Its more than likely that it will remain open during the period unless the natural calamities. The main suspect is the landslide, which is prevalent during raining season. During this period, the chances of rain is slim.
Essential Tibet Tour
Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Triangle Tour of Tibet
Essential Tibet Tour concentrates on the places that are essential part of visiting Tibet.
After spending 3 nights in capital Lhasa, acclimatizing, and exploring the giant Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and strolling in the city’s old quarter, the Barkhor, we drive over 15,700-foot Khampa La, whirl past the blue Yamdrok Tso lake to Gyantse. Once and important trading town, Gyantse has managed to hang onto its small-town charm and laid-back atmosphere. Here we behold the magnificent giant chorten, the Kumbum and drive to Shigatse, the capital of Tsang region. We visit Shigatse’s Tashilunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen lamas, before returning to Lhasa.
Essential Tibet Tour Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa (D)
Upon arrival at Gonggar airport, meet and transfer to your hotel in Lhasa. Get settled, rest and acclimatize. Overnight and dinner in hotel.
Day 2: Lhasa (B/D)
In the morning, visit the Tibet’s colossal Potala Palace, a striking thousand-room monument that dominates the Lhasa skyline Potala Palace. Visit the sacred Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple and join thousands of pilgrims from all over Tibet and rest of Himalayas on a stroll through Barkhor, a pilgrimage circuit that encircles the Jokhang, lined with shops, restaurants and many tucked away temples and monasteries. This evening enjoy dinner with cultural show in a local restaurant.
Day 3: Lhasa (B/D)
Visit the Norbulingka the official summer residence for the Dalai Lamas and their families from the mid-18th century. It is a park-like enclave surrounded by trees, ponds, and pavilions on the outskirts of Lhasa. Explore the grounds, which include gardens, fountains, and a small zoo. Afterwards, visit Sera monastery, where you can watch monks debate in the courtyard. And then Kora (pilgrim trail circling a sacred place) that offers a panoramic one-hour walk with views of the Lhasa Valley.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 4: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse (B/D) (268km/5.5hrs)
From Lhasa, drive south, climb up to Kambala pass (4794m) and drive along the shores of Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest lakes in Tibet, an oasis for migrating wildlife. Islets within the lake are home to flocks migratory birds and grazing land for the nomads. Cross Karo la pass (5010m), which boast spectacular views and descend into Gyantse. In the evening wander the back streets of town, which has a mix of pilgrims, farmers, nomads, pop music, cows, motorcycles, horse carts as true a picture of contemporary Tibetan life.
Overnight in Gyantse Yeti Hotel
Day 5: Gyantse – Shigatse (B/D)
Explore magnificent gold-capped Gyantse Kumbum, a mandala-shaped monastery for a chance to see the mastery of the famed 15th century Newari artisans of Nepal. Tibet’s dry climate has helped to preserve the murals well. Then visit nearby well-preserved Pelkor Chode Monastery, founded in 1418. Later drive across the plains to Shigatse, the commercial and political center of Tsang Province. Later tour in the old Tibetan part of the town.
Overnight in Shigatse Tashi Chudar Hotel
Day 6: Shigatse – Lhasa (B/D)
Visit Tashilhunpo monastery, one of Tibet’s most vibrant and breathtaking monasteries, the seat of the Panchen Lamas. We explore the elaborate temple and monastery complex and enjoy watching the pilgrim activity around the monastery. Time allowing, join pilgrims in the long circumambulation path around the monastery. Leaving Shigatse, we take the direct road to Lhasa, following Yarlung Tsangpo river valley. Overnight in Lhasa.
Day 7: Departure (B)
Transfer to Gonggar airport in time for your departure flight.
Trip highlights
- Colossal Potala Palace a UNESCO-listed site with thousand rooms
- Jokhang Temple, the most sacred site in Tibet since the 7th century
- Mingle among the pilgrims and swashbuckling traders from eastern Tibet in Barkhor Bazaar
- Sera Monastery – among the largest Tibetan monasteries.
- Yamdrok Tso lake one of the three largest lakes in Tibet, surrounded by panorama of mountains with opportunity to see the nomadic herders
- Gyantse town, a historic outpost that has managed to maintain old town charm.
- Visit well preserved 15th century monasteries with rich wall frescoes in Kumbum and Pelkhor Chode
- Shigatse the commercial and political center of Tsang Province
- Tashilhunpo the seat of Panchen Lamas of Tibet
7-day trip, from 1075 per person. Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it exactly.
Included
- Accommodations in 3-4 star hotel as listed (option to upgrade in Lhasa)
- Daily breakfast, and dinner
- One dinner with cultural performance.
- All private transfers and transportation by good quality vehicle (Land Cruisers up to 3 pax)
- Sightseeing with entrance fees
- Local Tibetan native Guide
- Tibet Permits
Not included
- Flights
- Chinese Visa
- Lunches
- All other expenses not listed in included section
Tashi
Mr. Tashi is from the Amdo region of Tibet. Studied Tibetan Buddhism and English literature in Varanasi India from for 5 years. He speaks excellent English and some Hindi, and wonderful Mandarin Chinese. His passion for the scenery of his homeland has led him to deepen his knowledge of Tibet’s less traveled paths,…
What travelers most often ask us before a trip to Tibet.
Photography at the airports, bridge and government establishment is not allowed if posted. On violation of this rule, you may be penalized, your camera, film etc taken away. Some monasteries and temples will allow you to take pictures inside them and may demand fees for the same. Tibetans generally will not be pleased when you take picture of something that is held sacred, including those inside the temples or monasteries.
As there are discounts for children traveling in Tibet, it needn’t break the bank if you bring kids along. They may become bored, however, with long, monotonous drives, few hotels with TV and little other ‘entertainment’ available. On the other hand, they will be immediately accepted by local kids and their families, and they could make many new friends. Wind Horse can make nanny and other baby sitting arrangements at a reasonable cost. However, because of the high altitude of Tibet, parents are requested to consult the pediatrician before they decide to take their children in the trip.
Wind Horse Tours feel honored to operate the trips of senior travelers. Hotels, guides and tour operators are all familiar with the needs of seniors and treat them with the traditional respect that the Tibetans have for their elders. The primary precaution one should take is to have an ample supply of any special medicines, since these probably will not be available in Tibet. There is no advantage to carrying any sort of senior identification in Tibet.
A cultural tour in Tibet is a challenge for a traveler with physical disabilities, but it can be made possible by Wind Horse Tours with planning. The Tibetans are eager to help, and Wind Horse Tours can arrange a strong companion to assist with moving about and getting in and out of vehicles. The roads are rough and sidewalks, where they exist, often have holes and sometimes steps. Hotels and public buildings do not have wheelchair access, and there are no toilets designed to accommodate wheel chairs.
Like most Asians, Tibetans believe that what one does in private is strictly a personal matter, and they would prefer not to discuss such issues. Public displays of affection are not appreciated and everyone, regardless of orientation, should exercise discretion.
Tibet prides itself on its lack of a class system and an absence of sexual discrimination. Tibetan women have the same rights as men, including rights to education, voting and holding positions in government. Women, both foreign and Tibetan are not subject to harassment and do not need to take any special precautions. Tibetans are more likely to help a woman in distress than a man. Young men have a reasonably liberated attitude towards their relations with women. There are several opportunities for misunderstanding if you don’t make your intentions clear from the very outset.