5 Days Lhasa Summer Getaway Tour with Drak Yerpa: A Relaxed Journey into Tibetan Summer Life

Welcome to Lhasa!

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our Tibetan guide will welcome you at the airport or train station with a traditional white Hada.

Then, you'll be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa. After checking in, you can take some time to rest and allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude.  

In the evening, if time permits, your guide will take you on a leisurely walk around the Potala Palace, followed by dinner at a local restaurant with a stunning night view of the majestic palace.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Tibetan tour guide greets you at Lhasa Airport.
• Lhasa River

After breakfast, your first stop is the Potala Palace, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Lhasa Old Town. Discover the lives and stories of the Dalai Lamas through history within the palace, and the extraordinary treasures it holds. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.

After exploring the Potala Palace, continue to Longwangtan Park at its foot, where lush greenery and colorful summer scenery create a peaceful atmosphere. This is a perfect place to enjoy a different perspective of the Potala Palace, while observing local Tibetans practicing traditional folk activities and enjoying their daily leisure time.

In the afternoon, you will head to the heart of Tibetan religion - the Jokhang Temple. Inside the temple, you will see the sacred statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, while outside, you can witness devoted pilgrims performing prostrations in front of the temple. Around the Jokhang Temple, walk along Barkhor Street, join pilgrims and locals on a kora (a clockwise walk around a sacred site), and explore the lively old market filled with Tibetan handicrafts and local flavors.

Next, you will follow your guide to one of the city’s most popular Tibetan tea houses to experience the relaxed summer atmosphere of Lhasa. Sit with local Tibetans, enjoy a cup of traditional sweet tea, and learn about Tibetan social life, customs, and everyday conversations in this unique cultural setting.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Potala Palace, at the top of the hill in central Lhasa city, is always the No.1 attraction for travelers visiting Tibet.
• Johkang Temple - the holiest place in Lhasa

In the morning, you will visit Norbulingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. Known as the “Garden of Treasures,” Norbulingka is especially charming in summer, when its gardens are filled with blooming flowers, green trees, and a peaceful atmosphere. You can stroll through the traditional buildings and gardens, while experiencing local life in this beloved public park where Tibetans come to relax, chat, and enjoy their leisure time.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Sera Monastery, another of the ‘great three’ Gelug monasteries of Tibet, to witness the famous Tibetan Monks Debate (15:00 - 17:00, from Monday to Saturday). Your guide will intricately explain how Tibetan monks engage in these debates to acquire knowledge and advance in their academic degrees.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Stroll through the enchanting Norbulingka Palace.
• Monk debate in Sera monastery

In the morning, you will take a 30-kilometer drive to Drak Yerpa Monastery, once the sacred practice site for Master Padmasambhava, Master Tsongkhapa, as well as King Songtsen Gampo.

Pushing open the door of the highest main hall of Drak Yerpa, you will have a breathtaking view of the entire valley and the snow-capped mountain in the distance. It’s akin to opening the door to heaven, allowing you to feel the expansiveness and tolerance of Buddhism.

Then, you can have a short meditation in one of the ancient meditation caves as you like, where generations of Tibetan masters have practiced Buddhism for centuries. From the monastery, enjoy panoramic views of the valley, surrounding mountains, and the vast Tibetan landscape, experiencing the deep spiritual atmosphere of this centuries-old retreat.

After visiting the monastery, enjoy a leisurely hike to the hillside opposite Drak Yerpa, where you can take in the breathtaking view of the ancient monastery perched on the cliff above the valley.

Here, you will experience a traditional Tibetan summer Linka, one of the most beloved summer activities among local Tibetans. During this outdoor picnic, Tibetan families and friends gather in nature to share food, tea, and relaxed moments together. Surrounded by green mountains, warm summer sunshine, and fresh mountain air, you can enjoy a simple Tibetan picnic with your companions while experiencing the peaceful rhythm of local life in this hidden valley.

After today’s visit, you will return to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

• Drak Yerpa Monastery and Lush Valley Landscape in Summer
• You can spare time to do meditation in Drak Yerpa Meditation Cave.

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.

• Big farewell to Lhasa, and may you have a safe and pleasant journey back home!
• Your guide will escort you to Lhasa Railway Station if you depart Tibet by train.