5 Days Lhasa Private Tour with Three Great Monasteries

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our Tibetan guide will be greeting you at airport or train station with auspicious white Hada. Then you will be transferred to hotels in Lhasa. The guide will briefly introduce the itineraries and remind you about other dos and dont's for newcomers. To quickly get acclimatized to Tibetan plateau, it’s better to have a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Our first stop is to visit the Potala Palace,the UNESCO world heritage site and the winter palace of the Dalai Lama.Walking slowly along the long stone steps to the White and Red Palaces,you can explore the former residence of Dalai Lama and his meeting room and religious chamber.You can see the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.A bird's-eye view of Lhasa city and Lhasa valley from the top of Potala Palace will take your breath away.

After we have lunch and then we will head to holy Jokhang Temple.It's the most sacred Buddhist site in Tibet.Outside the temple,you will witness pious Tibetan pilgrims,young and old,prostrating themselves in front of Jokhang and long lines of Tibetans following the Barkhor circuit.Inside,traveling in dim butter light,you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve,perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism.You may reach the top of Jokhang Temple to enjoy the panorama of old Lhasa city and great vista of Potala Palace.

Then we may do the kora by circling the Barkhor Street with pilgrims and locals and buy some souvenirs.Never miss the chance to enjoy the tasty sweet tea in local tea house and visit Tromzikhang,the famous farm produce market.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning,you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which was one of the “Great Three” Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge,one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “Great Three” Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The highlight is the monks’ debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today we will drive to the Ganden Monastery, about 60 kilometers east of Lhasa and is one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet, founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful view of Kyichu River and as we drive up to Ganden along winding mountain road,tourists can see the far view of splendid monastery complex on the top of the mountain.

Later we will visit chapels of Genden Monastery and the tomb of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelupa sect. After touring Ganden Monastery, we will head to visit Tibetan farmer's village nearby.

Optional:
If physical condition is fine and weather allows, hike with guide around the Gaden Kora, enjoy the view of wide Kychi valley.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.