Holy Lakes and Beautiful Mountains

Tour operates: April until October
No of days: 16 Tour cost from: US 2220 Dollar
Tour Route: Chengdu/Lhasa/Basum Tso/Niyintre/Nang dzong/Namshan -Gyatsa/Chosum /Tsetang/Gyantse/Shigatse/Namtso/Tsur Po
Transport: Private busses, Jeeps
Tour starting point: Chengdu

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive in Chengdu
Today we arrive in Chengdu, the capital of province Sichuan, the hometown of Panda, transfer to hotel. Overnight at 3*Xinliang Hotel

Day 02 Air Chengdu – Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning transfer to airport, fly to Lhasa (CA4401 0740/0930), the Capital of Tibet. Upon arrival at the Gongga airport, take another 1.5-hour-drive to the city proper (3650 m). On the way you will enjoy the spectacular scenery, and the typical Tibetan villages as well as the Yak-skin-boat cruising on Yalung Tsangpo River. After lunch stay at the hotel for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water just and now. 3N at 3*Thangka Hotel or similar

Day 03 Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day 04 Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day 05 Lhasa - Basum Tso (B/L)
In the morning leave Lhasa for Basum Tso, the holy lake of Nyingpa Sect. On the way get across the Mi La pass (4865 m). In Tibetan Basum Tso means “Green Water”. Like a crescent inlaid in the deep valleys, the lake, with an area of about 400 hectares, is 12 km long with a width ranging between hundreds to thousands of meters, the deepest depth being 60 meters. The surrounding snow mountains and wildwood are reflected in its clear water. Yellow ducks, Sand-Gulls, white cranes as well as fishes swarm on-and-beneath the water surface. We boat around the Zhashi Island and then disembark to visit the Tsodzong monastery built in the later part of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). 1N at simple Guesthouse

Day 06 Basum Tso - Nyingtri (B/L)
Drive to Nyingtri. Upon arrival, visit the Lamalin of Nyingma Sect, which the biggest and most important Buddhist temple in the Nyingtri area. Surrounded by mountains in three directions and facing the delta at the mouth of the Niyang River, the monastery is built on the third flights of relief by the left bank of the lower reaches of the river. The whole temple is made of wood and stone. The flying eaves and painted timber columns in the resplendent and magnificent monastery have shown the perfect fusion of different art styles between Tibetan and Han on construction. 2N at 3*Nyingtri Shangbala Hotel

Day 07 Nyingtri (B/L)
We drive 75 km eastwards to the Lulang forest. On the Serkhyem La Pass (4,515 m) we will have spectacular views of Mount Gyala Pelri (7,150 m) and Mount Namchak Barwa (7,782 m), if the weather is good.

Day 08 Nyingtri - Nang Dzong (B/L)
Drive via Milin to Nang Dzong. On the way visit the old 108 tombs in Lieshan. 1N at 2*Langquan Hotel

Day 09 Namshan – Gyatsa – Chosum - Tsetang (B/L)
On the way we visit the relic site of the Mansion of Lhagyari situated in Chusum County. It was originally built in 13th century and symbolizes the local ruling privilege of the descends of the Tuobo Kingdom through the Sakya and Phagdru regimes. In the late afternoon we reach Tsetang (3500 m) the “Playground of Monkeys” in legend. 2N at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel

Day 10 Tsetang (B/L)
In the morning drive 40km westwards to visit Samye. Located in the north of Yarlung Tsangpo River and hold in the arms of mountains, it is the oldest monastery of Tibet (8th century). The stele hanging on the entrance to the main temple shows that king Trisong Detsen took Buddhism as the state religion in 779. The monastery complex consists of several buildings, whose arrangement reflects the Buddhist conception of the structure of the universe. Meru, the world mountain in the center of the universe, is represented in the building of great hall, around which are 4 halls representing the 4 continents swimming in the world sea. In the afternoon we make a trip in the Yarlung valley to visit the Yumbulakhang, a castle built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the time of the first Tibetan kings. It is far viewed that the castle is high on the rock hills and looks brightly white. The original fortress is now converted into a chapel; in the ground floor there is a shrine in honor of the early kings. The steps up are steep but it is worthy because on the top of the hill you can far view the valley and the surrounding mountain.

