Lhasa Explore Tour-5 days

Trip Introduction

This tour enhances to explore the center of Tibet including Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Park, Gandan Monastery, Drayerpa Cave and cultural downtown in Lhasa. The shortest possible tour of Lhasa, Lhasa Explore Tour, is a very popular tour amongst international travelers as it offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of Tibet. This holiday trip is in operation only in between June and November because flights to Lhasa are not available throughout the year.

A marvelous Trans-Himalayan flight to Lhasa (3,650m/11,972ft) kicks of this mystical journey followed by a days rest to get acclimatized to higher altitudes. It is hard to imagine a thriving city at such an altitude, functioning as the religious, cultural and economic hub of Tibet. Places of interest include the Potala Palace (one time seat of power of the Dalai Lamas) towering over Lhasa with its 13 stories and 1000 rooms. The strolling within Lhasa further includes the monasteries of Drepung and Sera, Norbulingka Palace (the summer abode of the Dalais), the Jokhang, the holiest shrine in Tibet and the circular Barkhor Bazaar with innumerable shops and wayside peddlers intermingling with devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang shrine.

Important Note and Optional Activities
Your safety is of paramount concern whilst traveling with Himalayan Glacier. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, as this is adventure travel in remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (3,650m/11,972ft)
If you are flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa you will have 1 hour 10 minutes, Trans Himalayan Flight to Lhasa, considered one of the most beautiful flights in the world takes us over Everest (8848m) and Kanchenjunga (8536m). Those who wish to join in Lhasa, can arrive Lhasa on the date mentioned. We will be meeting at Gonggar Airport by our Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities take a 1.5-hour drive along 93 km road leading to Lhasa lying at an altitude of 3,650m/11,972ft meters. It's advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Foremost, our tour begins with a visit to SERA MONASTERY. An experienced tour guide also working as an interpreter escorts we to this preserved monastery of white-washed walls and golden roofs. Equally adventurous and exciting tempo builds up while touring NORBULINGKA, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. JOKHANG TEMPLE is another important sacred site which unravels more deep seated mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to BARKHOR MARKETS can be quite a change from other visits as we roam around the city savoring every tiny detail from stall hawkers coaxing their clients to purchase their goods to exhibition of Tibetan culture, custom and tradition. Eventually, the tour for the day concludes as you return to the comforts of your hotel.

Day 03: Sightseeing in Lhasa
Like the previous day, you experience invaluable insights during your visits to POTALA PALACE and DREPUNG MONASTERY. This 17th century POTALA PALACE offers an awesome view of entire city and also has private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Ancient history has it that Drepung Monastery which was built in 14th century used to shelter around 10,000 monks but as now there has been quite a declination resulting in only few hundreds. Tibetans' respect and belief are immensely knotted with this monastery.

Day 04: Gandan Monastery & Drayerpa Cave
Drive to Gandan Monastery, 60 Kms, excursion arond Temple. Gandan Monastery has extremely delicate and fine murals and sculptures. It also keeps an armor decorated with gems, which was worn by Emperor Qianlong and was bestowed to the monastery as an offering to Tsong Khapa. Afternoon drive to Drayerpa Cave, visit local Lama in caves.Drayer Pa cave is 35 Kms far from Lahsa city, there are more than 30 caves for silence thinker lama for religius, we need 1.5 hours to visit some of them, and we need give little money for their wild cave life,,,it lies in valley, beautiful view around and evening back to Lhasa for overnight.

Day 05: Final departure from Lhasa or extend your tour
From today you are free; so make your own itinerary or contact us to extend your trip. You are responsible for making all the necessary arrangements and return journey to Nepal or towards to mainland China. However, if you would like to fly out from Lhasa to Kathmandu or any other city of mainland China, we can manage the air or Train ticket in advance and transportation to airport or train station

What's Included

Hotel, arrival/departure transfer
All necessary Tibet travel permits
Getting Chinese visa and Tibet Travel permit
Entire Lhasa tour by non AC private vehicle
Accommodation in Lhasa on twin sharing basis with breakfast
English speaking Tibetan guide
All fees for sightseeing and Monasteries as outlined in the itinerary
All applicable taxes and service charges

What's Not Include

Accommodation in Kathmandu/Mainland china
Chinese visa fee {US$ 175 for the US nationals and US$ 85 for other nationals (visa fee is subject to change without prior notice)}
International flights to Kathmandu, Lhasa and out of Lhasa
Travel insurance
Meals other than breakfast in Tibet
Tips for guides and driver
Nepal visa

Accommodations

All accommodation lodgings have been chosen for their standard of hygiene, standard of service, location and food quality. All accommodations are based on twin share. During our tour Himalayan Glacier employs Kyichu Hotel or similar hotel in Lhasa. Single supplement will be served on request but it cost US$160.

Meals

Breakfast is included in the package. This will be a dish of Tibetan or continental origin cooked by the lodgings we stay at. Lunch, dinner and any extra food are up to us. As a rough guide, we need to budget Yuan 60 to Yuan 100 (US$10 to US$16) per day for Lunch, dinner or any extra snacks.

Visa and Travel Procedures

Traveling to Tibet is a dream of many. Since, Himalayan Glacier would like to assist in making our Tibet tour an adventure of a lifetime. Therefore, presented below is a list of rules and Tibet entry procedures we should know about before traveling to Tibet Read More

Equipments & Packing List

While packing for Lhasa Explore Tour certain equipments are essential. Please Click here for this trip's comprehensive checklist.

Acclimatization

We are traveling on highest plateau in the world and so Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is something we should be aware of. This potentially fatal medical condition is caused by gaining altitude too fast. The higher we get in, the leser oxygen will be in the air. If the body is not given time to adjust, it can cause serious problems - even death. At this juncture our body needs sufficient time to adapt. So, Himalayan Glacier highly recommends to allow sufficient time to acclimatize before beginning this journey. AMS is a very unpredictable condition, but all of Himalayan Glacier's guides are very experienced with the symptoms and treatment of AMS. Himalayan Glacier does strongly advise visitors with known heart, lungs or blood diseases to consult doctor before traveling.

Best Season

Visitors who are joining this tour from Kathmandu, can depart every Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday (according to flight schedule). Visitor can departure for this tour everyday for the people who are joining in Lhasa. Generally, Himalayan Glacier recommends autumn (August, Sept and Oct), spring (March and April) and summer (May, June and July) as the best seasons for this wonderful tour. The group size does not matter for this trip. The trip can be arranged even for individuals, smaller groups and large size groups. It is better to consult with Himalayan Glacier.

Trip Start Dates & Price

Additional Information

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us.

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View Start Dates & Prices

Trip Facts

Price From

$ 790 USD

Trip Code

HGTCN-065

Activities: Cultural Tours & Sightseeing
Trip Duration:5 Days
Altitude:Max: 3,650m/11,972ft
Accommodation: We will be served 4 nights at hotel in Lhasa.
Meals:Breakfasts are included during the whole tour.
Transportation: private Car or land crusher or van or mini bus will be at our service.
Group Size: minimum 2 people