Day01 Arrive in Tsetang
Upon arrival at the Gongga airport of Lhasa, 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). 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. Overnight at 3*Yulong Holiday Hotel Day02 Tsetang – Lhasa 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). Afterwards 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 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. Drive to Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day03 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. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day04 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. Afterwards visit Norbulinka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas. 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”. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day05 Lhasa B/L
In the morning drive to visit Ganden Monastery, which was built by Tsongkhaba in present-day Dagaze County to the east of Lhasa in 1409 soon after the Monlam Festival was over. Ganden is one of the three main monasteries of Gelug Sect. Anyhow, different from Drepung and Sera, it once played a more prominent political role in Tibetan history. The abbot of this monastery possess of a high religious position within the system of Gelug Sect, just inferior to Dalai and Panchan. The monastery was reconstructed in 1993 and restored its original appearance. The holy stupa of Tsongkhaba is just in the monastery. On the way visit the Dark Yerpa Monastery, where you’ll visit the famous ancient meditation caves in the spectacular limestone cliffs of the Yerpa Valley. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day06 Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse B/L
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 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. Pass by the 5.010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). 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. Drive about 90 kilometers to Shigatse (3880m), the second largest city with 40,000 inhabitants in Tibet and the traditional capital of the Tsang. Overnight at 3*Manasarovar Hotel Day07 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. In the afternoon drive back to Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel Day08 Lhasa - Tsurpu B/L/D
In the morning drive to Tsurpu Monastery. 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 regarded as the Black Hat and the Karmapas the holder of this sect. Visit Tsurpu Monastery and walking on the pilgrimage way around it. Camping
Day09 Trekking Tsurpu – Leten, about 3.5 hours B/L/D
The trekking starts. After about 2 hours trekking you reach the villiage Linka, after short rest continue to trek about 1.5 hours through a valley, the river gets wider and more quiet. Camping Day10 Trekking Leten – Partso, about 5 hours B/L/D
Trek through a long valley, cross over the 5300 m pass Lasar-la, countless prayer flags wave in the wind. Camping Day11 Trekking Partso – Dorje Ling, about 3,5 hours B/L/D
At first cross over a high pass, then trek in boundless pasture on the southern rand of northern Tibet until to the nunnery Dorje Ling. Camping Day12 Trekking Dorje Ling – Yangbajing Nunnery, about 3.5 hours, Drive Yangbajing – Lhasa B/L
Trek on the pasture to monastery Yangbajing (Yangpachen). Visit the Yangbajing Monastery, once the seat of Sharmapa Lama, a reincarnated Living Buddha of the Kargyu lineage and the holder of the Gilt Red Hat. Then drive to via Yangbajing to Lhasa. Yangbajing is rich in terrestrial heat and densely distributed with various fountains, geysers, hot springs, boiling springs as well as hot-water lakes. Late in the afternoon arrive in Lhasa. Overnight at 3*Thangka Hotel
Day13 Leave Tibet B
Transfer to the airport or the railway station, leave Tibet.
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Danoe is one of the best guides I ever had in the time I travelled around the world for his excellent guide, euthusiasm and passion to service delivery. He was beyond expection for caring about our health and interest. He has shown a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm.
