The Kumbum at Gyantse is a three-dimensional mandala, meant to portray the Buddhist cosmos
Highlights
- Spectacular trans-Himalayan flight
- 04 nights in Lhasa staying near the city’s main attractions
- Potala Palace and the Jokhang temple
- Gyantse & Shigatse
- Inspiring landscapes, superb mountain views, rich Buddhist history and culture
Day 01 / Singapore – Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu and transfer to Chengdu city. Sightseeing of Wuhou Temple and the Culture Village. Dinner in local restaurant. (-/-/D)
Day 02 / Chengdu – Lhasa (3660m)
Arrival in Gonker Airport, meet/greet by our Tibetan guide and transfer to our hotel in Lhasa. We will enjoy the awe-inspiring views along the Yarlong Tsangpo River (the longest river in Tibet) on the way to Lhasa. The rest of the day will be free for us to explore the local area and acclimatise to the high altitude of Lhasa.
Note: There is no fixed programme arranged for today. (B/-/-)
Day 03 / Lhasa – Sightseeing
The first day of sightseeing begins from Lhasa’s cardinal landmark – the Potala Palace, a structure of massive proportions. Its towering image is shown on all travel literature, but nothing can compare to our first sight of this incredible, amazing wonder of the world. It is absolutely awe-inspiring and we will be enchanted as we visit the rooms, halls and chapels of the palace.
In the afternoon, we visit the Jokhang Temple which is the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet congregate here to worship. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Finally we visit Barkhor Street which is the oldest street in this very traditional Tibetan city.
Note: Chinese authorities have limited the number of visitors to Potala Palace each day. The order of sightseeing will be decided by your guide. (B-/-/-)
Day 04 / Lhasa – Sightseeing
About 8km west of central Lhasa is the Drepung Monastery which was once the largest Monastery with over 10,000 monks. Today’s sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings stacked on the hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant affair, an easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. From the flat roof, you will experience wonderful views of the whole of Lhasa city and the distant mountains.
Drepung is one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa monasteries, the other being Sera. Around 5km north of central Lhasa, Sera may not be as grand as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The ‘Buddhism Scriptures Debating’ in Sera is very famous. (B-/-/-)
Day 05 / Lhasa – Gyantse
Today we drive 300km to the city of Gyangtse. We will experience the magnificent “Yamzhog Yumco Lake” as well as the “Kalais Kora Glacier” along the way. We will also see “Yamdrok Lake” which is like a coiling scorpion. The lake doubles back on itself on the western side, effectively creating a large island within its reaches. For Tibetans, it is one of the 4 holy lakes of Tibet and the home of the “wrathful deities”. The lake lies several hundred metres below the road, and in clear weather is a fabulous shade of deep turquoise. Far in the distance is the huge massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m).
In the afternoon, we arrive in Gyangtse and tour the Palkhor Temple which was built in the 15th century and is situated west of Gyantse town with mountains enclosing it on the east, west and north sides. Its uniqueness is that the 3 sects of Buddism – Shaja, Ningma and Guolu were able to exist in harmony under one roof. (B/-/-)
Day 06 / Gyantse – Shigatse
Today you will travel 90km to Shigatse which is the second largest city in Tibet. It is also the home town of the Banchen Lama. In the afternoon we visit the “Tashilumpo Monastery” which is sprawled on the slopes of Mount Niser, southwest of Shigatse. The monastery grounds cover an area of approximately 300,000 square metres. There are many priceless and rare historical artifacts in the monastery. (B/-/-)
Day 07 / Shigatse – Lhasa
Today we will drive back to Lhasa city via Yampachen, where you can enjoy the grassland views and hot spring. (B/-/-)
Day 08 / Lhasa – Chengdu – Singapore
After breakfast we transferred to the airport for our flight to Chengdu to connect our departure flight for Singapore. (B-/-/-)
Tour Cost
(private tour on twin-share basis)
- SGD $**** Per Person for group size of 02 persons
- SGD $**** Per Person for group size of 03-04 persons
- SGD $ *** Per Person for Single Supplement
Tour Cost Includes
- Return international airfare on Air China ‘Q’ Class: SIN/CTU/SIN
- Return domestic airfare on Air China: CTU/LXA/CTU
- Airport transfers
- 01 night on twin-share basis in Chengdu with breakfast
- 04 nights on twin-share basis in Hotel in Lhasa, with daily breakfast
- 01 nights on twin-share basis in Hotel in Gyantse, with daily breakfast
- 01 nights on twin-share basis in Hotel in Shigatse, with daily breakfast
- Transportation by 4WD land cruiser
- Guided sightseeing with English-speaking Tibetan guide
- Entrance fees to sights
- Tibet Travel permit
Tour Cost Excludes
- All airport taxes
- Airline high-season surcharges, where applicable
- Insurance
- All other meals
- Personal clothing & equipment
- US citizens incur additional US$45 for Tibet (Chinese) Permit levied by Chinese Government
Tour Validity
- Mar 31 – Oct 31, 2008
