12 Days Lhasa Shigatse Nyingchi Tour for Culture Exploration along the Brahmaputra River

When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, we will drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi along the G318 National Highway. On the way, we’ll drive over the Mila Pass(5013 m) to Kongpo Gamda Town.

Then, we will head to the famous Basom Tso Lake. Located 360 km east to Lhasa city, Basomtso Lake is at 3500 meters above the sea level. There is a small island in the middle of the lake with Tibetan style temples built upon them.

After visiting Lake Basomtso, we will continue our journey to Bayi town.

Stay Overnight in Nyingchi.

Today’s tour starts with a trip to the Great Cypress Nature Reserve Area. It is 15 km southeast of the Bayi Town. The highlight of this Nature Reserve Area is the King Cypress tree, which is about 2500 years old.

Then, we will drive across the Sekyim la Pass at 4720 meters above the sea level. On the way, you can enjoy the great Namjia Bawa Mountain in the distance.

The final attraction of today’s journey is Lulang Forest, where you can not only see the sea of forests, but also kinds of wild flowers with the addition of dotted wooden fences, wooden houses build by the local herdsmen.

Then, drive back to Nyingchi, and stayover in Nyingchi.

In the morning, we will drive for about 8 hours to Tsedang via Nang County and Gyatse. As the cultural hub of Lhoka, Tsedang offers much cultural and religious heritages to explore.

After arriving at Tsedang, have a good rest in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Tsedang.

Today, we will enjoy a full day tour in Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilization.

After breakfast, we will first visit Yumbulakang Palace, which is the first Palace in Tibet. Since the palace is situated at the top of a hill, you can reach the palace either by walking or a horse ride.

Then, we will visit Tradruk Temple, one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibet, to appreciate the valuable Thangka painting that make of precious pearls.

Stay overnight in Tsedang.

Today, we will visit the famouse Samye Monastery. Built in the 7th century, Samye Monastery is the first Buddhism monastery in Tibet. Different from the typical Tibetan monastery, the architecture style of Samye Monastery is combined with three different styles of Tibetan, Hans and Indian. Along the way to Samye Monastery, you can also enjoy a stunning view of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

Stay overnight at Tsedang.

Today, we will drive from Tsedang to Gyantse. On the way, we’ll drive over the Gangbala Pass (4790m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Naiqinkangsang. Besides, you can also appreciate Korola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang pray flag at Simila Mountain Pass.

Stay overnight in Gyantse.

After breakfast, we will first visit Perklor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can far view Gyangtse Fortress.

Then, we will drive for about one and half hours to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. After arriving at Shigatse,  we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Today, we’ll follow Yalong Valley back to Lhasa. Standing on the platform, you can view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally we’ll drop you off at hotel in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

The driver will take you to airport or train station.

Service end.