Lhasa & Drigung Til Monastery & Tidrum Nunnery Tour
- Duration:
- 6 Days
- Price:
- From USD982
- Route:
- Lhasa-Tidrum-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
This journey not only takes you to major tourist attractions in Lhasa such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, etc., to experience Tibetan culture and life up close but also shows you the top three monasteries of Gelugpa around Lhasa to explore Tibetan Buddhism, Tidrum Nunnery to enjoy the magical healing hot springs and Drigung Til Temple to witness the most famous sky burial site in the world. Drigung Til Monastery is the head monastery of the Drigungpa School of the Kagyupa order. It's built on a high and steep ridge, overlooking the Zhorong-chu Valley. The 180-degree views from the main courtyard are impressive and a serene stillness pervades the site.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
| 4 | Lhasa - Ganden - Tidrum, 170km, Approx 5hrs | Ganden Monastery, Tidrum Nunnery |
| 5 | Tidrum - Drigung Til – Lhasa, 150km, Approx 3hrs | Drigung Til Monastery |
| 6 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseOur staff will greet you at Lhasa Airport / Railway Station to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa, it usually takes about 1 hour; from Lhasa Railway Station, about 20 minutes. After you get to the hotel, for the rest of the day you will be free to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not take a shower if you can help it.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Today your Lhasa tour starts with the world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of the Lhasa old town. Jokhang temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After you visit the temple, you'll have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa since the early days. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
You are visiting the Drepung Monastery this morning. Drepung means "piles of rice" in Tibetan, which symbolizes prosperity. It was the world's largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Also, It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.
After lunch, you are going to the Sera Monastery, which is renowned as the most beautiful Tibetan Monastery. To witness the debate sessions of Sera Monastery is something you cannot miss. The topic of debate involves all aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. As a part of their study, lamas should participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of study.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Drive about 50km northeast of Lhasa to Ganden Monastery in the morning. It is one of the three principles Gelugpa monasteries in the Lhasa district. Ganden is listed as one of Tibet’s cultural relics, under the special protection of the State.
After sightseeing, continue further northeast to Tidrum Nunnery via Medro Gongkar in the afternoon. Tidrum Nunnery with its medicinal hot springs has a great location in a narrow gorge at the confluence of two streams. The delightful hot springs (free of charge) are surrounded by wooden canopies. It is said to be rich in minerals, including sulfur, coal, and limestone; a mixture of properties that locals say can cure everything from rheumatism to paralysis.
Stay overnight in Tidrum
About a half-hour drive from Tidrum takes you to Drigung Til Monastery overlooking the Zhorong-chu Valley. Please, be fully aware that the formidable and mysterious sky burial site nearby, is not allowed for visit or photograph due to religious reasons. Please respect the custom of local Tibetans. 2~3 hours later, we’ll drive back to Lhasa.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$982 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the hotel or domestic flight reservation copies for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payment. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Care***
Hi, i would like to travel to Lhasa within the period of 14 Apr - 19 Apr.
Can you quote me what is the total cost ?
In your inquiry, you mentioned you'd like to have 6 Days Lhasa & Drigung Til Monastery & Tidrum Nunnery Tour which is a private tour. As a traveler less than 5 we often suggest they join our small group tour to keep the cost down.
we don't have a fixed group tour with the departure date on April 14th. And we can't open a new group tour for you as there are only 33 days before the departure date.
Here are two recommended options for you.
Option 1:
You can join our fixed 4-day Lhasa City Essential Group Tour with the departure date on April 11th.
Option 2:
There are two clients who would like to have the Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour with the departure date on April 14th. You can join this group whose schedule could match yours. But they haven't confirmed yet.
Asked by Mark***
I will be visiting Kathmandu arriving on May 26. I would like to do a 6 day tour of Tibet staring the 27th. Is this something you can help me with? Thanks.
If you enter Tibet from Kathmandu, you are required to apply for China Group Visa at China embassy in Nepal with our assistance( You don’t have to apply for a Chinese visa in your home country). After you book your Tibet tour with us, we will send an official invitation letter for you to our partner in Kathmandu. After your arrival in Kathmandu, our Nepali partner will meet you for your original passport. With invitation letter, your original passport and one photo(passport photo size with white background), our Nepali partner could help you get your China Group Visa there in 3 working days. If you arrive in Kathmandu on May 26th, we can get your China group visa on May 29th. So how about having our 6 days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tour on May 30th? It’s a group tour, which you can keep cost down.
Asked by Mari***
Hello I am interested in a taylor made tour in which I can visit: Lhasa Tour, Potala Palace, Monasteries ( Gandan Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Sera
Monastery) Jokhang Temple, Lake Namtso, Tsongkhapa's meditation caves, Barkhor street,
Optional: Yamdrok Lake and Samding Monastery,Tashilhunpo Monastery
I have already the Chinese visa to obtain my Tibet permit. I already have a hotel reservation from April 5 to April 11th
Please let me know if you can also help me booking some trains to and from Lhasa:
Train Chengdu to Lhasa, on evening of April 3rd
Train Lhasa to Xi'an , on April 11th
All your suggestions are appreciated
Best,
MFA
Here is the itinerary of 7 Days Tibet Tour.
Asked by Mari***
Hello,
I will be in Chengdu for work by the end of March 2019 and would love to make this Lhasa Tour while in China.
Please let me know the cost, availability, and requirements.
Email works best for me.
Thanks,
Maria Alvarez
In your inquiry, you mentioned you would like to have 6 Days Lhasa & Drigung Til Monastery & Tidrum Nunnery Tour which is a private tour.
Asked by Ram ***
visit renowned places of Lhasa Tibet, 6 days, hotel facilities should be at least 3 star hotel
In your inquiry, you mentioned four of you would like to do the 6 Days Lhasa & Drigung Til Monastery & Tidrum Nunnery Tour.
May I know when would you like to do this tour?
Here is the itinerary of 6 Days Lhasa & Drigung Til Monastery & Tidrum Nunnery Tour.
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