Lhasa Gyangtse Shigatse Tingri EBC Camp Tour

Day By Day Itinerary

Arrival at Lhasa either by train or flight and transferrd to your hotel in Lhasa. Free for rest of the day to acclimate to the Tibetan climate and altitude.

Meals: No

Today's sightseeing: The Potala Palace, The Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

- The Potala Palace: Potala Palace is perched on the 130m-high Marpo Ri ( Red Hill ) with 13 storeys and more than 1000roms in the middle of Beijing Road, the heart of Lhasa City. It was once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. The first recorded use of the site dates back to the 7th century AD when King Songtsen Gampo built a palace here. The present construction began during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama 1645. It takes at least 2-hour to visit those rooms, halls and chapels.

- The Jokhang Temple: The 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple is now the spiritual center of Tibet. From earliest dawn to last light, daily worshippers and once-in-a-lifetime pilgrims make the inner circumambulation (kora) of the Jokhang to earn religious merit. Some of them prostrate outside circuiting the temple. The Jokhang Temple is best visited in the early morning. It now houses the life-sized statue of the twelve year-old Sakyamuni brought by Songtsan Gampo's Chinese wife - Princess Wencheng.

- Barkhor Street: The Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa as well as the center of old Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts are assembled. Walking around the Jokhang Temple is said that it can bring prosperity and peace to one's whole life. The street is lined with huge numbers of shops selling various kinds of tourist stuff with Tibetan style - skybeads and much more.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today's Sightseeing: Norbulingka, Tibet Museum, The Carpet Factory, Sera Monastery

- Norbulingka: It is located in the western suburbs of Lhasa city. "Norbu" in Tibetan language means " treasure". "Lingka" means a park with beautiful trees and flowers. It once served as the summer palace for dalai lamas from 7th Dalai Lama who first built the palace. Then come out to visit the 14th Dalai Lama's palace through another gate. The 14th Dalai Lama went to India in 1959. People visit the rooms in the palace one by one. When he left Tibet in 1959, he was only 25 years old. From the picture hanging on the wall of the assembly room, he was once a handsome man.

- Tibet Museum: It is located to the south-east of Norbulingka. It is a Tibetan structure museum. It has three exhibition floors. It has abundant historical relics and treasures including prehistoric culture, united culture, culture and art, customs. They offer the audio guide service. You can use the audio to get a better understanding of the some important history and relics. It is a must for those who is interested in Tibetan history.

- Sera Monastery: Located 5km north of Lhasa, this monastery was the first Gelugpa monastery in Lhasa and has remained the main seat of this major Buddhist order ever since. About 600 monks are now in residence here. Debating takes place from 3:30pm to 5pm in a garden next to the assembly hall in the center of the monastery. There is a fine kora path around the monastery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today's Sightseeing: Yamdrok Lake, The Pelkor Chode (Palcho Monastery)

- Yamdrok Lake: Located about 100km southeast of Lhasa and 141km east of Gyantse, the dazzling Yamdrok-Tse Lake lies several hundreds meters below the old road between Lhasa and Gyantse. The lake is itself a amazingly sky-blue. On the way from Lhasa to Yamdrok-Tse Lake, passing the Kamba-la Pass (4794) people can have a clear view of the sapphire Yamdrok-Tse Lake. If in a fine weather, people can have a distant view of the massive Mt. Nojin Kangtsang far in its northwest.

- The Pelkor Chode: As the main monastery in Gyantse, it was first founded in 1418 by the second Prince of Gyantse. Later it became an important centre of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is most famous for its nine-level and 32-meter high Kumbum Chorten (Tibetan: One hundred thousand holy images), which has 77 chapels and 108 doors for worshipping over 10000 images of Buddha. Check in the Gyangtse Hotel booked by us.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Today's Sightseeing: Tashilunpo Monastery, New Palace of Panchen

- Tashilunpo Monastery: Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the 6 big monasteries of Gelugpa (or often called Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet. The temple lies at the foot of Drolmari (Tara's Mountain), Shigatse. First built the First Dailai Lama in 1447, the temple's structure was repaired and expanded a by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. There are now nearly 800 lamas.

- New Palace of Panchen: The New Palace of Panchen lies to south of the Tashilhupo Monastery. It is famous as the summer palace of the tenth Panchen Lama (1938-1989). It greatly mixes both traditional and modern architectural styles. Green plants cover the palace, making a natural and peaceful environment. Check in the hotel in Shigatse booked by us.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Today's Sightseeing: Sakya Monastery

- Sakya Monastery: The monastery lies in Sakya Country, 130 kilometers southwest of Shigatse. This monastery is a "must see " site for visitors to Tibet. Sakya, meaning "Grey Soil" in Tibetan since the soil surrounding it is gray; its walls were painted in red, white and grey strips, which represent Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani respectively. Sakya Monastery, famous as as the "Second Dunhuang", is the first Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism created by its initiator Khon Konchog Gyalpo in 1073 from which Sakyapa rose and once ruled Tibet.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to check in at the Tingri Hotel in Shegar.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today's sightseeing: Mt.Everest and Rongbuk Monastery

- Rongbuk Monastery: Located 100 km southeast of Shegar, Rongpbu Monastery is a monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Basum Township. It lies by the foot of the Rongbuk Glacier at 5,100 metres above sea level, the highest monastery in the world. It takes 5 hours on the bumpy and dusty roads from Shegar to Rongbuk Monastery. It only takes 2 hours hike to E.B.C from Rongphu.

- EBC Camp : There are two base camps on opposite sides of Mt. Everest - to the South in Nepal, and to the North in Tibet. At 5200 meters above sea level, the North Base Camp usually consist of long lines of tents with food, blankets, burners and light. Climbers would rest at base camp for several days for acclimatization to reduce the risks and severity of altitude sickness. From the Rongpuk Monastery you can take the horse carriage or trek 8Km to the first Camp of Everst. Return to Dingri. Check in at the Tingri Hotel in Shegar.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive back to Shigatse. You will spend the whole day on the way. Check in the hotel booked by us.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Drive back to Lhasa. You will spend the whole day on the way. Check in the hotel booked by us.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

After breakfast, free till transferred to Lhasa Airport or Lhasa Station for your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast

Price List for this tour (Price per person in US dollars)

Price inclusion: 1. All transfers and city transportation for your own use 2. Entrance fees and meals as mentioned 3. Private car or van with English speaking guide 4. Hotels with daily breakfast 5. Permission paper to Tibet. 6. The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group.

Price exclusion: 1. Tips to your tour guide and driver 2. Personal expenses. 3. Excess baggage charges. 4. Airfare or train tickets. 5. Any meals that are not mentioned.