout make Sera easy to visit. The monastery has three colleges as well as chanting halls and chapels, which are dark and dramatic. There are approximately 300 resident monks here today. (B/L)

Day 4: LHASA
Free time to explore Lhasa. (B/L/D)

Day 5 : DEPART LHASA
Transfer to the airport. (B)

The prices of above tour are quoted on the basis of a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.