6 Days Tibetan New Year Festival Tour

Based on  |

Highlights

Visit:

Potala Palace

Jokhang Temple

Barkhor Street

Norbulingka

Visit:

Sera Monastery

Yamdrok Lake

Palkhor Monastery

Tashilunpo Monastery

Experience:

Get close to the local family and explore the real Tibetan life;

Celebrate the Tibetan New Year with Tibetan people, and learn their tradition;

Have a deep understanding of Tibet culture, tradition and lifestyle of local Tibetans.

Sampling Itinerary Day by Day

Day 1 Lhasa Arrival

No documents found.

Welcome to the roof of the world! Your Tibet journey starts with a warm Tibetan style greeting from your local tour guide who will present you with Hada (traditional Tibetan scarves). Your will be pick you up at the airport or train station, then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. During the hour long drive to your hotel in the city, enjoy the breathtaking view along the Yarlong Tsangpo River. Tibetan features can be seen along the way, including Big Buddha engravings on the hill near the road, colorful prayer flags and friendly Tibetan people. Overnight at Lhasa.

After you arrive at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and become acclimatize to this high altitude city at the top of the world. 

Tips: The altitude in Lhasa is about 3,650m above sea level. Take time out to relax and acclimate to the high altitude after arrival at your hotel. We recommend that you avoid strenuous activity for the first few days. It is advisable that you not take showers. For first time visitors, it is common to have different degrees of high altitude sickness symptom. Drink more water, have fresh fruit and plenty of rest will help to prevent the sickness. Have a good rest tonight, and get ready for tomorrow’s journey.

Day 2 Lhasa ( B )

Take the challenge of climbing up to Potala Palace (3,650m above sea level) and get a great view of Lhasa’s urban areas. Great photographic opportunities along the way up as you will have a great view of the traditional Tibetan architecture. Hear the story of the Dalai Lamas and see chapels that the Dalai Lamas studied, rested and worked in. Pass former Dalai Lamas’ graves which are decorated with treasure beautiful treasures.

Continue your tour to Jokhang Temple, which is within walking distance from Potala Palace. It is considered the spiritual center of Tibet. You will see many pilgrims worship within or nearby the temple. Enter the first floor of the temple and absorb the religious atmosphere, you will see pilgrims are donating butter oil to keep the lights burning for the Buddha. While learning about more Buddhas and Lamas than you can possibly remember you will gain a feeling for the vast history of Tibetan Buddhism. You might also hear red-robed Lamas praying. Walk up to the roof of the temple, take some pictures of the gold roof and enjoy the beautiful sunshine of Lhasa while observing pilgrims praying in front of the temple. 

Finally, join locals in a traditional pilgrimage route by taking a relaxing walk in a large circular path around Jokhang Temple at Barkor Street. The street is filled with pilgrims taking part in religious activities and street venders selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods and religious items. If you like you can also ask your tour guide take you to visit a Thangka workshop to marvel at the fabulous Thangka art work. There are cafes along the street as well. You can relax and enjoy the life in Lhasa in a lazy afternoon.

Tips: As you climb up to the Potala Palace, you might experience slight shortness of breath due to the exertion. Take your time and rest when needed. Please try not to disturb pilgrims; you can take pictures from a distance. In Barkor Street, you will have a chance to pick a few unique souvenirs for your friends and do remember to bargain and compare the price in different shops. If you still have energy in the evening, you can go to the square on your own in front of the Potala Palace around 8:30pm to enjoy the 2-hours music fountain for free. Alternatively, enjoy looking at all the beautiful pictures you took during the day and make sure to get enough sleep! On this day, you will be mainly outside, please bring plenty of water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses.

Day 3 Lhasa ( B )

After breakfast, you are driven to visit the Norbulingka Park, the former summer palace of Dalai Lama. Explore the beautiful gardens and experience one of the most holy sites in Tibetan Buddhism while soaking up the rich history. Next, come to Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery housing 10,000 monks in its heyday. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks.

Your tour ends at Sera Monastery, where you will get the chance to experience “Buddhism Scriptures Debating”. These debates are unique to Sera and are quite famous. Enjoy the debates!

Tips: Today, you will be driven to the outskirt of Lhasa City. The drive is not long, all within half hour. The road condition is good. A little walking or climbing is involved. Pleasebring plenty of water with you. Don't forget sun glasses and sun-cream.

Day 4 Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse ( B )

Drive about 300 km to get to the Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, enjoy Mt. Nyenchen Kangsar glacier, visit the famous stupa - Gyantse Kumbum of Palkhor Monastery, the most stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. Lastly drive to Shigatse.

Day 5 Shigatse - Lhasa ( B )

Visit Tashilunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of Panchen Lamas, and do its kora with local people. Afternoon, drive back to Lhasa along the friendship highway.

Day 6 Lhasa Departure ( B )

No documents found.

Today is free for you until to be transferred to the airport in time for your flight. 

Tips: Please pack your luggage carefully, especially for things like tooth brush, camera, mobile phone, phone charger, towel, wallet. If your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.

Recommended Add-on Options

No documents found.

Read what other travelers think about this Tibet trip. We only accept reviews from actual, confirmed travelers who purchased the tour / activity from us, so you can be sure the reviews are unbiased and authentic.

 

Very well organised whilst maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. Allowed me to do a lot more in 2 weeks than I would have been able to do for myself. 

USA, 2011

Pardeep S‚ 

 

Our trip to Tibet was even better than I imagined. Everything was so well thought out and the whole tour ran really smoothly. The rest of our group were fantastic and we had an awesome time.  

USA, 2011

Charlotte C‚ 

Here are recent candid photos of this Tibet trip. If you want to share your own tour photos, simply email your photos to info@tibetdiscovery.com with your Booking ID Number. Thanks in advance for sharing!

Tibetan Stone Marks beside Yamdrok Lake in Gyantse

Tibetan Lamas gather at Jokhang to celebrate new year

Tashilumpo Monastery - the oldest and largest Gelugpa Monastery

roof viewing of Drepung Monastery