Lhasa Yarlung Valley Shigatse Tour
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Price:
- From USD1306
- Route:
- Lhasa - Tsetang - Shigatse - Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
Lhasa Tsedang Shigatse loop tour is an 8-day Tibetan cultural exploration that really lets you understand the history, culture, traditions, and religion of Tibet. In Lhasa, you will visit the Potala Palace - the iconic spot of Tibet, Drak Yerpa - the most famous meditation retreat as well as other scenic spots. Then you will travel to the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, regarded as "the cradle of Tibetan civilization", which is home to Tibet's first palace, monastery and farmland. Then you will reach Shigatse via Gyantse, along the way you will admire the holy lake Yamdroktso, Gyantse Kumbum, fertile Gyantse pastoral, etc. Finally you will get to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama and the center of Tibetan Buddhist Selug School. Are you ready to read the most splendid chapters of Tibetan history and culture?
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Lhasa (3,650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 2 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 3 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drak Yerpa, Sera Monastery |
| 4 | Lhasa – Tsetang, 150km, Approx. 2hrs | Trandruk Monastery, Yumbulakang Palace |
| 5 | Tsetang - Gyantse, 300km, Approx. 6hrs | Samye Monastery, Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier |
| 6 | Gyantse - Shigatse, 96km, Approx. 2hrs | Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum, Gyantse Dzong, Shalu Monastery |
| 7 | Shigatse - Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 5hrs | Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yungdrungling Monastery, Tibetan Incense Workshop |
| 8 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapseThis is the first day in Tibet. Your guide will greet you at Lhasa Gonggar Airport/Railway Station and transfer you to your hotel. It usually takes around 1 hour to drive from Lhasa Airport to downtown Lhasa and takes about 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station. Tourists could have a look at the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the largest and longest river in Tibet on their way to the hotel. After check-in, you can have a good rest first. And if you feel like going out, you can wander around the city. But just remember that don't take too much stuff, try to go with a light pack. Meanwhile, drink some more water, and do not move strenuously. It’s really useful to get acclimatized to the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
After resting one night, today you will recover sufficiently to launch your Lhasa city tour, with close contact with Lhasa, which is the political, economic, cultural, communication and tourism center of Tibet with a history of over 1,300 years.
At first, you will go to the Potala Palace, which is the symbolic place of Lhasa and also the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It was built by the 33rd great king of Tibet - Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century. The gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king are the most worth seeing in Potala Palace.
After lunch, you are going to Jokhang Temple, which was founded at the same time and by the same king as Potala Palace. From the outside, you can see many pilgrims prostrating in front of the temple. The most precious treasure of this temple is the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of 12.
Barkhor Street is the next destination that women love a lot. Because it’s a famous busy walking street where they can go shopping. There are many distinctive shops and stalls that sell different Tibetan stuff, like handicrafts, Thangka, and so on. Except for shopping, tourists can also join the Kora with pilgrims and locals, to explore Tibetan religious culture more deeply.
Optional:
You can go to visit the Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center if time is enough. You can also watch the Tibetan Culture Show in the evening for USD60 per person at your own expense.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
In the morning, you are heading to Drak Yerpa, the most famous meditation retreat near Lhasa. It's a monastery embedded in the cliff wall. Drak Yerpa is described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa. The site had strong spiritual power, having been visited by almost all great Tibetan masters. You can feel the power of the meditation caves here.
In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to Sera Monastery, which is one of the "great three" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. Monks debate from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the debate is not your type, you can also enjoy the three sand Mandalas and colorful rock paintings of Buddha. The sight here is splendid because you can see wild roses around. That's why people also call it "the Court of Wild Rose."
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Today you will leave Lhasa and head to Tsedang, at an altitude of 3,560m.
Trandruk Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibetan history, was founded by Srongtsen Gampo and Wen Cheng princess. There is one priceless treasure in this monastery. It’s a Tangka that is made of pearls and gems, attracting Buddhists to worship.
