6 Days Spiritual Odyssey to Lhasa by Scenic Tibet Train

Voila, your amazing Tibet spiritual tour begins with the scenic train ride to holy Lhasa city, which covers 1960km and takes around 19hrs 49mins.

We suggest that you arrive at Xining railway station at least 45 minutes or 1 hour earlier before departure because the long lines are pretty common. You need to go through the security check and show your train ticket, passport, and Tibet Travel Permit to board the Xining-Lhasa train.

Stay overnight on the train.

Highlights:

Enjoy the stunning vistas of the Tibetan plateau aboard the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Aboard the cozy Tibet train with pumped-in oxygen supplies, you can catch a glimpse of the enchanting Qinghai Lake (3,260m), and marvel at Mt. Yuzhu (6,178m) and Tsonag Lake (4,600m) and endless Qiangtang grassland (4,500m) with Tibetan yaks and other wildlife.

The highest place you will pass is Tanggula Mountain Pass (5,068m), offering dramatic vistas of the Tanggula Mountain Range.

After check-in, have a good sleep to acclimate to the altitude and unwind in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Qinghai-Tibet railway
• Tanggula Mountains

Highlights:

Scenic hike in the Drepung Monastery (3,800m).

Watch fiery monk debate in Sera Monastery (3,700m).

Awake to a day of brilliant sunshine. Let’s head to Drepung Monastery for a 3km leisurely hike/kora. The Drepung Monastery is one of the great three Geluga monasteries founded by a disciple of Tsongkhapa called Jamyang Chöje.

As you follow the pilgrim route towards Loseling College, you will see the iconic huge rock paintings depicting the Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Geluga Sect, and Buddhist mantras.

You can gather junipers and burn them as an offering to Buddha, drink refreshing mountain springs, or meditate alongside the local pilgrims beneath the rock face. At the mountaintop, the sweeping view of the enchanting Lhasa Valley will take your breath away.

In the afternoon, you will explore Sera Monastery, the second-largest Gelug monastery next to Drepung. You can appreciate the exquisitely made sand Mandala and admire Buddhist paintings.

The biggest highlight is to watch the dramatic monk debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). By clapping hands, jumping, yelling, and rolling Buddhist mala, the standing monk furiously debates with the other monk sitting on the ground about Buddhist philosophy

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drepung Monastery
• Monk Debate is a highlight of Sera Monastery

Highlights:

Explore the secret chambers of Dalai Lamas and tons of treasures in Potala Place(3,700m).

Worship the life-size statue of Buddha Sakyamuni in Jokhang Temple (3,650m).

Experience the holy Barkhor Kora with local pilgrims.

Start your day with a visit to the fortress-like Potala Palace, an architectural marvel, and the winter palace of Dalai Lamas.

You can explore the Dalai Lama’s living quarters, and ceremonial hall, and marvel at gilded buddhas, intricate mandalas, and jewel-encrusted tombs of generations of Dalai Lamas, and enjoy the panoramic view of Lhasa city atop Red Palace.

Next, roam over the Zhongjiao Lukang Park nearby and view the Potala Palace from behind where you can take a glimpse of how locals spend their day lives, such as enjoying Guozhuang/circle dance, paddle boat in the pool, etc.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the sacred Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. Follow a long line of pilgrims in the dimly lit chambers to worship the life-size statue of a 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, walk clockwise with prostrating Tibetan pilgrims to experience the famous Barkhor circuit/kora and unwind in a local teahouse to savor local obsessions,i.g. sweet tea, Tibetan noodles, Tibetan momos, Sha Phaley, or roam over the backstreet of Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace
• A Tibetan pilgrim is worshipping Jokhang Temple

Highlights:

Visit the golden stupa and living room of the master Tsongkhapa in Ganden Monastery (above 4,200m).

Enjoy scenic Ganden kora.

Meditate in cliff-perched Drak Yerpa Monastery (4,500m).

Hang Tibetan prayer flags and toss Longda prayer papers.

Follow a scenic 1:17hrs’ drive, you'll reach the Ganden Monastery, located 60km northeast of Lhasa. The photogenic Genden Monastery on Wangbur Mountain was the first Gelugpa Monastery founded by the master Tsongkhapa and also the place where Tsongkhapa passed away.

You can worship the golden stupa of the master Tsongkhapa and visit his former living room and meditation romm. Then, embark on the 1hr scenic Ganden kora along with local pilgrims and the incredible views over the Lhasa Valley along the way will make your day.

In the afternoon, we keep moving to the Drak Yerpa Monastery, located 30 km northeast of Lhasa. It’s a famous cliff-hanging Nyingma (Red Sect) monastery, used by Guru Rinpoche and King Songtsen Gampo, etc. for meditation.

Slowly follow the stairway to reach the cliff-perched Drak Yerpa and explore the cave retreat and indulge in peaceful meditation and hange Tibetan prayer flags and toss auspicious Longda (prayer papers) to spread your blessings to the sky. Finally, drive back to Lhasa.

Stay Overnight in Lhasa.

• Drak Yerpa is cut out off ragged mountain where many meditation caves can be found.

Today marks the end of your Tibet tour.

Please make sure to verify your departure flight/train details with our guide in advance. And your guide will take you to the airport or train station.

Thank you for choosing Tibet Vista, and we extend a warm welcome for your return to Tibet in the future.