5-Day Journey of Taste Buds to Holy Lhasa

Tashi Delek! Welcome to Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet and culinary center on Tibetan Plateau; our expert local leader and your friendly drivers have been expecting you at the designated places at the Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Railway Station.

Kindly accept our auspicious white Hada and simply leave your luggage to our driver to take care, then enjoy the scenic ride to your hotel in Lhasa city. Your handful Tibetan guide will help you check in and remind you of the tour plan the next day. Then enjoy the comfy stay at your hotels in Lhasa for a tasty beginning tomorrow.

After a delightful breakfast in the hotel, you will be exploring the prestigious Jokhang Temple, the most sacred Buddhist site in Lhasa with our local leader. Walk past the prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and move in the dimly-lit rooms; you can hear the constant mumbling of Buddhist chanting and see local Tibetans adding butter oil to the oil lamps. Never miss the chance to worship the life-size statue of 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni.

Then, you will walk clockwise along the most renowned Barkhor pilgrimage circuit and discover the bustling Barkhor Street that mirrors the past and present of Tibet. Find yourself ravenous? No worries. Let’s delve into the quiet alleys to the teahouse of Tsamkhung Nunnery, a peaceful spiritual haven where great local cuisines are found.

Sit beside a beloved Tibetan granny on a bench chair and enjoy the authentic local sweet tea and Tibetan momos and yak noodle soups, pickled radish, etc; you find yourself getting one step closer to the lives of local Tibetans.

After enjoying the laidback hours at the teahouse, you will enjoy a fabulous cooking class at popular Tibetan Family Kitchen. Choose a specific local dish you find interesting with, then follow your cook to Tromsikhang Market to pick up the ingredients. And get back to Family Kitchen and learn to transform the chosen ingredients into a savory masterpiece.

The highlights would be enjoying a variety of mouth-watering local cuisines for dinner at the rooftop terrace of the Family Kitchen overlooking the Jokhang Temple. Then, get transferred to the epic outdoor musical - Princess Wencheng, a grand feast to eyes. The romance between princess Wencheng and Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and many Tibetan customs will come alive via the dramatic modern choreography.

Today, it’s time to tick off your bucket list by having a selfie with magnificent Potala Palace as the backdrop; the follow the footsteps of your guide to hike the long stairs of impressive Potala Palace for the commanding view of Lhasa city; the UNESCO heritage site perched on the Red hill used to be the winter palace of the generations of Dalai Lama. You will explore the residence of Dalai Lama in White Palace and religious chambers in the Red Palace and gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas, etc.

At lunchtime, your taste buds will get another treat. Stop by one of the best-known restaurants, offering finger-licking Nepali and Indian cuisines. Enjoy the yak curry with garlic naan, Tandoori chicken, and chicken tikka and palak paneer and Ginger tea, butter chicken, vegetable momos, and multiple vegan options, etc. You will use your tongue to explore the culinary link between Tibet and its neighbors - Nepal and India.

Having had yummy food, in the afternoon, let’s head to Sera Monastery, one of the Great Three Gelugpa monasteries best-known for its lively monk debate. Sit at the outer perimeter of debate courtyard and watch attentively how monks debate with each other by yelling, slapping of hands, jumping and rolling of Buddhist mala, etc. Though you may not understand what they say, the animated debate scene gives you another side of intriguing Buddhist study in Tibet.

Besides, you may also enjoy exquisite sand mandala and Buddhist scripture printing press and take your time to visit the main assembly hall in this Buddhist academy.

Missing the typical European cuisines? For dinner, let’s dine at a popular western restaurant - “Dunya”, a great restaurant run by welcoming Dutch couple. Enjoy the succulent yak steak, yak burger, pasta, pizza, or Dhal Bhat chicken curry, vegetable dumplings, Bolognaise, with Lhasa beer or cocktail, etc. The appetizing dish, plus the pleasing atmosphere, will have you fight for the last dollop.

The night is still young. Next, join your guide to the fantastic local bar - Ice Chili, order bottles of refreshing Lhasa beers or cocktail and bar snacks while enjoying solo Jazz or locals’ dancing, the night of Lhasa would be much charming than what you expected.

Unlike the previously quieter teahouse of Tsamkhung Nunnery, Guang Ming Teahouse is another must-visit place to enjoy breakfast and mingle with locals. Just get a sweet tea glass and sit beside the long tea with some cash, the “tea lady” in white clothes will collect the money and fills your glass with tasty sweet tea. You gotta try the yak soup noodles and Shabalep, Tibetan yogurt and soak up the lively atmosphere there.

Then, travel southwest by enjoying a 2hrs’ ride from Lhasa to turquoise Yamdrok Lake, one of the top three holy lakes in Tibet; your guide will prepare authentic dried yak meat, Chang ( traditional barley wine)fruits and light snack or invite you for a barbecue for the traditional Linka(or picnic) beside the serene Yamdrok Lake.

Feel free to meditate or doing yoga beside the sacred Lake. Later, after traveling amid winding roads, you will reach Gampala pass (4790 m) for the amazing panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake against the backdrop of snowy Mt. Nyenchen Khangsar (7191m).

Don’ miss the chance to take selfies with tamed Tibetan mastiffs and well-adorned Tibetan yaks. Finally, we drive back to Lhasa. You may have shop around for some Tibetan souvenirs.

After a refreshing breakfast, your guide and the driver will be waiting for you for the friendly transfer to the airport or train station for the next onward flight or journey. The tour ends.