Tibet Explorer Organized Small Group Tour

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Lhasa, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Lhasa)
Detailed Itinerary: Arrival at Gonggar airport and meet assist at the airport & transfer to Lhasa with 1 1/2hrs drive, On the way, you’ll get greeted by Nie Tang Budda - a Budda image engraved in the mountain face.Afternoon at leisure for acclimatization or visit local bazaar on own.

Day 2

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: The Potala Palace, Sera Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast, guided sightseeing with the Lhasa's cardinal landmark-Potala Palace. This massive 13-soreyed building used to be the highest building prior to the early period of last century, used to be the former winter abode for the Dalai Lamas. It looks incredibly magnificent from a distance and could be viewed from various places around the town. As the nation's supreme relic, the palace dates back to 7th century A.D. In the afternoon, visit of Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Sakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. The "Buddhism Scriptures Debating" in Sera is very famous.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: The Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast, guided sightseeing of the most revered religious structure in Tibet-Jokhang Temple. Jokhang, the most sacred temple in Tibet, refers to "Buddha's House" in Tibetan language because the main statue enshrined is said to be made by Buddha Sakyamuni himself in his lifetime. Jokhang Temple is the convergence of Tibe's Spiritual and secular life, like Mecca for the Muslims, here you can meet all the tribes from Tibetan plateau. The surrounding market is called Barkhor, one of the most important religious paths, which also assembles people for shopping. In the afternoon, visit of Norbulingkha, the summer palace of the Dalailama.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Lhasa to Tsetang/Zedang
Today's Activities: Samye Monastery, Yumbulagang Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: We will drive along the Tsangpo river to visit the fantastic Samye monastery, believed to be Tibet's first monastery, built between 775 and 779. The original building is no longer intact due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters, but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity. Its main building is a three-story tower with an interior influenced by Tibetan, Han and Indian styles. In the afternoon visit of Yumbulakhang palace- the first building of Tibet as the palace for the first Tibetan king.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Tsetang/Zedang to Gyantze
Today's Activities: Yomdrok Lake, The Palgor Chorten
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast, leave for Gyanste, after about 3 1/2 hours' driving, climbing over the snow pass of Kambala(4790m), have a overlooking the Yangdrok lake at top of the KambabaLa pass, the view of the lake and the snowpeak afar are marvelous and impressive. After down from the mountain, we continue our drive along the lakeside, stop for after about 90km, in the late afternoon, arriving in Gyangtse, visit Perkhor Chode monastery in the sunset time.

Day 6

Place & Transport: Gyantze to Shigatse
Today's Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast, we leave the small town of Gyantse to Shigatse, the second large city in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 354 km west of Lhasa at an altitude of 3,810 m/12,570 ft, visit to the impressive Tashilhunpo Monastery, home of Tibet's Panchen Lama, a sprawling complex with a gigantic Maitreya (Future Buddha) statue. Various temples contain ornate reliquary chortens. Visit Shigatse's outdoor market for some real treasures.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Shigatse to Lhasa
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: This day is an easy journey, driving along the Yarlung Zsangpo River back to Lhasa. On the way stop at a small village side the road to visit the Tibetan handmade incense mill and workshop.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Depart Lhasa, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Lhasa)
Meals: Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to airport for onward flight.