Day 1 : Kathmandu - Lhasa Flight
This morning you will fly for about an hour over the panoramic Himalayan
Ranges to the capital of Tibet "Lhasa" - at an altitude of 3,650
mt, is situated on the north bank of Kyichu River. Lhasa in Tibetan means "Place
of the Gods", the residence of the Dalai Lama. Life is unhurried, its
people jovial and yet remaining staunchly independent.
On arrival you will be met by the local representative and transferred to
your respective hotel. Balance off the day free to relax and acclimatize to
the altitude. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2 : Lhasa Sightseeing
Today we will visit the Jokhang Temple, situated in the heart of Old Lhasa,
it houses Tibet's most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha
which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the
occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounding the
Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious
and social focus of Lhasa.
Later in the day visit the Potala Palace, this legendary palace built atop
a single hill is synonymous with Tibet by the first foremost king Songtsen
Gompa. It was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by
the 5th Dalai Lama. This 13 story 1000 room citadel served as the
headquarters of the former "church-state" of the Tibet and was
home to successive Dalai Lamas, who from the latter half of the 18th century
used it as their Winter palace.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 3 : Lhasa Excursion
This morning we will drive to Drepung Monastery, 8 Kms west of Lhasa - said
to be the largest monastery in the world, housing over 10,000 monks. It was
founded in 1416 by the disciple of Je Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat
Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas
lived and were entombed here. Drepung in Tibetan means "Richmond".
Also visit the Sera Monastery, 5 Kms north of Lhasa, Sera setting is one of
Lhasa's prettiest monasteries. Once a community of more than 5,000 monks
resided here and was virtually extinguished by the Chinese. The restored
monastery sits below the brow of hill on which tsongkhapa built a hermitage
and spent several years mediating. One of the monks disciples began building
Sera in 1419, completing it a few years later.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 4 : Lhasa - Kathmandu Excursion
You will be picked up from your respective hotel in time to connect your
flight back to Kathmandu.