TIBET WINTER SPECIAL TOUR

(12 days)

This tour has been designed to give you a full insight into the culture of Tibet and its amazing
landscapes. The most incredible sights of Tibet are included in this well-organized program
which allow you to not only cross rapidly the Tibetan plateau but to immerge yourself completly
in the mystery of this Asian High Land.

We have included a special departure date in February 2008 to discover and experience the
Tibetan New Year while in Lhasa.

> TRIP FACTS

Trip length: 12 Days
Grade: Cultural tour
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Lhasa
Accommodation: Hotel
Maximum altitude: 5250m

 
> HIGHLIGHTS
* A 12 day excursion to all the legacies of Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Namtso Lake, Tsedang,
Yarlung, Samye and Drak Yerpa Caves..
* English speaking Local Tibetan Guide
* Comfortable transportation / hotels with Tibetan character wherever possible
* complete hassle free Chinese (Tibetan) travel documentation
 
> OUTLINE ITINERARY
OPTION #1:
Day 01  - Arrive Lhasa (3660m) & drive to Tsedang (3550m) - 183km
Day 02  - In Tsedang - Yarlung Valley & Samye monastery
Day 03  - Tsedang - Lhasa via Mindroling - 200km
Day 04  - Lhasa Sightseeing
Day 05  - Lhasa Sightseeing
Day 06  - Day excursion to Namtso Lake
Day 07  - Day tour to Ganden and Tsurpu
Day 08  - Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Day 09  - Drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m) 90 km
Day 10  - Drive Shigatse – Lhasa (280 km)
Day 11  - Day excursion to Drak Yerpa Caves
Day 12  - Depart Lhasa
 
> DATES
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> PRICE
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> DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Lhasa (3660m) & drive to Tsedang (3550m)- 183 km

You will be met at Gongkar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a
1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3650 meters. A 2-hour
drive from Lhasa passing through barley and wheat fields brings you to the third largest city in
Tibet, Tsedang. En route Tsedang you stop at Nyethang , a temple built in 10th century by Atisa,
an Indian Buddhist. The temple contains interesting artifacts and hold significant importance in
Tibetan Buddhism

Day 2: In Tsedang –Yarlung Valley and Samye Monastery

Today you visit Yarlung Valley .According to ancient Tibetan history, Tibetan civilization
originated from Yarlung valley. Over there you can spot massive burial mounds of Tibetan
Kings. Today’s sights also include Tandruk monastery, a 7th century monastery, which holds a
fantastic carved wooden altar, interesting relics and murals.

Yambulakang, the castle perched dramatically on a pinnacle above the valley, is the oldest
known dwelling in Tibet, reputedly the home of the Yarlung Kings. The view from the castle is
awesome.

The tour continues to the west of Tsedang, along the Tsangpo river on a boat to Samye
Monastery. Samye Monastery, founded in 779 AD, is in a green valley among barren mountains
surrounded by a village. Samye Monastery is one of the most imposing sights of Tibet. Built
between 763 and 75 AD and modeled on the University of Otantapuri in India, it was planned as
a representation of the universe.

Day 3: Tsedang-Lhasa via Mindroling

Traveling from Tsedang to Lhasa you stop at Mindroling, a 10th century monastery, rebuilt in
1676 and highly reputed for its contribution towards astronomy, astrology, medicine and
calligraphy. The murals on the wall have special significance and show the typical Tantric arts.
Another distinctive feature of Mindroling monastery is the fact that the monks who reside there
can have wives and children.  

Day 4: Lhasa Sightseeing

Today you will be taken for a sightseeing tour to Lhasa. On your awe-inspiring visit to Sera
monastery, you are introduced to the important aspects of Buddhism. After lunch, you pay a visit
to Norbulinka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang temple provides yet another
exciting and educative tour. Wandering around Barkhor market is another major highlight of the
day.

Day 5: Lhasa Sightseeing

In the morning, after breakfast, you will set off to view the majestic Potala Palace, which towers
above the city of Lhasa. You get to see an overwhelming array of intricate Tibetan murals,
temples, stupas, and the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. After lunch, you will be taken on a visit
to beautifully landscaped Drepung monastery. At the monastery you can observe nuns and
monks chanting and performing religious discourses.

Day 6: Day excursion to Namtso Lake

Today you will be taken on an excursion to one of the most beautiful places in Tibet, the Namtso
Lake.  In Tibetan, Namtso means 'Heavenly Lake.' It is one among the three holy lakes in Tibet.
Namtso lake is at an altitude of 4720 m. It covers a vast area of about 757 square miles. The
crystal-clear water of this lake and the scenic beauty of its surrounding are sure to leave you
spellbound.

Day 7: Day tour to Ganden and Tsurpu

Today you will be taken to two very famous monasteries, Ganden and Tsurpu. Ganden
monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelupka (Yellow Hat) sect.
This monastery is the first Gelug monastery in Tibet. It lays 57 km east of Lhasa .

Besides its typical Tibetan style, it is three times as large as Potala Palace. The Tsurpu monastery
situated at an altitude of 4300m has a history of 800years. Located high in the tributary of the
Tolung Valley, the huge temples and chanting halls of Tsurphu monastery has been rebuilt from
the rubble of the Cultural Revolution.

 Day 8: Gyantse (3950m) 261 km

After passing through beautiful valleys and colorful Tibetan villages you arrive in the town of
Gyantse. In Gyantse you will visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a
fort dating from the 14th century. From there you can enjoy the spectacular views of Gyantse
and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley.

The Kumbum is a large gold-domed Stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array
of Tibetan Buddhist murals. En route you will be escorted to visit Shalu Monastery founded in
11th century and noted for its 14th century murals which fuse Chinese, Mongol and Nepalese
style.

Day 9 Drive Gyantse - Shigatse (3900m) 90 km

After exploring Gyantse, you will take a 90 km drive to Shigatse. Having driven to an average
altitude of 3900 m, you find yourself at Shigatse, second largest city of Tibet. Tashilhunpo
monastery being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is a major attraction of
Shigatse.  

Day 10: Drive Shigatse to Lhasa (280km)

After hearty breakfast at hotel you will be guided to explore the local market and the
Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet
and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. After detailed visit of Shigatse
you will drive via shorter road to Lhasa.

Day 11: Day excursion to Drak Yerpa caves

 The Drak Yerpa caves are about an hour’s drive to the northeast of Lhasa. Songtsen Gampo
meditated here, as did Padma Sambhava and several of his disciples. The site is strongly
associated with Jowo Atisha and the early Kadampa masters.

Day 12 Depart Lhasa

You will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home.

For more information please go to our official website : www.explorehimalaya.com