Potala-Palace

4-Days Highlight Tour To Holy City Lhasa

Tourl Rote: Lhasa-Lhasa

This mind-blowing 4 days' private tour is specially designed for the families with young kids or senior parents. It’s the perfect way for a taste of Lhasa’s best in a short amount of time. During this tour, you could share many “Wow” moments with your families that set your heart racing and make your eyes widen, like the first time go down into the bowels of the Potala, or walk amongst a sea of pilgrims around Barkhor Street, peer into the hidden life of chanting Tibetan Monks at Jokhang Temple. You could have a close touch with locals, like sing a song with children in a Tibet orphanage, enjoy a private cooking in a Tibet family. There is also private time to share the happiness of your family when have a picnic in Norbulingka park.

Highlights:

Go down into the bowels of the Potala, the impressive but spiritless citadel of the Dalai Lamas.
Join the shuffling, murmuring pilgrims around the shrines of the Jokhang, the spiritual heart of Tibet.
Follow monks, mendicants and fellow pilgrims around the Barkhor, Lhasa’s fascinating medieval pilgrim circuit.
Take in a prayer meeting or some monk debating at Sera Drepung, two of the largest and most intact of Tibet’s great monasteries, Sightseeing to Norbulingka ,Summer palace of Dalailama

Time to Visit : Available All Year Around
Tour Type: Small Group (Max 12) I.
Trip Level : Easy for All Agesi
Tour Price from: USD 498per person based on double occupancy in hotels.

Itinerary in short

Day 1: Arrival and pick up, either, at the Gongkar airport or at the Libu train station in Lhasa Day 2: Lhasa sightseeing: Jokhang Temple, Brkhor Market and Potala palace. Day 3: Lhasa sightseeing: Drepung , Sera monastery,and Norbulingka Day 4:End of tour. Your tour guide will arrange transportation to either the Gongkar airport or the Libu train station in Lhasa

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa, get the first impression of Tibetan daily life Welcome to the roof of the world. Your Tibet journey starts with a warm Tibetan style greeting from your local tour guide who will present you with Hada (traditional Tibetan scarves). Then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city at the comfort of your own private vehicle. For most of the way, you would follow the Kyichu River and then see Tibetan homes with their trapezoid shaped windows and fluttering prayer flags, and Tibetans walking beside the roads wearing their distinctive national costumes. You can have a comfort stop near Nietang Buddha where a giant statue of Buddha has been carved out of a stone cliff-face centuries ago. One of the first buildings you could see as you enter the city is the Potala Palace, sitting majestically on a hill dominating Lhasa. Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. It is helpful to take things easy for the first few days, and try to drink some water. Day 2: Lhasa highlights escorted tour After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. With the golden roof shinning in the sun, it is visible from any distance. You can spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building and exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and many Buddhist icons within. In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures having numerous individual temples within it, dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot-high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor area of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes. Day 3: Dickey Orphanage & Sera Monastery In Lhasa, there's been a 'sweet home' to over 80 children, most of whom are orphans. It's called Dickey Orphanage. Have a visit there, share your family love with those homeless children. You can enjoy a beverage or food at the Fine and Happiness Teahouse run by the orphanage, they serve noodles, yak curry, fried rice and all sorts of tea, proceeds will benefit the orphanage. The majority of the children are between six and nine years old. You can bring some warm clothing or basic medication, e.g. eye drops, nose drops, band aids, as well as some stationery for the school age children. Or you can visit the gift shop at the orphanage, they sell hand-made bags, rugs, jewelry and pottery. You can spend the afternoon touring Sera Monastery and have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there. Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called 'the court of wild rose'. Today still 200 lamas live in there. Catch the famous debate session of the monks before returning back to Lhasa,Sightseeing to Norbulingka,summer palace of the Dalailama. Day 4: Finish this unforgettable tour Free time at your disposal this morning, explore the bustling markets of the Barkhor to buy some souvenirs for your families and friends. After lunch, departure transfer to see off, tour services end and Tibet welcome you back forever.

What's Included?

1.Tibet Entry Permit 2. Comfortable, clean and safe vehicle depending on your group size with reliable local driver; 3. Admission fees of tourist sites listed in the itinerary; 4. Professional English speaking tour guide; 5. Accommodations depend on your preference. Please tell us your preferred accommodation class when submitting the enquiry, and we will arrange the best-value hotels for you. 6.All measl listed in the itinerary; 7.Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance

What's Excluded?

1. Chinese Visa (for any visa assistance services, please contact us for details) 2.International airfare to and from China or Nepal 3. Flight or train tickets to Tibet out of Tibet (If you need ticket booking service, please let us know) 4. Single Room Supplement: Hotels are based on double occupancy (twin-bedded rooms) by default. If you prefer a single room or if room sharing isn’t possible, a single room supplement is required (please consult the travel consultant for specific price differences). 5. Lunch and dinner in the cities and all meals outside of Lhasa and Shigatse 6. Tips to the guide and driver based on your satisfaction with their services. We recommend paying a total of $7 per person per day for both the guide and driver. 7. Additional expenses resulting from force majeure events (such as natural disasters, traffic controls, loss of valuables, visa delays, flight delays, cancellations, Travel insurance and Medical expenses, etc.). 8. Personal expenses: laundry, shopping, phone calls, etc.

