Lhasa & Samye Monastery Tour

Duration:

5 Days

Price:

From USD840

Route:

Lhasa - Samye - Lhasa

Season:

Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tour Type:

Private Tour

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Overview

This 5 days private tour will take you to visit the best landmarks in Lhasa. You can explore amazing Tibetan architecture and historical palace - Potala, visit the most sacred and important temple - Jokhang, wander the bustling circular route around the Jokhang - Barkhor Street, witness the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery - Drepung, and observe the energetic debates of monks at Sera Monastery. Finally, you will visit the 1200-year-old Samye Monastery where Guru Rinpoche battled demons and introduced Buddhism to Tibet, being famous for its sacred mandala design, which is surrounded by barren mountains and dramatic sand dunes, fabulous!

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 - Samye - Lhasa, 260km, Approx 5hrs	Samye Monastery
5	Lhasa Departure	Send off to the airport/railway station

Daily Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)

Our 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

Day 2 Lhasa Sightseeing

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

The palace is a white and red complex — Potala Palace

The rooftop of Jokhang Temple — Jokhang Temple

Day 3 Lhasa Sightseeing

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

Unfolding huge Thangka — Drepung Monastery

It's regarded as the most beautiful monastery in Lhasa. — Sera Monastery

Day 4 Lhasa - Samye - Lhasa, 260km, Approx 5hrs

Today, we'll do a day's excursion to Samye Monastery from Lhasa along the famous Yarlung Tsang River. Have a glimpse of Yarlung Valley, which is considered the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The best shooting location for Samye Monastery is on the Haiburi Holy Mountain that is ahead of Samye Township. Or you also can choose to take pictures at a pagoda of the hillside if your energy is limited.

Stay overnight in Lhasa

Samye Monastery is built in an oval shape like a Mandala, which symbolizes the center of the universe. — Samye Monastery

Day 5 Lhasa Departure

Your tour ends today. Our guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Lhasa Airport/Railway Station for your next destination.

Tour Price and Service

From US$840 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.

Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Mary***

We arrive in Lhasa from Kathmandu on Oct. 9 and leave on Oct. 13. Do you have a tour we can join. How much and how about the documents. 2 of us have HK permit and 1 has US citizen

Answered by Cherry

In your inquiry, you mentioned three of you would like to do the 5 days Lhasa & Samye Monastery Tour which is a private tour. The 4 Days Lhasa City Essential Group Tour is a group tour. We can open a 4 Days Lhasa City Essential Group Tour with the departure date on Oct.9th for you.

From Nepal to Tibet, you are required to apply for China Group Visa at China embassy in Nepal with our assistance even if you have had China Visa already. 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 Vias there within 3 working days.

Asked by Rich***

October 16th

Answered by Penny

Hi Richard, I'm sorry but I’m afraid you cannot visit Tibet around the Oct 16^th as the foreign tourists are not allowed to travel in Tibet from the 18^th~28^th of Oct due to the 19th CPC National Congress which will be held from the 18^th of this month. So I wonder if you can postpone your travel date? Besides, it seems that you would like to do our 5 days Lhasa & Samye Monastery Tour, correct?

Asked by Step***

I would like to arrive on 8 Oct and leave on the 12th.

Answered by Claire

Dear Stephen,

Thanks for your inquiry! It's ok for your 5-day private tour according to your reference. But just for clarification, the private tour cost is a little bit high for a solo traveler. If you want to save your budget, I advise you can consider our similar group tour, the fixed 4-day group tour and add 1-day private tour.

Sincerely,

Claire.

Asked by Vict***

I plan to arrive in Tibet towards the end of August but can be flexible on dates. I am a female single traveler, is there a single person supplement for a room on my own or can you arrange for me to share with another female if so?
How much is the tour?
Many thanks

Answered by Penny

Dear Victoria, according to your situation, I suggest you may consider to join our 8 days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Mt. Everest Group Tour which will start on 21 Aug. The price is US$1020 with the 3-star hotels. Since you'll travel alone, yes, you need to pay the single supplement US$140. If we can find another female single traveler to share the room with you, you no need to pay that.

Asked by Jeon***

Hi, I'm considering travelling in Lhasa for about a week at the end of this July, with a 5 year old child. Do you have any group tour during the period? I can make it for early or mid August too. Thank you very much in advance.

Answered by Claire

Dear Jeongeum,

Thanks for sending us the inquiry about your Tibet Tour!

There are two 6-day Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Group Tours in this period you referenced. The one stars on 29th July, the other starts on 11th August. Would you like to join in any one of them? If you want to take the one in July, you can consider booking with us as soon as you can.

Thanks with best regards,

Claire