Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa – Airport/Train Station Pick-up & Hotel Check-in
Upon your arrival in Lhasa, be warmly welcomed at the airport or train station with a traditional white Tibetan khata scarf. After a 1-hour drive (70 km) on the highway, be escorted to your comfortable hotel in city centre Lhasa. As this is your first time in Tibet, your guide will brief you on essential high-altitude travel tips. Once checked in, take time to rest and acclimatise to the elevation (3,650 m), ensuring a healthy and smooth start to your journey.
Day 2: Lhasa City Tour – Exploring Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery Debates
Today, explore two of Lhasa’s most distinctive monasteries—Drepung and Sera—where you’ll visit prayer halls, Buddhist colleges, monks’ kitchens, and witness their unique philosophical debates.
Sera Monastery is famed for its lively monk debates, a captivating spectacle of Tibetan Buddhist scholarship. Monks engage in animated discussions, using dramatic gestures and movements to dissect Buddhist doctrines.
Drepung Monastery, once the largest in Tibet, housed over 10,000 monks. Its sprawling white buildings cascade down the mountainside, embodying the pinnacle of Gelugpa tradition. Here, gain deep insights into Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, sacred art, and monastic life.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Tibetan restaurant with your guide and fellow travellers.
Day 3: Lhasa City Tour – Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple Pilgrimage
Delve into Lhasa’s spiritual heart with visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Potala Palace: The iconic former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, towering over the city. Climb 365 steps to explore its Red Palace, featuring opulent chapels, throne rooms, and golden stupas adorned with priceless murals and artefacts—a testament to Tibet’s rich legacy.
Jokhang Temple: Tibet’s holiest site, enshrining a revered 12-year-old statue of Buddha Sakyamuni. Join pilgrims circling the temple along Barkhor Street, a vibrant kora (pilgrimage path), and savour Tibetan sweet tea at a local teahouse to experience everyday Lhasa culture.
Day 4: Departure from Lhasa – Transfer to Airport/Train Station
Your Tibetan journey concludes today. Be escorted to the airport or train station.