Day 11 Tsetang - Gyantse (B/L)
In the morning drive to Gyantse. On the Kamba La (4796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. On one of the peninsulas of the spear-shaped lake lies the holy Mt. Donang Sangwari (5340 m), and the snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7191 m) and Jangzang Lhomo rise in the distance. The lake and the Yarlung Tsangpo are separated by a mountain and the shortest distance between them is only 6 kilometers. The 800m-high difference contributes a rich water resource to this region. Many Tibetans believe that the life of Tibet will no longer continue when the lake dries up. Visit Samding Monastery by the lake. It was presided by the only female Living Buddha of Tibet. Afterwards Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). In the afternoon visit Pelkor Monastery as well as the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby, both of them built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse. This typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. 1N at 3*Gyantse Hotel

Day 12 Gyantse - Shigatse (B/L/D)
In the morning drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. On the way we have an excursion of the monastery Shalu (Xialu). It was initially built by Chetsuen Sherat Jungna in 1087 with a unique Tibetan-Han construction style in Tibet. It was said Atisha once spread Buddhist teaching in this temple. In the afternoon visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447 and one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet. The monastery houses a giant statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the biggest gilded statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) in China, and a tomb of the 4th Panchen Lama containing masses of jewels and gold. In Tibet Buddhism, Panchen Lama is just the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Today 600 monks live in the monastery. 1N at 3*Manasarovor

Day13 Shigatse - Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning drive back to Lhasa (3650 m; approx. 290 km). 1N at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel or similar

Day14 Lhasa - Nam Tso (B/L)
Drive northward through the vast Qiangtang Grassland to Nam Tso Lake. On the way cross over the grand Nyenchentangla Range and conquer Kyogche La Pass (4900 m) up to Damxung, a small but important station on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway which starts from Golmud of Qinghai province and ends in Lhasa. Have lunch at Damxung and then drive another 60 kilometers to Nam Tso Lake. Meaning “Heaven Lake” in Tibetan, it is one of the three holy lakes of Tibet and the highest lake in the world with an elevation 4,718 meters above sea level. With a length of 70 kilometers from west to east and a width of 30 kilometers from north to south, it covers an area of 1,920 square kilometers. Nam Tso is acclaimed to be the largest lake in Tibet and the second largest salty lake in China. Plains, grasslands, swamplands and sand beach are spread abroad by the lake. The blue water is deep and transparent with a low degree of mineralization. The lake is frozen in winter and breaks up in May the next year. The lake plains with overgrowing grass provide an ideal place for the wild animals such as wild ass, yellow goat, black bear, fox and rabbit. Nam co is a famous Holy land. The Tsashi Monastery on the Tsashi peninsula, which stretches into the lake, is still wreathed by incense and the sound of dawn bell and dusk drum. In the Sheep Year of Tibetan calendar, thousands of pilgrims undergo the hardships to pay their homage to the holy lake. 1N at simple guesthouse

Day15 Nam Tso – Tsurpu - Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning leave Nam Tso for Tsurpu Monastery along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and then the rugged countryside road. Since 1992 the master monastery of the Karma Kagyu Sect had been presided by Urgyen Thinley Dorje the 17th Karmapa. Tsurpu was established in 1189 by Duesum Khyenpa, a pupil of Gampopa and the first Karmapa. He introduced the principle of reincarnation into Tibet. He told his disciples that he would reincarnate and pointed out the location of the second Karmapas reborn. In contrast to Yellow Caps, (Gelug) the Karmapa Kagye are called as the Black Hat and the Karmapas the holder of this sect. The monastery was restored in 1984. In the individual temples are statues of the different Karmapas. The 16th Karmapa Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) had traveled to Europe and America for spreading of Tibetan Buddhism in west after he left for Sikkim in 1958. After the visit drive back to Lhasa. 1N at 3*Dhood Gu Hotel or similar

Day16 See off (B)
Transferred to the airport in the morning and take the departure flight. End of the amazing tour.

(Note) Pre and post tours arrangements can be organized according to your wishes. Tour costs and Tibet entry permits are subject to change. The final cost will be calculated upon confirmation the tour.

Guarantee departures: Daily
Minimum 2 people.

Tour cost

No of Pax.	2-5	6-9	10-15
Price in Dollar per person	$ 2071	$ 2395	$ 2220-

COST INCLUDES

• All domestic transportation and transfers one way flight Chengdu Lhasa
• Twin sharing accommodation at hotel with en-suite private facilities
• Meals full board (B breakfast-L Lunch-D-Dinner)
• Fully escorted by our English-speaking local Tibetan guide
• Tibet permit fees

COST EXCLUDES

• Chinese visa Fees.
• Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service-etc Back packs
• Personal insurance
• Optional activities
• Meals not mention above
• Personal expanses
• Single supplements
• Tips for Guides, and drivers