Yumbulakang Palace, with a history of more than 2,100 years, is the first palace for the Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsanpo. The entire building is shaped like a castle, towering high on the top of the mountain.
Stay overnight in Tsetang
Today you will go to Gyantse (4,040m). En route, you will visit Samye Monastery, which is designed according to the mandala of Tantra. Samye Monastery is the first monastery in the history of Tibetan Buddhism with Triratna "Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha".
On the way, you can have a glimpse of Yamdroktso Lake. Standing at the lakeside, you can see its blue water shimmering with charming light, as well as the snow-capped holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191m) in the distance. And you will see the grand Karola Glacier on the roadside. After that, we will arrive at Gyantse soon.
Stay overnight in Gyantse
After breakfast, we shall visit Pelkor Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum and then see the Gyantse Fortress from a distance.
Gyantse Dzong, the hero city that witnesses the history of fierce fighting. It was 1904, British troops started to attack China here, and Tibetan people defended their homeland with simple weapons. The bloody war lasted for more than three months. This is also the basic story of the famous movie named "Red River Valley".
The last spot of the day is Shalu Monastery, the only monastery in Tibet that combines Tibetan and Chinese styles in its design.
Then we will start to go to Shigatse (3,840m). It normally takes one and a half hours to drive from Gyantse to Shigatse, where we may visit the traditional barley mill and have the unique sights of barley fields (in summer).
Stay overnight in Shigatse
In the morning, drive to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery which was founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo has been the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.
After that, we transfer to Yungdrungling Monastery. It is one of the few remaining Bon Monasteries in Tibet. Often referred to as the original religion of Tibet, Bon came about during the 11th century. The Monastery is rather small but in a wonderful setting with only a few monks to maintain the many valuable Bon writings. This is a great side trip when traveling between Lhasa and Shigatse.
Today's sightseeing will end on visiting the Tibetan Incense Workshop in Nyemo. There is still a natural way to make incense and this intact craftsmanship can be traced back to 1,300 years ago, which is listed as a state-level intangible cultural heritage. Walking along streams and bridges, there are many spots for visitors to experience its procedures.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$1306 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.
Traveler Info: Germany, 4Pax Our Tibetan guide Lobsang really made the experience for us. He did everything possible to make us comfortable during our tour. He was friendly and flexible showing us great locations for photos and answering all our crazy questions. He was also very knowledgeable. He kn ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Kenn***
Lhasa Yarlung Valley Shigaste Tour
Dear Kenn***,
For 8 days Lhasa Yarlung Valley Shigatse tour, it's a private tour. We can open one for you on 8 September.
Asked by NO***
Dear sir
I would like to visit Tibet so please how can you help me what the procedures I am Saudi Nationality
Thank you
Dear Noha, We can arrange this tour for you. May I know when you are visiting? Usually May to October is good to visit Tibet, as the weather is moderate and the air is not as dry as in the other months. Also, are you considering visiting Everest Base Camp? As you will reach Shigatse, which is the last stop to the Everest Base Camp. If you have any further questions or doubts, please let me know without hesitation.
Asked by José***
Lhasa Yarlung Valley Shigatse Tour
Asked by LIBA***
Hi,
We would be interested by the M06 tour from the Sat 14th of Oct to the Sat 21st of Oct. Is it possible during this period ?
What would be the total cost / person for this tour ? I understood that this cost is including the daily accomodation, the daily breakfast, the cost for the car + driver, the cost for the guide and the cost for the Tibet tourism permit. Am I right ?
For the time being, we didn't book yet any flight ticket and we didn't start the process for getting the Chinese visa, waiting for more visibility from your side regarding the details for this trip (total cost, approval of the period and lead time for getting all the documents).
Thank you for your reply.
Best Regards
Frederic LIBAUD
Dear Libaud,
Yes, it’s definitely possible to take our 8 Days Lhasa Yarlung Valley Shigatse Tour on 14th Oct as it’s a private tour and quite flexible, so you could start it based on your schedule.
I will send you the quotation of it with detailed service inclusions and exclusions shortly by email.