Day 01: Flight to Lhasa (Alt 3,658m/12,193ft) You are met and greeted by our representative and transferred to Lhasa City (60miles, 2 ½ hrs). Check in hotel and take rest for acclimatization. Accommodation middle range Dhod Gu or similar. Day 02: At Lhasa visiting Potala Palace-the landmark of Lhasa, Sera Monastery-the last of the three Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa and the day concludes in Norbulinka- the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Accommodation middle range Dhod Gu or similar. Day 03: At Lhasa visiting Drepung Monastery-once the largest, richest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Tibet, the ancient Jorkhang Temple in the old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa and the Barkhor Street that forms the pilgrim circuit around the Jorkhang Temple. Accommodation middle range Dhod Gu or similar.
Day 04: Lhasa-Draksum Tso Lake ( 236 miles, 6 hrs) Leave Lhasa early morning, drive over Manxung La (15, 950ft) and arrive Kongpo Gyamda for lunch and continue to Draksum Tso Lake, also known as Basum-Tso. Of course, the lake and its surrounding views are beautiful but the site is also connected to the semi-mythical ruler of the Kham region and Guru Rinpoche. Take a ferry ride off the southern shore of the lake to visit the Tsodzong Monatery, most probably the highest attraction of this site. Overnight in Draksum Lake Tourism Holiday Village. (B)
Day 05: To Bayi In the morning, take walk along the lake shores or attempt the kora around the monastery and in the late morning, retrace the way to the Highway that joins at Bahel and continue 30 miles further to Bayi-the major town of Nyinchi region, passing Shoka and Jara villages en route. Check in hotel and if you are not exhausted, go for 3 hours Pelri Kora that goes around Bayi Pelri-a holy mountain associated with Guru Rinpoche, or visit Nyingchi town, 11 miles east, where you will visit Neche Goshog Monastery of Bön followers. En route, don’t miss the nature reserve with 2500-year old cypresses.
Day 06-07: To Tsedang En route, visit an ancient Gelug Monastery-Buchu , that lies only 18 miles south of Bayi . If the heavy rain has not damaged the road, you can take chance to visit the Lamaling Monastery near Bayi. Return to the main highway and continue towards Tsedang, following the bank of Yarlung Tsangbo River, with one possible overnight in Nang County. In Tsedang, you will visit the ancient Yambulakhang Palace and Tradruk Temple (B)
Day 08: Departure Transfer to Gongar airport of Lhasa ( 52 miles, 2 hrs) and depart for your next destination. |