1. How to Get the Tibet Travel Permit?

The Tibet Travel Permit is essential for any Tibet tour. We help to obtain this permit free of charge when you book your Tibet tour through us. Simply send us copies of your passport and China visa at least 20 days in advance. Once we receive your documents, we will promptly process the permit application with the Tibet Tourism Bureau. After obtaining your permit, we will notify you and send it to your hotel in mainland China. In exceptional cases, our staff can personally deliver the permit to you at the airport or railway station. With years of experience in handling Tibet Travel Permit, we assure you a smooth visit to Tibet by ensuring the acquisition of your permit.

2. Where to Stay in Tibet?

Accommodation facilities and services in Tibet might not match those found in the coastal and central parts of China. However, there's a diverse range of hotel options available. However, you can choose from a wide range of hotel options. In big cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, from cheap and clean youth hostels to distinct Tibetan-style 3-star and international 5-star luxury hotels, you will find one that suits your interests and budget. As you travel to remote areas of Tibet, such as EBC and the Mount Kailash region, the accommodations tend to be more basic. Some may have air-conditioning in the hotel, while others may only offer electric blankets in the guesthouses. Nonetheless, we always handpick cozy and safe accommodations for you along your itinerary in Tibet, ensuring a pleasant night's stay for your Tibet tour.

3. How about the Guiding and Tipping in Tibet?

Our English-speaking guides are natives of Tibet with good knowledge of Tibetan culture, history, and Buddhism. Most are trained to offer Western-standard service. Throughout your stay in Tibet, we will monitor your health and provide prompt assistance to you. If you encounter any trouble, please do not hesitate to contact them or our customer service manager. Travelers' tipping to Tibetan guides and drivers is seen as extra gratitude for their excellent service, much like what you do in the West. Normally, a tipping amount of 7 USD per day is acceptable. The basic principle is rewarding good service with fair pay.

4. How are the Toilets in Tibet?

Undoubtedly, for many Western tourists, using toilets in Tibet can be a challenging experience. Therefore, it's advisable to moderate your expectations. If you travel to Lhasa by Tibet train, both western-style and squat toilets are available onboard. Staying in hotels rated above 3 stars in cities like Lhasa and Shigatse ensures access to standard Western flush toilets, eliminating any discomfort. However, when visiting attractions like Yamdrok or Namtso or outdoor sites like EBC, you're likely to encounter smelly and unclean pit toilets. It's recommended to carry sufficient toilet paper for such occasions.

5. When is the best time to visit Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake?

One of the notable weather features on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the significant temperature fluctuation between day and night. In Lhasa, the annual temperatures range from -2℃ to 12℃ (spring), 9℃ to 22℃ (summer), 7℃ to 19℃ (fall), and -7℃ to 9℃ (winter). Ensure proper clothing, such as thermal tops, a fleece jacket, breathable underwear, a down jacket, jeans, a beanie, and other essentials. Moreover, essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses are crucial to shield yourself from the intense, blinding sunlight of the plateau. Staying hydrated by drinking more water and including vegetables in your diet is advisable to prevent dehydration during your travels in Tibet.

6. How to Prevent from Altitude Sickness in Tibet?

For first-time visitors to Tibet, whether arriving by flight or train, allowing ample rest is crucial for quick acclimation to the high altitude in Lhasa. Avoid rushing to explore the streets or attractions independently. Walk at a slower pace and refrain from exerting yourself by running or jumping. Spending at least two days in Lhasa before venturing to places like Shigatse or Namtso allows for better acclimatization. If you experience any discomfort, inform your guide, and they will assist you.

7. Are There some Dos and Don'ts while Touring Tibet?

Photography is generally prohibited in monasteries. If you wish to capture images of Tibetan pilgrims, kindly seek their permission or maintain a considerable distance while taking photos. Swimming and fishing are prohibited in the sacred lakes of Tibet. Avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics. According to policy, international tourists are not permitted to travel alone in Tibet. While navigating Barkhor Street, adhere to the custom of walking clockwise. Refrain from exploring unfamiliar trails. Take proactive steps to preserve Tibet's delicate ecosystem. Given that Tibetan Buddhism profoundly influences the lives of Tibetans, always show reverence and respect for their unique customs. If uncertain about any practice, it's advisable to seek guidance from your tour guide before proceeding.

Group Tour

With over 15 years of expertise, we take pride in being your go-to specialists for Tibet small group tours.

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Private Tours

The private tours are very flexible. We offer a variety of itineraries, however, you are welcome to customize them according to your interests. We arrange private tours for any amount of travelers, from one to thirty and above.