9 Days Nyingchi Bomi Ranwu Draksumtso and Lhasa Monastery Tour

Tashi Delek and welcome to Nyingchi!

When you arrive in Nyingchi, our friendly local Tibetan guide will be expecting you at Nyingchi Mainling Airport with a Hada (the traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) and warm blessings.

Then, the guide and the driver will take you to your hotel in Bayi Town of Nyingchi. After settling into your hotel, take some time to rest and adjust to the altitude.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

Highlights:
Explore the gigantic and towering ancient cypress trees.
Hang Tibetan prayer flags at Serkhym-la Pass.
Admire the stunning vista of towering Namcha Barwa (7,782m).
View verdant Lulang Forests on the viewing platform.

Today, firstly we are about to visit the Great Cypress Nature Reserve Area, which is 5 kilometers southeast of Bayi Town. You can see towering ancient cypress trees with 2,500 years old, the oldest tree in China. Since the holy cypress tree is related to Bön founder Tonpa Shenrab. It’s also a sacred place for pilgrimage by local Tibetans. 

Continue traveling eastward to the famous Lulang Forests via the Serkhym-la pass (4,728m), a perfect place to admire the snow-capped soaring Mt. Namcha Barwa (7,782m). You can also hang Tibetan prayer flags here to spread your good wishes and blessings.

As descending from Serkhym-la Pass, we will drive to verdant Lulang Forest with an elevation of 3700m, and it is a typical highland meadow strip, with dense bushes, spruce trees, and pines from the rolling castle-like peaks on both sides. You can hike to the Lulang Forest Viewing Platform to enjoy the sublime Swiss-style pine forests, green valleys, and jagged peaks. Then, keep driving to Bomi.

Stay overnight in Bomi.

Highlights:

Gaze at the incredible Midui Glacier.

Feast your eyes on the serene Ranwu Lake.

Today, we will embark on our journey to enchanting Ranwu Lake with a side trip to explore Midui Glacier.

The first stop is at Midui Village to visit Midui Glacier famed as the most beautiful glacier in China. Midui Glacier was converged by two ice falls, and there were primitive forests between the two ice falls.

Then we continue heading to the Ranwu Lake, which is situated at the southwest 89km from Basu County. Ranwu Lake is the main headstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River confluent. The snow-capped mountains, forests, and lakes are all combined here to make it as beautiful as a paradise. Finally, drive back to Bomi.

Stay overnight in Bomi. 

Highlights:

Immerse yourself in the rosy peach blossoms with snowy peaks at the backdrop.

Stroll in idyllic Lulang International Tourism Town.

After breakfast, you will head towards the Bomi Peach Blossom Valley, named among Tibet's top 100 scenic spots by China National Geographic. Compared to other areas in Nyingchi, the peach blossoms here are even more splendid and wild.

With distant mountains, peach blossoms in full bloom cover the foothills, while nearby villages and wheat fields are adorned with pink flowers, creating a picturesque spring landscape.

After that, we continue to travel eastward to the Lulang International Tourism Town. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll to experience the perfect blend of Tibetan architecture and natural beauty, which resembles the vibes of Switzerland and Bhutan.

With time permits, you can head to the alpine pasture nearby and stroll in a “Swiss-style” landscape, enjoy a tranquil lake, and go for horseback riding or archery. Next, drive back to Bayi Town in Nyingchi City.

Stay overnight in Nyingchi.

Highlights:

Enjoy the panorama of Draksum Tso Lake from the Daqiela Viewing Platform

Explore the Tsodzong Monastery off the shore of Draksum Tso

Go for yatchting on serene Draksum Tso

Today, you’ll keep moving west to Lhasa by following the Nyang River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

In the morning, you will first visit Draksum Tso Lake, a beautiful holy lake of the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. You can hike to the Daqiela Viewing Platform and enjoy the panoramic view of Draksum Tso Lake, which resembles a crescent moon nestled in a high mountain gorge. The lake is crystal clear, with rippling azure waves and playful fish, adding a delightful touch to the scenery.

On the heart-shaped island in the lake stands the Tsodzong Monastery of the Nyingma-Red Sect, boasting a 1500-year history. Encircled by dense, tranquil forests, the temple seems to guard the jade-like lake securely. This ancient monastery on the lake's heart invites reflection on history, forming a breathtaking scene with two 5500-meter-high snow-capped peaks as a backdrop.

After that, you can jump on the tourist yacht and enjoy yachting on the serene Draksum Tso to get a close look at this holy lake and surrounding snowy peaks.

Later, we hit the road again by passing the Mila Pass (5,013m), the last mountain pass during the road trip to Lhasa.

In the afternoon, you finally arrive in Lhasa, the cultural, political, and spiritual heart of Tibet Autonomous Region. Your long-expected holy Lhasa city is now only steps away. Check in at the hotel for a good rest.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Highlights:

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

Watch the 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.

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.

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 cave. 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.

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.