The trip starts with a classic guided tour of Lhasa, seeing the most significant sites of religious learning and worship, as well as getting a sense of the the historical center of power, and the density of the Tibetan culture in old alleys and markets. The trip will continue to one of the world highest lakes, Namtso the heavenly lake, and the hidden hermitages on Tashidor island.
 

Day 01
Arrive in Lhasa
Welcome to Lhasa! Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station or airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 02
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Circuit
Lhasa, elevation 3650m, is the holiest city in Tibet and each day pilgrims from across the Tibetan Plateau arrive in the city to worship at one of the many temples found there. You will spend 3 full days exploring the city (for acclimatization). The first day you will visit Jokhang Temple, the most famous temple in Tibet. From the rooftop you will see religious pilgrims prostrating in front to the Jowo Buddha statue inside the monastery. Around lunch, you will visit the Potala Palace, the most recognizable structure in Tibet. Built in the year 637, the Potala Palace rises 13 stories and has more than 1000 rooms. In the evening time, you will explore the endless maze of markets and restaurants that line the ancient Barkhor circuit. While exploring the Barkhor circuit, you will rub elbows with Tibetan pilgrims who are prostrating their way around the Tibetan Quarter.

Day 03
Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ramoche Temple and the old town
This day you will explore Drepung Monastery. Drepung was formerly the largest monastery in the world and is still one of the three most important monasteries in Tibet. Below Drepung is Nechung Monastery, the former home of Tibet’s state oracle. In the afternoon, you will visit the great monastery of Sera, where monk debates take place each day except Saturday. If you are interested in hiking, there is a pilgrimage circuit around the monastery that takes about an hour to complete. In the early evening, we will visit Ramoche Temple in the old town.

Day 04
Norbulingka Palace, Tibet Museum and the Barkhor Circuit
The Norbulingka Palace served as the summer residence for the Dalai Lama lineage for 180 years. The palace is one huge beautiful garden that can be explored on foot. Afterwards, you can wander around the Tibet Museum and learn more about Tibetan medicine and art. In the afternoon, you will have one more opportunity to explore the ancient Barkhor Circuit to finish any last minute souvenir shopping you might have left.

Day 05
Lhasa-Nam Tso 225kms, 5 hours
This day you will depart from Lhasa and drive to Nam Tso, Tibet’s most famous lake. Sitting at an elevation of 4723m, the lake offers a panoramic view of the nearby Nyenchen Tanglha Range. The small monastery of Tashi Dor sits along the shores of the lake. The drive to the lake will take you past nomad yak herders who live part of the year in black yak wool tents.

Day 06
Nam Tso-Lhasa 225kms, 5 hours
You will return to Lhasa where you will have enough time to wander around the Barkhor circuit and the Tibetan Quarter to finish any last minute souvenir shopping you have to do.

Day 07
Depart from Lhasa
This itinerary can be modified in any way. Contact us for prices and more information regarding this trip.