Here is the perfect solution for those whose time is limited but are still determined to make the trip of a lifetime. Extravagant Yak has tailored a four-day tour of Lhasa to include all the key cultural and historical highlights, complemented by authentic experiences of Tibetan life. Sip sweet tea with the local old-timers after visiting the Dalai Lama's former residence. Barter in the age-old Barkhor Bazaar after joining religious pilgrims from distant parts of Tibet on a visit to the most venerated of all pilgrimage destinations: Jokhang Temple.
This is a long weekend not soon to be forgotten! Four days is all it takes: depart Chengdu on Day 1 and return on Day 4. We bring the roof of the world within easy reach. In the hands of a capable and engaging Tibetan guide who looks after all the details for you ensures you don’t return more tired than before you left. Bring a friend, your partner or your family.
If you desire a full-course cultural experience packed into a few days, this tour will not disappoint.
Your tour commences with meeting your Extravagant Yak representative at Chengdu Shuangliu airport. Today you are flying to the roof of the world (3700m)! It is hard to find such a short flight anywhere else on the planet where the geography, climate, elevation, and culture change so dramatically. After a short rest at your hotel, it is off to the heart of this ancient city for a walk through the lively Barkhor Bazaar that surrounds the venerated Jokhang Temple. It is an exotic experience to mix with nomads and religious pilgrims who have converged from all over Tibet.
To help with acclimatization, this morning will take you on a leisurely stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Norbulingka, meaning "Treasure Park." The central feature of this 89-acre park and gardens is Norbulingka Palace - the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. After lunch, it is a short drive to the foothills north of town where Sera Monastery sits. This includes the fascinating experience of seeing monks engage in their daily practice of religious debate. A full day already, an afternoon rest will precede a later dinner. During dinner, the enjoyment of traditional Tibetan music and dance will leave you with the sense you've passed through a time portal to an ancient past.
An ambitious day ahead, you begin with a tour of the 17th-century Potala Palace, the former chief residence of the Dalai Lama. With walls as thick as 5 meters and containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues, any length of time in this historic engineering wonder is considered an abbreviated tour. A well-deserved rest after lunch will be appreciated before a visit to Drepung Monastery. Historically, the most significant monastery in Tibetan Buddhism, Drepung used to be the seat of political and religious power in Tibet. It also used to be home to over 15,000 monks and one of the most prestigious Buddhist institutions in the land. Before dinner, you have the option of a visit to one of Lhasa's Tibetan rug factories for an introduction to their trade and an opportunity to pick up a unique souvenir.
*Your tour concludes upon departure from Lhasa.
An optional early morning walk with the pilgrims around Jokhang Temple precedes a trip to Khamba-la pass to view the turquoise waters of mystical Yamdrok lake, akin to Canada's Lake Louise in Banff, but grander in scale. The view from the top of the pass offers an epic vista of natural beauty and is the most fitting way to bid farewell to this magical land. Head back down the pass to the airport for your reluctant departure from the roof of the world.
The story of Buddhism in Tibet is a surprising mix of power struggles, political intrigue, and spiritual mysticism. This historical journey begins at the cradle of Tibetan civilization and features many other historically significant sites that play different roles in the larger drama of Buddhism’s establishment in Tibet.
Experience for yourself the imposing beauty of Everest while also discovering the ancient and mysterious land of Tibet.
This 3-day freesale tour is specifically designed with your weekend getaway in mind. Be refreshed by the natural splendour of Siguniangshan National Park.