Discover Tibet's Cultural Origins
This 8-day tour including Tsedang, Shigatse, and Lhasa will bring you to the birthplaces of Tibetan culture to find out where all that is now seen as "Tibetan" is from and how Tibetan Buddhism come into being.
Starting from Tibet's four firsts: king, palace, temple, and farmland, you'll then travel to a holy lake, a beautiful glacier, and the world's deepest canyon — Tibet's awesome landscape is another facet of its culture. Visit four monasteries representing four main sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Then you'll be ready to read the most splendid chapters of Tibetan history and culture in the Potala Palace.
During this tour, you will experience Tibet with Buddhism's six sense bases: eye, ear, tongue, nose, body, and mind.
Tsedang, Shigatse and Lhasa Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Eye : See Tibet's First Palace and Greatest Palace
Discover the origins of Tibetan history in Yumbulakang Palace, and unlock stories of the mysterious Dalai Lamas in the Potala Palace.
Ear : Hear the Chants or Debates of the Monks
Admire the architectural beauty of Tashilunpo monastery: its golden roof, red walls, and white pagodas. Get to know the relationship between Dalai and Panchen lamas and witness a monks' class in the late afternoon, which is usually missed by tourists.
Tongue : Taste a Cup of Tibetan Sweet Tea to Experience Daily Life in Lhasa
Step into Tibetan life in the less-touristy corners of Barkhor Street. Explore a local market where the local people do the daily shopping, and sit in a peaceful nunnery for a cup of the sweet tea that's loved by locals.
Nose : Smell the Fragrance of the Tibetan Incense
Visit a small village that is famous for Tibetan Incense. Experience incense stick making and let the fragrance brings you a peaceful moment.
Body : Experience a Local Tibetan Family's House and Farming Work
Discover Tibetan folk customs when you walk into the living room of a local family's house. Listen to the hosts talking about their daily life. Help Tibetan people with their farming work, such as seeding, cutting barley, or hanging barley on racks.
Mind : Experience a Meditation in a Hermitage of the Oldest Tibetan School
Visit a monastery hidden on a cliff with amazing scenery around it. Discover the caves where the Buddhist masters meditated, and let your mind tune in to their legacy.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Lhasa - views from the top of the world
Khamsang gave us a personal & informative tour of her city. She was patient and helpful to those of us who had difficulty with the altitude. more
Nov 2024, cj m
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Great visit to Tibets monasteries.
We were a group of 6 seniors, in reasonable shape but feeling the altitude. Our guide, Khamsang maintained a slow and steady pace that got us comfortably to the top of Potala Palace. I was impressed with her knowledge of Tibetan culture and history. Her command of English made her easy to follow and she patiently answered our questions.We also went to Sera Monastery and Norbulinka which means jeweled garden. We also toured Deprung Monastery. The trip was interesting andInformative, made better by being in the capable hands of Khansang. more
Nov 2024, Sharon
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Lhasa wonders with Khamsang
Khamsang was our most wonderful guide in Lhasa. We had two full days with her, plus airport transfers. She is so knowledgeable about the history and culture in Tibet, and also very sensitive to our need to take it slow with all the steps. She gave us advise on where to find a bank, ATM machines, and good places to eat. She is very flexible, easy going, and patient with all our questions. Besides showing the 6 of us the wonders of Tibet, she had the added responsibility of getting me to a hospital for follow up care on an injury I had earlier in the trip. She handled all very professionally. If you have a choice of guides in Tibet, ask for Khamsang. more
Nov 2024, Eric B
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private driver and guide will meet you at the airport. Sit back in a comfortable vehicle and enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel.
Visit the first palace of Tibet: Yumbulakang Palace and listen to stories of the first king of Tibet in context. The barley field at foot of the palace's hill is the first piece of farmland that fed the local Tibetans, and it has been used generation after generation since.
Visit Samye Monastery in the afternoon. It is the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery that had a Buddha, dharma, and monks. It's establishment was the most important milestone in the development of Buddhism in Tibet. Its four pagodas in different colors are a unique feature.
Explore the Chimpu Meditation Centers where the Buddhist masters meditated. Experience a meditation there yourself if you would like to.
Drive from Tsedang to Shigatse. Along the way you will visit holy Lake Yamdrok and enjoy the beautiful Kanola Glacier. Visit a local Tibetan farmer's house and be treated to Tibetan butter tea. Experience their farming work, such as cutting highland barley.
Explore the most mysterious monastery — Sakya Monastery (seat of the Sakya "Multi-colored" School) — in the morning. The murals on its yellow walls, the woman ghost statue tied by iron chains, and the mysterious sutra wall are the highlights you should not miss.
Visit splendid Tashilhunpo Monastery (base of the Gelug "Yellow Hat" School) in the afternoon. Figure out the relationship between Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Catch the chants and debates of the monks in the late afternoon if you are interested in them.
Drive along the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon to Lhasa. Enjoy the marvelous scenery on the way. See plateau lakes, rivers, snowy mountains, and traditional Tibetan villages. Stop at a small village that is famous for Tibetan incense making. Experience producing hand-made Tibetan incense.
Pilgrimage to the Potala Palace. Prepare to enjoy the resplendent chambers, exquisite wall paintings, and the stories about the most famous king of the Tubo Kingdom and the Dalai Lamas.
Have a walking tour in the afternoon. Visit Jokhang Temple and explore Barkhor Street including its local market, admire traditional Tibetan architecture, and take afternoon tea in peaceful Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery.
You will visit two less touristy monasteries today. Talk with a monk in Tsurphu Monastery (seat of the Kagyu "Black Hat" School) to get to know how the "living Buddha" reincarnation is believed to work.
And finally explore a small and quiet hermitage of the Nyingma "Red Hat" School, Drak Yerpa Monastery, which is located on a cliff with great scenery.
Note: If you are not interested in covering the monasteries of all four schools, you can replace Tsurphu Monastery with Sera Monastery, which is closer to Lhasa city and famous for its monk debates, or Ganden Monastery, which has a magnificent building group.
Your guide and driver will take you to Lhasa's airport or train station on time for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Tibet Travel Permits
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: xz-5