5-Day Best Lhasa Impression Luxury Tour

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the modern utopia and the spiritual heart of Tibet; Your hospitable Tibetan guide and friendly drivers have already been expecting you at the designated places at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.

As you receive our auspicious white Hada and a refreshing drink from the guide, a brief welcome ceremony will be held for you in the most traditional way. Simply leave your hassle to our staff to take care and enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa city. Our handful Tibetan guide will help you check in and inform you of the travel plan the next day. Then enjoy the comfy stay at the most luxury hotels in Lhasa for tomorrow’s exciting tour.

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  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Basking in eye-blinding sunshine, Lhasa is teeming with magnificent Buddhist temples and monasteries, devoted Tibetan pilgrims and historical backstreets, pleasing culinary discovery.

Follow the footsteps of your guide to hike the long stairs of impressive Potala Palace for the commanding view of Lhasa city; the UNESCO heritage site perched on the Red hill used to be the winter palace of the generations of Dalai Lama. Now, it is the most iconic building of Tibet. You will have a chance to explore the residence of Dalai Lama in White Palace and religious chambers in the Red Palace and gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas, etc.

After lunch, we will head to Jokhang Temple, the holiest Buddhist site in Lhasa. Traveling in the dimly-lit rooms, you can hear the constant mumbling of Buddhist chanting and see local Tibetans adding butter oil to the oil lamps. Never miss the chance to worship the life-size statue of 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Outside the Jokhang Temple, follow the prostrating Tibetan pilgrims for the famous Barkhor kora nearby. You may also look for the delicately-made souvenirs in the boutiques that flank the Barkhor Street.

When you head starts to spin, delve into the quiet backstreet of Barkhor and treat yourself with a couple of tasty sweet tea and local delicacy and fully immerse yourself in the distinct vibes of a local teahouse.

At the light starts to fall, the welcome banquet is waiting for your presence. Bottoms up with your friends, accompanied by animated traditional Tibetan dancing and singing; treat your taste buds with unique Tibetan delicacies. The charming night of Lhasa will alter your mindset towards Tibet and hold you spellbound.

• 
  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Start the day with a visit to prestigious Drepung Monastery. This largest Gelugpa monastery, located to the west of central Lhasa (8km), offers a scenic hike to stretch your legs. You will see the gigantic religious painting on the huge rock and explore huge monk kitchen and witness monastic life and enjoy the sweeping view of Lhasa valley. Feel tired? Taste the spring gushing from the mountain to refresh yourself. If you happen to come during the Shoton festival, you hit the jackpot. The gigantic Thangka unveiling ceremony will leave you in awe.

After lunch, make it to the prominent Sera Monastery; the second biggest Gelugpa monastery in Lhasa now is the major stage for the “monk debate”. Find a spot in the boisterous debate courtyard to enjoy this dramatic “monastic defense”. Though you may not understand what they say, the slapping of hands, yelling and jumping and rolling of Buddhist mala give you a vivid display of long-held tradition of Buddhist study. Besides, you may also enjoy exquisite sand mandala and Buddhist scripture printing press and visit the main assembly hall in this Buddhist academy.

After the dinner, we are about to enjoy the epic Tibetan drama unfolds--the Princess Wencheng Real-scene Musical. Sitting in the massive open-air theater, you will trace the development of legendary intermarriage between Songtsen Gampo, Tibetan King and princess Wencheng from Tang Dynasty and learn more of Tibetan culture and traditions.

• 
  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Spice up your Tibet tour with a cooking class: follow our local guide to explore the Tromsikhang market, the age-old farm produce market, close to Barkhor Street; sample and discover the distinctive highland ingredients for cooking; then watch how the seasoned chef masterfully transform the raw ingredient into finger-licking dishes. And give it a go yourself. It may leave a great legacy for your Tibet journey.

In the afternoon, travel southwest by enjoying 2hrs’ ride from Lhasa to turquoise Yamdrok Lake, one of the top three holy lakes in Tibet; Enjoy the traditional Linka (or picnic) beside the serene Yamdrok Lake. Feel free to meditate or doing yoga beside the sacred Lake. Later, after traveling amid winding roads, we reach Gampala pass (4790 m) for the amazing panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake against the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).

Don’ miss the chance to take selfies with tamed Tibetan mastiffs and well-adorned Tibetan yaks. Finally, we drive back to Lhasa for the gourmet dinner.

• 
  Luxury St. Regis Lhasa Resort
• 
  Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise
• 
  Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey.