5-Day Rediscover Lhasa on its Off-the-Beaten Paths

Tashi Delek! My old friend, welcome to Lhasa (3658m) again. As always, your hospitable local Tibetan guide and friendly driver are expecting you with infectiously welcoming smiles and auspicious Hada. Simply leave your luggage to them and hop on the comfy tour vehicle to your hotel in downtown Lhasa.

Free of annoying crowds, Romoche Monastery offers you a quieter and more intimate place for worship and exploration.

Walk past the prostrating pilgrims for the inner kora inside Ramoche; listen to the mantra chanting of the monks while admiring the vivid protectors of deities and opulent fresco. Most importantly, don’t miss out the 8-year-old life-size statue of Sakyamuni and go for the amazing vista of Potala Palace on the golden rooftop of the monastery.

Then, let’s delve into the backstreet of Barkhor Street. Tsamkhung Nunnery is just a haven of peace hidden in the busy Barkhor street. Quietly observe the life of Tibetan nuns living inside and sit the locals in Tsamkhung tea house for the delicious Tibetan noodles, momos, and sweet tea.

In the afternoon, follow your guide to explore the produce market—Tromsikhang where you will see a variety of local ingredients, like yak butter, barley, spices, yak meat,etc., for daily cooking; bargain with local vendors for the food needed for the cooking class coming next. Then, learn to make a typical Tibetan cuisine by following the cook’s demonstration at Tibetan Family Kitchen.

Drive eastwards to Datze County and follow around the 10km’s winding road up to the top of Wangbhuri mountain; the impressive Ganden Monastery (4300m) starts to reveal its massive size in full splendor, with iconic terraced complex sprawling the entire mountain ridge against the backdrop of spectacular Kyichu Valley.

Roam over the assembly hall and explore the debating courtyard and tomb of Tsongkhapa; you will be deeply impressed by the distinct Buddhist vibes and legends of Tsongkhapa. Then, follow the rugged trail for the famous Ganden Kora. You will encounter pilgrims burning juniper incense and giving offerings of Tsampa (roasted barley flour), the yaks occasionally grazing in the mountain, and vultures hovering overhead. the sense of holiness and an incredible vista of Kyichu Valley will leave you in awe.

Next, drive down to enchanting Tsubshi Village. You will be invited to a traditional village family to have a short stay here. Immersed yourself in rural life, and taste their silky hand-made sweet tea, and explore their simple house, smoky kitchen and their cattle shed; walk freely in the village and their village chapels and you may also have a chance to talk with villagers through our guide’s help. Finally, head back to Lhasa.

Enjoy the scenic ride, 32km from downtown Lhasa; we will arrive at renowned Drak Yerpa hermitage, one of the best off-the-beaten paths for Buddhist exploration. Follow the steps and slowly hike to the monastery; then visit multiple meditation caves used by Guru Rinpoche and King Songtsen Gampo; you may briefly meditate in the caves and retain the peaceful mind that has long been lost in the modern city.

After a brief lunch, you will head back to downtown Lhasa. You may rent Tibetan clothes and take nice photos while enjoying a leisurely walk in lovely gardens of Norbulingka, used to be the summer palace of generations of Dalai Lamas.

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