Ganden Thangka Unveiling Festival Tour

When you arrive in Lhasa, our staff will pick you up at Lhasa Airport/ Railway Station and transfer you to the hotel. From the airport, it takes about 1 hour. From the train station, it only takes 20 minutes. Afterward, it's better to relax and take it easy on the first day to get acclimatized to high altitude and alleviate the jet lag. You might go to the local market and wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today, you will explore the Potala Palace, which is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The most valuable collections here are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. It's best to explore the inside of the Potala in the morning for 2-3 hours. Afterward, you may walk the pilgrimage route around the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Jokhang Temple, which is well known as the center of Tibetan Buddhism and features Buddhist prayer wheels, reclining deer, and golden sutra streamers, etc. Also, you can see a lot of pilgrims praying in front of the temple and doing kora. After visiting the Jokhang Temple, you will stroll in the old alleys of Barkhor Street, where you can drink sweet tea, chat with locals and even bargain with the street vendors to understand the real life in Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

You'll spend a day exploring two of three ‘Great Three’ Gelug monasteries - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

In the morning, you will head to the Drepung Monastery, which is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. It was the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the great fifth Dalai Lama constructed the Potala Palace. It was known for the high standards of its academic study and was called the Nalanda of Tibet. And then you also can visit the biggest monastery kitchen in the monastery and enjoy a Buddhist sculpture carving workshop near Drepung.

After lunch, drive to the Sera Monastery, which is renowned as the most beautiful Tibetan Monastery. It is famous for the Buddhis debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. You can also appreciate three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Paintings of Buddha in the monastery.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Today you will head to Ganden Monastery, about 60km northeast of Lhasa. It is well known as being one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa monasteries of Tibet, founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409. Here, you will visit the greatest Tibetan master Tsonga's tomb and chapels of Ganden monastery. If the physical condition is fine, you have a chance to trek with a guide around the Gaden along with the amazing view of Lhasa valley.

At noon, you will have lunch in the monastery restaurant with good food and friendly service. Then, you will head to visit the beautiful Tibetan farmer's village nearby. During Ganden Thangka Festival, Monks in colorful robes and headwear walked out with the 25 holiest relics, which are normally locked away.

Stay overnight in Lhasa