Tour Shangri-La

After breakfast, transfer to International airport for flight to Lhasa, one hour scenic flight over mountains.

Assistance upon arrival and transfer to the Lhasa city at Hotel about 2 hours drive. Check in to the hotel and, then, free afternoon for acclimatization. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Visit Sera monastery; Jokhang temple & Barkhor Street

Sera is the second biggest Gelupa Monastery in the north suburb of Lhasa, which was built in 1419 by Tsongkhapas disciple Sakya yeshi. Situated at the heart of the oldest section of the Lhasa city, Jokhang; one of the oldest temples in Tibet, was built in the 7th century by the 33rd King Sorongtsen Gompo. Barkor is the middle pilgrimage circuit around Jokhang.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Potala palace, Drepung Monastery & Norbulingka

Potala was the winter palace of the Dalai lama, which was originally built in the 7th century by the king Sorongtsen Gompo and rebuilt to the present size by the 5th Dalai lama in the 17th century. Built in the mid-17th century by the 7th Dalai lama, Norbulingka, the Jewel Park was the Dalai lamas summer palace, it covers 100 acres with palaces, pavilions and a zoo.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive Lhasa to Gyantse.

(Gyantse lies 260 kms southwest of Lhasa on the Northern bank of Nyang Chu River. It takes around 6-7 hours to reach Gyantse crossing the Kamba La Pass (4800 m) where the beautiful Yamdrok Tso will be seen and the Karo La Pass (5010 m) where the year-around glacier will be seen. Phalkor monastery was built in the 15th century under the guidance of the first Panchen lama.)

After breakfast, drive to Shigatse.

Shigatse is the most famous for the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. This monastery, built in 1447 A.D. by the first Dalai Lama are: the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Hall of Maitreya, and a mind boggling collection of Thankas, frescoes and statues. There is a bustling market at the foot of the ruins of the Shigatse fortress where one can buy local handicrafts embedded with coral and turquoise, Tibetan daggers, Chinese porcelain and yak butter.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive back to Lhasa.
(It is 280kms from Shigatse to Lhasa by the new road along the Yarlung tsangpo River.)

After breakfast, excursion to Ganden monastery (70 kms away from Lhasa, Ganden monastery was built in 1409 by the Tsong Khapa)

After breakfast, transfer to hotel for flight back to Kathmandu