The Roof Of The World, Tibet

Today we will drive up to the Tibetan Plateau. The first high pass is Ghungtang Lhamo pass at 5236 meters. On our way up you will feel the change in the climate. Enjoy the Tibetan scenery. We will pass magnificent valleys and several Tibetan villages on our way. We will have enchanting views of Mount Shishapangma and Pekutso Lake.

After breakfast, we will drive to Shigatse where we will visit Tashilimphu Monastery and the local market. The Tashilimphu monastery was built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama. The name of the monastery means ‘heap of glory’. The monastery was attacked by Nepalese Gurkha in 1791, but the Chinese drove them out again. The monastery has white walls and golden roofs. You will find the biggest statue of the sitting Maitreya Buddha in one of the chapels of this monastery.

After the visit to the monastery, you will have time to experience daily Tibetan life on the local market. Smell the different fragrances and observe the colors of the local products. Mingle with locals and get a feel of Tibetan life.

We will continue our journey to Gyantse, the third largest city in Tibet, where we will visit Khumbum Stupa and Pelkhor Chorten. Khumbum Stupa is the only Nepalese-style Stupa built in Tibet. The name means ‘hundred thousand images of Buddha’ and that name reflects the decorations of the stupa. Walk up this Stupa in a clockwise direction. From the top, you will have a wonderful view of the old part of Gyantse.

Pelkhor Chorten is located next to the Stupa and was built in 1418. The monastery is a mix of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architecture. This monastery consists of 15 different chapels and halls and houses three different orders of Tibetan Buddhism. The main temple of the monastery is the Tsulaklakang. This temple has three floors and you will find there murals and images from the 15th century.

After lunch we will drive to Lhasa. On our way we will make a stop at Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok Lake is a sacred lake and is one of the three biggest sacred lakes from Tibet. The views are stunning. The turquoise lake is 72 km long and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In the distance, you will be able to see the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).

This morning we visit the Potala Palace, the winter home of the Dalai Lamas and the most famous landmark in the world. Although the palace cannot be freely explored, you will experience some of its chapels including the audience hall, the golden burial Chorten (Tomb) of Past Dalai Lamas, a tremendous number of paintings done on the wall, a Statue, Thangka, and Mandala, etc.

After lunch, we will visit Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism and an important sacred site in Tibet.  The Temple was founded during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo for his two brides Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Princes Bhrikuti of Nepal, both are said to have brought important Buddhist images and statues from Nepal & China to Tibet as part of their dowries. After visiting Temple explore Barkhor surrounding, and watch the pilgrims prostrating themselves near the front gate of Jokhang Temple. Take part in a clockwise circuit walking around the temple, walk around narrow alleys to explore old Lhasa city.

This morning we will drive 8 km northwest of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of the “great three” Geluk Monasteries of Tibet, founded by Jamyang Choje in 1416. The Drepung is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries and was once home to as many as 10000 monks. This winter Palace was the residence of hundreds of monks from all the major Geluk monasteries for staffing individual Chapels.

In the afternoon drive 5km away from Lhasa to Sera Monastery founded in 1419, which is another one of the “great three” Geluk monasteries of Tibet. The monastery is well known for the monks’ debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.

While in Lhasa, you can also choose to go to some other places and continue traveling. You can decide what interests you the best. If you choose to go back to Kathmandu, and eventually back to your first home (Nepal will have become your second home by this time!), we will escort you to the airport.