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  Shoton Festival Tour
  Central Tibet Tour with Shoton Festival Highlights
Image of Shoton Festival Tour
Route
Tsedang-Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse-Lhasa.

Shoton Festival, also known as the Yoghurt Festival, begins on the 30th day of the sixth Tibetan month. The origin of the festival started from the 17th century when pilgrims served yoghurt to the monks who stopped for their summer retreat. Years later, Tibetan opera performances were added to the event to amuse monks in monasteries. During the festival, giant Thangkas of the Buddha are unveiled in Drepung Monastery while Tibetan opera troupes perform at Norbulingka. In 2008, the festival is marked between Aug 30-Sep 05. Besides, this trip covers the highlights of Tsetang, Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse.

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    Itinerary
 

Day 01 : Flight to Gonkar Airport of Lhasa and transfer to Tsedang (3,500m/11,667ft)
Flight to Gonkar airport of Lhasa .Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted by the Tibetan guide and drive to Tsetang (87km/58miles, 2 hrs)- the capital of the Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Check in hotel and take rest for the acclimatization.
Tsetang Hotel***

Day 02 : Tsetang-Lhasa (Alt. 3,658m/12,193ft, 183km/122miles, 4 hrs) (B/D)
AM visit Yumbulakhang Palace & Trandduk temple, PM drive to Lhasa ; visit Samye Monastery en route. Check in hotel and take rest for the day.

Day 03: Shoton Festival celebration in Drepung Monastery and Lhasa sightseeing (B). Drive early morning to Drepung Monastery to secure your place for watching festival. A giant Buddha Thangka will be displayed amidst an exciting atmosphere. Watch the festival activities for sometime and later drive to old Tibetan part of Lhasa and visit the The Jokhang Temple and Bakhor Street.

Day 04: Shoton Festival Celebration in Norbulingkha Palace and Lhasa sightseeing (B). Attend the Shoton festival in Norbulingkha Palace and later take the sightseeing tour of Potala Palace and Sera Monastery.

Day 05: Yangpacheng Hot Spring and Namtso Lake Excursion. (B)
Early morning drive to Yangpacheng Hot Spring which is 58 miles north from Lhasa. Appreciate the landscape of Qiang grassland and Nyacheng Tangula Snow Mountain Range. Continue driving to Namtso (98 miles), literally a heavenly lake, which is the biggest lake in Tibet and the second biggest salt lake in China as well as the highest lake in the world (15,573 ft).

Day 06: Lhasa-Gyantse . (13467ft, 160miles, 6 ½ hrs) (B)
Today, you will set out along the friendship highway, heading westwards to Gyantse, following the bank of Yamdrok Tso for more than 40 miles and motoring over two high passes, Kamba La (15,700 ft) amd Laro la ( 16, 500ft)

Day 07: Gyantse-Shigatse (12,785ft, 57miles, 2 ½ hrs) (B )
After breakfast, you will visit the Pelkor Chode & Kumbum Monastery which are the highlights of Gyantse and drive to Shigatse where you will visit the famous Tashilunbo Monastery-the principal seat of Panchen Lama-the second most venerated religious leader of Tibet. Shigatse Hotel***

Day 08: Shigatse-Lhasa (186miles, 7 hrs) (B)
Drive to Lhasa via new road that runs parallel to the Yarlung Tsambo River. The road is rough and rehabilitation work is going on. If time permits, you will stop by Yundrungling Monastery in Tradruk. Check in hote and take rest for the day.
Shangbala or Xiongbala Hotel***

Day 09: Lhasa-Departure (B)
Transfer to Gonkar airport (60 miles, 2 ½ hrs) and catch your flight to next destination.

 

 
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Trip Facts
 
Duration:
09 Days
Accommodation:
Hotels
Activities:
• Sightseeing.
• 4WD Adventure
• Monastery Visits
• Short Hikes
Trip Grading:
Moderate
Trip Type:
Popular
Group Size:
2-10 pax
Start From:
Lhasa
Finish In:
Lhasa
Highest Altitude:
5,045m ( 16,548ft) at Karo La
Best Season:
Aug-September
 
Tour Cost
 
US$ 1650 (2-3 pax)
US$ 1290 (4 pax)
US$ 1175 (5-6 pax)
US$ 250 Single Room Supplement
Airfares
Chengdu-Lhasa-Chengdu US$ 560
Beijing-Lhaas-Beijing US$ 720
 
Trips Highlights
 
•The ruins of Yambulakhang Palace and Tradruk Temple in Tsedang.
• Samye monastery-the first Buddhist Monastery.
• Dalai Lamas's Potala and Norbulingkha Palaces, Drepung -the largest and most powerful of the Gelug monasteries, Sera-one of the largest monasteries of Tibet, ancient Jorkhang Temple and Barkhor Street in old Tibetan quarter of Lhasa.
•Shoton Festival
• Spectacular drive over Kamba La (15,700ft) and Karo La (16,500 ft) to Gyantse.
• Yamdrok Tso-the turquoise green water lake.
• Kumbum Stupa and Pelkore Chode Monastery in Gyantse.
• Shalu Monastery and Tashilunbo Monastery at Shigatse.
• Barren landscapes and friendliest Tibetan people.
 
Inclusive
 
• Accommodation on twin sharing
• Daily Breakfast
• All transfers and sightseeing by a private air conditioned car or coach
• Sightseeing admission fees
• English speaking Tour Guide
• Tibet Travel Permit
 
Exclusive
 
• Accommodation on twin sharing
• Daily Breakfast
• All transfers and sightseeing by a private air conditioned car or coach
• Sightseeing admission fees
• English speaking Tour Guide
• Tibet Travel Permit
 
 
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