7 Days Nyingchi Draksumtso Lake Lhasa Tsedang Tour

Highlights:

Explore the gigantic and towering ancient cypress trees.

Tashi Delek and welcome to Nyingchi! When you arrive in Nyingchi in the morning, 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, our local guide will whisk you off to your hotel in the Bayi Town of Nyingchi. After checking in at the hotel, you can explore the hotel surroundings or have a good rest at your hotel.

In the afternoon, 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. 

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:

Discover the Utse chapel of the Samye Monastery (3,580m), the first Tibetan monastery.

Enjoy the scenic hike in Chimpuk Hermitage and meditate around Guru Rinpoche’s original meditation cave.

In the morning, around a 1h40 minute drive from Lhasa to Tsedang, the birthplace of Tibetan culture and Buddhism, you will be at the prestigious Samye Monastery, the first Tibetan monastery in Tibet. It’s said that this monastery was built by gods, demons, and humans.

Explore the Utse Chapel, the main hall of Smaye Monastery, featuring Tibetan, Chinese, and Indian architectural styles. It also represents the center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. You can also roam over the Chok chapel, believed to be the last place the human soul will linger over before entering the afterlife.

In the afternoon, drive eastward (5.7km) from Samye Monastery, you will reach Chimpuk Hermitage, a renowned Buddhist meditation spot, even used by Guru

Rinpoche. You can follow the trails leading up to Lhakhang and see plenty of cave shrines and ascetics. Follow your guide for a serene meditation in this sacred and tranquil mountain sanctuary.

Stay overnight in Tsedang.

Highlights:

Overlook the fertile fields of the Yarlung Valley from Yumbulakang Palace(3,700m).

Admire the precious pearl Thangka in Tradruk Temple (3,500m).

Having visited the first Tibetan monastery, in the morning, we will tour the Yumbulakang Palace, the first Tibetan palace in Tibet for King Nyentri Tsenpo but later used as the summer palace of Songtsen Gampo & Princess Wencheng. You can walk or enjoy the horseback ride to the Yumbulakang and enjoy the sweeping view of the first Tibetan fields from above.

Next, we will head to the Tradruk Temple, one of the earliest temples built at the same time as Jokhange Temple and Ramoche Temple in Lhasa. You can see the precious s 400-year-old thangka of Chenresig made up of 29,000 pearls, believed to have been presented by Princess Wencheng to Songtsen Gompa.

Finally, we say goodbye to culturally rich Tsedang and 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.