The Soul of Tibet

Tour operates: March until November
No of days: 08 Tour cost from: US 1025 Dollar
Tour Route: Chengdu/Lhasa/Tsetang/Gyantse/Shigatse.
Transport: Private busses, Jeeps
Tour starting point: Chengdu

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive in Chengdu
Today we arrive in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, the hometown to giant panda. Transfer to hotel. 1N at 3*Shudu Mansion Hotel or similar

Day 02 Air Chengdu – Lhasa, drive to Tsetang (B/L)
Upon arrival at the Gongga airport transfer to hotel in Tsetang (90 km). Located in the southeast of Lhasa, Tsetang is 3,500 meters high. It was said the legendary ancestors of Tibetans, a monkey (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in the shape of a monkey) and his wife a Dakhini once lived on the Gongpori mountain in the east of the city. And so the city of Tsetang is regarded as the “Playground of Monkeys” and the Tibetans as the descended of the Monkey. In terms of geography, the fertile valleys of Yarlung and Chongye here are appropriate for development of Tibetan civilization; there were once numerous temples, shrines and Stupas in this area. Besides, Chonggye is the birthplace of the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682). 2N at 3*Yulong Holiday Hotel or similar

Day 03 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 04 Tsetang – Gyantse - Shigatse (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. 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. Then drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. 1N at 3*Manasarovar Hotel or similar

Day 05 Shigatse – Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning 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. In the afternoon drive to Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet. 3N at 3*Thangka Hotel or similar

Day 06 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 07 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 08 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	$ 1640	$ 1150	$ 1025

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