This 4 day tour of Lhasa includes all the key cultural and historical highlights, complemented by authentic experiences of Tibetan life.
Here is the perfect solution for those whose time is limited but who are still determined to make the trip of a lifetime. Extravagant Yak has tailored this six-day tour from Linzhi and Lhasa to emphasize the stunning beauty of Tibet while providing a luxury travel experience, complimented by authentic contemporary encounters with the Tibetan way of life.
This is a week you will not soon forget! Six days is all it takes: arrive in Miling (Linzhi) on Day 1 and depart from Lhasa on Day 6. 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 that you don’t return more tired than before you left. Bring a friend, your partner, or your family.
If you desire the most breathtaking views of Tibet packed into a few days, this tour will not disappoint.
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After breakfast, you will make the 2 hr drive to Lulang scenic valley (3300m). Crossing over the Serkhym La pass will take you into dramatic landscapes boasting breathtaking vistas all year long. This time of year is perfect for seeing peach trees and flowers in full bloom and waves of golden wheat. The Lulang valley is rated one of the best spots to get a view of Mt. Namjagbarwa, the highest peak in Linzhi prefecture (7782m). You will spend some time hiking around the village and then, crossing back over the pass once more, arriving in Linzhi by late afternoon (1hr drive) to a brand new 5-star hotel.
Today you head to Draksumtso (Basongtso) Lake, considered the most beautiful lake among many in Eastern Tibet. A 2.5hr drive from Linzhi, at an altitude of 3600m and covering an area of 26 square kilometres, it is home to the island monastery of Tsodzong, founded by a renowned 14th-century lama, and is said to be the soul lake of King Gesar. You will spend the day enjoying the green waters of this natural wonder and taking in the vistas of the surrounding high peaks. Tonight’s stay will be at the 4-star Lake Hotel.
Leaving the lake today, you will make your way to Lhasa. This day will mostly be on the road (5.5 hrs) but will give you time to settle into the rhythm of the land. You really get a feel for the people, lifestyle, and landscape as you wind your way across the stunning Tibetan landscape. Measuring 5020 meters, Mila Pass is one of the highest passes on this road, heading to the center of Tibetan culture, history, and religion. Tonight’s 5-star accommodations are at the subtly Tibetan-styled Shangrila Hotel - the perfect place to relax in Lhasa for the next couple of nights.
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. After lunch, 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. Touring the temple you will see more iconic statues and chapels leading up to the roof where you can overlook the square itself. Tonight will be your last night in Lhasa. You may want to take one last look at the Potala as it is lit up at night.
An optional early morning trip to Khamba-la pass to view the turquoise waters of mystical Yamdrok lake awaits you on your last day in Lhasa. 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.
This 4 day tour of Lhasa includes all the key cultural and historical highlights, complemented by authentic experiences of Tibetan life.
Extravagant Yak has created the perfect tour for those who consider a sense of adventure and a dose of curiosity essential travel ingredients. There is no strenuous hiking. In eight days we will take you by air from Chengdu to Lhasa, and then to Rongbuk Monastery by car to watch the sunrise on Mount Everest, one of the most epic landscapes on Earth. You’ll return as a member of an exclusive group of travelers who have beheld the highest point on planet Earth.
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.